Del Rio Bible Church

A Primer in Purity & Other Virtues

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:06:05 PDT

There is no sermon for Sunday, July 19, 2009 due to technical errors. We apologize.

Below is the re-cap of the sermon, taken from Genesis chapter 39, vv. 1-20:

1. For Joseph temptation and testing come at the time of his greatest success. Success often gives rise to greater testing than does failure or adversity.
2. Joseph succeeded in resisting temptation to sexual sin for several reasons:
-He rightly called Potiphar’s wife’s invitation to sexual sin what it was, a “wicked thing” and “sin.” He did not try to justify wrong behavior by calling it something else (“my wife/husband doesn’t understand me like you do,” “I’ve found my soul mate,” “What goes TDY stays TDY.”
-He realizes that ultimately he would be sinning against God (not just himself, Potiphar, or his wife)
-He took steps to avoid her (Romans 13:14)
-He fled the compromising situation
3. We must think through our strategy for dealing with sexual temptation:
-We must have a strategy for purity including things such as allowing our spouse free access to all electronic/phone communications (email accounts, cell phone, websites, etc.); except for work situations avoid being alone with a person of the opposite sex, etc.
-We must count the cost of moral failure. We should make a list of the people and things most important to us in life and then think through the devastation that our moral failure would bring to us and to them.
-We must immediately call upon God in the moment of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12,13)
-We must be growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ (through the word, Bible study, prayer) we can pursue sin or Jesus but we can’t be pursuing both.-We must retain our thinking and attitudes about sex and sexuality so that they are Biblical.

A Primer In Purity

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:17:42 PDT

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Recap of the July 12, 2009 sermon, taken from Genesis 39, verses 1 through 20a.

1. Joseph, at seventeen, finds himself a slave in an Egyptian official’s estate. He evidences no bitterness, no anger, and no resentment for his predicament.
2. God is with him in this dark moment in his life (38:2,3,21,23) and he is successful - rising to the highest position, that of steward or overseer, in Potiphar’s household.
3. Joseph’s success could be attributed to several factors: God’s hand on his life, the promises of the Abrahamic covenant, his faith, and his work ethic.
4. Christians should make a difference in their workplace—they should work to make their employer successful, whether they are a Christian or non-Christian employer. They should be hard workers, have a good work ethic (diligent, industrious, conscientious, honest, faithful, upright), and be a positive force. (see Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1,2)
5. There are similarities between Joseph and Daniel the prophet: both were captured and taken to lands far away from their homes and families; both kept their faith and commitment to God and flourished despite the negative attractions, morals, and ethics of cultures far different from their own; both had to make difficult decisions without parental help or influence as relatively young people.

The Family of the Unsandaled

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:04:17 PDT

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Recap of July 5, 2009:

1. Concerning Genesis 38, J. Vernon McGee writes: “This is another chapter that seems to be about as necessary as a fifth leg on a cow. After you have read the story, you may wish that it had been left out of the Bible.”
2. There are four reasons for the inclusion of chapter 38 in the Genesis record:
-Judah’s failure is a contrast with Joseph’s victory in Genesis 39
-to teach, by contrast, the need for purity
-to teach the importance of not buying into the culture’s viewpoints, especially of sex and marriage
-MOST IMPORTANTLY, Chapter 38 traces the line of Messiah through Judah, Tamar and Perez (see genealogies at Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1; and Luke 3).
3. John MacArthur rightly says: “The genealogy of Jesus Christ is immeasurable more than a list of ancient names; it is even more than a list of Jesus’ human forbears. It is a beautiful testimony to God’s grace and to the ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners, who ‘did not come to call the righteous, but sinners’ (Matt. 9:13). If He has called sinners by grace to be His forefather, should we be surprised when He calls them by grace to be His descendants? The King presented here is truly the King of grace!”
4. Once again Genesis 38 shows us that: God uses sinful people (we’re the only material He has to work with); whatever we are today, we may be better; and whatever our past sins, we may be forgiven and used of God again (though we will experience the consequences of forgiven sin.

