https://teaching.wvr.org/podcasts/65118/ The newest sermons from Abiding in Christ on SermonAudio. Religion & Spirituality Abiding in Christ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification https://vps.sermonaudio.com/resize_image/sources/podcast/1440/1440/wvr-02.jpg https://teaching.wvr.org/podcasts/65118/ en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:58:36 +0000 30 Jim Wood no The newest sermons from Abiding in Christ on SermonAudio. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1291612950 Why was there a concern about where Jacob and Joseph were to be buried? They were expecting that they were being laid in the ground like a seed that will give life to the promise that God will keep concerning the land that He promised to give their descendants. If we are in Christ we are joint heirs with Jesus. We will rule and reign with Him and have responsibilities based on what we did with this life. God knows exactly what He gave us and we will give an account for what we are given. Based on what we do with what we are given on Earth, we will be given more in Heaven. There is a right way of doing things and we need to do the best we can with what we have been given. Joseph's brothers were still lying because of fear that Joseph might pay them back. Joseph weeps because he has done so much to show his brothers that he loves them. All of us will one day answer to God and we cannot clean ourselves up. Jesus is the only One who can save us. Do we really believe that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us? God's ideas are not like ours and we are not to be afraid. Every pain and problem we have is temporary. This life is not all there is, we do not have to hope, we can have confidence that it is true. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1291612950 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:36:13 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/122161450193 Jacob, at the end of his life, was blessing his grandsons and sons saying what the Lord told him to say. God will hold us accountable for what we say. Sometimes our thoughts are from God, other times they are from our own sinful nature. If what we are speaking is what God is saying then it will happen. God's word is alive and it is powerful. God is amazing. The Word of God is real and we need to take God's word seriously. God breathed the scriptures and they all point us to Jesus. He is the Lamb who came to save. His word is true and will change your life. We are to trust Him and obey Him. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/122161450193 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 22 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:36:26 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/120161717574 As part of God's plan, Israel relocated to Egypt away from the land God promised him. God said that He is Israel's God and He would make Israel into a great nation in Egypt. God does everything to be glory to His name and to bring about His purpose. God said He would bring Israel would be brought back out of Egypt. This had two meanings, Israel's body would be brought back out and also Israel's descendants would be brought back out as well. The promise was from God, the promise was fulfilled by a human instrument, Joseph to bring out Israel's body and Moses to bring out Israel's descendants. God always keeps His promise and God has chosen to partner with people to accomplish His purpose. We may not be remembered in generations to come, but our purpose is not to be remembered it is to accomplish God's purpose. Our job, our role, may not be clear to us, but we can be greatly used by God anyway. We are to trust God and do what He says. God has chosen to partner with people to accomplish His purpose. Our emotions are not bad and it is not wrong to express them honestly. However, we are not governed by them. We should not bottle up our emotions. Jesus wept and that should tell us it is okay. But let's not think that whatever we feel is the ultimate reality. Israel stated that he was ready to die as if his life was complete after he saw that Joseph was alive. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/120161717574 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 20 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:43:35 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/11816134008 Joseph is a type, a representation of Jesus. Joseph escaped death, Jesus died for our sins. Joseph was delivered from death, Jesus conquered death. Joseph was not perfect, he sinned. Jesus never sinned. Joseph's brothers carried guilt about how they treated Joseph. Judah offered himself in place of the others, Jesus is the Lion of Judah offering Himself. Joseph was not swayed by Judah's begging, but instead he did not want his father to suffer. Joseph wanted his brothers to know that God loves them and Joseph did not want his brothers to be distressed. God is sovereignly at work in every situation. He is working out His good for those who love Him and are called to according to His purpose. We do not always know how long the bad times will last. God knows exactly what He is doing. Israel, when he found out that Benjamin came back and Joseph was alive, went from sorrow to celebration. Even something evil that lasts for years can be turned to something good by God. If we will surrender our lives to Jesus, He will save us. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/11816134008 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 18 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:36:30 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/11816115674 A guilty conscience is powerful. Over and over again when things come up that are uncomfortable it is often times because of guilt. God knows everything, all the time. We cannot keep secrets from God. We have all messed up and the solution to our sin is Jesus Christ. When we confess our sins, we need to do so as a confession of our sins and not just to tell others. When we do something wrong we have sinned against God and we must repent. