Providence Community Church

f deliverance via messianic ascension summarizes Joseph's legacy, it makes sense that the opening chapters of his story would reference low points in his life. Joseph eventually arises to rule in Egypt but he does so leaving a pit, slavery, betrayal, incarceration, family estrangement, and false accusations behind him. Our passage today records some of these struggles in his early years. Traumatic...

The 11th stanza of the greatest song in literature marks the half way point in the Hebrew alphabet and this acrostic poem. The presenting trial is persecution and the 91st reference to covenant revelation adds further weight to the great theme applied to the author's hardships. Stanza 11 proclaims: the Word of God is sufficient for the trial of persecution. Our title today was chosen in the intere...

The urgency of Peter's 2nd letter is compelled by two factors we learn in context. The first is Peter's sense of his own approaching death. The second is the presence of false teachers among the early church. Peter's primary reasons for writing are illuminated further when compared with his 1st epistle to churches gaining a foothold in the greater Asia Minor region. In I Peter the nature of the th...

Where are we in the book of Genesis? The 10th and final appearance of the phrase: “These are the generations” provides opportunity to situate the account of Joseph in context. The book of Genesis is structured around scene changes, turning points, or “chapter divisions” which are signaled by this phrase. Genesis 2:4 introduces this heading with reference to the creation of the heavens and earth. E...

Chapter 36 in Genesis signals a transition to the final climactic section of the first book of Moses. The last we encountered the phrase: “these are the generations” was in chapter 25. The circumstances are remarkably similar. The patriarch Abraham breaths his last in a good old age and is gathered to his people (25:8) just as his son Isaac has died in (35:29). Abraham's sons, otherwise no strange...

Each verse of the 10th stanza of the great acrostic song begins, in the original language, with the 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet – 'yodh'. As the Psalmist's trying journey continues, he finds himself facing slander ffrom his and the Lord's enemies (78). In spite of the hardships he continues to encounter, he remains encouraged. He has learned and confessed in stanza 9 that there is redemptiv...

A central theme of Peter's admonitions to the early church facing the challenges of Christian faithfulness in their day is the necessity of a 'reckoning perspective'. His closing remarks reiterate and expand this concept and provide his readers an answer to the question: How do I keep the faith when I am surrounded by so many enemies? The context of Peter's words of exhortation and expectation par...

Jacob's life experience includes dramatic events of blessing and sorrow. Having welcomed the visitation of God Himself at Bethel for a 2nd time, Jacob leaves the 'gates of heaven' only to encounter great tragedy. Bitter providences soon visit the covenant son in the form of calamity, sin, and death. Jacob has attested with his pillars that the promises of God are stronger than exile, enemies, and...

Why should I be baptized? The new believer may sincerely ask. The Biblical answer to this question can be as simple as: “Jesus commanded we be baptized in His name. However, the full range of the significance, importance, and benefit of baptism extend this answer across the teachings of scripture drawing from multiple points of reference in the scope of God's plan for salvation unfolding in histor...

Each verse of the 9th stanza of the great acrostic psalm begins with the Hebrew letter: 'teth'. Our author has learned painstakingly through the discipline of affliction that the covenant revelation of God is sufficient for the trial of false witness. He has realized, furthermore, that various afflictions including the lies of the insolent have served to instruct him in the statues of His Lord and...

Peter's admonition to the New Testament church draws on perspectives in light of the 'Day of the Lord'. This concept, thoroughly expounded in the prophets, was key to arresting the attention of a self-centered and easily distracted people. Peter exhorts the church and rebukes scoffers in light of the coming and the 2nd coming of Christ. Just as the 'Day of the Lord' signaled salvation or judgement...

Jacob has set up 4 pillars as recorded in scripture. We have noted that these stones serve as “monolithic monuments of covenant remembrance and testimony”. The use of stones to signify the important and the permanent is not unique to Jacob. We are reminded that the Lord Himself wrote His law on a set of stones with His very finger. Additionally, entrance into the promised land under Joshua was acc...

Today's text recounts another life changing moment for Jacob in 'Bethel' – a place he named: “The House of God”. It is here where he set up his first pillar (28:18) which had doubled for a pillow as he dreamed of the gates of heaven flung open to extend a stairway to earth with Yahweh at its head and the exiled son at its foot. 20 plus years later, Jacob is directed to return to this place of cove...

The frailty of Jacob continues to plague him in Canaan. In these tragic events at Shechem, Jacob faces challenges presented by pagan neighbors, wandering and lawless children, and his own moral weakness in the face of trial. Jacob, the unqualified patriarch, stumbles toward Bethel. These events also mark a recurring pattern among the people of God through covenant history. Having enjoyed a measure...

The eighth stanza of the Bible' s great acrostic Psalm assures the singer that the Word/Covenant revelation of God is sufficient for the trial of captivity. Verse 61 describes conditions that try the soul of the believer as “the cords of the wicked” ensnaring him, nevertheless, he does not forget the Law of God. In the context of captivity or to a lesser degree but principally similar, a cultural...

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter's Pentecost sermon proclaims Jesus incarnate, crucified, resurrected, and ascended. Peter's message was preceded by Jesus' own self disclosure and covenant revelation in Luke 24:13-35. On this occasion between His resurrection and ascension, Jesus explained, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, the interpretation of all the scriptures concerning Himself”....

The 7th Hebrew letter and the 7th stanza of the great acrostic song in the psalter declares to the reader that the word of God is sufficient for the test of insolent and derisive law breakers. While the author of this text remains a mystery to us, it is easy to imagine these words inspired by the trials of David during flight from Saul. Psalms 59 and 60 were written under such circumstances and st...

The apostle opens this warning section of his epistle with a brief profile of false teachers in chapter 2 verses 1-3. He follow this summary with a reckoning perspective to encourage the true church in spite of her enemies in verses 4-10. In this section Peter draws on 3 other incidents of God's decisive intervention to build the confidence of his hearers that God is ready and able to rescue the G...

The setting, characters, and conflict in this account continue to provide a stage for the revelation of God to and through His covenant son Jacob (soon to be named Israel). Half way between the Sea of Galilee to the north and the Dead Sea to the south, the Jabbok river runs west seeking to join the Jordan. The river's name denotes a pouring out or wrestling/striving activity. This will prove fitti...

Jacob's exodus continues escorted by heavenly hosts. This chapter in the patriarch’s experience continues to feature redemptive patterns reinforcing the Gospel through the life and calling of the covenant son. The back story of conflict with his brother sets the stage for these moments in Jacob's life. Gen 25:22-23 records Jacob and Esau's first fights as twins still in the womb of Rebekah their m...