When A Dismal Outlook Is The Best Outcome, Pt 2

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:11:54 PDT

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Recap of the sermon from Sunday, June 28, 2009:

1. By giving Joseph a “richly ornamented robe” (either multi-colored or long-sleeved reaching to the ankles - the Hebrew is uncertain) Jacob was marking him out as his favorite and the likely son to receive the birthright. This favoritism, along with other things, brought about the hatred of Joseph’s brothers.
2. The favoritism and deception of Jacob’s past were now coming to the fore once again in his own children. Concerning favoritism, Jacob should have recognized the damage it can do in a family. But instead of dealing with it, he perpetuates it in his family with all the concomitant wrong and disorder that comes with it.
3. Jacob’s children used a goat to deceive Jacob about what had happened to Joseph even as Jacob had used a goat in deceiving his father Isaac concerning the birthright.
4. There is an important sowing and reaping principle we see time and again in Scripture which works in the physical, moral and spiritual realms. That which we allow in our lives will bear fruit, either good or bad, in our lives and in the lives of our children.

When A Dismal Outlook Is The Best Outcome

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:01:52 PDT

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Recap of June 21, 2009:

1. For personalized Bible reading plans see http://www.blueletterbible.org/reader/daily; http://www.how-to-experience-the-bible.com/custom-bible-reading-plan.html
2. Read some good theology: A Survey of Bible Doctrine or Basic Theology by Charles C. Ryrie; Lectures in Systematic Theology by Henry C. Thiessen (revised by Vernon D. Doerksen; Know Why You Believe and Know What You Believe by Paul E. Little.
3. Genesis 37 (and in fact the whole Joseph account in Genesis) is an illustration of the doctrine of the providence of God. Providence, according to Lectures in Systematic Theology by Thiessen (see above) is “…that continuous activity of God whereby He makes all the events of the physical, mental and moral realms work out His purpose; ….”
4. According to Thiessen God exercises sovereign control over: the physical universe; the animal and plant creation; the nations of the earth; and over all individuals; extending to our birth, lot in life, and death; our successes and failures; over seemingly accidental or insignificant things in life; over the needs of His people; over the destinies of the saved and unsaved; and over the free acts of humans.

Success And Suffering, Pt 3

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:39:19 PDT

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Recap of the sermon from June 14, 2009:

Why do the righteous suffer?
-Righteousness does not exempt us from trials and suffering (examples are Job, Paul, etc.). The providences of God are often applied indiscriminately. (Matthew 5:45-48)
-When we suffer we are following the example of Christ (Luke 24:26; 1 Peter 5:10)
-Sometimes suffering is due to the discipline of God (Hebrews 12): discipline is proof of God’s love, vs. 6; it is proof that we are God’s children, vv. 7,8; it is evidence that He is our Father, vs. 9; discipline trains us to live righteously, vs. 11; discipline teaches us obedience, Hebrews 5:8
-Suffering tests our faith (Proverbs 17:3): to prove it genuine, 1 Peter 1;6,7, to produce endurance, James 1:2,3
-God is arranging our circumstances for our good (Romans 8:28)
-Suffering tests our character, our integrity toward God, our love for God (Job 1 & 2)

Success And Suffering, Pt 2

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:59:47 PDT

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The sermon recap from June 7, 2009:

1. Genesis 37-50 explain how it is that Israel came to be in bondage in Egypt and are the fulfillment of His prophecy to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-16.
2. The account of Joseph which occupies Genesis 37-50 illustrates the place of suffering in the life of the believer and shows that God uses His people in ways they often do not understand and with people they could not imagine. God is working all things together for our good and for His glory (Romans 8:28).
3. “What a marvelous comforting truth! God is in control of your life today. Trusting in that fact can be the difference between joy and despair. Few truths can change our lives like the knowledge that God is in control.” (Life Application Bible)

Dean Chollar, Guest Speaker

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:35:45 PDT

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Today's guest speaker, Dean Chollar, is founder and CEO of CrossWay International.

