NT Reading Plan
Thank you for joining us for worship today.
Today, we see things begin to work as we had hoped all along. Jacob, now Israel, begins to experience God's blessings in ways that really look like a blessing. Finally!
THE BLESSING is our study of Jacob and his family as the instruments and objects of God's blessing for the world.
I pray that your participation in today's worship helps you move closer to Jesus and reveals more of his plan for your life.
Worship Schedule:
8:30 am
Live @Raum Chapel
9:30 am
Live @Wesley Chapel
Live on our Worship Line: (443) 252-2878
11:00 am
Live @Rock Hall Church
Live online @https://yourrockhall.online.church
On-Demand
This week's announcements
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Today's Order of Worship
Welcome
Morning Prayer
Opening Songs
Pastoral Prayer
Message
Closing Worship
Benediction
Songs for worship:
9:30am
"I Love You Lord/He is Exalted" Medley
"Morning had Broken"
"Are Ye Able"
11:00am
How Great is Our God
It Is Well
Amazing Grace
Message Notes
Genesis #31: The Blessing - A Long Lost Brother
Genesis 33 (NLT)
Jacob and Esau Make Peace
Then Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming with his 400 men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and his two servant wives. 2 He put the servant wives and their children at the front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. 4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.
5 Then Esau looked at the women and children and asked, “Who are these people with you?”
“These are the children God has graciously given to me, your servant,” Jacob replied. 6 Then the servant wives came forward with their children and bowed before him. 7 Next came Leah with her children, and they bowed before him. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed before him.
8 “And what were all the flocks and herds I met as I came?” Esau asked.
Jacob replied, “They are a gift, my lord, to ensure your friendship.”
9 “My brother, I have plenty,” Esau answered. “Keep what you have for yourself.”
10 But Jacob insisted, “No, if I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me. And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! 11 Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift.
12 “Well,” Esau said, “let’s be going. I will lead the way.”
13 But Jacob replied, “You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die. 14 Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.”
15 “All right,” Esau said, “but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you.”
Jacob responded, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve received me warmly, my lord!”
16 So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day. 17 Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”).
18 Later, having traveled all the way from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem, in the land of Canaan. There he set up camp outside the town. 19 Jacob bought the plot of land where he camped from the family of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for 100 pieces of silver. 20 And there he built an altar and named it El-Elohe-Israel.
Take it Home:
Reflecting on this weekend's message and the text of Genesis Ch33, how might you answer these questions or respond in these situations?
How can a person know if he’s living by faith or by the flesh? What signposts can he look for? What evidences are seen in the lives of Esau? Jacob?
Is spirituality an all‑or‑nothing or more of a progressive matter? How do you know when you are being spiritual?
Think of relationships in your own life that need restoration. Both those which you have broken and those others have broken. While we recognize that God can restore, and in fact this is our ultimate hope, what is our role in restoration? In restoring a broken relationship, should we always talk through past wrongs, or is it okay just to “forget about the past”?
In declining an unacceptable social offer from a non‑Christian because of our beliefs, must we be totally honest or are excuses sometimes okay?
This week's prayer focus:
Sunday - Our Mission: God, grant boldness and opportunities for us to share the Gospel with others. Ephesians 6:19
Monday - Our Church: God, help us be financially responsible and good stewards of the blessings You’ve provided. Malachi 3:10
Tuesday - Our Leadership: God, allow nothing to hinder our ministers and volunteers from Your calling on their lives. Nehemiah 6:3
Wednesday - Families: God, help us recognize the importance of first making disciples of Christ in our homes. Proverbs 22:6
Thursday - Our Community: God, we ask for your healing of the broken structures and systems in our community. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Friday - Children/Youth: God, help our young people humbly submit to and honor those in authority over them. Ephesians 6:1-3
Saturday - Adults: God cause our adults to humble themselves and seek Your face. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Merger Prayer Focus: Needing workers
One of the major hindrances to growing as a church is the lack of workers. As the church launches new ministries to reach new people in the mission field, an adequate number of passionate workers need to be in place.
Pray that God would bring people to fill the gaps. Matt 9:37-38
Pray for new teachers. James 3:1
Pray for more youth and children workers. Matt 19:14
Pray God would bring young adult workers. 1 Cor 12:7
Pray God would bring tech people. 1 Cor 12:27
Pray that God would bring more musicians. Psalm 150
Pray that God would bring diversity in workers. Eph 2:13-16
Bible Reading Plan:
Join us for our 5x5x5 New Testament Reading Plan. 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, & 5 questions to go deeper.