Calvary Chapel Lake of the Ozarks

In this tragic story, everyone lost. Each of the main characters – Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob – schemed and maneuvered in human wisdom and energy, rejecting God’s word and wisdom. Nevertheless, God still accomplished His purpose. The tragedy was that each of the participants suffered, because they insisted on working against God’s word and wisdom.

Isaac walked in the same paths of his father Abraham; with similar highs and the lows. Altars and tents marked Abraham’s life, demonstrating a life of worship and trust. Isaac lived that, calling on the name of the LORD, and enjoyed the additional blessings of God’s provision through water and wells.

This chapter goes beyond history into theology. It gives us a picture of the Heavenly Father getting a bride for His Son. The church is compared to a bride; and during this present age, the Holy Spirit is calling people to trust Christ and be “married to…Him.” The elements involved in the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah are also involved in the marriage of Christ and His church.

Abraham passed from the scene, being one of the most important men of the Bible. By many measures his life was not perfect, but he was a man of faith, who had a real relationship with God, of remarkable obedience, and a true friend of God. Abraham was a great man, but he was only a man. God’s work passed on from one generation to the next. Now, God would carry on the work of the covenant first pro...

In Genesis 12 we see God call Abram to crazy faith as he leaves everything familiar and safe to depend on God's promises. This is the same faith and call that God calls has for those who apprentice Jesus.

As the old hymn reminds us: “Trust and obey, for there's no other way; To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” Rebellion carries with it consequences, but God’s desire for our lives is to bring blessings—and that only comes through faith in Him, from which obedience pours out. 

The tenth chapter of Genesis… stands absolutely alone in ancient literature, without a remote parallel, even among the Greeks, where we find the closest approach to a distribution of peoples in genealogical framework… The Table of Nations remains an astonishing accurate document” (William F. Albright).

How do we address sin in others life? Many times the way we address or point it out cause shame and guilt, but love covers all sin. If we choose to walk in love it will leave to redemption from the sin we feel so trapped in.

Just as God made a covenant with Noah and the sign of the rainbow…we have a covenant with Jesus Christ by His blood. Have you entered into a covenant with Jesus, by His blood? 

God told Noah when to go into the ark, but he did not tell him when he should come out again. The Lord told Noah when to go in, for it was necessary for him to know that; but he did not tell him when he should come out, for it was unnecessary that he should know that. God always lets his people know what is practically for their good.

The promise of the cross is that my old life is dead and gone, I have new life through the Spirit of Christ living in me, by grace through faith, because of His love and sacrifice, I have the righteousness of Christ! 

Just as God provided a way for Noah and his family to be saved in the ark, He also has provided a way for us to be saved through Jesus Christ. And we can walk just as Noah, righteous and blameless…because we are IN CHRIST!

Paul modeled, and we should adopt, the attitude of an under-rower.

Man is appointed mortal sorrowful, the blessed God shall come down, teaching, his death shall bring the despairing rest and comfort.

In Luke 14, the parable of the banquet: the heart of the Father is that the banquet would be FULL! We are merely reflecting the heart of the Father to our community

Pastor Cliff explains walking in the will of god by prayer, purity, and praise.

God dealt with Cain in terms of loving confrontation instead of automatic affirmation. God made it clear that Cain would be accepted if he did well. Of course, God knew the answers to the questions He asked, but He wanted Cain to know and to resist the pull toward violence and anger within.

In order for Adam and Eve to be clothed, a sacrifice had to be made. An animal had to die. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.

Satan’s first attack was leveled against the Word of God. If he could make Eve confused about what God said, or to doubt what God said, then his battle was partially won.