Occoquan Bible Church | Sermons Occoquan Bible Church

Dear OBC Family,
On Sunday, we take the first step toward understanding the history of the flood—its causes, its characters, and its covenant. 

In particular, we will spend time looking at the strange statements found in Genesis 6:1–4. Who were the sons of God? Who were the daughters of man? Who were the Nephilim? How do they relate to one another? And how do they relate to us today? Those questions require care and attention, and we should pray for wisdom as we come to worship on Sunday.

Indeed, it is easy to gloss over these verses as strange relics of a by-gone era, but as we will see there are important aspects of this story that we need to know. To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 6. You may also find help reading 2 Peter 2 and Jude. These two books look back at Genesis 6 and help us better understand how to read the Old Testament.

Additionally, if you are interested in thinking more about how the New Testament reads the Old and how we should engage with extra-biblical passages, you may find this article helpful.

For all of us, let us pray that the Lord who rules over all creation will pour out his mercy upon us as we gather in his name on Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there, as the Lord allows.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 6:1-8)
What questions do you have after reading this text?
The following questions are largely related to the “sons of God” and giants:
What are the predominant views of the identity of the “sons of God”?
How does the Old Testament use this phrase? (Consider who is in view in Deuteronomy 32:8; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7). 
As we look to Scripture to interpret Scripture, how does Jude 1:5-7 compare angels that sinned with Sodom and Gomorrah?
What does Mark 12:25 teach us about angels and the saints in heaven?
How does this apply (or nor apply) to Genesis 6?
What giants do you see in Scripture? Consider the Nephilim (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33) and the “sons of Anak” (Deuteronomy 1:28; 2:10; 9:2; Joshua 14:12-15; 15:13), and the Rephaim or Emim (Deuteronomy 3:11-13). Consider also Goliath (1 Samuel 17), his relatives, and their descendants (1 Chron 20:4-6; 2 Samuel 21:5-17). What repeated themes do you see?
What do you find challenging about these texts, and why?
As we read Genesis 6:1-8, what are the ways in which we observe God’s judgment? Looking at the text, what provokes these judgments?
How do these judgements change humanity?
What characterizes man’s heart, and why?
What is the Bible’s consistent message when it comes to mankind’s condition?
How should we understand the language of God seeing (Gen 6:5) and having regret (Gen 6:6)?
How do we rightly interpret this text without denying the omniscience (Ps 139; Heb 4:12-13; 1 John 3:20) and immutability of God (Num 23:19; Mal 3:6; James 1:17)?
How is Noah distinct from the rest of mankind?
How can one find favor with God? Consider Noah (Heb 11:7; 2 Pet 2:5).
What does this passage teach about God’s world? God’s son? Our salvation? 
What questions are left unresolved?

On Sunday, we return to our study of Genesis. And for those who have been waiting to hear about the Nephilim in Genesis 6, you’ll have to wait one more week.

For this Sunday, we have a genealogy to journey. And I say journey, because the names and events related to this list of figures is anything but boring. Indeed, from Seth to Enoch to Noah, we will see an important history that connects Adam to his faithful sons, on the way to a story of giants being destroyed by a global flood. That’s next week (see more below).

As we saw three Sunday’s ago, the sons of Cain pursued all manner of wickedness in Genesis 4. But now, as the sons of Seth begin to call upon the name of the Lord, there is great hope that those who die in faith will be received by the Lord. Or at least, that is the situation for one man by the name of Enoch.

Among the fathers named in Genesis 5, Enoch stands out as a turning point in the story. And more his ascension to heaven, as I will argue, promises mankind that death is not the only option. Instead, there is way of life that comes by walking with God. Yet, walking with God requires more than a daily quiet time, it requires spiritual warfare.

For, as we will see, the generations before Noah are wicked and rebellious, much like our own generation. And thus, from the fighting faith of these fathers, we will see what it looks like to trust God amidst a generation who doesn’t.

