Stapleton Baptist Church

In Genesis 14 we see God grant Abram a victory over four kings in order to rescue his kinsman Lot. It's what happens after the victory that is interesting. Abram receives a blessing from Melchizedek king of Salem and an offer from the king of Sodom. Let's see how Abram responds to these two very different kings.

Genesis 12:10-13:18. 

In chapters 11 and 12 we come to the most significant transition in the book of Genesis. The remaining 39 chapters of the book will focus in on only four generations of one particular family. That all begins with God's sovereign calling on the life of a man named Abram. In this calling we see the clear themes of God's divine election, God's use of unexpected means, and God's ca...

On this Resurrection Sunday we look at the story of Thomas, the disciples who could not believe Jesus was alive until he could see him with his own eyes. Thomas gives us hope because his story shows us that God does not despise our doubt. Instead, God sees our doubt and invites us to come out of it into belief and trust. 

From Genesis 10 & 11 we can understanding how the world went from eight people in one family to 8 billion people speaking 7000 languages. The diversification of the world came about both through blessing and judgment. In the end, Jesus will be more glorified and praised through the salvation of people form every tribe, tongue, and nation!

This week in Genesis 9 we find God giving Noah and his sons the same charge that he originally gave Adam: to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. It is their task to repopulate the earth. Unfortunately, we find that even though the flood cleansed the world of wicked people it could not cleanse the heart of humanity. Mankind needed a greater cleansing to cure the problem with sin. Thankfull...

This week in Genesis 7:11-8:22 we explore the world-wide flood  and trace the themes of judgment, salvation, and faith. It is a story of terrible judgment but also a story of incredible salvation. God judges, God saves, and it is our job to respond in faith. 

This week we begin the account of Noah and the ark in Genesis 6:9-7:10. Although this story is famous and is found fascinating by both adults and children, we shouldn't miss the fact that it is a story of terrible judgment. God looks upon the wicked world and determines to wipe out mankind. It is only through the obedience of one man, Noah, that life itself if preserved in the ark. 

Genesis 6:1-8 gives us a description of the world before the flood, and it's not a pretty picture. Sin had so completely corrupted the human race that every intention of the heart was evil continually. God will bring judgment upon mankind for its wickedness, but there is hope! There is one man who finds favor with God, and his name was Noah.

In Genesis 5 we are given the genealogy of Adam through Seth's line. This is the line that God will preserve and protect and eventually bring forth the Savior from. This line isn't credited with any amazing achievements or contributions to society like Cain's line, but it does describe someone who "walked with God" and it's through this line that God will save the wor...

Genesis 4:17-26 introduces us to the descendants of Cain. We find that Cain's descendants contribute to the building of society and civilization but at the same time continue to deepen in their sin and arrogance. But there is hope! We are told that God gives Adam another son, Seth, in the place of Abel. And it's through Seth's line that people begin to call upon the name of the Lord...

Genesis 4:1-16 gives us the tragic story of Cain and Abel. We begin to see just how thorough the corruption of sin is after the Fall. This story also shows us the deadly intent of sin. May we be people who are quick to cut sin down at the root and rule over it rather than letting it devour us!

Genesis 3 is one of the darkest moments in all of the Bible. God's perfect creation is corrupted and his perfect creatures are stained by sin. Yet, in the midst of the curse there is a glimmer of hope. God promises that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent. This is the first gospel! What a great God that he would offer hope and grace and mercy even when it was completely...

Genesis 3:1-13 shows us how sin first entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. But not only does it show us the origin of sin, it also shows us how Satan operates and how temptation works. From this passage we can learn to fight back against the schemes of Satan and find victory over sin and temptation!

In Genesis 2:4-25 we get a detailed account of how God create man and later created woman. This chapter crescendo's into the completion of God's perfect creation where man and woman perfectly compliment one another in fulfilling their purpose of multiplying and filling the earth. These are God's blueprints for the flourishing of mankind!

Genesis tells us very little about the "sabbath" or "rest" that God took on the seventh day. But throughout the rest of Scripture we find that God was laying the foundation and pattern for how his people would prioritize trusting in him. And over time this Sabbath rest has taken on an even deeper significance. Through Jesus Christ we have access to a spiritual rest and can trus...

It's impossible to truly understand mankind without first understanding who God is. And from the first chapter of Genesis we see a living, eternal, creating God who makes man in his image. There is something unique about mankind in the fact that we can reflect God and connect with God in a way that nothing else in all creation can. 

Genesis 1:1 gives us the very first introduction to who God is. It shows us a living, acting, creating God who has eternally existed. He created everything. He is the God who brings order from chaos and light from darkness. He is the main character of this cosmic drama. 

The first coming of Christ should also point us to the second and final coming of Christ. The birth of Christ wasn't the end of the story. It did inaugurate the kingdom of God but the ultimately fulfillment of God's purposes and plans are still to come when Jesus returns. How then should Christians live in light of his coming return? Peter helps us think through the importance of being p...

Luke 1:26-38 gives us the birth announcement of Jesus. It is one of the most famous passages from the birth narrative and provides us several truths to relish during the Advent season. Mary provides us a wonderful example of how God can use anyone--no matter their power, influence, wealth, or age--as long as their are faithful and obedient. Such was was the young girl, Mary, who was favored of God...

There's many miraculous occurrences associated with the Christmas story. But sometimes we may fail to recognize the greatest miracle of all: God becoming a man. In one of the most scandalous and unexpected acts of history, the almighty God humbled himself to coming as a baby in a manger. And he did it all to rescue sinners like you and me!

Don't underestimate the power of thankfulness and gratitude toward God. In Psalm 100 we have a call to give thanks to the Lord. And the call to give thanks is not based on having a perfect life with no problems; instead, it's baed on having a perfect God who is faithful and good.

Don't underestimate the importance of Philemon due to its small size. This little letter from the Apostle Paul gives us a real-life example of how the new-creation-identity applies to the difficult situations in life. It also gives us a picture of the priority of the body of Christ and how the health of the individual impacts the health of the whole body.

In Paul's final instructions to the Colossians, he shifts his focus to how Christians should interact with those outside of the faith community. As new creations the way we relate to and engage with non-Christians should be distinct, intentional, and full of wisdom. Let us have the mindset of Paul and look for every opportunity to proclaim the mystery of Christ.

In Christ you are a new creation. That new-creation-identity  has to transform everything about you, including the relationships in the home. In Colossians 3:18-4:1, the Apostle Paul gives us instructions on how relationships should look in the Christian household with an eye toward glorifying God in everything.