Success And Suffering

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:48:38 PDT

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Recap of May 24, 2009:
1. Genesis 36 traces the family line of Esau.
2. Esau lived for the moment, consequently he: didn’t consider the consequences of his actions; did not delay gratification; had no spiritual interest or desire; indulged his appetites; and was willing to trade spiritual riches for fulfillment of physical appetites.
3. Matthew Henry states: “Esau’s blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob’s did. We may suppose it was a great trial to the faith of God’s Israel to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God must be content to wait for them; God’s time is the best time.”
4. When we are perplexed about why those who have no interest in godly things seem to succeed beyond those who are righteous: we must align our perspective with God’s perspective; we must value spiritual things over earthly/material things; we must not envy the unrighteous; finally, we must pray for them for they have not eternal hope.

Birth, Death & Betrayal

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:19:57 PDT

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Recap of the sermon from May 17, 2009:

1. Many, like Jacob and his family, are in need of a new beginning. For the believer that means dealing with sin, being single-minded toward God, and being holy (set apart to God, from sin, purified, cleansed). It also means being fully committed to the Word of God (in obedience, in accurate interpretation), to the Holy Spirit (yielding to His control in our lives, when we do He lives out the Word of God through us), and to ministry using our unique resources, gifts and heartbeat.
2. Jacob’s newfound commitment to God did not keep him from sorrow and trials. Soon after his recommitment his beloved Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin.
3. God calls Himself God Almighty (El Shaddai) in renewing His promises to Jacob, which pictures God as the overpowering One standing on a mountain triumphantly. In other places God is named: El Olam, the Everlasting God, used in connection with His inexhaustible strength; Jehovah Jireh, meaning the Lord provides; Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace; Jehovah Sabbaoth, the Lord of Heaven’s Hosts, the protector of Israel; and Jehovah Roi, the Lord my Shepherd.

What's Holding You Back? Pt 2

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:40:55 PDT

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Recap of the sermon from Sunday, May 10, 2009:

1. Jacob’s family had drifted away from God; before he could fulfill his promise to God he had to deal with the idolatry in his own family.
2. To deal with their defection from God, Jacob called them:
- to be single-minded in their devotion to God (to put away their idols and charms). James 4:4-10
-to be holy (to purify themselves, to put away sin) Ephesians 4:22-5:15; Colossians 3:9-14
-to bury the idols and charms (even as they buried the idols and charms associated with their idolatry, we must bury the old life of self and sin.) Luke 9:23; Galatians 2:22
3. One author called the years from Jacob’s leaving the land until his return to Bethel, “lost time.” Lost years, “blanks” in which he was not living by faith. Years of “so much wood, hay, and stubble,” a reference to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 which challenge believers about the quality of their Christian lives and work. That which is done by faith will bring reward.

What's Holding You Back?

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:14:13 PDT

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Re-cap of the sermon from May 3, 2009:
1. God’s instructions to Jacob in 35:1 are, in effect, a rebuke - a call for him to complete the vows he made earlier at Bethel when he was leaving the land (28:20-22). God was admonishing him because he had unfinished business which was keeping him from full obedience.
2. Jacob’s return to Bethel was unwisely delayed by 7-10 years, time which he spent in Succoth in Shechem - an action which put his family in jeopardy.
3. Part of the reason for the delay was the fact that there was idolatry in Jacob’s family. Along with the household idols which Rachel brought back from Paddam Aram were the false gods of the area of Shechem,
4. We must be careful about divided allegiance. God’s Spirit jealously desires to have our full devotion. (James 4:4-6).
5. A. W. Pink wisely said: “The moral is evident: spiritual neglect and trifling with temptation can issue only in evil and disaster. Let us not neglect God’s house, nor delay to keep His commandments.”

A Family In Crisis, Part 2

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:02:23 PDT

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Recap of April 26, 2009:
1. Genesis 34 is another example to us that God does His work through imperfect, sinful vessels (the only material He has to work with!):
-“While the story operates at a level of family honor and brotherly concern for a ravished sister, it nevertheless also carries along the theme that God works through and often in spite of the limited, self-serving plans of human beings.” (John H. Sailhamer)
-“It was another case of promoting a holy cause in an unholy way.” (Warren Wiersbe on the actions of Dinah’s brothers)
2. Chapter 34 is also a warning to Israel about the dangers of social and religious interaction with the people of Canaan. They were not to partake of their ways or join with them in a vital way. They were to be in the land but not partners with the people even as we in the church are in the world but we are not to be of the world.
3. On a family level Genesis 34 when a father is disengaged from his family (as Jacob seems to be in this instance) children tend to be out of control.

