How does our compassionate Savior provide and sustain us?

In this passage, we identify four provisions Jesus abundantly bestows through His divine compassion to sustain His people.

1. Jesus Provides Rest (v.30–32)
2. Jesus Provides Instruction (v.33–34)
3. Jesus Provides Sustenance (v.35–41)
4. Jesus Provides Satisfaction (v.42–44)

Jesus, as the Messiah, holds supreme power over death and suffering, offering hope and restoration through faith in His compassionate authority.

How far does Jesus' Compassion extend? In this passage, we see how far Jesus' compassionate power reaches in three respects.

1. Jesus' Compassion Reaches the Privileged (v.21–24)
2. Jesus' Compassion Reaches the Lowly (v.25–34)
3. Jesus' Compassion Reaches the Helpless (v.35–43)

How can we overcome opposition and know for certain that Jesus, the Son of Man, can forgive sins? The account of the paralytic reveals four ways Jesus is affirmed as the compassionate Son of Man.

1. God’s Word Affirms the Son of Man. (v.1–2)
2. Jesus’ Word Affirms the Son of Man. (v.3–7)
3. Jesus’ Miracles Affirm the Son of Man. (v.8–11)
4. Eyewitnesses Affirm the Son of Man. (v.12)

In this opening chapter of Mark, we identify four ways Jesus shows His compassion, which brings hope and restoration.

1. Jesus Heals (v.29–34)
2. Jesus Prays (v.35–37)
3. Jesus Preaches (v.38–39)
4. Jesus Cleanses (v.40–45)

Three ways to trust God while waiting for His timing.

1. Trust God's Protection (v.1–2; Ps. 57)
2. Trust God's Promises (v.3–5)
3. Trust God's Providence (v.6–8)

Three ways to guard against envy.

1. Detect Envy's Precursors (v.6–7)
2. Stop Envy's Development (v.8–9)
3. Beware Envy's Destruction (v.10–19)

Ten marks of genuine Christian friendship.

1. Christian Friendships Are Unplanned (v.1a)
2. Christian Friendships Involve the Soul (v.1b)
3. Christian Friendships Require Love (v.1c)
4. Christian Friendships Are Selective (v.1d)
5. Christian Friendships Prioritize Others (v.1e)
6. Christian Friendships Reject Envy (v.2)
7. Christian Friendships Are Commitments (v.3)
8. Christian Friendships Show Humility (v.4a)
9. Christian Friendships Are Generous (v.4b)
10. Christian Friendships Promote Success (v.5)

Five key steps God's people follow to attain victory.

1. We Volunteer (v.31–37)
2. We Prepare (v.38–40)
3. We Speak Out (v.41–47)
4. We Proceed Bravely (v.48–51)
5. We Inspire (v.52–58)

Three essential attitudes to adopt for facing a hostile world.

1. Be Militant (v.1–11, 16)
2. Be Faithful (v.12–22)
3. Be Ready (v.23–30)

Four steps to ready yourself for God’s purposes for your life.

1. Cultivate Your Skills (v.18a)
2. Acknowledge God's Empowerment (v.18b)
3. Obey Your Authorities (v.19–20)
4. Serve Others Selflessly (v.21–23)

Four facets of how God chooses His elect.

1. God Rejects Some (v.1a)
2. God Decrees His Chosen (v.1b–3)
3. God Provides a New Heart (v.4–12)
4. God Preserves His Chosen (v.13)

1. The Sign of Jonah (2:10)
2. The Summoning of Jonah (3:1–3:3)
3. The Sermon by Jonah (3:4–3:5)
4. The Significance of Jonah

1. Divine Justice (v.15)
2. Divine Judgment (v.16)
3. Divine Salvation (v.17)

Therefore, be encouraged, be fervent, and be prepared.

1. All Creation Changes (v.26)
2. God Remains the Same (v.27)
3. Our Hope Is Secure (v.28)

1. The precursors of envy (v.6–7)
2. The development of envy (v.8–9)
3. The manifestations of envy (v.10–19)

1. Christian Friendships Are Unplanned. (v.1)
2. Christian Friendship Involves the Soul (v.1)
3. Christian Friendship Requires Love (v.1)
4. Christian Friendship Is Selective (v.1)
5. Christian Friendship Seeks Other's Good (v.1)
6. Christian Friendship Shuns Envy. (v.2)
7. Christian Friendship Involves Commitment. (v.3)
8. Christian Friendship Shows Humility. (v.4)
9. Christian Friendship Is Generous (v.4)
10. Christian Friendship Promotes Success (v.5)

1. God's Servant Volunteers (v.31–37)
2. God's Servant Prepares (v.38–40)
3. God's Servant Speaks (v.41–47)
4. God's Servant Prevails (v.48–51)
5. God's Servant Inspires (v.52–58)

