Philippians 4:6-9: Summary: Do not be anxious about anything. The command is striking. Anything? The words that follow are filled with remedial truth, even if it must correct and convict. Paul offers the peace of God and, better, the God of peace to an anxious church; and with it, he offers two broad means of drawing such curing grace. For the peace of God, pray, and that peace will form as a guard around your mind and heart. Union with Jesus guarantees this operation. It makes departure from anxiety available at all times. And this is not a clearing of the mind. It's a filling of the mind by which the God of peace pacifies our need and anxiety. The thoughts of the mind touch our hearts, as well as our nerves. They're able to make us apostolic in our peace and contentment; that is, God is able by godly thoughts to make us like Paul at heart. He can be in prison and at peace. What we need most, we have in God. Where he's our habitat, we can be faithful wherever else we may be. The Christian church can be distinct from the world in this way: heavenly peace. May we know more of it in a new year. Sermon Outline: The conflict that requires a command: to be or not to be anxious. (4:6a) The command in answer to the conflict: do not be anxious about anything. (4:6a) The cure concealed in the command revealed: the God of peace and the peace He gives. (4:7, 9b) The counsel that conducts the cure: pray and think as those in Christ. (4:6b-9a)

Numbers 24:15b-25: Summary: God is still for His journeying people, who abide a great threat to the more settled nations around them. The king of Moab responds to the news about them by calling on the diviner for hire, Balaam. He pays the man to revoke the blessing of God on Israel, but God is the Lord of all, including the lips of swindlers. The force of this extended episode is that God's power and purpose in Christ cannot be successfully opposed. Once God has convinced Balaam that He's not like whatever 'undercover gods' he's dealt with before, Balaam speaks only what God gives. Four oracles follow: what God has blessed is irrevocably blessed (23:7-10). God isn't mutable; He will do in history what He's determined to do from eternity, and that's birth a people who, imaging Him, inherit the earth (23:18-24). Like the garden of Eden with the shout of a Lion-King in their midst, their boundaries separate the blessed from the cursed (24:3-9). And speaking of this King, He's coming. He's a Star in the night, a Scepter of God in a world of rebellion, a Victor over the enemies of God's people. When God sends Him into the world, who shall live? Not Balaam, nor Balak, but only those united to Him by faith. Sermon Outline: See the focus of the oracle: the sights that sharpen this sight. (22:1-24:15a) See the origin of the oracle: this sight is a divine light. (24:15b-16) See the subject of the oracle: this sight is a preview of Christ. (24:17a-d) See the question of the oracle: this sight is an invitation to Life. (24:17e-24) See the tragedy in the text, and flee it: this sight goes unSeen. (24:25)

Numbers 21:4-9: Summary: Impatience is an ironic iniquity worthy of divine judgment, and Israel again grows impatient on the way. The Lord's patience, which is our salvation, is long-suffering, but long is long and not forever. Suddenly then, upon their sin, the Lord commissions a temporal judgment with eternal consequences for many of the impatient. Fiery serpents slither into the camp, biting the many, and bringing them to the grave and to God for punishment. The event sends the rest to Moses for prayers of mercy. God is indeed merciful. He doesn't exactly do as they desire, however. He appears to leave the fear of judgment among them, while providing for them an object of faith and instrument of salvation. They must look upon a bronze serpent, the very symbol of the judgment due their sins, and, as that look is the action of faith, they would be healed of their infirmity and live. In His discourse with Nicodemus, Jesus refers to this episode as typological of what He would do for sinners on the cross, as well as what any sinner may gain in Him by faith: eternal life. The sin that leads to a judgment of serpents. (21:4-5) The serpents that necessitate a Savior from sin. (21:6-7b) The Savior that God gives sinners to see. (21:7c-8) The sight that, resting on promise, saves. (21:9)

Numbers 20:1-13: Sermon Outline: The circumstances that threaten our peace (20:1-5) The leader who shepherds our peace (20:6-12) The God who is our peace (20:13)