A Family In Crisis

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:33:37 PDT

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Recap of April 19, 2009:

Six warnings from Proverbs regarding friendship:
-Be careful in choosing friends/companions (good companions will influence you for good, the wrong companions will influence you toward evil, leading you into trouble instead of enriching your life. (Proverbs 13:20)
-It is better to have one genuine friend who is looking out for your interests than a multitude of companions. It is necessary to be discriminating in choosing friends. (Proverbs 18:24)
-We must steer clear of the path of the wicked, those who are restless until they cause someone to fall or take advantage of others. (Proverbs 4:14-17)
-We must avoid those who choose the wrong path, the path of rebellion, because they are not content until they lead someone in their path. (Proverbs 16:29)
-Stay away from angry people (those who are always angry at others especially those in authority and tend to blame others for their misfortune) or you will take up their ways. (Proverbs 22:24-25)
-Steer clear of those who have tendencies toward addictions (alcohol, drugs, food) they will lead you in the path of addiction, laziness, poverty.

Fear, Failure, Triumph

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:16:30 PDT

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Recap of April 12, 2009:

1. Peter’s pride caused him to be self-reliant, prayerless, impatient, and silent. He spoke when he should have listened, slept when he should have prayed, acted when he should have waited, and was silent when he should have spoken up. (Matthew 26:31-75)
2. The Scripture warns about the danger of pride. (Proverbs 16:18)
3. Peter’s pride made him: blind to his limitations, blind to Satan’s designs on him, trust in his own strength and ability, feel superior to the other disciples, and caused him to reject the Word of God.
4. When Jesus restored Peter after the resurrection, he asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Even as Peter denied the Lord three times, Jesus restores him three times.
5. The heart of Jesus’ challenge to Peter had to do with Peter’s love and devotion to Him. “The Lord didn’t say ‘Simon, son of Jonas, will you preach for Me? Will you suffer for Me? Will you evangelize for Me? Will you believe in Me?’ He didn’t say that. Instead Christ asked, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you love Me more than these? Do you really love Me?’ That is what He is after….If your service is not an outflow for your love for the Lord personally, it will become a chore. You will soon give it up. And conversely, the less I love Him, the less I’ll serve Him, and the less I’ll talk about Him.” (An Everlasting Love, John G. Mitchell)

Triumph & Tragedy

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:24:14 PDT

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Please note: the audio quality is poor and this recording begins with the sermon already well-underway. (Our apologies).

Re-cap - 4/12/09:

1. “Of the many deficiencies that plague us, broken relationships seem the hardest to put right, the easiest to let slide, and yet the most important to resolve. The psalmist says, ‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity’ (Ps 133:1). Yet, often, we let ruptured relationships drift on from year to year.” (Dr. Michael Pocock)

2. Several issues stand in the way of reconciliation: Fear that the person will not accept our overture; fear that they will not forgive us if we are the offender; fear that reconciliation will diminish the offense; pride, an unwillingness to humble ourselves; and desire for revenge.

3. Steps to build or rebuild relationship from Ephesians 4:25-32: speak the truth in love; keep short accounts; choose to be constructive in relationship not destructive; choose kindness and compassion not anger and bitterness; forgive as we have been forgiven.

Encounters on the Road to Reconciliation, Pt 4

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:02:21 PDT

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Recap of the sermon from March 29, 2009:
1. Jacob’s whole life he has been dependent upon himself, going from struggle to struggle, living out his name “heel-catcher,” “deceiver,” “supplanter”. God confronts him about his life through the wrestling match. Jacob had been determined to have his own way, in his own strength. He must now learn the necessity of depending upon God, clinging to God in his weakness.
2. God must remind us periodically who we are, asking of us the same question He asked of Jacob, “What’s your name?” He reminds us that we have a new name given to us by Him. He reminds us that we cannot live the old way, but rather must live in dependence upon Him.
3. We must, like Jacob, cease striving to have our own way, acknowledge our weakness, and cling to God.

