The Blessing of the Adopted Sons

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

Genesis 48:1-22

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The Blessing of the Adopted Sons — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 48:1-22
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 19, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How have the narratives of Genesis changed or informed your understanding of faith? How does Hebrews 11 in particular aid our reading of these stories?
2.   What is the significance of the interchange of “Jacob” and “Israel” in v. 2?
3.   Why does Jacob begin his dialogue with Joseph by quoting God’s words from chapter 35?
4.   What makes Joseph’s desire to bring his sons to Jacob so remarkable given his position in Egypt? What does this teach us about worldly attainments?
5.   Discuss how faithfulness and faith are woven together in vv. 8-16. How does Jacob’s pronouncement of blessing over the two sons (vv. 15-16) provide insight into the Christian life?
6.   Why does God choose to carry his blessing forward by means of the younger son throughout Genesis?

References: Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:18-22; Hebrews 11:1, 13; Genesis 35:11-12; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Genesis 5:24; 6:9; Hebrews 11:21.

Preparations in Prison

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

Genesis 40:1-23

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Preparations in Prison — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 40:1-23
Sermon Series: Genesis
October 6, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How have you seen God providentially connect you to other people in order to accomplish his purposes? Discuss any adverse circumstances that you had to endure in order to get to that point.
2.   Discuss the theme of humiliation before exaltation or the cross before the crown. How do we often lose sight of this in the Christian life?
3.   Where do we see Joseph’s faith in this narrative? How does it convict us and drive us to Christ?
4.   Where have we seen God’s “kindness” and “remembering” in Genesis so far? How do these characteristics of God give us courage to face any circumstance?
5.   How does this narrative help us to wait on the Lord?

References: Genesis 39:2, 22; Psalm 105:18-21; Philippians 2:8-9; Genesis 22:1; Hebrews 11:1; Genesis 39:21; 8:1; 19:29; 30:22; 41:1

The Other Son

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

Genesis 36:1-43

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The Other Son — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 36:1-43
Sermon Series: Genesis
September 1, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does Moses include this genealogy in Genesis, and why does he put it in this place? What stands out most to you as you read it?
2.   What picture has emerged regarding Esau’s character and mindset in the lead up to our passage? How do the first eight verses of this genealogy correspond to that picture?
3.   How does the writer of Hebrews want Christians to apply the character of Esau to their lives?
4.   In what ways does Esau’s genealogy demonstrate God’s faithfulness to Abraham? How does this encourage us to trust in God today?
5.   Discuss the significance of the words in v. 31, “before any king reigned over the Israelites.” What does this teach us about the Christian life?
6.   How does Genesis 36 anticipate Christ as both Savior and King?

References: Genesis 3:15; 22:18; 25:32-34; 26:34-35; 27:38; Hebrews 12:16; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 2 Chronicles 25:20; Genesis 12:1, 7; 25:1-18; 17:4, 6; Deuteronomy 2:12; Joshua 24:4; Acts 17:26; Numbers 24:17-19..

Back to Bethel

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

Genesis 35:1-29

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Back to Bethel — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 35:1-29
Sermon Series: Genesis
August 25, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does Jacob’s story show us the benefit of trials in our lives?
2.   What does this passage teach us about God’s holiness and power?
3.   How does this narrative instruct us in worship?
4.   How are God’s words to Jacob in vv. 10-12 packed with gospel anticipation?
5.   Why does this section serve as a transition within Genesis?
6.   In what ways are we left marveling at God’s faithfulness and grace?

References:Genesis 28:10-22; James 1:2; Genesis 17:1-8; 1:28.

Safe and Sound

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

Genesis 33:1-20

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Safe and Sound — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 33:1-20
Sermon Series: Genesis
August 11, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   In what ways is this passage a climax?
2.   What does it mean to say that God may weaken us in order to prepare us?
3.   What does Esau’s attitude towards Jacob tell us about God’s workings?
4.   Where do we see Jacob’s folly in this story? What does it mean to say that God folds our folly into his faithfulness?
5.   Why is it necessary for Jacob to remain separate from Esau?
6.   How do the final verses connect us back to Abraham, and why is this important?

References: Genesis 27:41; 32:6; 28:15; Ephesians 3:20; Genesis 32:11; 12:6.

Another Prosperous Patriarch

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

Genesis 30:25-43

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Another Prosperous Patriarch — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 30:25-43
Sermon Series: Genesis
July 7, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Where else in Genesis have we seen the theme of material prosperity? Why is this an important aspect of God’s dealings with the Patriarchs in particular?
2.  Discuss how Jacob and Laban respond differently to God’s blessings. How does Laban’s response give us insight into the unbelieving heart?
3.  How does the first part of this passage help us to see that our good is for God’s glory? In what ways do you overlook this in your life?
4.  How do Jacob and Laban serve as a picture of Christ and his people? What does it mean to say that all the blessings we receive are “spillover” from Christ?
5.  How does Laban mistreat Jacob? What does the final outcome teach us about God’s work in our lives?
6.  How does this passage free us up to love our enemies?

References: Genesis 28:15; 12:16; 24:35; 26:12-14; 28:13, 14; Romans 1:18; Genesis 31:10-12.

