The Well: Sermon Audio

"You've got the patience of Job." People have tossed that phrase around for years, but few truly understand its meaning. Job was a righteous man who endured tremendous calamity, due in large part to a strange interaction between God and Satan. Job does indeed endure hardship, but is that the point of the book? Are we to read the pages of Job and learn the art of endurance through difficulty? Or are we to be drawn to a much bigger takeaway? The truth is, the book is about God being free to act as God. He is not obligated to bless those we deem worthy of blessing, nor discipline those we deem unrighteous. Rather, He is free to be God, which is terrifyingly awesome. He is free from human constraint and free to operate as a sovereign and almighty deity. He is not limited to our understanding, nor bound by human opinion. He is God, and there is none like Him. This book draws our attention upward and reminds us that He was in the beginning, and we are temporal, finite, and under His ultimate lordship. Author Unknown. May have been written by Job or one of his friends. Moses may have recopied it from Aramaic. Date No firm date is known, but indications are that it is the earliest written book in the Bible. Theme God’s Sovereignty Sovereignty…over Satan, circumstances, suffering, all creation, and that desires to deepen and strengthen those whose hearts are His Additional Info Job was likely a contemporary of Abraham and Isaac, approx. 2100-1900 B.C. This book is astonishingly rich in theological truth, especially when considering that not one word of scripture had been written at the time these events took place. © Dr. Rick Taylor Resources for Job Job Life Group Guide Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary) by Tremper Longman III, August H. Konkel and Philip W. Comfort [Video File] [Audio File]

"It was easy for God to get the people out of Egypt, but harder to get Egypt out of the people." You've probably heard us mention the expression multiple times, but the truth of it becomes clear in the book of Numbers. The books of Numbers and Deuteronomy focus on the transition from the old generation; their disobedience to God triggered a handoff to the next generation. God restates the law to the youth of the day through Deuteronomy. In these books, God continually shows His sufficiency and provision, despite a rebellious people. His patience and faithfulness build a strong foundation for our modern-day understanding of the character of God. Numbers Author Moses, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Date Approx. 1446-1406 B.C. during the forty years that the nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness. Numbers was not finished until the nation was poised to enter the land (Numbers 35:1) in 1406 B.C. Theme Israel’s Journey Journey…preparations, provisions, delays, of faith Additional Info The book of Numbers depicts a son rebelling and then growing up. It records the preparation for and the delays in the nation’s journey to its promised land, which none of them had ever seen. It speaks of the preparations to settle into their new home at the end of their 39th year wandering in the wilderness. The last 11 chapters speak to and about a whole new generation of people than the first 25 chapters. © Dr. Rick Taylor Deuteronomy Author Moses, as claimed nearly 40 times in the book itself as well as attributed by Jesus and other New Testament writers (Matthew 19:7-9, Mark 7:10, Acts 3:22, Romans 10:19). Date Fifteenth Century B.C., as Israel is living in tents, the author assumes his hearers remember Egypt and the wilderness, and there is a firsthand knowledge of historical and geographical details. Theme Israel’s Reminder Reminder…of what God has done, of what they should do, of what God will do Additional Info Deuteronomy consists of 3 sermons or farewell messages by Moses, who is now 120-years-old and at the end of his life and ministry. It is addressed to a new generation who is about to possess the land and has survived or been born during the 40 years in the wilderness. Moses desires for the people to own their faith and pass it on to further generations through their love for God, heartfelt teaching and dynamic lifestyles. © Dr. Rick Taylor and Bill Parkinson Resources for Numbers and Deuteronomy Numbers/Deuteronomy Life Group Guide The New American Commentary - Numbers by Dennis R. Cole The Book of Deuteronomy: New International Commentary on the Old Testament by Peter C. Craigie [Video File] [Audio File]

Few books have caused people to become discouraged as they read through the Bible like Leviticus. Offerings, sacrifices, emissions, feasts and priestly garments cause us to miss the main point of the book. A people who had been influenced by pagan Egyptian deities for over 400 years were now given a standard in which they were to live as followers of the one true God. Revolutionizing their lives, Leviticus provided guidelines and standards for their day-to-day activities. Irrelevant as it may seem to us now, it served as a prime document for life for the people of its day, and in many ways, it still serves as a guide for how life is to be lived in relation to God. Author Moses. In its 27 chapters, it is stated 56 times that God imparted these laws to Moses. Date Approx. 1450-1410 B.C. during the forty years that the nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness. Theme Israel’s Laws Laws…regarding offerings for sins, what to eat, personal hygiene, sexual purity, relational issues, worship Additional Info Leviticus details God calling His people to an intimate relationship with Him, and equipping them for it. It is the first book that future Israelites had their children read because it details how the people were to become a holy nation. It taught them how to revere God, how to enter His presence and how to reflect Him in every area of their lives. The content of this book was given to the Israelites during the thirteenth month after their release from Egypt. © Dr. Rick Taylor and Bill Parkinson Resources for Leviticus Leviticus Life Group Guide A Handbook on Leviticus - UBS Handbook Commentary Series [Video File] [Audio File]

