Offspring for Abram? Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 16:1-16

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Offspring for Abram? Part 2 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 16:1-16
25 November 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Discuss the failures of major biblical characters.  What role do these play in pointing us to the Savior?
2.  Discuss the identity of the angel of the LORD.  What are some of the various ways we see Christ at work and referred to in the Old Testament?
3.  Why does God tell Hagar to return?
4.  What does this story teach us about God’s attitude towards people?
5.  How do you think Hagar’s report of this encounter would have affected Abram and Sarai?

References: Romans 11:32; Ephesians 2:7; Exodus 3:2, 4; Genesis 31:11, 13; Deuteronomy 32:10; Isaiah 32:14; Jeremiah 14:6; Ezekiel 33:11.

Offspring for Abram? Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 16:1-16

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Offspring for Abram? Part 1 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 16:1-16
11 November 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  In what ways do you need to hear the message that nothing is impossible with God?
2.  What was wrong with Sarai’s plan? To what extent is Abram worthy of blame in this story?
3.  What does it look like in practice for us to live according to the promise rather than according to the flesh?
4.  What were the negative effects of Abram and Sarai’s actions?
5.  What does this text teach us about the seriousness of our own choices?

References: Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; Genesis 18:14; 2:24; 3:17; Galatians 4:23; 2:20.

Seed and Land Confirmed

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 15:1-21

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Seed and Land Confirmed — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 15:1-21
4 November 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What can we do to constantly remind ourselves of God’s character? Why is this the only answer to a fearful heart?
2.  How would you summarize v. 6? How does Paul in particular highlight this verse in his description of the gospel?
3.  What are the clarifications given to Abram in this passage? Why does God make Abram wait for this information?
4.  Describe some of your experiences waiting on God. How have these times deepened your faith?
5.  How would you describe what is going on at the end of this chapter with the making of a covenant? What is God communicating to Abram?

References: Psalm 18:2; 28:7; Galatians 3:6-14; Romans 4; James 2:18-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Matthew 8:11.

The Blessed Man, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 14:17-24

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The Blessed Man, Part 2 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 14:17-24
28 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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1.  How is Abram’s life a picture of our lives as Christians?
2.  What makes Melchizedek Abram’s superior? How does he serve as a type of Christ?
3.  How are Abram’s faith and strength of character demonstrated in his response to Melchizedek?
4.  What temptation does Abram face in this narrative, and what support does God give him?
5.  How does Abram uphold God’s glory, live by faith, and act as a witness? How does this affect our view of theChristian life?

References: Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 7; Psalm 110; Hebrews 2:18.

The Blessed Man, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 14:1-16

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The Blessed Man, Part 1 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 14:1-16
21 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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1.  How does the text contrast Abram’s condition with that of Lot, and what does this tell us about Abram?
2.  What does it mean to say that as Christians God ensures our “safety”? Describe how this plays out in an individual’s life.
3.  How would you describe Abram’s character as depicted in this passage? What does it mean to say that faith is the powerhouse for service?
4.  How does Abram prefigure Christ in this narrative?
5.  How do these verses portray Abram’s “strength”? In what ways are we “strong,” and what does it look like to take advantage of God’s resources?

References: Ephesians 1:3-14; Jude 1; Psalm 34:19; Romans 8:35-37; Matthew 5:3-12; Galatians 3:9; Judges 7; Zechariah 4:6; Ephesians 6:10.

Renewed Faith

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 13:1-8

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Renewed Faith — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 13:1-18
14 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Describe times in your life when God renewed your faith. What were some of the means he used?
2.  What does it mean to acknowledge the Lord, and how do we see Abram doing this in our passage? How does this differ from the previous passage?
3.  What would it look like for you to “return and recognize”?
4.  How is Abram portrayed as a peacemaker? Where do we find this quality emphasized in the New Testament, and how does it challenge you?
5.  How did Abram renounce self in his dealings with Lot? Why was he able to do this?
6.  What does it mean to live by faith and not by sight?

