Renewing the Covenant Ray of Hope Christian Church January 3, 2012 Exalting the Savior

People of the Book

The main thing is Knowing God! Philippians 3:10

Our aim in this study is to: Know God more fully through the study of His Word. Understand our Covenant relationship with Him. Understand who we are as members of the Church, his body, specifically Ray of Hope and the unique privileges and responsibilities that are ours.

Vision of the Ray To become a city of hope where persons will impact and transform this present world into the Kingdom of God. Mission Transforming your world through a personal relationship with Christ.

Core Values: Exalt the Savior through Worship Equip the Saint through Study Evangelize the Sinner through Witnessing Empower through Stewardship through Giving Elevate Society through Serving

Overview of the Bible

The Bible is God’s written revelation of His love and will for humankind.

II Timothy 3:16-17, All scripture is God breathed II Peter 1:21, For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit

The central theme of the book is Jesus Christ.

Genesis 1:1 The word for God is Elohim and it is in the plural, and refers to the Trinity.

John 1:1-3

Revelation 1:8

Revelation 22:21

Bible Facts The Bible: Contains 66 books, written by 40 authors covering approximately 1,600 years 1,189 chapters 31,373 verses 775,693 words in the KJV Longest chapter is Psalm 119 Shortest chapter is Psalm 117 Longest book in the Old Testament is Psalms Longest book in the New Testament is Luke

Bible Facts The Bible: The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew (a few passages are in Aramaic) The New Testament was written in Greek The word “Testament” means “Covenant” or “agreement”

Galatians 3:19-25

Structure of the Bible Old Testament-39 books are traditionally divided into three sections: The Law, the Prophets and the Writings. The Pentateuch (which means “five”) comes from two Greek word meaning “five scrolls”. It consists of the first five books written by Moses, called “The Law”.

Structure of the Bible They are redemptive and historical in nature: Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy

The Writings Containing books that are both historical, Joshua through Esther, as well as individual and experiential—Job through the Songs of Solomon.

The Prophetical Books Major Prophets: Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel The Minor Prophets-Hosea through Malachi

The New Testament The Foundational Books-Matthew through Acts The Epistles of Paul Church Epistles-Romans through II Thessalonians Pastoral/Personal - I Timothy-Hebrews General Epistles (named after their authors) James - Jude The Book of Prophecy-Revelation

Genesis means “origin” In the beginning God… The Book of Genesis

Genesis tells the beginning of everything except God. Sin The Promise of Redemption Family Life Civilization Nations A Chosen People Judgment Altars/Worship Death

The Structure of Genesis The Primeval history of humankind includes four major events (1:1-11:26) The Creation (1:1-2:25) The Fall of Humans (3:1-5:32) The Flood (6:1-9:29) From the Flood to Abraham (9:30, 11:26)

Abraham, the man of faith, the father of the people of Israel (11:27-25:10) Isaac, the beloved son (25:11-28:9) Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (28:10-36:43) Jacob’s sons, especially Joseph, whose life evolved from the pit to the palace. (37:1-50:26) The Patriarchal History of Israel (11:27-50:26)

The Creation Humans-created the crown of God’s creation. Male and female, God created us in his image and likeness! “Image” refers to being a “representative of” and “likeness” talks about “being similar to”.

We are a Trinity just as God is- body, soul and spirit I Thessalonians 5:23

The Fall – Genesis 3 The Tempting The cravings of sinful humans, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he or she has and does. I John 2:16

Therefore just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, in the same way, death came to all men and women because all have sinned. Romans 5:12

The Results-Genesis 3:7-24 Self-conscience-7 Shame and fear-10 Sorrow-17 Curses-17 Thorns-18 Sweat-19

The Grace of God- Genesis 3:9,15

And I will put enmity between you and woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15

God made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be the righteousness of God in Him. II Corinthians 5:21

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive! I Corinthians 15:22

The Call of and Covenant with Abraham The Call- Genesis 12:1, Acts 7:2 The Covenant – Genesis 12:2-3, Acts 7:3 Covenant Promises: * I will make you into a great nation * I will bless you * I will make your name great * You will be a blessing * I will bless those who bless you * I will curse those who curse you * Through you all people on earth will be blessed.

Abraham believed the Lord, and he was credited to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6

Therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring-not only those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. Romans 4:16

Exalting the Savior through Worship

Genesis 12:4-7

So he built an altar there to the Lord who appeared to him.

God can accomplish all of this through us as we worship. The ancient English word for worship is “weorthscripe” which incorporates the idea of “ascribed worth”.

We most honor the God who created us and the Lord Jesus who redeemed us when we ascribe the right value to Him. Jack Hayford

God desires our worship.

God prefers from us, not something brilliant but broken.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

God prefers from us worship that is passionate.

God welcomes those who treasure his presence.

Worship is also a gift from God to us.

God designed worship so that we might know Him. Enter into the abundance of His fulfilling and fruitful purpose for our lives and find the joy of His realized will for us and through us.

Abram didn’t just build this altar at the great tree of Moreh at Shechem, but everywhere he went.

Genesis 12:8 Genesis 13:3-4 Genesis 13:14-18

Build an altar wherever you are.