To prepare for Sunday, read Genesis 5. But don’t stop there. You will also be helped by reading Jude and Matthew 1. And for the more studious, you would be helped by reading 1 Enoch 6–16. As I mentioned three weeks ago, this passage is not found in the biblical canon, and I don’t treat it as inspired by God and authoritative for doctrine. Nevertheless, this book clearly contributed to the worldview of the Jews in Jesus' day and was quoted by Jude (1 Enoch 1:9 = Jude 14–15). So knowing its contents will help you better understand Genesis 5:1–6:8, as well as the message of Christ’s conquest over the powers and principalities.

Furthermore, as we prepare to tackle giants next week, you might be helped by picking up a copy of Giants: The Sons of the Gods from the bookshelf. Or you can listen to Haunted Cosmos on Giants (Part 1, Part 2). Next week is going to be gigantic . . . and not just because of the Nephilim.

This week and next we will see more clearly how great our risen Christ is! And so, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we come and worship our king, the one who reigns over all things in creation—things visible and things invisible too!

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 5)
 
When you read a genealogy in the Bible, what are you looking for?
What are they used for?
And how can you over-read them?
Or under-read them?
What comes before the genealogy in Genesis 5 and what comes after?
How does the genealogy help us understand both sections? And vice versa?
There are four key figures in the genealogy (Adam, Enoch, Lamech, Noah). What does the passage tell us about each? How does these vignettes add to our understanding of the passage?
There are also minor figures (Seth, Jared, Methuselah). What do we know about them? What role do the names of these men play?
What is the recurring theme in Genesis 5?
What does death teach about God and his world?
And how does the theme of death highlight Enoch’s ascension?
What is the relationship between the sons of Cain (Gen 4:17–24) and the sons of Seth (Gen. 5)?
Look especially at the seventh generation. Cf. Jude 14–15.
What connections does Genesis 5 have with the New Testament?
Cf. Matthew 1:1–17; Hebrews 11:1–7; Jude 14–15.
What do these connections tell us? What does it mean that Christ is a new Enoch?
What other questions do you have?
Are you ready to talk about giants (Nep

In Acts 13:1–3, the church in Antioch gathered to worship the Lord. And as they worshiped, the Holy Spirit identified Barnabas and Saul for missionary service. In response, the church continued to fast and pray, and then they laid hands on the newfound missionaries and sent them out.

Ever since, faithful churches have followed a similar pattern. They have recognized men called by God preach the Word (see 1 Tim. 4:14), and they have commissioned them to serve as elders locally or missionaries globally. 

On Sunday, we have the chance to participate in this missionary drama too. For the last 13 years the Comoglio family have been faithful members of our church. During that time, Ron has served as an elder for nearly a decade. However, in the last year, the Lord has made it clear that he is calling Ron to a ministry of evangelism and encouragement to the public servants in Alabama.

After much prayer and counsel, Ron received a call to go with a ministry called Capitol Commission, and next month he is moving to Alabama to begin that work. As he goes, our church will be one of many that support him. In this way, we participate in the great work of recognizing ministers of the gospel and sending them out into the highways and hedges to share the message of Christ with those who need to hear the gospel.

In celebration and commemoration of this commissioning (which will officially take place in May), Brad Harbaugh, president of Capitol Commission, is coming to bring the Word. He will preach from Psalm 2 and its message that Christ rules over all the governors who rage against God. 

In our day, this is a needed message. And one that fits with the ministry that Ron is being sent to fulfill, and one that we need to support as well. So as we prepare for Sunday, let us pray for our gathering and for God to raise up laborers in our church and from our nation to go and speak truth to those in power. On Sunday, that is the message we will hear, and as the Lord allows, I look forward to joining you to worship our risen and reigning Lord.