References: Proverbs 3:5-6; Revelation 2:4-5; Matthew 7:7-11; James 3:17-18; Matthew 5:9; 1 Corinthians 3:21; Romans 8:32; Matthew 5:5; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Corinthians 5:7.

The Faithful God & The Feeble Faith

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 12:10-20

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The Faithful God & The Feeble Faith -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 12:10-20
7 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How are the “heroes” of the Old Testament useful to us as Christians? How do they always point us to Christ?
2.  How would you summarize Abram’s stumbling in verses 10-13? What do you think was going through his mind?
3.  In times of difficulty or danger, what does it look like for us to go into survival mode rather than seeking mode? Describe a time when you have done this.
4.  How would you summarize God’s faithfulness in this passage? How does it show God’s care on both a macro and a micro level?
5.  How does this passage prefigure later events? How would this have encouraged the first readers of Genesis?

References: Hebrews 11:8-12, 17-19; Galatians 3:9; Genesis 20:1-18; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 3:22; 11:6-8; 2 Timothy 2:13; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9.

The Faithful God & The Father of Faith

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 12:1-9

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The Faithful God & The Father of Faith -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 12:1-9
30 September 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Why do we refer to Abram as the father of faith?
2.  Why would God’s command in v. 1 not have been easy to embrace?
3.  What does it mean to say that God’s word to Abram begins with command but is dominated by promise? What does this tell us about the Lord and how he relates to people?
4.  How would you summarize God’s promises to Abram? What is the significance of the last promise in v. 3, and why does Paul say that this was the gospel being preached to Abram?
5.  How would you characterize Abram’s response to God’s word? How does this challenge comfortable Christianity, selective obedience, and competing priorities?
6.  What is the purpose of God’s appearance to Abram, and what does this tell us about God’s character?
7.  What is the symbolism conveyed by Abram’s worship and altar building as he moves through the land?

References: Genesis 17:5; Galatians 3:9, 29; Romans 4:11; Acts 7:2-3; Hebrews 11:8-10; Exodus 20:2; John 14:1-3; Exodus 1:7-9; Genesis 24:34-35; Galatians 3:8; Genesis 6:22; 7:9; Matthew 10:37.

The God Who Prevails

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 11:10-32

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The God Who Prevails -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 11:10-32
23 September 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How would you describe the significance of Abraham in the biblical storyline?
2.  How are the first eleven chapters of Genesis both hopeless and hopeful? How do they turn us to God alone?
3.  Where do we see God’s sovereignty in salvation history in Genesis 1-11?
4.  What impact should the unstoppable nature of God’s plan have on our theology?  How does it comfort us in our battle against sin?
5.  How does Abraham’s religious background remind us that God is able to overcome any barrier to belief?  Why should this motivate our evangelism?
6.  Why do you think God chose to work through the barren woman, Sarai?

The City of Man, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 11:5-9

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The City of Man, Part 2 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 11.5-9
16 September 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does this story show us the danger of being a “reputation manager”? How can a person’s life become a little Babel in this regard?
2.  How does finding our identity in Christ act as the only guard against chasing our own name?
3.  Why do we need to be constantly reminded that we can’t hide from God?
4.  How do we see both a pitiful picture and a powerful potential at Babel?
5.  In what ways have you witnessed the deceptive power of sin?
6.  How is God’s preventing work at Babel both preservation and punishment?
7.  How does this passage remind us that sin leads to futility?

References: 2 Corinthians 5:15; Isaiah 40:22; Psalm 103:19; Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 40:15, 17; Genesis 3:22; 18:21; Zephaniah 3:9; Acts 2:6. 

The City of Man, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 11:1-9

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The City of Man, Part 1 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 11:1-9
9 September 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What support does Jesus give for the historicity of the events described in Genesis 1-11?
2.  How does the Tower of Babel story help us to identify worldliness and flee from it?
3.  Where do we see independence and misuse in this passage? How are independence and disobedience related?
4.  What does it mean to say that Babel is the mother of all pagan worship and false religion?
5.  What does it look like to live for our own “name”?