Encounters on the Road to Reconciliation, Pt 3

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:34:49 PDT

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Sermon recap from March 22, 2009:

1. Jacob’s prayer in Genesis 32 is a model prayer is many ways (much like the “Disciple’s Prayer in Matthew 6). He prays on the basis of a relationship with God; he repeats God’s Word to Him, reminding Him of His commands and promises; he confesses his unworthiness; he acknowledges God’s work in his life previously; and he makes his request.
2. Concerning Jacob's encounter with God in Genesis 32, it was said: “To be left alone with God is the only true way of arriving at a just knowledge of ourselves and our ways. …No matter what we may think about ourselves, nor yet what man may think about us, the great question is, what does God think about us? And the answer to this question can only be learned when we are ‘left alone.’ Away from the world, away from self, away from all the thoughts, reasonings, imaginings, and emotions of mere nature, and ‘alone with God,’—thus, and thus alone, can we get a correct judgment about ourselves.” (C.H.M. quoted in Gleanings in Genesis)

Encounters on the Road to Reconciliation, Pt 2

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:21:23 PDT

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Recap of March 15, 2009:

1. As Jacob is about to enter the land of Canaan, he is greeted by angels. He names the place Mahanaim which means “two camps,” referring to his camp and to the angel’s camp. It is a reminder to him of God’s care and presence with him. It was also a reminder to him of the spiritual nature of the battle ahead.
2. Paul reminds believers in the New Testament that the battles they face are not physical alone but are spiritual. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers,…” (Ephesians 6:10-12). Spiritual warfare requires spiritual means (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
3. Angels are mentioned almost 400 times in the Old and New Testaments. They are created beings (Psalm 148:2-5), they do not procreate (Matthew 22:30), they are personal beings (exhibiting intellect, emotion and will), they are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14, “ministering spirits) thus they do not have a body though they can appear as human, they do not die, and their main ministry is to serve those who are the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14).

Encounters on the Road to Reconciliation

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:10:48 PDT

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Recap of the sermon from March 8, 2009:

1. In Genesis 31 Jacob and Laban set up a boundary marker as a means of protection from each other. Boundaries are helpful in our lives to protect ourselves from ourselves especially in the moral area. We need to think through boundaries for our lives regarding the opposite sex, and regarding what we read, watch, and view on the internet. Boundaries are simply strategies to keep us from falling.
2. As Jacob reaches the edge of the promised land he once again encounters angels as he did when he exited the land 20 years earlier. The angels were representative of God’s protection of Jacob and would remind him that this conflict was not physical only but spiritual as well and required a spiritual response on his part. As Dr. Allen Ross said: “When God’s work is involved, the conflict is spiritual, not physical. This was true for Jacob, it was true for Israel, and it is true today. No human effort can be sufficient for these things. The source of defense and means of victory come from God’s ministering angels.”

Getting Their Goats, Part 3

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:24:22 PST

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Recap of the sermon from Sunday, March 1, 2009:

1. Jacob’s emotional “default” setting when faced with conflict was to deceive and scheme, trusting in himself. Fear triggered his default setting.
2. Once again we see that we are faced with a choice to live in faith or live in fear. Faith is freeing and allows us to live openly, honestly, transparently and courageously. Fear, on the other hand, is crippling. Because we fear being taken advantage of we scheme, manipulate, and take advantage of others.
3. Jacob explained to Rachel and Leah about the need to leave. He recounted God’s instruction to him, and God’s care for them in the midst of the difficulties cause by Laban’s greed. It is part of a man’s God-given leadership in the home to consult with his wife about issues affecting the family and to explain family issues and decisions from God’s perspective (the perspective of the Word of God). For this reason a man must be well-versed in the Word of God and be ready to share with his family how God has cared for them in the past and how He will lead them in the future.
4. The Mizpah covenant/truce/treaty (Genesis 31:43-55) was a recognition of Jacob’s and Laban’s mutual distrust not of their mutual friendship.