Numbers 6:22-27: Summary: Still at the base of Mt. Sinai where the Mosaic Covenant was cut, The Lord finishes giving the regulations for the People of Israel. He has instructed them on how to arrange themselves in the Camp with the Tabernacle at the center and 3 tribes on all 4 sides. He has given commands for those who are to be put out of the camp wherein the Lord dwells and instructed life before him within that camp. Now we come to the close of a major section in Numbers where the Lord himself puts his name on His people. Yet, they are imperfect covenant partners and will eventually break the Mosaic Covenant. And so a new covenant, ushered in by the perfect covenant partner and wherein the law of God is written directly on the hearts of his people, is foreshadowed. This new covenant is marked by a people in whom the Lord dwells so as to eventually bring his people into his very presence where he will dwell with them forever. Sermon Outline: The Lord’s Charge (v. 22-23) The Lord’s Blessing (v. 24-26) The Lord’s Claim (v. 27)

Genesis 26:1-35: Summary: Isaac's life is to be onward and upward. He's not to be a settler. God calls him to be a sojourner. The basis of sojourning is faith in the truth and trustworthiness of God. It requires a behavior becoming of those freed from sin. Our days are to be lived in a way that brings honor to the Lord. In the presence of those having power and peace with God, the kingdoms of Man will often desire to preserve their worse country. They will press the godly pilgrim to a distance amenable to their comfort, but being an outcast from the City of Man is a badge of honor for the sojourner of God. We have our home in such places, even the sanctuary of God and, there, He will bless His people. As our peace is unintelligible to those who have their heavens in this world, opportunity will come to offer them what we ourselves have received from above: a little slice of heavenly peace. Sojourners desire a better country, one free from groaning, bitterness, and a passing nature. What God has made in our hearts already, we see now by faith on the near horizon: Home, the City of Christ. Sermon Outline: Faithful sojourners stand on God's sure foundations. (26:1-5) Faithful sojourners walk by God's guiding compass. (26:6-11) Faithful sojourners utilize God's real estate. (26:12-25) Faithful sojourners forward God's heart of peace. (26:26-33) Faithful sojourners sojourn best by God's bittersweet reminders. (26:34-35)

Genesis 25:1-34: Summary: Abraham's story closes with details concerning his descendants through Keturah. God's faithfulness to his promise in Genesis 15:5 is fleshed out in the nations and peoples represented by this family tree. But the focus is on God's promise of not just a multitude of children, but a singular offspring. Abraham's protection and preparation for Isaac to inherit is in the forefront. And so one chapter (not a literal one in Genesis!) closes and another begins. But Isaac's story is fractured at best. Immediately, we are directed to brewing conflict. From the womb, twin sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob, are at anything but peace. They are different in appearance, different in demeanor. There is to be division between them, and lines drawn within the family. But God has made his choice and an inheritance of this magnitude is not something that can be appropriated by strength of arm or human cunning. Sermon Outline: The faithful God who speaks (25:1-18) The faithful God who reveals his glory (25:19-28) The faithful God who saves his people (25:29-34)

Genesis 24:1-67: Summary: Sarah has gone to table with the Lord. Abraham is on that doorstep. But the story of redemption must go on. Abraham's chief servant swears to take a bride from his homeland for Isaac, the son of resurrection promise. She's to be taken from where she is and brought to where Isaac is. The servant is most loyal and devoted to his charge. He arrives outside Nahor's city and, there, he asks the Lord to provide the bride. Rebekah appears, bold, pure, charitable, generous, earnest, self-sacrificial, beautiful. The worshipping servant tells his story, and Rebekah runs to repeat the providence to her family. They invite the servant to their table, but he cannot eat; such is his eagerness to tell the tale. The onus of her departure is placed on them. They will not go against God's Word but, just when all seems settled, a night to sleep on it gives them pause. The servant, however, will not be delayed in achieving his mission of love. Rebekah becomes paradigmatic of discipleship. She leaves her family to follow the servant and, as she goes, they offer a blessing that proves prophetic. Little does she know what's in front of her. Up from the place where 'God sees,' a meditating Isaac sees the servant's caravan, including Rebekah. As he goes to meet them, she dismounts to discover he is the servant's lord. He is her groom to be. The servant repeats the story to Isaac. Isaac takes Rebekah to be his beloved wife. Rebekah becomes the next matriarch in the grand story of redemption. From them, as prophesied, will come Christ and His Bride victorious. Sermon Outline: Abraham's Gospel pursuit at this point in God's epic. (24:1-9) A servant's Gospel passion at this point in God's epic. (24:10ff) A family's Gospel pause at this point in God's epic. (24:49-56) Rebekah's Gospel path at this point in God's epic. (24:57-61) Isaac's Gospel peace at this point in God's epic. (24:62-67, 60)