References: Daniel 4:30; 1 Peter 5:13; Revelation 17:5; 18:1-2; Mark 10:6; Matthew 23:35; 24:39; Revelation 18:5; 1 John 2:15; Genesis 13:11; 9:1; 3:24; 4:16; Isaiah 63:14; James 4:6; Matthew 23:12.

Our Ancient Ancestry

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 10:1-32

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Our Ancient Ancestry -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 10:1-32
2 September 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Is there anything that you find particularly intriguing or surprising about this genealogy?
2.  How does this text further contribute to our understanding of the character of God?
3.  How does this passage help us fight against racism and better love our neighbor?
4.  Where do we see human corruption in these verses? How does this genealogy prepare the reader for the Tower of Babel?
5.  Discuss how these genealogies in Genesis 1-11 are moving towards Abraham and ultimately Christ. How does this increase your trust in God?

References: Genesis 2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 9:1; Ephesians 1:3; Acts 17:26; Genesis 4:17; 6:4; Romans 1:18-32; Genesis 3:15; Revelation 7:9-10; Genesis 12:3.

After the Ark, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 9:18-29

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After the Ark, Part 2 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 9:18-29
26 August 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How do the two scenes of Genesis 9 set up a contrast between God and humanity? How does this guide us in where to direct our hope?
2.  How does this text portray the potentially destructive power of alcohol? How have you seen alcohol play a destructive role in peoples’ lives?
3.  How would you characterize Ham’s sin? Why do you think God takes dishonoring parents so seriously?
4.  How does Shem offer hope in the midst of this story?
5.  What does it mean to say that all must face a death of dust, but not all will face a death of destruction?

References: Genesis 8:21; 6:8-9; Hebrews 11:7; Psalm 104:14-15; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-32; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Exodus 21:15; Leviticus 20:9; Genesis 3:15; 22:18; John 11:25-26.

After the Ark, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 9:1-17

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After the Ark, Part 1 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 9:1-17
19 August 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  In what ways do vv. 1-7 echo Genesis 1?  How do the differences remind us of the Fall?
2.  How does this passage speak to issues like the treatment of animals and the death penalty?
3.  What is God’s attitude towards creation in general and life in particular?  What are some of the implications for us?
4.  What is a covenant, and what are some characteristics of the covenant that God established in Genesis 9?
5.  Why do you think God chose to mark this covenant with a rainbow?  How might this passage influence the way you view rainbows in the future?
6.  How does the fact that God is a covenant-maker and covenant-keeper affect the way we relate to him in our Christian lives?

References: Genesis 1:26-29; Romans 13:1-5; Romans 8:19-22; Revelation 21:1; Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 4:3; Titus 1:2; Romans 3:25; Luke 22:20. 

The Flood Finished

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 8:1-22

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The Flood Finished -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 8:1-22
12 August 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What is the biggest effect that the Noah narrative has had on you so far?
2.  How do we see God’s faithfulness in this passage? In what specific ways have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?
3.  What does it look like to wait on God, and how do we see this in the life of Noah?
4.  Why did Noah make burnt offerings to God? What does the timing of these offerings tell us about his attitude towards God?
5.  How does this passage direct our attention to Christ?

References: Exodus 2:24; Hebrews 11:7; Psalm 27:14; Leviticus 1:1-17; Ephesians 5:2.

The Flood

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 7:1-24

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The Flood -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 7:1-24
05 August 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does the New Testament guide us on how to read the flood narrative? Why should the world’s view of Noah’s flood not surprise us?
2.  In what ways is the flood a “controlled” event? How should this impact our view of God and our circumstances?
3.  How is the flood a “careful” event? What all does God preserve?
4.  What do the words at the end of v. 16, “And the LORD shut him in,” teach us about God?
5.  How does the text describe the flood as both powerful and universal?
6.  What does it mean to say that this story should leave us in repentant reverence running to the ark of safety?

