For our Mission Focus Sunday, we had the privilege of hearing the Word preached from Philip Van Steenburgh. He serves as the Lead Pastor of Wornall Road Baptist Church in Kansas City. He preached from Matthew 5:13-16 on how we are called to be salt and light in this world. Truly, Jesus makes us different in order to make a difference in the lives of others around us.

Text: Genesis 16

The Faithless Acts of Abram and Sarai (Gen. 16:1-6)

• They questioned God’s ability to fulfill His promises.
• They chose to circumvent God’s plan by acting in unbelief.
• Their faithless acts led to family chaos and generational conflict.

The Faithful Presence of the God Who Sees (Gen. 16:7-16)

• The pre-incarnate Christ sees Hagar in her affliction.
• The pre-incarnate Christ brings comfort and blessing to Hagar.
• Christ sees us, knows our need, and can satisfy our hearts (John 4).

Text: Genesis 15

Abram Believes the Truth of God’s Promise (Gen. 15:1-6)

• God comes to Abram through His revealed Word.
• God reveals Himself as both deliverer and provider to dispel Abram’s doubts and fears.
• Abram believes in God’s Word and is justified by faith, giving us the Gospel pattern for belief.

God Guarantees the Fulfillment of His Covenant (Gen. 15:7-21)

• God’s covenant guarantees land and blessing for God’s people by His eternal character.
• God’s people will be afflicted sojourners, but He will remain faithful to them as their deliverer and provider.
• Abram’s offspring extends to all who are in Christ (Galatians 3:27-29).

Texts: Genesis 14:17-24; Hebrews 7

Abram Receives the Blessing of the Priest-King (Gen. 14:17-20)

• Melchizedek is identified as the king of Salem and the priest of the Most High God.
• Melchizedek blesses Abram and praises God as Creator and Deliverer
• Abram responds to Melchizedek by giving him a tenth of everything.

Abram Refuses the Offering of the Wicked King (Gen. 14:21-24)

• The king of Sodom offers Abram all the spoils of war to form an alliance.
• Since Abram sees God as His provider, he rejects the offering and gives it to those who were in need.

Jesus Represents the Eternal Priest-King (Hebrews 7)

• Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus’ character, ministry, and preeminence.
• Jesus is the greater and eternal Priest-King who intercedes for and saves sinners to the uttermost by His once-for-all death on the cross.

Text: Genesis 13:14-14:16

God Reaffirms His Promise to Abram (Gen. 13:14-18)

• God unfolds His grand promise to Abram to multiply his offspring and expand his people’s dwelling place.
• Abram responds with a heart of worship before God.

Abram Rescues Lot and His Family from Captivity (Gen. 14:1-16)

• Lot’s decision to walk by sight proves costly to him and his family.
• Lot and his family are taken captive by wicked, warring kings.
• Abram walks by faith in God, rescues Lot’s family, and defeats the wicked kings in battle.

Genesis 13:1-13

Abram Renews His Faith in God (Gen. 13:1-4)

• Abram returned to Bethel and prepared an altar of worship before God.
• Abram surrendered himself to God and renewed his walk of faith before Him.

Lot Reveals His Pursuit of Worldliness (Gen. 13:5-13)

• Abram and Lot’s material wealth led to familial conflict.
• Abram walks by faith in God’s promises and chooses a path of faithfulness to God.
• Lot walks by sight and chooses a path of worldliness and self-advancement.

Text: Genesis 12:10-20

Abram’s Unfavorable Circumstances (Gen. 12:10)

• Abram faced a severe famine in Canaan that threatened the life of his family.
• This circumstance would prove to be a test of faith for Abram.

Abram’s Unbelieving Response (Gen. 12:11-16)

• Abram responds with fear and unbelief to the crisis at hand.
• Abram failed to trust in God and take Him at His Word.

God’s Unwavering Faithfulness (Gen. 12:17-20)

• Even though Abram’s faith faltered, God rescued him from his failures and remained faithful to His promises.
• We must not trust in ourselves, but look to Christ and His faithful example of obedience.