We are also starting a new Sunday School series this week and invite you to read our blog on Simeon Trust's First Principles for Bible Reading.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion & Response Questions (Psalm 2)

1. What do we know about Psalm 2—in its relationship to the Psalter? And the rest of the Bible?
2. Acts 4:25 tells us that David is the author. How does that truth inform our reading of Psalm 2?
3. What is the condition of the nations (Psalm 2:1–3)? How did they get that way?
4. What is God’s response to the rage of the nations (Psalm 2:4–6)? What is his planned response?
5. What is the promise of sonship? And when is this fulfilled? See Acts 13:33; Matthew 28:18.
6. What confidence does the Lordship of Christ give to us today? How does that impact our relation to the nations?
7. How does the authority of Christ impact the Great Commission? Do we need earthly authorization to preach Christ?
8. What is our response to the risen Christ?
9. In light of Christ’s Lordship, what is our calling?
10. Take time to pray for our nation, the nations, and the gathering of God’s holy nation (the elect from every nation).

Dear OBC Family,
There's an old adage that goes something like this: "In order to get strong, you have to pick up something heavy." Lifting weights builds muscle, and resistance shapes our bodies and makes us stronger. The weight of God's glory likewise shapes us and strengthens us in ways that we can't do ourselves.  
This Sunday, we'll take a brief detour from our series on Genesis to ponder how the glory of God affects us and shapes us. We'll look at Exodus 33:12-34:9, and see how Moses encountered God's glory (or some of it) in the wake of his people seeking glory elsewhere. God's glory is foundational for any covenant relationship with him, and it's also foundational in shaping us from the image of ourselves into the image of Christ.
This week we will be having a time of corporate confession. To help you prepare, we are sharing this Sunday's corporate confession in advance.

For His Glory and your joy in Jesus,
Pastor Jared
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion & Response Questions (Exodus 33:12 – 34:9)
What have been your previous perceptions about glory?
In Exodus 33, Moses asks the Lord to show him his glory? Why was this an impossible question?
The Lord answers the Moses's plea, but not in the way that Moses expected. How did Yahweh's answer (Ex. 33:19) suit Moses better than what he asked for?
What are some ways that the weight of sin and the weight of the world compete with God's glory?  
What are some things that cause us to be short sighted in recognizing God's glory?
What are some ways that we often push against the "resistance training effect" that God's glory has upon us?
What are a few tangible ways that the glory of God can shape how we live?
Because of sin, we're ultimately incapable of truly seeing God's glory on our own. How does the grace of God in the person of Christ help us in this respect?

Worship is why we are here.

When God made us, he created us in his image to worship him. Yet, fallen in Adam, we will not worship God rightly unless God makes us worship him rightly.

Indeed, this is a major point in Genesis 4. The chapter begins with worship, as Adam’s children bring sacrifices to God. And the chapter ends with worship, as Seth calls upon the name of the Lord. And in between, the story of Cain’s family line is also about worship . . . if we have eyes to see.

This Sunday, we will see how Cain’s city-building project is one that exalts the glory of man, not the glory of God. Likewise, the music that fills Genesis 4:17–24 is a testimony to the way humans will sing praise to what they love most. And unless and until God intervenes and gives them a new song, they will sing praises to themselves about themselves.

Even for the church of Jesus Christ, we need the grace of God and the truth of his Spirit to lead us to worship God rightly and righteously. And more, we need the Word of God to teach how we are to worship God. Wonderfully, we have already been taught that worship centers on Jesus Christ and is empowered by the Spirit of Truth. Because Father has given us the Son and the Spirit, we can gather in confidence that our praises will be accepted and pleasing to him. And in that confidence, we will gather for worship on Sunday. 

To prepare for Sunday, please read Genesis 4, Psalm 33, and John 4. These passages come together to teach how to worship God truly. And on Sunday, as the Lord allows, I will look forward to gathering with you to do just that. 

