Author: Alan Holden

The Curse of Sin Textual Idea: Adam and Eve fell from God’s presence and were cursed with sin and death because they distrusted God’s goodness and disobeyed His command. Thesis: Every person is cursed by sin and death because we are sinners by nature and choice. Interrogative: Why are we sinners? The text suggests 3…

The Creator of Creation Human Need: All of us know that meaning and purpose in life comes from personal relationships. Life is meaningful because of the people we know and love. Some people believe that the universe had an impersonal beginning, that it is the result of pure, blind chance. Their conclusion is that the…

The Towering God and the Babbling People Human Need: People are tired of “just surviving”; they want to live. You have worked and strived for that ever elusive “success” and “life-style” that the world says you must have “to be somebody.” Perhaps your plans have failed, and you wonder, “Why keep trying?” What is God’s…

Enoch Enoch Pleased God A. We please God when we trust Him, Hebrews 11:6. B. We please God when we praise Him, Hebrews 13:15. C. We please God when we help others, Hebrews 13:16. Enoch Walked with God A. We walk with God when we agree with God, Amos 3:3. B. We walk with God…

Noah Introduction His name means “comfort.” His destiny was to comfort and strengthen humanity. Noah Was Holy, v. 9 A. He was righteous; he did right. B. He was blameless; he was not guilty of doing wrong. C. He walked with God. Noah Was Obedient, 6:14, 22 & 7:5 A. He received a God-sized task:…

Adam God Gave Adam Life A. Physical life (soma) B. Psychological life (psyche / soul) God Gave Adam Responsibility A. Responsible to comply B. Responsible to call C. Responsible to cultivate D. Responsible to clan God Gave Adam Promises A. Promise of death, Hebrews 9:27 B. Promise of judgment C. Promise of eternal life, Genesis…

A Forgotten Vow Thirty years have passed since Jacob made his vow. Fifteen to twenty years since he has returned home. Notice that he is in no hurry to fulfill his vow, but has settled down in Shechem and bought land. He seems to have forgotten all about his vow at Bethel. The Lesson of…

Confirmation of Faith Human Need: No one enjoys tests or exams, but we need them in order to grow. Without them, we have no incentive to study; we just drift along. God cares enough about us to test our faith. We need to have our faith tested. You might say, “Well, I don’t like to…

Key Phrase: “everyone doth curse me.” Jehovah’s Pronouncement, vv.1-9 A. “Intercession is useless; cast them out!” v. 1 B. Four forms of destruction, vv. 2-4, cf Rev 13:10 C. Four forms of disposition D. Reasons for destruction: Manasseh’s sin, see 2 Kings 21:1-16. Judah continued Manasseh’s sinfulness, even after his repentance (2 Chronicles 33:12-13). Jeremiah’s…

The Dangers of Cultural Religion Textual Idea: Lot had been so assimilated into the culture of Sodom that he could not leave the soon-to-be destroyed Sodom without God’s help. Thesis: Cultural religion separates us from God and endangers our families Interrogative: What are the dangers of cultural religion / Baalism? Cultural Religion Places Security in…