The Book of Exodus is about one thing: God. God pursues His people, God uses Moses to deliver His people, God proves His power through supernatural experiences, God sets up the rules for how He will be worshiped and God provides instructions for how the tabernacle should be built. God is clear when He says to His people, “You shall not have any other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). No other created being or object is even worthy of the name. Author Moses, as identified by Joshua, Malachi, Jesus and Paul. Date Approx. 1450-1410 B.C. during the forty years that the nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness. Theme Israel’s Birth Birth…from the womb of Egypt, of a covenant with God, of a nation, of national worship Additional Info Exodus is the story of the birth of God’s people. Having grown up in plush Egypt, the people of God (between 2-3 million of them) are miraculously delivered so they can eventually have their own land and nation. Exodus shows God’s divine protection, provision and instruction for His people. © Dr. Rick Taylor Resources for Exodus Exodus Life Group Guide Tabernacle Infographic by Tim Challies Exodus (The NIV Application Commentary) by Peter Enns The New American Commentary: Exodus by Douglas Stuart Gleanings in Exodus by Arthur Pink [Video File] [Audio File]

The Bible begins with the book of Genesis, an account of the creation of the world and the foundation of humanity and our relationship with God. Riddled with mystery and complexity, every page takes us deeper into the heart of mankind and the struggle of faith. And it’s only the beginning. Author Moses, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Date Approx. 1450-1410 B.C. during the 40 years that the nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness. Theme Israel’s Roots Roots…of planet earth, mankind, marriage and family, sin, salvation, nations, and Israel as a promised nation in the midst of nations Additional Info Moses was born into the priestly tribe of Levi and was born into slavery in Egypt and illegally kept alive by his parents. He was raised by Pharaoh’s daughter in the palace. After leading the people of Israel out of their captivity and slavery in Egypt, the people refused to take the land God had already promised for them. As a result, God did not allow that generation of adults to enter the promised land. They wandered in the wilderness as nomads for 40 years. It was during these 40 years that Moses wrote the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. Genesis was written to give the new nation a sense of their roots and their history that led to their captivity in Egypt. © Dr. Rick Taylor Resources for Genesis Genesis Life Group Guide Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 1: Genesis 1-15 by Gordon Wenham Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50 by Gordon Wenham Genesis: A Commentary by B.K. Waltke and Cathi Fredricks How to Read Genesis by Tremper Longman III [Video File] [Audio File]

As a new year begins, we want to take the opportunity to reset our attention toward Christ. January typically brings a litany of resolutions that we forget about by March, but what if this year was less about losing weight or getting control of our finances and more about becoming more like Jesus Christ? What would look differently in you if that became your focal point? This week we will focus our attention on running with endurance the race that it set before us. God has promised us that He would conform us into the image of Jesus Christ, so the work has already begun. We desire to see what God is doing in our lives and become more aware of what He wants for us in 2013. [Video File] [Audio File]

With the Christmas season in full swing, most of us find ourselves completely overwhelmed with the festivities that surround the holiday. Our schedules are full with work parties, meal preparations, and shopping for that perfect gift. Is there a better way? Could it be that God wants us to slow down and see through a "Window of the Soul" that He is opening for us? Does God desire a slower, calm, and more reflective pace for us in this holiday season? We want to explore the concept of slowing down to see God at work, and we will take a look at the Christmas story with fresh eyes so we can enjoy the peace that He brings this Christmas season. [Video File] [Audio File]

After 45 weeks in 1 Corinthians, we finally come to the end of the road and wrap up our series. We will walk through all sixteen chapters, highlighting the key points discussed throughout the book. [Video File] [Audio File]

If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, do we really need to give any of our hard earned money to the church? Can't God just make His will happen with whatever He already has? The truth of the matter is that giving is not about money at all, but about our hearts. If God doesn't have our money, than God doesn't have us. This week we will take a look at what the Bible says about giving and what our response should be to what God has already done on our behalf. We will look at some principles from scripture that will hopefully help you create a renewed passion for what God does in you when you give. [Video File] [Audio File]

What difference does an empty tomb over 2,000 years ago actually make? How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ affect our lives today? This message reveals the impact of the resurrection of Christ on our everyday lives and challenges us to live differently in light of a conquering king. Our work for the Lord matters and should be abundant, because our labor and toil in the things of God are never in vain. [Video File] [Audio File]

The gospel is not just about the death of Jesus Christ, but also the power of His resurrection. It holds significant implications for us as believers because it demands life change. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, so we should walk in a newness of life. Our association with the resurrected Jesus Christ requires that this mortal life be lived in light of immortality. The cross has abated the sting of death, and our victory comes through a resurrected Savior. [Video File] [Audio File]

We have learned through Paul’s letter to the Corinthians that the most important thing a Christian does is love. Now Paul explains that the most important thing a Christian believes is the gospel, and the glue that holds the gospel together is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A believer's life is completely dependent on that truth, not only after death, but during this lifetime as well. [Video File] [Audio File]