Grace Road Church

Joseph’s story shows us that while suffering and hard times come to both the just and unjust, God is with us through it all. We also see Joseph’s example in both resisting temptation and not allowing the injustice he experienced to define him. Yet this passage points to a better message than just “Be more like Joseph.” Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. He is with both the faithful and those who fail...

This week, we look at the story of Judah, Joseph's older brother. In his sinful treatment of Tamar as an object instead of a person made in God's image, Judah contrasts with Joseph, who actively resists temptation and remains faithful. Yet, this story of Judah and Tamar has surprising generational impact: Judah and Tamar are mentioned in the lineage of Jesus - not Joseph. Kevin explains...

This Sunday, Elijah Elmer walks us through Genesis 34, a hard passage that underlines human depravity. While such darkness rightly demands real justice, our hearts can also be tempted to act sinfully in attempt to make things right. Elijah invites us to navigate this challenging narrative with a question in mind: "Who can make this right?" Only Jesus Christ. Only God can truly fix what s...

This Sunday, Kevin continues to unpack the story of Jacob and Esau. Despite the sin each character commits in this narrative, God is still faithful to bring His promises to pass in their lives and the lives of generations to come. While we may easily see how God is at work in our wins and victories over sin, we can forget that He is also working when we are at our lowest. Kevin contrasts a theolog...

This week in our Genesis sermon series, Kevin takes us through the story of Hagar and her encounter with God in the wilderness. Though God had promised Abram an heir, Sarai disbelieves and cruelly uses her servant Hagar to marry Abram and bring this to pass. Hagar flees to the desert and is met by the angel of the Lord, who promises to take care of her if she returns to Abram and Sarai. Hagar is t...

This week, we continue our journey through Abram's story in Genesis 15. In this passage, Abram experiences doubt that God will fulfill His promises to him, and brings those before God. God then establishes a covenant with Abram to show His steadfast faithfulness toward him. This covenant agreement is enacted entirely by God while Abram is asleep. How does this illustrate the grace of God towa...

This week, our Pastoral Resident, Elijah Elmer, unpacks the narrative of Abram's victorious rescue of Lot in Genesis 14. Not only do we see Abram as a type of Christ's victory in rescuing sinners, but we are introduced to the righteous king-priest Melchizedek, who points to Christ as well. How does Abram's faith in God's promises teach us to rely on the Lord? How does the signi...

This week, Kevin walks us through the beginnings of Abram's story in Genesis. Abram's story shows us much about the mercy and kindness of God. We see God bestow grace on Abram, calling him out from the land of Ur to follow the Lord in faith. God chooses Abram not because of Abram's own goodness, but because God Himself is good. How does our understanding of God's sovereignty ov...