We learn from Philip a great way to share the story. When he meets the Ethiopian along the road, Philip begins where tha man's questions are and leads him toward Jesus. What can stand in our way of telling the story? What can stand in our way of responding to the story by being baptized and following him?

 

In Acts 5, we find eight characteristics that help the church to live out the design God has for it. Let's work together to be that church.

 

  

In Acts 3, Peter heals a man at the gate of the temple. With the attention that follows, he and John use the opportunity to tell the crowd about Jesus. When people notice the lives we live and the way we love God, it gives us the opportunity to point people toward Him.

 

 

After continuing to do the right thing, Joseph finds himself in prison. Even there he is given responsibility because of his good character. This incredibly difficult path will lead him through God's power to being second to only Pharoah in Egypt. God can still work in our struggles in ways that we cannot even imagine.

 

The last major character in our Genesis series is Joseph. His story takes about 1/4 of the book. This is the first of four lessons about his life. Joseph was his father's favorite child. That did not go over well with his brothers, but God uses their action against Joseph as one of the first steps to place Joseph where he needs to be.

 

Our series on Genesis continues this week with a look at the life of Isaac.

 

The story of Abraham and Sarah is so much more than a story about an older couple having a baby. It is a story that shows what happens when people finally follow God's path instead of their own. Walking with God is not a series of limitations. Walking with God allows us to find true freedom.

 

One of our greatest difficulties in faith can be trusting in God's ways and His timing. In Genesis 15, God makes a covenant with Abram (soon to be known as Abraham). Abram and Sarai struggle with a plan from God that sounds impossible, but God continually reminds them and us that He can do the impossible.

 

God tells Abram to go and that he will be blessed. He also tells Abram that he will be a blessing. Today we look at how Abram does that in Genesis 12 through 14, and how each of us is also blessed and should be a blessing to others.

 

The story of Noah and the ark in Genesis 6 through 9 can be a difficult one. In the midst of the destruction of the flood, we see a story of deliverance. God remembers the family of Noah, and Noah remembers God. Let's always remember what God is doing in our lives and the deliverance He still brings.

 

 

We have begun a new series on the book of Genesis. We covered chapter 1 in a song and scripture service that was not recorded. This week in chapters 2 and 3 we find the man that God created alone in the garden. God creates a woman, so he will no longer be alone. Then temptation, sin, shame and blame enter the picture. Through it all, God provides what they need and begins a theme that will run throughout the Bible of providing a way for us to return to Him.