The Brothers Reunited

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

Genesis 45:1-28

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

The Brothers Reunited — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 45:1-28
Sermon Series: Genesis
November 24, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why did God send Joseph to Egypt, and how does this relate to our salvation four thousand years later?
2.   How would you describe Joseph’s view of God’s sovereignty? How does it differ from the way you have thought about this topic?
3.   How does Joseph’s view of God’s sovereignty provide fuel for forgiveness? What does this say about the relevance and practicality of such doctrines?
4.   Why is Joseph so emphatic that his brothers bring their father to Egypt? What does he want Jacob to know?
5.   What does it mean to say that our doctrine should devour our anger?
6.   What is Jacob’s response to the news that Joseph is still alive and is ruling over Egypt? How does this final scene encourage us in times of waiting and wondering?

References: Psalm 105:17; Proverbs 16:9; Romans 12:10; Hebrews 2:12; Genesis 41:37; Proverbs 30:33; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

The Final Test

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

Genesis 44:1-34

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)
Due to technical difficulties, the sermon audio recorder was unable to capture Pastor Lonnie’s opening statments, starting instead with his reading of the sermon text.

The Final Test — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 44:1-34
Sermon Series: Genesis
November 17, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Where do we see the principle of reaping what you sow in this chapter?
2.   What does the collective response of tearing the clothes and returning to the city say about the growth of the family?
3.   How have you seen testing both reveal and grow your heart?
4.   Why doesn’t Judah offer a defense to Joseph concerning the silver cup? What do his words in v. 16 reveal about his attitude towards God?
5.   In what ways does Judah’s plea constitute a reversal of his past actions?
6.   Discuss how Christ is the substitute for sinners. How does this doctrine encourage us to trust, love, and serve him more?

References: Genesis 37:34; 42:21-22, 28; 1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53:5-6.

Back to Buy, Guided by Grace

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

Genesis 43:1-34

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

Back to Buy, Guided by Grace — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 43:1-34
Sermon Series: Genesis
November 10, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What are some of God’s attributes or characteristics that continue to be repeated in the Joseph story?   Which have most impacted you?
2.   How would you describe Jacob’s prayerful words to his sons?  What does it mean to say that we must remember in order to rely?
3.   In light of Calvin’s quote concerning Jacob’s actions, what does it look like to rely on God without being lazy?
4.   How does Judah anticipate Christ in this chapter?
5.   How have you seen God use negative circumstances in people’s lives to bring about repentance?
6.   What does Joseph intend to accomplish with his blatant favoritism towards Benjamin?

References: Genesis 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:3.

Famine for the Family

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

Genesis 42:1-38

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

Famine for the Family — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 42:1-38
Sermon Series: Genesis
November 3, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why would Calvin say that this chapter is the most “illustrious example of divine providence”?
2.   How does this narrative show us that God can do remarkable things with our past failures and tragedies?
3.   Why does Joseph treat his brothers this way? What clues are there that his actions are not revenge?
4.   What is God doing in the hearts of Joseph’s brothers? What does it look like to have godly sorrow?
5.   How would you characterize Jacob’s mindset at the end of this story? In what ways do we often struggle to trust that God is at work “behind the veil”?

References: Genesis 41:56-57; 45:7; Psalm 105:16-17; Genesis 37:1-11; Genesis 9:6; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11.

The Divine Interrogation

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

Genesis 3:9-13

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

The Divine Interrogation -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 3:9-13
13 May 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does this text present God as a loving Father who seeks the lost?
2. What is God doing by addressing Adam and Eve with questions, and with these questions in particular?
3. What are some evangelistic and parental implications of God’s address to Adam and Eve?
4.  What does it mean to say that they are “missing”?
5.  How would you characterize the attitude of the first humans towards their sin? How have you seen the same attitude in your own life?
6.  In what ways do we tend to blame our sin on our circumstances? How does this subtly shift the blame to God?

References: Romans 5:12; Luke 19:10; Psalm 139:7; Jonah 1:3; Ephesians 2:1-3; Titus 3:3.

The Deadly Deed

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

Genesis 3:6-8

(NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for recording to begin.)

The Deadly Deed -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 3:6-8
6 May 2018

Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does the Fall begin with doubting God’s Word and goodness?
2.  Does the Devil make us sin? How would you describe what is going on in Eve’s heart according to v. 6?
3.  How have you seen the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life at work in your own life?
4.  What does it mean in Proverbs 9:10 that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”?
5.  Where do we see unbelief, pride, and idolatry in the Fall?
6.  In what ways do we have the breakdown of both horizontal and vertical relationships in this passage?
7.  How does Christ restore the peace lost in Eden?

References: 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 11:3; James 1:14-15; Deuteronomy 5:21; Genesis 2:9; 1 John 2:16; Proverbs 9:10; Genesis 2:16-17; 1 John 3:4; Genesis 2:25; 3:17; John 14:27.