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/11816115674 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 15 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:41:01 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/114161433281 Who could orchestrate all these events in Egypt? God, and He did not figure it out when the time came, He knew since the beginning of the world. The most evil thing in history is that Jesus died on the cross and it was the plan of God. God does not make us do bad things, however He is in control. God can stop our breath in a second and part of His plan is to allow us to have choices, even when are choices are evil. God takes people’s shortfalls, imperfections, and failures and uses them for His glory. God gave Pharaoh the dreams he had. When Joseph was young, he was thinking about himself. When Pharaoh asked him, Joseph did not say that he knew how to interpret dreams but that God will. Whether or not people understand what God is saying, God is speaking. No matter how big we are in the world, God is bigger. God has a plan for our lives and if we learn to depend on Him we will have all that we need. God has a place for us and we will always have somewhere for us to be. Joseph forgave and moved on with the dealings of Potiphar and Potiphar's wife. Joseph was deliberately trying to forget his past and his suffering. We need to practice to and depend on God when times get rough. Do you want to be part of God's family? He has sent us Jesus Christ so that we can be part of His family. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/114161433281 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:39:03 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/11316125383 Joseph was in prison for a period of over 2 years. Joseph's feeling of being a slave and in imprison is that he feels that he does not deserve to be there. There are times in life when we just have to endure what we are going through. God, the Great Physician is working on us to make us what we need to be. It involves change and often times pain. Joseph is not happy with his circumstances but he is not wavering with his patience with God. Time was passing for Joseph, but God was at work, it just did not feel that way to Joseph. Dreams can have meaning. If your dream is from God it will come true. Joseph acted a mediator between the cupbearer and baker with their dreams. Joseph is not perfect, he was a shadow of the true Mediator, Christ Jesus. Joseph was stuck in prison because God loves Joseph, his brothers, and all of us. The baker was given a warning that in 3 day he would die. We will all die at some point, let us live our lives the way God says with the days he has given us. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/11316125383 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:37:10 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/111161714263 Joseph went from being a prince to being property as a slave. However, God was with him even though Joseph was not in a place that he wanted to be in. The blessing of God was evident on Joseph's life. Joseph was a slave but the Lord was with him and Potiphar promoted him to his personal assistant. Potiphar and his household prospered because the Lord was with and blessed Joseph. We too can be a blessing to our households if we are in Christ and will recognize it is from God and give honor to God. Sex outside marriage is a wicked sin against God. It is not love if someone tries to get you to sin. If you love someone do not sin against God with them. Joseph could not transfer jobs to get away from Potiphar's wife but he did purposely stay away from her. God can be with us, and bless us, and prosper us, even in a situation that we would not choose. We need to be like Joseph and set our hearts on the will of God. We should not give in to sin because it would be a sin against God. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/111161714263 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 11 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:38:50 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1111616560 Why is the story of Judah and Tamar in the Bible? It is there because God wants it there. Repentance means acknowledging that something is wrong and turning from it. Here is a story that is sickening and sad. Judah's first two sons were wicked and God put them to death. God sees the intent of the heart. We need to be careful not point out the sins of others without recognizing our own sins. God is so great that He can strike people down because of their sins and also take the sin that we commit and make something good out of it. When things are going wrong, God is still at work bringing about something good for His people. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1111616560 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 08 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:38:51 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1716127530 Everyone is headed for the grave and the judgement before God. In chapter 35 there is a list of kings and mighty rulers that are not alive anymore. We will all face God's judgement. Joseph was not perfect. And Israel spoiled Joseph and Joseph had dreams that drew even more attention to himself. Israel kept the dreams to himself. How do we know if our dreams are from the Lord? We know, if the dream comes true. The story of Joseph is a foreshadowing of our King who reigns forever, Jesus. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1716127530 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 07 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:35:26 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/16161717460 In the beginning of this passage (chapters were added later) Jacob was fearful of the people around Shechem. God tells Jacob to go back to Bethel. God had a plan the whole time although Jacob did not know it. God told Jacob to go back to where He met with Jacob before. With all the land on the planet, much of the discussion in the U.N. today is over who gets the land in Israel. There is a spiritual struggle and God owns Israel as well as all the Universe. Even though thousands of years have gone by, God's plan will not be thwarted. Everything that God has promised, He will do. God has promised that there will be persecution for all who follow Christ. We can count on tribulation coming but we need to be of good courage because Christ has overcome the World. We need to rejoice when it is beautiful and we need to rejoice when it is not. God has provided with everything we need in order to do His will. God can do what we cannot and He will do everything He has promised. Jacob recognizes that God was with him everywhere he went. We cannot run away from God. If we have not done what we were supposed to do in the past, then we need to stop and do it now. How we dress is tied to cultural things. We should not be calling attention to ourselves in a sexual way. Also, people should not have to look at us and wonder if we are male or female. Jewelry is not where a woman's beauty lies, instead it is our character. We are not be afraid of people, instead we are to fear, obey, and trust God. God worked with people in different ways in different people during different times. Today, if we are in Christ, Christ lives in us. How long did Isaac wait to die, at least 40 years. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/16161717460 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 06 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:39:59 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1416175112 Sex is designed by God to be an expression of love between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Sex outside of marriage is wrong and what was going on in Genesis 34 was not okay. Dinah did not do anything wrong, although she should have been careful visiting the pagan women, but was not why she was rapped and rape was and is not okay. Instead of addressing the evil done to Dinah, her brothers hatch their own evil scheme. The sign of the covenant without faith, only produces death. Such as baptism without faith in Jesus will not wash away our sins. Water baptism, as well as circumcision is a sign of a covenant relationship with God, it alone will not save. We cannot give what we do not have. When people are encouraged to borrow and go into debt in order to finance someone’s ministry, it is an abomination to God and He will deal with those who ask others to do so. This is what the sons of Jacob did. Jacob's sons did the same thing to the Shechemite women as Shechem did to Dinah. Both rape and murder are deplorable to God. Jesus is the real and only solution to the problems we have. He is the only One who can forgive our sins and can heal our hurts and pains. The human family has been filled with destruction from the start. Jacob’s response to the evil that his sons did was not to cry out to God, but was self preservation. He was concerned with how he would appear to the other people in the land. He was all about making a good impression. He was concerned and still looking at the circumstances even though God had already told Jacob that he would be a great nation. We are to follow God's plan for our lives and do what He wants. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1416175112 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 04 Jan 2016 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:40:58 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1214151552499 Neither Jacob nor Esau were “good guys”. But before they were out of the womb, God choose Jacob. If anyone had a right to be angry in this story it would be Esau. Even though Esau could have been angry with Jacob, while Jacob was away, Esau ran to embrace and kiss his brother. Someone who had a right to be angry, laid it all down and was not angry with his brother. On the other hand, when Esau offered a relationship with Jacob, Jacob really did not want to be with Esau however he did not want to die at Esau’s hand. Jacob never made it to Seir where Esau lived, he lied once again to his brother. Hell will be full of people who did not want to go there, but who did not want to spend time with God either. God chose Jacob to display is mercy, grace, and glory. God chooses us for the same reason. Heaven is a place where we will see His love and nobody will be in Heaven wishing they were somewhere else. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1214151552499 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 14 Dec 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:30:57 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/121415154581 Angels are real and from the Old to the New Testament they have importance. However, angels are not equal to God and when some rebelled against God, they were banished from Heaven. When Jacob was going to meet his brother, even though he knew what God wanted him to do and was doing it, he was afraid. Jacob was pleading with God to save his life. God always keeps His promises. God is always is in control. Israel means, he wrestles with God, and this is what God changed Jacob’s name to. God was not too weak to overcome Jacob, but God deliberately placed Himself in a position where Jacob could win. In the same way, when God became a man in the person of Jesus Christ, He said no one takes My life, but I lay it down. Jesus had the strength to let man win so that He could rescue man. God is in control even when He gives us the ability to prevail. God rescues man by allowing man to prevail. God Wins. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/121415154581 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:32:06 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1214151531214 There is only One who is good, that is God. The Bible tells us that the things recorded in it are for our instruction. We never have to fear that in the end things will turn out wrong. God will ensure that things will end up for good. We are never to take revenge, God will repay and He will avenge. We need to do whatever God tells us. Most of the time, if we’re not sure what we are to do, it is because we are ignoring something that we are supposed to be doing. If God tells us to do something, we should not move in fear and when God tells us to do something we need to do so even if the outcome could be uncomfortable. We need to do what God says regardless of what other interests are out there. It is never, ever, ever, a good idea to sin. When we do disobey God and we find ourselves in a mess, we should never sin to try to get our way out. In this culture, if someone could prove they had household idols, they could prove they have claim on the inheritance. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, we should be working for God. God knows what is best for us. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1214151531214 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:40:01 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/121015172348 God had chosen, in His sovereign plan, to bless Leah with children while keeping Rachel barren for a time. Leah was aware that God is the one who was given her children. We should not count on something other than God's will. We should not be determined to get what we want, instead we should desire to seek and do the Lord's will. God is the one who opens and closes the womb. God gives and withholds the capacity to have children. God knows and calls us by name. The reason why God saves us is not because we have done anything. God makes people alive and He saves. The reason why God blessed Laban was not because of the divination that Laban used but because it is God who blessed him. God is the ruler of the Universe and He is the one who makes the rules. We are blessed, often times because of those who have gone before us. God blesses in spite of sin, not because of it. God alone can save and He knows exactly what He is up to. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/121015172348 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:37:57 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/12715129103 Is it okay for men to weep? Yes, not only did Jacob and other men in the Bible, but our Lord Jesus wept. It is Godly to weep after others and our love for them. There is a way for husbands and wives to kiss that is not the same as kissing others. A holy kiss amongst brothers and sisters in Christ is not the same as a romantic kiss between a man and woman who are married to each other. Jacob arrives and pitches in and works hard for Laban, without pay for the first month. Our countenance is much more important than our beauty. Beauty is fleeting but character will last forever. The will of God for our lives is better than anything that we could design. Having multiple spouses is not a pattern that we should follow. God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman. When we feel like we have been mistreated, God will use everything for the good of His people and the glory of His name. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/12715129103 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 07 Dec 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:04 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/12415120450 Even when Jacob was not trusting God, God was revealing Himself to Jacob and blessing him. We should not emulate the Godless culture that we see around us. Even though Jacob deceived Isaac, Isaac still blessed him, and sent him out to find a wife who worshipped the One true God. If we know the gospel, we have a treasure beyond measure. We must share the gospel especially our offspring. Passing on the truth of God's word, the Gospel, is our responsibility as children of God. It is important to obey our parents or the government unless what they say goes against God. It is a good thing to be walking in obedience. God can bless us anytime He wants to, however we are much more likely to experience blessings if we walk in obedience. God does not live in one place only, He will meet us wherever we are. God does not have to do anything to be God, He is God. We are not to try to make deals with God. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/12415120450 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 04 Dec 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:37:19 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/12415111365 Sometimes we know that something is true, however we do not always need to say it. If we grow up in homes where there is a sin problem, we are likely to repeat that same sin. The only way to break this sin pattern is by the grace of God. We cannot change on our own. If our parents tell us to do something wicked, we are not to do it. No one has the authority to tell us to do us something God forbids. It is not okay to try to bring God's blessing into our sinful behavior. God is at work, even in our failures. God will work out what is best despite our sinfulness. God will accomplish His purpose. God is at work in human history and He is the one who chooses the outcome. The natural pattern is to repeat the sins of our ancestors and it requires God’s power to break the cycle. God has chosen Jesus Christ to break the sin cycle and bring salvation. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/12415111365 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:35:46 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1120152158243 God's word is absolutely true and historical. Isaac truly married Rebekah and he really did commit the same sin that his father Abraham committed. Isaac called Rebekah his sister and he flat out lied. Courage is required to be in the family of God. If we are not willing to loose our lifestyle (by laying down our jobs) we will probably not be ready to lay our lives down for the sake of the Gospel. We would think that Isaac, the son who was a miracle himself, would have courage and trust in God. But Isaac was afraid. Sin patterns are passed from generation to generation and only God's grace can overcome them. By God's grace we do not have to repeat the pattern, we can be the people that our parents were not, we can be more like Jesus. However, it is costly and we should not give. We need to keep depending on God to work in our lives. God always does what He says and His promises are for those who trust Him. God does not just show up when things are bad and He does not just show up when things are good. Whether things are well or difficult we need to remember that God is with us. We must not worry and we must work. Work was part of the Creation not the curse (frustration in work is a curse). We need to realize that most of the blessings we obtain are be due to someone else. Often times people are mean to others because they envy those they are mean to. We need to ask for God's grace to overcome sin in our lives. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1120152158243 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 19 Nov 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:41:26 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1116151626132 God is going to bring salvation through the one perfect Man Jesus. Everyone else is very flawed. Everybody else needs a savior. Children are a gift from the Lord, they are not a right or an entitlement. Isaac waited 20 years to have a child. God knows what He is up to and He knows what He is doing. Everyone does not have the same personality. There are somethings that God commands while others are cultural or personal. However, we should not feel that we are better than others because they are not like us. Neither should we feel that we are not as good as others because we are different. We are likely to make the same mistake as Esau if we feel that we must have what we want right now. Esau exaggerated his problem because he felt that he just had to have what he wanted. Jacob, instead of just giving his brother some stew, attacked his brother's weakness by deceiving him. Despite Jacob's sins, God used him anyway, just as He uses sinful people today. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1116151626132 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:39:32 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/11915157530 At this point Abraham knows that God has called him the father of many, however, Isaac is 40 years old and is not yet married, and has no children. So Abraham sent his servant to get a wife for Isaac from his ancestors who would love the Lord and walk in obedience with the Lord. The most important thing about the person you marry is their relationship to the Lord. Also, anyone who will cheat with you will cheat on you. We should desire to do things God's way. God knows everything about us. If we are children of God, we should desire to marry the person that God has for us. God's plan is better then the plans we could come up with. Character matters more than looks. Modest means we don't try to attract attention to ourselves, instead we focus on giving glory to God. Isaac loved his wife and love makes marriages strong. God has a plan for our lives and when we follow Him, He tells us if, when, and who we should marry. Our focus should be on serving the Lord and pleasing Him. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/11915157530 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 06 Nov 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:40:25 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/115151726317 Because of the resurrection how we live now makes a difference for eternity. We are all getting older and in Genesis 22:20 - 23:20 we are reminded of fact that death is inevitable. The bodies we are in now will wear out but this is not all there is and our bodies will be glorified if we are in Christ. What we do here and now, makes a difference forever. Our current bodies have an expiration date, but because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, our temporary bodies will be brought back if we are putting our trust in Him. The things we do with our bodies now matter. There will be a future resurrection and Abraham wanted to bury his wife because it honored the Lord. Abraham paid an exorbitant amount and bought more land than he wanted to bury Sarah. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/115151726317 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:35:58 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/102315126582 When God called Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham and Isaac had to go on a journey to get to mount Moriah. On that mountain, Jesus who is perfect, would be sacrificed for the sin of the world. Abraham had faith that if Isaac died that God would raise him back to life. Nobody else can take away the sin of the world, only Jesus. We all deserve to die eternally, but God's gift to us is eternal life through Christ Jesus. We do not recognize our sin, until we glimpse God's holiness. God will use us for His glory in spite of our sin. God tells Abraham to take his only son Isaac and sacrifice him, not to be cruel, but God knew what Abraham would do and what kind of sacrifice He would provide in Isaac's place. Abraham did not know this but God did. God knew from the beginning how He would save His children. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/102315126582 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:25:20 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/102215127182 God shows Sarah a great deal of mercy in her having a child at her age. Children are a gift of the Lord and it is God who has the ability to give children and to not give children as He desires. God is God, His timing is perfect and He often does not do things in expected ways. If God sets out to bless us, it will happen. We will become what God intends us to become. If you trust in God, He will make something significant of your life. It is a horrible thing when we feel hopeless. It is wonderful to find hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. God provides all that we need. When Hagar thought she and Ishmael were at the end of their lives, God opened her eyes and she saw that there was a well of water. We have true hope, if we have hope in Jesus. It is God who enables us to see and receive from Him. God was with Ishmael as he grew up. If God is with us in everything we do, people around us will know that God is God. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/102215127182 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:40:00 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/102115125521 Abimelech recognizes that the Lord is God and feared the Lord in the dream he had. Sometimes we may find ourselves in situations where we might be afraid. That does not give us license to disobey God. Men are not to hit women but are to protect them. The word husband means caregiver, the husband is to take care of his wife and children. Despite Abraham's failure to protect Sarah, God stepped in to protect, Sarah, Abraham, and Abimelech. Sometimes we suffer not as a result of our doing wrong but as a consequence of the wrong doing of others. God is a gracious God, even when people mess up. God did not choose Abraham because he always got everything right. God is not okay with adultery, it is considered a horrible sin. God never contradicts Himself and He never lies or goes against His word. Abimelech repented and did what God told him to do, and God spared Him. God's grace is sovereign and He choose to make Abraham His prophet even though he missed up. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/102115125521 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:35:30 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/10191518046 God's wrath is real and deserved. We are living in a world where's people are more focused on material things than God. It is not okay to use other people in anything, that includes sexually. God's judgement is coming. Praise Him that He sent Jesus as our Savior. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/10191518046 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 19 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:37:29 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/101515178560 When Abraham looked up, he saw three men, there could have been more. We are to be careful about how we perceive what is around us. God showed up at Abraham's door, Abraham just showed hospitality and did not know until later that God was there. When God tells Abraham to "Do as you say" he did it. We too, need to be careful not to make commitments without praying and when God tells us to do as we say, we need to keep our commitments. Also, our attitude about serving others should be to do it quickly. It is the Lord Christ that we serve. God speaks with Abraham not because He did not know what was going on, He knows everything. We are to do as we say. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/101515178560 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:45 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/101315115281 God changed Abram's name to Abraham, from exulted father to the father of many. He also changed Sarai's name to Sarah, this was before Isaac was born. Was God capable of allowing Abraham and Sarah to have a child at the age of 99 and 90? Yes, He has all power and God can do what no one else can do. In circumcision, God takes something that men do not need or use, but something that is very personal and painful to them. God may ask us in His word to do things that to us do not make a lot of sense. Even if what God asks does not make sense, if it is God's word, we need to do it and do it right away. We do this because God says to do it. When God says we need to do something, we need to do it. Even if we are under attack, we must not take our cues from the culture, we need to take them from God. We do not need to feel ready to do what God says, we just need to do what God says. God is the Ruler of the Universe and He commands and we must obey. God will never contradict His word, He will not go back on His promises. God changes us from the inside (our hearts) where our desire is not to try to get away with doing stuff, but where we want to please and serve God. We may still be tempted to sin, but our response to that sin is to say, God forbid. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/101315115281 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:31:52 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1011151759575 Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. Sometimes, when we see our circumstances we want to help out the Lord. Even when God speaks directly to us, we want to assist Him. We should never have the attitude were we feel that we are superior to those in authority over us. Abram could have told Sarai that having a second wife would not be a good idea. The effort of Abram and Sarai to fix a problem that did not need to be fixed, caused a problem that still is not fixed today. We need to be honest about our problems and not pretend, doing so will make us more effective witnesses for Christ. We need to rest in and trust in the Lord and watch what He does. Most people do not want the drama that it takes to see the miracle that God will put us in to receive. God loves working miracles, He is the One who sets them up, and He gets the glory. God is in control and we should not try to do His job for Him. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/1011151759575 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 09 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:19 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/101015162340 In this passage, Abram is sad and is longing for children, even though Abram means exulted father. We should have joy if we delight in the Lord. Heaven is heaven because those in Christ get to be with Him. God is able to speak things to us that do not seem probable, but they are still true. Do you believe your circumstances or do you believe God. We should believe God and not our circumstances. Circumstances change, God does not. We are not to create our own reality by 'speaking things into being'. When God makes a covenant sign, that involves death. Generally, when God gives directions, He is specific. Abram obeyed God and it was messy. If we walk in obedience with God, we will get messy too. If we obey God, it will be sacrificial, messy, require hard work, require perseverance, and the enemy will try to take it away. The happiest time we will have is when we realize that God is in control of everything. We should not focus on the here and now, but focus on the Lord and His will for our lives. God not only knows the future, God controls the future. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/101015162340 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:39:56 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/10815739152 Pastor Wood continues the study of Genesis by teaching from chapter 14. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/10815739152 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:37:18 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/10515118117 The way Abram treated Sarai was not okay. He should have protected and cared for his wife. Instead he lied to Pharaoh to protect himself. That pattern would continue both in Abram's immediate family and also for generations to come. In the Bible there are sometimes different places that have the same name. There are also sometimes different names for the same place. When Abram moved from place to place he realized that where he was, was not home. That is a good thing to model after if you are in Christ, since this world is not our home. None of us deserve God's love. He does not love us based on our deserving it. We must trust in Him and obey Him and He will change us from the inside out. Our salvation is God's doing. The hero is always God. He is the One who always does the right thing all the time. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/10515118117 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:47 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/103151635357 No one can be saved apart from Jesus. The Lord will call us to go on and sometimes we will want to settle down. We need to be encouraged that if we are in Christ, Heaven is our home, not Earth. In our lives there may come a point where we want to quit and give up. We must not, we must keep pressing on. Being like other people should not be our goal. Our goal is to be like Jesus. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/103151635357 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 02 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:10 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/103151318340 Many of the names listed are given in the plural given for families that came from those listed in this passage. God can do anything except violate His own nature. There is a family line that gets more specific in which our Savior comes, through the line of Judah Jesus came. God wove all of this together from the beginning of time. The people during this time knew there was a God and they wanted to put themselves up on the same level as God. God places the Tower of Babel into perspective when He says let Us go down and see what the people are doing. This tower that they thought was so large, God said He wanted to see it. God deliberately caused the people to break up so that His glory would spread throughout the earth. God knew that if the people still had one language, they would always try to exult themselves and God wants us to praise and exult Him. God is not intimidated, He has a plan to protect us. He has no need to protect Himself, He has all power. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/103151318340 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:30:14 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/10115123456 The reason Noah and His family were alive is because Noah obeyed God. God chose to save Noah and the animals, not because He could not start over and create everything from scratch. Only in Christ is there salvation. There are all kinds of people who believe things sincerely that are not true. God always tells us what is correct. People have dominion over the animals and the creators of the earth to manager. Not all the same rules do not apply to all the people equally. God had a plan since the beginning to save. God instituted capitol punishment because He tells us life is precious. There is no conflict with what God has told us and what has been scientifically proven. When God says He put the rainbow in the sky, the fact that the water molecules create a prism does not mean that God did not create the rainbow, as God created the water molecules. God makes promises and He keeps His promises. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/10115123456 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:38:13 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/92715165181 If we do not know the God of the Bible, we will see scriptures and think that the Biblical account is only fables that help us live a moral life. However, if we know the God of the Bible, it is easy to believe what we read and know it is true. It is extremely important to do what God says, even if it is scary and embarrassing. Noah and his family were in a dark smelly place and they did not know how long it would last, and God may have us in a place where it is dark and smelly and we will not know how long it will last. Our greatest pain and sorrow is much less than what Jesus felt in taking all our guilt, shame, and sins to endure God's wrath on the cross. God spared all the different animals for the good of Mankind. God also created humans as special and we are to take care of God's creation. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/92715165181 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:13 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/927151718365 There is nothing contrary to science concerning the Biblical account of creation. God, having all power and all knowledge, was grieved that He made man. God knows the end from the beginning and He had a sacrifice ready even though it was painful for Him. God created mankind and the animals and He has authority and ownership to be able to start again if He would like. God already has His plan worked out. Historically, when a culture that looks at violence and gore, that is a sign that the society is about to fall. Noah did everything, just as God commanded. Noah walked with God even though no one had done it before. That is the way we must obey the scriptures. We too must do what God commands. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/927151718365 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:29 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/927151634524 The Bible is believable and those who do not believe the Word of God are hostile towards God. God stated that if Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the they were told not to, they would die. We are told, if we are in Christ, that we should long to be home in Heaven. The place we live now is not home if we are in Christ. To be with the Lord is what the goal should be. You do not have to be afraid to face death, if you are not afraid to meet God. Jesus conquered death for those who trust in Him. Do you want to walk with God? https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/927151634524 Religion & Spirituality Wed, 23 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:30 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/921158572110 All of us are descended from a dysfunctional family. And most of us accept the way we grew up as family as normal. Our bodies are designed by God to get rid of toxins and poison. All families have problems and it is healthy to admit that we all have problems. We will never receive the grace of God until we understand that we are the ones who need it, not others. God had established the sacrifice of animals in Eden and therefore God required sacrifices from animals not from the garden as Cain brought. We must recognized that we need to be forgiven. Sin wants to control us. Jesus is the only One who can set us free from sin. The reason why we need to confess is not because God does not know, we need to confess because we need to know we have done wrong. The Bible mentions Seth because his is the line through whom Christ comes. Seth's line is where redemption comes. God was at work from the start to bring us salvation. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/921158572110 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:34:12 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/9151529591 It is not hard for a Creator God to give all creatures the ability to communicate. And it is not hard for God to allow a snake to communicate to Adam and Eve. Satan questioned the word of God and then he contradicts God's word. Satan wanted Adam and Eve to doubt God. We need learn to confess our sins to God. Hierarchy is good and not a result of the curse. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/9151529591 Religion & Spirituality Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:35:16 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/911151112403 God did not rest from His creation because He was tired. He rested because He was done. Creation was complete. God never sleeps nor slumbers because He does not need it. Knowing and believing the account of Adam is vital to our understanding to the second Adam, Christ Jesus. The word of God is clear and matter of fact. It is not hard for an Almighty Being who does not lie or mislead His children to prepare a literal, geographical location called Eden. Man did not simply evolve from slime, but instead man was formed by a personal, intimate God. The Bible tells us where life came from, life comes from God. There is no mistaking that there is a Creator who has all power. God not only created everything, but God made people. God has a plan for each one of us. God made the perfect help meet for him, from him. God is sovereignly working out His plan even in our mistakes. We should never doubt the kindness and the mercy of our God. Work is not a curse, it is a blessing. If work is done for the Lord, there is no end to that. Work is a blessing from God, in Paradise there was work and in Heaven there will be work as well. We must be compassionate to those who struggle with gender identity. But we need to have compassion enough to tell them the truth. God's plan is still perfect even though we mess up through our disobedience. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/911151112403 Religion & Spirituality Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:41:17 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/91015127581 Where did everything come from? In the beginning, God created the Heaven's and the Earth. God has always been, but everything else has a beginning because God created everything else. What is the purpose of Genesis chapter 1? The purpose is to tell us that He created it and why He created all things, but not specifically how. Although God created everything, that does not mean that He created everything we see in its present condition. We should not rebel against a God who knows everything, even our thoughts and reasons why we do things. There is no reason why we should fear because God is created everything and He is in control of all things. Our job was not to rule the Earth but to manage the Earth for the Ruler. We need to appreciate the beauty of the world, even after the fall. We are walking miracles. God designed us to be a magnificent representation to reflect God's glory. https://teaching.wvr.org/sermons/91015127581 Religion & Spirituality Thu, 10 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000 Jim Wood 0:35:18 no Jim Wood - 2015 Study of Genesis