Getting Their Goats, Part 2

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:50:20 PST

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Recap from February 22, 2009:

1. Jacob desired to return to his homeland (30:25,26) but it wasn’t yet God’s time. In 31:1,2 (six years later) circumstances became untenable as Laban and his sons’ attitudes cooled considerably toward Jacob, becoming even hostile, making a return desirable. In 31:3 God speaks to Jacob directing him to return to Canaan.
2. W. H. Griffith Thomas (1861-1924) drew from this passage three principles for discerning the will of God, as expressed by A.W. Pink:
-“Conviction in our hearts that God desires a certain course of action” (this alone is not sufficient for action)
-“Circumstances converge to make the action possible or expedient”
-“…after definitely waiting on God for it, some special word from the Scriptures which is suited to our own case and which by the Spirit bringing it manifestly to our notice (while waiting for guidance) is plainly a message from God to our hearts.”

Getting Their Goats

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:52:32 PST

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Recap of the sermon from February 15, 2009:

1. A Biblical theology of money:
- All is God’s/all is from God—we are stewards. 1 Corinthians 4:2,7; 1 Chronicles 29:10-17
- We must not love money, live for it, or put our trust in it. 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Matthew 6:24; Hebrews 13:5,6
- We must use our resources to further God’s purposes. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
- We must learn to value those things that don’t have price tags, such as: our relationship with God, our relationship with our mate, children, one-another.
- We must be unselfish with our resources. Proverbs 11:24,25; 28:22
2. If we have a wrong attitude toward money: God will not have first place as He should; we will value the things that lack true value; we will compromise character, honesty, integrity; we will live for that which is perishing; we will never be satisfied or content; we will be serving the wrong master.

Sister Act

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:48:28 PST

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Recap from February 8, 2009:

1. What the Bible teaches about polygamy:
-God’s design for marriage is found in Genesis 2:24: marriage is to be a monogamous, heterosexual, lifelong union (this ideal is repeated by Jesus in Matthew 19:6 and is reinforced in Malachi 2:14,15; and 1 Corinthians 7:2)
-God permitted polygamy, but never approved of it.
-polygamy is a sin of ignorance since there is no direct command against it in the Scripture.
-polygamy was always a source of trouble and difficulty as Genesis 29 & 30 clearly demonstrate.
2. Though Leah is rejected by her husband, God cares for her by enabling her to conceive. God cares for the forgotten and rejected.
3. We must look to God to fulfill our needs of security, significance, and acceptance. We must not look to others to meet those needs. When we look to God we can act toward others in grace, loving them unconditionally. When we look toward others to fill those needs we wind up manipulating, battling, scheming or demanding from others.

What Crop Are You Planting?

office@delriobiblechurch.com (Del Rio Bible Church) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:47:33 PST

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Recap of the sermon from Sunday, February 1, 2009:

1. In Genesis 28 God addressed Jacob’s need for assurance of His presence with him. In Genesis 29 God disciplines him through his Uncle Laban with the goal of molding him into a man of God.
2. God’s providence governs our lives, not chance. “There are no chance happenings or accidents in a world that is governed by God.” “There are no chance happenings, no chance-meetings, no chance delays, no chance losses, no chance anythings in our lives. All is divine appointment.” (A. W. Pink)
3. Jacob’s uncle Laban is God’s means of discipline for Jacob’s deceptions of the past. The deceiver is deceived. Laban substitutes Leah for the promised Rachel. As Jacob’s deception of his father and brother involved the rights of the firstborn, so the deception perpetrated upon him involved the rights of the firstborn.
4. There is a sowing and reaping principle see (Galatians 6:7) in scripture which is illustrated by this passage. When a person sows sin in their lives they will reap the product of that sin. If they sow righteousness in their lives they will again reap accordingly. It is important to ask, “What are we sowing?” Are we sowing to please the sinful nature or are we sowing to please God? We will reap the product of our sowing in our own life and in the lives of our families.