Genesis 23:1-20: Summary: Abraham insists on purchasing a burial cave for his Sarah, the barren mother of the living, in the land of promise near the oaks by which he first received the promise in Genesis 13. Believing in the promise of the Exodus from Genesis 15, Abraham refused to return Sarah to Ur or Haran where he had lived previously. Rather, he paid a large sum of money for a tomb, making his first piece of deeded property in the promised land a tomb, showing that he was waiting for yet another promised land. One with foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Sermon Outline: By Faith, Abraham Grieves Not as One Without Hope By Faith, Abraham Acquires a Tomb By Faith, We Look Forward to the Same Promises

Psalm 67: Summary: A word on global missions. Sermon Outline: God makes Himself known to His people. (67:1) God makes Himself known to His people so His people will make Him known to the nations. (67:2) God makes Himself known to His people so the nations can praise Him. (67:3-7)

2 Timothy 2:8-10: Summary: Paul exhorts Timothy to establish an enduring culture of evangelism in the local church. What Timothy's seen in Paul, Timothy's to model and impart to others, and those disciples, to still others. The best thing for a healthy missiology (missions) is a healthy ecclesiology (church) built on a healthy soteriology (salvation). To that end, Paul provides three main emphases for an enduringly evangelistic church: 1) Jesus is not dead. 2) The Word is not bound. 3) The ministry is not in vain. Remember the crucified and risen King. Remember the Word of God reigns over the limitations of men. Remember God has a people, and Jesus, a salvation, that's worth what it demands: enduring everything to pair the people to their Savior. Such emphases will sustain the church who's aim is the glory of God in the harvest of God by the Word of God.

Genesis 22:1-24: Summary: As it turns out, the condition of God's unconditional covenant with Abraham is a love for God that obeys God all the way to death on a figural cross. The stakes are Gospel-high. The test is revelatory of God's heart for sinners. In Abraham's passing of it by faith in God and His Word, Isaac casts the shadow of the eternal Lamb, even as that shadow is cast over him. He is Abraham's only son, and this son of promise is to be sacrificed in service of God's glory. Abraham shows no hesitation, down to the last moment. At that time, Heaven halts him. Faith is proven in that it reflects the heart of God. Accordingly, God provides His own sacrifice in Isaac's place. Abraham returns home with Isaac, freed by the life and death of God's ram. The Lord will provide. The Lamb is coming! This promise will go forward, now through Isaac and Rebekah, to its global achievement. All who trust in Jesus will be blessed on account of Him Who bore our curse.

Genesis 21:22-34: Summary: Abimelech and Phicol have noticed something about Abraham: the Everlasting God is with him in all he does. Unsettled, they seek a peace-treaty with Abraham, to which Abraham agrees. God blesses those who bless Abraham. When the treaty is transgressed by the taking of the prophet's well, Abraham reproves Abimelech. Abimelech pleads the fifth. Abraham swears to his own hurt that he dug the well himself. He gifts Abimelech seven ewe lambs as an ongoing reminder of his integrity and trustworthiness. Abraham's well will not be seized by faithless men. Abimelech and Phicol return to the Philistines. Abraham plants a tree in Beersheba and calls upon the name of the Lord. The Everlasting God is for Abraham. His sufficiency enables His man to offer peace to the nations at cost to himself throughout his sojourning. It's no coincidence that the substitutionary sacrifice of God's ram is right around the corner.