For His Glory and your joy in Jesus,
Pastor David
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 4:17 – 26)
What have we seen so far in Genesis 4? How does the place of the story inform the context? What about the people (i.e., the two seeds)?
Where does Genesis 4:17–24 take place? How does that inform our understanding of the passage?
What does the building of a city indicate? In Scripture, who is renowned for building cities (see Gen. 10:11; 11:4–8; Exod. 1:11; Num. 13:22)? Who is renowned for building altars (Gen. 8:20; Gen. 12:7–8; 22:9; 26:5; 35:7; Exod. 17:5; 24:4)?
If city-building is an evidence of unbelief, what do we discover about the other products invented / created in Genesis 4?
What does the building of a city suggest about the people in Cain’s family? What do their names indicate?
What is the story of Lamech? In what ways does this serve as a warning to us?
Compare the teaching of Jesus in relationship to Lamech (Matt 18:21-22). What do you notice?
What is the Christian ethic when it comes to revenge and justice? Consider Romans 12:17-13:4.
The passage finishes with a return to Adam, Eve, and Seth. What does it mean to call upon the name of the Lord? And how does the wickedness of Lamech relate?
What do we learn about worship in Genesis 4? And how should we prioritize our lives accordingly?
What are you building? And where are you putting your trust? 

He is risen!

Well actually, depending on when you read this, as you remember Christ’s holy week, it is probable that you will read this before his resurrection on the first day of the week. 

Today, as we celebrate Good Friday, we remember the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross. And tonight, we will come to the final statement, where Jesus entrusts himself to his father and he prepares to give up his life. Accordingly, if you read this email today, it might serve you best to ponder what it means that Christ died for our sins and what his seven statements mean to us today. To help with that you might find this short article helpful.

Tomorrow, on Saturday, if you read this email, it will correspond to Holy Saturday—the day when Jesus' body remained dead and buried. Or, as the Apostle’s Creed declares, he descended to the dead (to sheol). In our English language, we often confuse hades (the realm of the dead) with hell (gehenna). But in fact, hades is not the same thing as hell, and Jesus and the apostles knew this. In fact, tonight and on Sunday, we will take some time to think about it too. 

It matters where Jesus was when he died. And it matters than the eternal Son of God in his divine nature was not dead, even when he offered his body as a sacrifice for sins. It matters that Christ went and proclaimed victory over the spirits. And it matters that he led a procession of saints from Sheol to Glory in his resurrection. In fact, that is one of the important lessons that comes from Matthew 27:51–54, the passage we will consider Sunday.

On Sunday, we will proclaim that "Jesus Christ is risen indeed!” And we will consider the earth-shaking events of his death and resurrection. To prepare, take time to read Ezekiel 37. It will help give some background to the remarkable fact that dead men rose from their graves to walk around Jerusalem when Jesus Christ rose again. Sunday, we will consider this passage and what it means for Christ and for us.

Until then, plan to join us tonight at 7:00pm, as we gather to celebrate Good Friday. Then, pray for Sunday. Invite friends. And plan to come early to find a seat and welcome visitors. We will only have one service on Sunday at 10:00am. This service will be inside, with overflow seats available as needed. Sunday School will resume next week.

For now, let us pray for Christ to be magnified as we gather tonight and Sunday. For the truth remains the same, that Jesus Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed!

For His Glory and your joy in Jesus,
Pastor David
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion & Response Questions (Matthew 27:51-54)
At easter this year, what is most hope-giving about the resurrection of Christ? 
In Matthew’s Gospel, what are the points that he stresses at Christ’s resurrection?
What are some of the ‘earth-shaking’ signs that accompany the death of Christ? What does this indicate?
How does the Old Testament help us understand this passage? Especially Ezekiel 37?
When did the saints rise from the dead? When they enter the city? Why do both of these incidents matter?
What did Christ do when he died and before he was raised from the dead? How did the world change as a result of Christ’s death and resurrection?
What became of these resurrected bodies? What hope does this give to us? What does it say of Christ’s resurrection?
What comfort, encourage, strength does this give you today? Why does death sting “less” today then before Christ’s death and resurrection?
What hope does the promise of Christ’s resurrection give you going forward?