Woodland Presbyterian Church Memphis

PALM SUNDAY: Yesterday, Today, and Forever

Rev. Matt Miller (Matthew 21:1-11) On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the adoration of the crowd but he knew that in a matter of days they would reject and scorn him. This sudden change was no surprise to him because it was all part of God’s plan. As we look back to the Old Testament, we see this amazing prediction by the prophet Zechariah. If Jesus is Lord over history, we should make him Lord over us. In this message, Pastor Matt invites us to seek out the real Jesus, the one from the pages of Scripture.

ANCIENT GRACE: Liars Welcome

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 27:1-45) God's purposes are even greater than the sinfulness of his children. Despite the family division, deception, and desperation, God extends his blessing to Jacob. One day he will become Israel, but today he is Jacob, the deceiver. While there are always consequences to our actions, God's purposes will prevail.

ANCIENT GRACE: The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Fails

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 24) The Promise of a great nation is in jeopardy because there is only one man left. Isaac is the promised child but he isn't married and therefore can't have children. Will God's promises prevail? In this story, we see the hand of God working in their world and we know that he is working in ours.

ANCIENT GRACE: Test of Faith

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 22:1-18) Most people don’t like tests. They make us nervous because we aren’t always prepared and we think we might get a bad grade. But tests allow us to demonstrate what we know and sometimes what we believe. In this story, God tests Abraham by asking him to do the unthinkable, to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. It’s hard to imagine a harder thing but we see Abraham respond in obedience and somehow God provides. Do you believe that God will provide in the test you are facing?

ANCIENT GRACE: Righteous Faith

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 15:1-18a) In what might be one of the most important verses in the whole Bible, we learn in Genesis 15 that Abram believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. This means that even liars (like Abram) can be in relationship with God because it is by faith not by our works. As a result of this relationship, God serves as a protector and provider, proving his love for us through the cross.

ANCIENT GRACE: Blessed to be a Blessing

Russell Jung (Genesis 12:1-9) These verses written thousands of years ago are pregnant with promises from God for Abram and for us when we understand them through the person and work of Jesus Christ. We, who are in Christ, are truly blessed and called to be a blessing in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

ANCIENT GRACE: Babbling Fools

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 11:1-9) The story of the tower of Babel is the story of hubris and pride, of misplaced trust in the power of technology and the belief that by exercising our power over the created world we can become like God. In spite of the advancements, men have come no farther than Adam and Eve who gave in to this same temptation.  Despite the cleansing flood, the remnant of evil remains in the hearts of those who seek significance, security and supremacy through the work of their own hands. Instead of looking to the God of creation for their hope and significance, will men still work for their salvation?

ANCIENT GRACE: A Curse and a Blessing

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 9:18-29) While the main point of this text is to show the people of God that they are his blessed people and that they are not to live like God’s enemies the Canaanites, this text also deals with some other difficult issues. They are worth discussing as many people have struggled with alcohol and others affected by sexual assault. Unfortunately, Noah got drunk, even after entering into covenant with God. But he was also violated by his son, some believe sexually. This difficult text invites to even consider how we are to love those who are the victims of sexual abuse and those who need to be brought to justice.

ANCIENT GRACE: You Never Let Go

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 8:20-9:17) The commitments people make today seem to have less and less impact. So many of us have been let down and let go… but God will never let us go because he is faithful to his covenant. In this passage, the word covenant appears seven times which means we need to pay attention to it! God establishes a covenant with Noah and he never lets go of his people. God will never let go of you.

ANCIENT GRACE: God Remembered Noah

Rev. Matt Miller (Genesis 8:1-19) While Noah may have felt forgotten, floating in the ark for months and months, God remembered him. In the central verse in the whole flood narrative, we learn that God’s concern and provision for his people is very real. With his relationship, comes a responsibility. In this text, the author re-commissions Noah with the cultural mandate: be fruitful and multiply. Pastor Matt unpacks this mandate for us as we see that it is much more than bearing children. In fact, it is creating culture. Be reminded that God has not forgotten you either!