Genesis 21:1-21: Summary: God delivers on His Word. Isaac is born and celebrated. The Gospel has its next figurehead. But Ishmael doesn't buy it. At Isaac's coming of age, Ishmael 'persecutes' him. A son of the flesh, born to slavery, Ishmael shows disdain for his younger brother, the son of promise, born for freedom. Sarah charges Abraham to divide his family lines. Isaac is the heir of the Abrahamic blessing. This is a trial for Abraham. It's always hard to let go of our flesh and give all to God's grace. God confirms Sarah's request. His purpose of election is with Isaac, not Ishmael. Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. Soon as their provisions for surviving the wilderness run dry, and they cry, God hears and helps from Heaven. His provision never runs dry. He unveils a well of life in the howling wilderness to the outcast. Would that they would do all they could to follow Him wherever He's made His blessing to dwell! Every word of God proves true, defining, and sufficient for life.

Genesis 20:1-18: Summary: God is sovereign, and wields His sovereignty for His glory and our good. Thank God! Because those He's saved to be His delegates in the world don't always trust or represent Him to the world to those same ends. As the messianic titles and offices continues to pile up for Abraham, Abraham portrays anything-but---again. His indefensible lack of faith leads to Sarah's captivity, and the Gospel with her. But God is better than His man. He has no fear of going to a king of dust and ashes in protection of Sarah and all that He's bonded to her womb. This king, Abimelech, pleads his innocence, but even an unbeliever's innocence is not their own to plead. He must do as God says to live or, otherwise, perish, along with all he represents. Abimelech's heritage and kingdom are on the line. He must go to Abraham for prayer unto life. In the process, he offers a piercing question: believer, what have you done to us? Abraham explains himself. It's very simple. In his sojourning, he hasn't taken God at His Word. He's still learning how to trust the Lord fully. Such growth is critical if sinners are to be blessed and not cursed for their sins. Abimelech blesses Abraham, while vindicating Sarah. Abraham prays for Abimelech. And God does what only He can do: gives life to barren wombs, opens up empty tombs. The King sinners can and must in our sojourning trust. (20:1-7) A timeless piercing for trusting the King over faithless thinking. (20:8-13) Trusting our King is a life-giving thing. (20:14-18)

Genesis 19:30-38: Summary: Lot and his two daughters leave Zoar for a cave in the hills. 'Better is a little with the fear of the Lord.' For reasons we can only hypothesize, he's afraid of living in Zoar. Does he fear another episode of judgment? Has he experienced persecution? Has he realized that the hills of salvation are better than the little city of sin? Is his faith more mature? His two daughters have learned Sodom's lessons well. They scheme to obtain children by their father. It doesn't say much of him that they're able to induce such depravity. They're impregnated. A degenerate family is born in the cave of the righteous man. On the hills of salvation are made in sin two historical enemies of God: Moab and Ben-Ammi. They will be a regular thorn in the side of God's people. In God's mercy, another Righteous Man would also settle in a cave, only this One would rise victorious over all His enemies. The world was not worthy of Lot. Lot was not worthy of Christ. But the Lamb of God is worthy of a people who, reveling as unworthy in mercy, are more righteous than righteous Lot.

Genesis 19:1-29: Summary: God will do what is just. Angels visit Sodom. Lot greets them in a similar manner as Abraham. He is a righteous man, but righteous people can be hard to move when once they've settled too long in the world. Lot's environment has infected his judgment. He struggles to discern the angels' purpose and the power at their disposal. He would save them when they would save him. He would offer his daughters to the depraved. Still, even a righteous wretch isn't wretch enough for the wicked. All that's good only intensifies Sodom's lust. Even blinded, they grope to exhaustion to satisfy their thirst for evil. The angels draw him to themselves. They charge him to collect his own. Trial meets his efforts. To be saved, Lot himself has to be seized. The world has a mighty gravity, but the righteous will arise, escape, not stop, and never look back. Therefore, as Jesus taught, remember Lot's wife. To look back is to forfeit life with God. Once the righteous one is removed, the wicked are destroyed. God remembers Abraham, Lot is spared, and justice has been done. Later, the Righteous One will not be spared that all the wicked who believe on Him may be. Up then, and don't look back! Sermon Outline: A righteous person in a wrong place. (19:1-3, etc.) A wicked people at the door of the righteous. (19:4-11) God's rescue extended to all who will be seized. (19:10-26) The conclusion in answer to Abraham's inquiry. (19:27-29)