References: Matthew 24:37-39; 2 Peter 3:5-7; Matthew 7:21; Genesis 1:9; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 2:6; Proverbs 18:10; Exodus 14:28; Genesis 1:2

Noah and the Ark

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 6:9-22

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Noah and the Ark -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 6:9-22
29 July 2018

DEEP SHEET:  Sermon Study Questions
1.  How would you describe Noah based on the text? How does Noah’s character challenge us in the midst of our generation?
2.  How would you characterize the relationship between God and Noah?
3.  What does it mean to say that God destroyed what man had already destroyed?
4.  How does God’s judgment in the past point us to the future? According to Peter, what practical effect should this have on the Christian?
5.  In what ways does the ark serve as a picture of Christ?

References: Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 15:6; Proverbs 11:5; Ecclesiastes 7:20; 2 Peter 2:5; John 5:24; Genesis 18:17-21; John 15:15; 2 Peter 2:5; 3:11-12; 1 John 2:17; Exodus 2:3, 5.

A Sorrowful State, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 6:4-8

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A Sorrowful State, Part 2 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 6:4-8
22 July 2018

Deep Sheet:  Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does it look like for us to feel the weight of sin and of grace in our daily lives? How can we cultivate the attitude of John Chrysostom: “I fear nothing but sin”?
2.  What does it mean to say that left to ourselves, we always assess wrongly? How do we keep our assessment of reality aligned with God’s?
3.  What do you find most striking about the depravity described in vv. 5-6? Discuss the breadth, depth, totality, and offense of this depravity?
4.  What does v. 6 in particular teach us about God?
5.  Are people less sinful today than at the time of the flood? What are some key passages of Scripture for answering this question?
6.  How does the text point us to God’s grace rather than human merit?
7.  How does the figure of Noah contribute to a “theology of singularity”?

References: Jeremiah 17:9-10; Genesis 8:21; Romans 3:10-12; Romans 8:19-21; Genesis 3:15. 

A Sorrowful State, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 6:1-4

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A Sorrowful State, Part 1 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 6:1-4
15 July 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How should we interpret the long lifespans before the flood?
2.  How does the timeline reflected in the Genesis 5 genealogy support a recent creation of humanity?
3.  Why should Genesis 6:1-8 be characterized as a “sorrowful state”?
4.  What has been your understanding of the “sons of God” in this passage? What evidence is there for the view that these are fallen angels?
5.  What do we know about demons from the New Testament, and how might this information help us interpret this passage?
6.  Would you say that you take spiritual warfare seriously? How does this passage encourage us to be vigilant?
7.  What does it look like to fight Satan and his demons in the Lord’s strength?

References: Genesis 11:10-32; Matthew 1:8; Jude 14; 1 Chronicles 1:1-4; Luke 3:36-38; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Numbers 13:33; Jude 6; 1 Peter 3:19-20; 2 Peter 2:4-6; Revelation 12:3-9; Luke 8:31; 11:24.

The Hopeful Line

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 5

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The Hopeful Line -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 5
08 July 2018

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What has been your attitude towards biblical genealogies? What are some ways in which they can be profitable for us?
2.  How do the verses leading up to chapter 5 prepare us for the hopeful nature of the genealogy itself?
3.  What does the creation language in the opening verses communicate about this line, and what effect should this have on the reader?
4.  What is the significance of Enoch in this genealogy? What does it mean to say that chapter 5 gives us the “line of life”?
5.  What does it look like to walk with God? How would you describe your own experience of walking with him?
6.  In what ways does the glory of Christ shine through this genealogy? 

References: Luke 3:23-38; 2 Kings 2:11; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 11:5; Jude 14-15; Genesis 3:17-19; 6:9.