I am not alone, when I stand

Today we discuss another prominent father of Christianity and Judaism. Jacob; later named Israel by God; was a deceiver. He took his brother Esau's birthright and blessing. However, being chosen by God, our Heavenly Father still desired to redeem Jacob. In a similar fashion, God -through the person of Christ Jesus is in constant pursuit of the lost in this world.  He is equally and simultaneously helping and keeping those who have accepted Him (Jesus) as LORD and Saviour. Just as he carried for Jacob in when he went to search for a wife and flee the wrath of his brother Esau. God protected Jacob, even in those moments when Jacob made mistakes or when Jacob was deceived. Am I willing to submit my life completely to God's plan & will even when everyone else around me is not?

Happy Easter!! He is Risen!! Christ Jesus our LORD is Risen indeed! Act 2:22-41 We all share a personal testimony of when we gave our heart to Jesus and focus on the personal part of our relationship with Him.

Hebrews 11:20; Genesis 24:1-26, 60-67; Genesis 26: 1-5, 23-25; Matthew 22:23 Takeaways from the life of Isaac: 1. Love my spouse 2. Family Faith 3. Living peacefully How do I treat my spouse? How do I treat my siblings? step-siblings? half-siblings? How can I be more peaceful? Am I allowing my faith to grow?

Hebrews 11:17-19; Genesis 17:15-21; Genesis 21:1-5; Genesis 22:1-18; James 2:19-24 Abraham's faith and works are actively united. To have the faith and trust in God to take his only son, bind him, raise a knife to kill his son. This was Abraham's self-sacrifice amidst his faith and works. The possibility that his heirs' life would be extinguished was evident. Yet, Abraham believed that even if he did extinguish his sons' life as a sacrifice, Almighty God would raise him (Isaac) from the dead. Let us stop justifying our sins & faults; instead like Abraham let us justify our faith.

Genesis 12:1-3,7; Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15; Genesis 17:1-5, 10-11; Hebrews 11:8-16 Why did God choose Abraham? God's covenants with Abraham: a.) Verbal Covenant                                                  b.) Animal Sacrifice Covenant                                                 c.) Circumcision Covenant Purpose - God chooses whom He chooses. - Covenants point to God. Point to God's redemption for all mankind. Point to this planet NOT being our final destination, but to Heaven. Point to the importance of removing idols/polytheism. The whole world will be blessed through Abraham and his offspring. John 8:56 - Abraham points us, civilization, to Jesus. John 14:2-3 - We are exiles on this earth. Because this planet is not our final home, Does this mean we do not take care of this earth? - Does this give us permission to treat others different from us as insignificant? - Does this mean we have brothers/sisters (children of Abraham) different from us? (culture color, lands, etc.) Abraham and God's covenant point us to the unity of free people under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and that we as Christians are aliens in this planet. Our actual home is the place Jesus is preparing for us (aka. Heaven).

We discuss the miracle and history of the flood in accordance with Biblical Scripture. Genesis 6:5-8; 11-22; Genesis 7:1-5; 11-12; 17-21; 24; Genesis 8:4-7; 8-12; 15-16 Matthew 24: 36-42; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:18-22 We ask some fun questions (for example...Did a giant hold to the back of the Ark and then later bring about the propagation of a giant race after the flood?) We also ask some important questions (for example...How is the flood foreshadow of water baptism in the future, for today?)

Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 5:12-17; 1 Corinthians 15:21-25, 42-45, 53-57; James 2:10-13 What is sin? Who is the judge over what sin is? What is original sin? When Eve was being tempted...where was Adam? How long did it take for Adam to eat the fruit after Eve ate? What was the fruit Adam and Eve ate? Does it matter? What was the serpent? a dragon? Does it matter...other than the fact that the tempter was the devil; bent on wanting to separate man from God. Are we to ignore our sin and the sins of others and pretend as though we live in a perfect world or a soon utopia? (John 8:7) What is our responsibility to each other? (1 John 5:16-17) The solution to sin...is Salvation through the person/Godhead of Jesus Christ. He is our Saviour. He is our Master. He is our true King. He is our Redeemer. He is our solution.

John 14:18 - Jesus said, "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." In Ephesians 6:10-24; What are the final instruction given? Why should I put on the whole armour of God? Who is my real enemy? What does the armour of God enable you to do? What additional things should be done? Re-read verse 24, describe your own feelings about Jesus. 2 Peter 3:14-18

John 14:1-4; 1Corinthians 15:12-19; 1Corinthians 15:50-58 What are the requirements for eternal life? (John 3:3-8) Who will inherit eternal life in heaven? (I Peter 1:3-5) What guarantee do you have that your tomorrow is secured? (Ephesians 1:13-14) Christ gave us a promise of tomorrow when we face hardships, what is that promise? (Matthew 5:11-12) We have victory over death when we follow Christ. How then should we live? (1Corinthians 15:56-58) What is our equipment which we must put on in preparation for the coming Christ? If we are putting on armour, does this show our walk with Christ to be an easy or difficult journey? Are you ready for the battles? (1Thessalonians 5:1-11) What are some goals you would like to obtain in fighting against the times in which we live? (Matthew 24:11-14)

A few steps to help prepare your testimony: 1. Live outside your home. 2. Allow people to see your activities. 3. Let people hear you speak. 4. Follow Jesus in Water Baptism. 5. Rely on the Holy Spirit and His power, boldness, and witness. 6. Write down a description of when you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. 7. Tell Jesus in prayer and others in a corporate worship setting what you wrote down. 8. Tell others what you wrote down as your testimony. 9. Tell a family member who does not know Jesus the transformation Jesus gifted you with. 10. Tell a close friend what you wrote down. 11. Tell your neighbors what you wrote down. Romans 10:12-17; Matthew 5:14-16; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 20:18-24; Luke 24:46-49