Genesis 18:16-33: Summary: Abraham and his offspring are to be a light of righteousness to the nations. Only in him, in Christ, will the ungodly be blessed by faith. The righteousness of God's people is an evangelical ministry in the world. We cannot afford to be indifferent about it. The wicked are storing up wrath for the Day of justice, and God will not be fooled. The Judge of all the earth will do what's just, and the righteous will not fare as the wicked. God will sooner suffer the wicked than sweep away the righteous. There is no condemnation for those with living faith, and they will never be confused with those who never fled from wrath to the Righteous One. Of this, we can be certain. Sermon Outline: The sorrowful history of Sodom and Gomorrah. The needful ministry of Abraham and his offspring. (18:16-21) The careful inquiry of Abraham before the Lord. (18:22-26) The peaceful certainty of God's righteous ones. (18:27-33)

Genesis 17:15-18:15: Summary: The disclosure of God's covenant with Abraham continues. Told that it will be fulfilled in Isaac, through Sarah, Abraham, supposing it impossible, laughs. Surely the Almighty will make use of what we've already illicitly provided. No, God says. The son of promise will not be produced by people in their slavery to sin, not by nature. The son of promise will be a free gift of God to the world. When Abraham wants to run back to Genesis 16, God insists on His way forward. In faith, Abraham sets the sign of the covenant upon himself and all in his house, slave or free. The Lord then appears in the vision of three. Abraham rushes to greet them and to enlist Sarah and a young man of the house to show the Lord their hospitality. Abraham pleads the grace of God's ministry among them. The Lord in the three asks Sarah's whereabouts. He reiterates that in the year Sarah will bear Isaac, with whom God will establish the covenant of redemption. Sarah, listening to God speak, laughs at what God says. God reproves Abraham for Sarah's unbelief. Sarah tries to hide the fact of it, but nothing is hidden from the Lord. 'No, but you did laugh,' He says. God will have the last laugh and, in the meantime, believers are to feed faith on these words: Is anything too hard for the Lord? Sermon Outline: A faith feeding on God will trust, and not laugh at, the means of God. (17:15-27) A faith feeding on God will pray on, and not laugh at, a meeting with God. (18:1-8) A faith feeding on God will minister, and not laugh at, the might of God. (18:9-15)

Genesis 17:1-14: Summary: The Lord appears to Abram 24 years after He did at first. He speaks two vital things to Abram's faith: in establishing the covenant already cut, Abram is responsible for being godly, and God is Almighty. Abram will have an heir. In fact, Abram will 'father' a multitude of nations. God will see that 'Abraham' ends up true to his name, but that will involve the progress of redemption in the storyline of Scripture. There are two iterations of God's faithfulness to the covenant He establishes with Abraham, one near and one far. Most near, Sarah will bear Isaac, from Isaac will come Jacob, whom God will establish as offspring according to the flesh at Sinai. The covenant sign of circumcision serves to cut them away from the world, while also warning that failure to meet the stipulations for perpetuity will result in their being cut off from God's people. A problem presents itself, however; while Abraham's circumcision was 'believer's circumcision,' the circumcision of his descendants is not. This eventually results in a people with a sign but without the substance, bringing God to reveal the farther fulfillment promised in the New Covenant with legal and internal application through Jesus Christ. This farther fulfillment in Christ promises a people with the substance of Abraham's faith, true children of God. They are not members by birth or flesh, but by new birth and Spirit, and are marked off as God's people by baptism. Sermon Outline: The full situation of God's covenant with Abraham. (17:1-2) The far side of God's covenant with Abraham. (17:3-6) The near side of God's covenant with Abraham. (17:7-8) The near sign of God's covenant with Abraham. (17:9-14)