The Long Road to Reconciliation | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Texts: Genesis 33:1-20; Ephesians 2:12-19 From Separation to Reconciliation (Gen. 33:1-11) Jacob’s posture of humility toward Esau God’s faithfulness in bringing about Esau and Jacob’s reconciliation Jacob’s gratitude for God’s provision, acceptance, and protection From Reconciliation to Redirection (Gen. 33:12-20) Esau’s sincere offer to Jacob to join him at his home Jacob’s cryptic refusal and redirection toward the Promised Land Jacob’s altar of worship to the God of Israel Gospel Connection: Because of Christ, we can go from being separated...
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How Jacob Became Israel | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Genesis 32:1-32 Grappling with Fear Leads to Self-Reliance (Gen. 32:1-21) God reassures Jacob of His abiding presence and protection. Jacob grapples with his greatest fear and resorts to self-reliance instead of depending on God. When we are struggling with fear, our only hope is found in trusting in God (Ps. 27:1-3; 56:3-4). ...
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A Biblical Apologetic For Spending Your Life on Mission | Dr Joe Allen
Raintree Community Church
Text: Philippians 3:7-11 Main Idea: Enjoying fellowship with Christ is worth any hardship for Christ Jesus is worth suffering the loss of all things Hardship for Christ produces deep fellowship with Christ Deeper fellowship with Christ is the supreme reward for faithfulness
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The Risen King and His Mission | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Matthew 28:1-20 The Resurrection of the Risen King (Matt. 28:1-10) The Witnesses of Christ’s Resurrection The Proof of Christ’s Resurrection The Rejection of the Risen King (Matt. 28:11-15) The False Report of Christ’s Resurrection The Settled Unbelief of the Religious Leaders The Reign of the Risen King (Matt. 28:16-20) The Authority of Christ Over All Things The Commission to Make Disciples of All Nations The Risen King gives us new life in Him and compels us to proclaim this message to the world.
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Living Under God's Faithful Providence | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Genesis 30:25-31:55 God’s Gracious Prosperity (Genesis 30:25-43) Jacob receives God’s blessing of prosperity in spite of his track record and Laban’s schemes. God’s blessing is not dependent upon our plans and performance, but on His character and ability. God’s Guiding Presence (Genesis 31:1-21) God speaks to Jacob to call him back to the land of promise and reassure him of His abiding presence. Where God calls us to go, He will be there to lead us. God’s Governing Protection (Genesis 31:22-55) God protected Jacob and prevented Laban from...
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Grace in the Midst of Conflict | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Texts: Genesis 30:1-24; Psalm 73:23-26; Galatians 5:13-15; Romans 12:15-18 Envy Leads to Idolatry (Gen. 30:1-13) Above everything else, Leah desired to be loved by her husband. Above everything else, Rachel desired to bear children. Above everything else, we must not “turn a good thing into an ultimate thing” and therefore displace God as our chief consideration in life. Rivalry Leads to Division (Gen. 30:14-24) Leah and Rachel’s rivalry would sow seeds of division and strife within the family. We must be careful to guard and nurture our family relationships....
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What You Sow You Will Reap | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Genesis 29:1-35 God’s Purposeful Hand of Providence (Gen. 29:1-14) God’s hand of providence was leading Jacob through every step and circumstance. We need to acknowledge God’s hand of providence and thank Him for His blessings to us. God’s Merciful Hand of Correction (Gen. 29:15-30) In His mercy, God allowed Jacob to reap the consequences of the sins he has sown. In His mercy, God seeks to humble and correct us in order that we might come to the end of ourselves and turn to Him in faith. God’s Faithful Hand of Promise (Gen. 29:31-35) Leah was...
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Encountering the God of Grace | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Genesis 28:1-22 God’s Covenant Blessing is Confirmed (Gen. 28:1-9) Isaac pronounces God’s covenant blessing on Jacob, proving his trust in God’s Word has been restored. Esau attempts to gain God’s covenant blessing in the wrong way. God’s Gracious Presence is Revealed (Gen. 28:10-15) God reveals Himself to Jacob in a dream of a stairway to heaven, where He condescends in grace. God is laying the foundation for Jacob’s faith in the future. Jacob’s Response to God is Expressed (Gen. 28:16-22) Jacob responds in fear and awe before God’s...
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Sovereign Grace in the Midst of Brokenness | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Texts: Genesis 27:1-46; Galatians 3:13-14 Brokenness Displayed in Disregarding God (Gen. 27:1-4) Despite knowing God’s plan to bless his younger son Jacob, Isaac disregards God’s Word to give the blessing to Esau. Isaac was motivated by his heart’s desire instead of obeying God’s Word. We must beware of living according to our desires for the things of earth. Brokenness Displayed in Deceiving Others (Gen. 27:5-29) Through her deception, Rebekah sought to deceive Isaac into giving the blessing to Jacob. Through his deception, Jacob repeatedly lies to his father to...
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Fear Not, For I Am With You | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Genesis 26:1-35 The Presence of God in Our Suffering (Gen. 26:1-5) A famine threatens Isaac and his family. God reaffirms His covenant to Isaac and promises His presence. The Presence of God in Our Sin (Gen. 26:6-11) Isaac deceives Abimelech about his wife being his sister. Isaac is confronted in his sin, and God protects him. The Presence of God in our Successes and Struggles (Gen. 26:12-35) God prospers Isaac in wealth and harvest in the land of the Philistines despite opposition from others. Isaac builds an altar of worship to God as God rehearses His...
info_outlineText: Genesis 22:1-24
An Ultimate Test of Faith (Gen. 22:1-2)
- God tested Abraham’s faith by commanding him to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice.
- God tests us to prove the genuineness of our faith and produce steadfastness (James 1:2-4).
An Undaunted Act of Obedience (Gen. 22:3-10)
- Abraham responds to God in faith, acting in obedience to God’s command.
- Abraham believed that God would provide a lamb for the sacrifice and take care of his son. (Heb. 11:17-19)
An Unfailing Provision of Grace (Gen. 22:11-14)
- Abraham proved that his faith in God was genuine.
- God stays Abraham’s hand and provides the sacrifice that was required.
- Jesus, the true and better Isaac, is the sacrificial lamb of God who would be slain for our redemption.
An Unwavering Promise of Blessing (Gen. 22:15-24)
- God rewards Abraham for his obedience and reassures Abraham of His promise to bless him and his offspring.