A Finale of Faithfulness

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

Genesis 25:1-18

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A Finale Of Faith — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 25:1-18
Sermon Series: Genesis
April 28, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Discuss the many ways we’ve seen God’s faithfulness demonstrated in the story of Abraham. What has stood out the most to you?
2.  How do the many earthly nations that came from Abraham point to us?
3.  How is Isaac contrasted with the other sons of Abraham in this passage? What does that tell us about God’s plan?
4.  How has the theme of the Seed, as it has played out so far, deepened your faith in Christ?
5.  How does Abraham’s burial show God’s faithfulness to the land promises? What does it say about Abraham’s faith?
6.  What does it mean to say that Abraham’s inheritance is our inheritance, that his story is our story?

References: Genesis 12:4; 24:27; 17:4-6, 20; Romans 4:20-21; Revelation 7:9-10; Genesis 3:15; 21:12; 22:17-18; 35:28-29; 15:15; 23:17; 12:1, 7; 13:14-15; Luke 16:22; Matthew 22:32; 5:5; 8:11; Hebrews 11:13; Revelation 21:1-4.

Isaac's Bride

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

Genesis 24:1-67

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Isaac’s Bride — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 24:1-67
Sermon Series: Genesis
April 7, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What are some of the benefits of studying the lives of the patriarchs?
2.  How would you summarize Abraham’s wishes for his son? What are his reasons?
3.  What does the success of Abraham’s servant teach us about God’s character? How does the servant draw attention to these attributes in his prayer and speech?
4.  Why is this servant such a helpful illustration of how we are to serve Christ?
5.  How would you describe the relationship between prayer, providence, and praise in this narrative?
6.  How does this story demonstrate God’s sovereignty over human history and human hearts?
7.  How is Rebekah’s character and role portrayed? How do these things move the reader forward in Genesis?

References: Genesis 12:2; Acts 7:8; Romans 4:11; 9:5; Genesis 15:15; 9:25.

The Climactic Test, Part 2

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

Genesis 22:1-24

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The Climactic Test, Part 2 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 22:1-24
Sermon Series: Genesis
March 24, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What have we learned about God’s character from this story before we even get his response to Abraham’s obedience?
2.  Why is this the only fitting test for Abraham? What is the relationship here between faith and obedience, and why is it so important that we get this right in the Christian life?
3.  How does God affirm Abraham? In what ways have you seen God give affirmation and assurance in your life?
4.  How does this story picture Christ’s sacrifice as the Lamb of God?
5.  Why does God make an oath? How does this text show his trustworthiness?
6.  How does the genealogy at the end of the chapter point us both forward and backwards in the book of Genesis?

References: Genesis 21:12; Hebrews 11:19; Proverbs 8:13; 9:10; Job 1:1; 1 Peter 1:7; Matthew 3:17; John 3:16; Romans 8:32; Isaiah 53:7, 10; John 1:29; 18:12; 19:17-18; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6, 9; Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 6:13-20; Genesis 11:26-32; 21:33.

The Two Sons, Part 2

Genesis 21:8-21

8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

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The Two Sons, Part 2 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 21:8-21
Sermon Series: Genesis
24 February 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Discuss how God meets his people, keeps his promises, accomplishes his purposes, and establishes his praise in and through Jesus Christ.
2.  How do we see Sarah’s sin and God’s sovereignty in this passage?
3.  Where do we see God’s grace in how he relates to Abraham in particular?
4.  How are faith and obedience linked together in Abraham’s response to God?
5.  Why did God separate Ishmael from Isaac?  What does this have to do with our salvation?
6.  Discuss Paul’s use of this passage in Galatians 4.  What is he trying to teach his readers?
7.  What does God’s care for Ishmael teach us about his character?

References:Matthew 1:23; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Galatians 4:4; Acts 2:23; Ephesians 1:12; Genesis 16; Galatians 4:21-31.

The Two Sons, Part 1

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

Genesis 21:1-21

1 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

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The Two Sons, Part 1 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 21:1-21
17 February 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does the birth of Isaac mark both the beginning and the continuation of the line to Christ?
2.  In what ways has God clarified and confirmed his promises to Abraham between chapters 12 and 21?
3.  How do these verses encourage us to put theology at the center of the church? Why might some be uncomfortable with saying that the church is about theology?
4.  How do vv. 1-2 teach us that God meets his people, keeps his promises, and accomplishes his purposes? In what ways are these truths foundational throughout the Bible and in the Christian life?
5.  How does this passage show us that God does everything for his glory? How does he establish his praise in our lives?

References: Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 15:2, 4; 16:1-2; 17:16-21; Titus 1:1-2; Exodus 4:31; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 14:27; 46:9-10.

Feebleness & Faithfulness Revisited

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

Genesis 20:1-18

1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

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Feebleness & Faithfulness Revisited — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 20:1-18
10 February 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does this narrative teach us about God’s attitude toward marriage?
2.  How does this passage show us God’s authority, control, and power?
3.  Why should God’s protection of his promises to Abraham bring us reassurance?
4.  How would you describe the various facets of Abraham’s sin?
5.  Why is it significant that Abraham repeats this deception after all that he has experienced between chapters 12 and 20? What does this tell us about the “old sins” in our lives?
6.  How does God use Abraham’s sin to confirm some important things for him? What does this tell us about God’s ability to turn our failures for good?

References: 2 Peter 2:7-8; Genesis 12:10-20; 3:15; 1 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 1:13-14.

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.