1. Goliath's Defiance (v.1–11)
2. David's Dedication (v.12–22)
3. David's Decisiveness (v.23–27)
4. Eliab's Denunciation (v.28–30)

1. God's Providence Is Introduced. (v.1)
2. God's Providence Is Revealed. (v.2–5)
3. God's Providence Is Transcendent. (v.6–12)
4. God's Providence is Spirit-powered. (v.13–14)
5. God's Providence is Enabling. (v.15–18)
6. God's Providence is Disruptive. (v.19–23)

1. Saul's Disobedience (v.1–9)
2. God's Regret (v.10–11)
3. God's Rejection (v.12–23)
4. Saul's Hypocrisy (v.24–35)

1. The Setting (v.1–7)
2. The Violation (v.8–10)
3. The Explanation (v.11–12)
4. The Judgment (v.13–14)

1. Israel Demands a King (v.1–5)
2. Israel Forsakes God (v.6–9)
3. Israel Is Warned (v.10–18)
4. Israel Rejects God (v.19–22)

1. The Scarcity of God's Call (v.1–3)
2. The Persistence of God's Call (v.4–9)
3. The Intimacy of God's Call (v.10)
4. The Demands of God's Call (v.11–18)
5. The Marks of God's Call (v.19–21)

1. A Personal God (v.1)
2. A Holy God (v.2)
3. An All-Knowing God (v.3)
4. An All-Powerful God (v.4–8)
5. A Saving God (v.9–10)

1. Hannah's Predicament (v1–8)
2. Hannah's Vow (v9–11)
3. Eli's Misunderstanding (v12–16)
4. God's Answer (v17–20)
5. Family's Obedience (v21–28)

1. Timing of God's Love (v.6)
2. Demonstration of God's Love (v.7–8)
3. Salvation of God's Love (v.9–10)
4. Boasting of God's Love (v.11)

1. The Question (v.16)
2. The Requirement (v.17–21)
3. The Response (v.22)
4. The Lesson (v.23–26)

Sermon given to The Youth Group (TYG) at Grace Bible Church of Pleasant Hill on August 30, 2023. [6th–12th grade]

1. Equip (Eph 4:12a)
2. Exert (Eph 4:12b)
3. Edify (Eph 4:12c)

Grace Bible Church in Pleasant Hill, Sunday Morning Worship Service on May 7, 2023

• Predicament (v.2a)
• Plea (v.2b)
• Pronouncement (v.3)
• Purpose (v.4)

1. A Thankful Prayer (v.3)
2. An Informed Prayer (v.4–5a)
3. A Gospel-Centered Prayer (v.5b–8)
4. A Sanctifying Prayer (v.9–12)
5. An Exonerated Prayer (v.13–14)

• Jacob's Burial (v.1-14)
• God's Good Purposes (v.15-21)
• Joseph's Death (v.22-26)

• Reuben, Simeon, Levi (v.1-7)
• Messiah Promised Through Judah (v.8-12)
• Eight Other Brothers (v.13-27)
• Jacob's Death (v.28-33)

• God Blesses Israel (47:27-28)
• Israel Beseeches Joseph (47:29-31)
• Israel Blesses Joseph (48:1-12)
• Israel Encourages Joseph (48:13-22)

• Pharaoh Welcomes Israel (v.1-6)
• God Blesses Pharaoh (v.7-12)
• God Saves Egypt (v.13-26)

Like Jacob, we as Christians are sojourners. We are also benefactors and God's instruments of blessing. We are slaves to our savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Jacob Worshipped (v.1-4)
• Jacob Believed (v.5-7)
• Jacob Surrounded (v.8-27)
• Jacob Reunited (v.28-30)
• Jacob Settled (v.31-34)

In this chapter, we learn that we must (1) worship God when life is unclear, (2) trust God which will lead us to action, and (3) live for God so as believers, we can be prepared to die.

• Joseph's Direction (v.9-13)
• Joseph's Satisfaction (v.14-15)
• Pharoah's Injunction (v.16-20)
• Joseph's Provision (v.21-24)
• Jacob's Capitulation (v.25-28)

It is not until the end of Jacob's life when he learns to cherish all his blessings. After today's Bible study, let us say to God, "My cup overflows. It is enough."

1. Forgiveness Is Painful (v.1-2)
2. Forgiveness Is Personal (v.1b)
3. Forgiveness Is Selfless (v.3-4)
4. Forgiveness Acknowledges Sin (v.4-5)
5. Forgiveness Acknowledges God (v.5-8)

Have you experienced God's forgiveness? Who do you still need to forgive? You are never more like God than when you forgive.

1. The Brothers' Test (v.1-5)
2. The Brothers' Change (v.6-13)
3. The Brothers' Guilt (v.14-17)
4. Judah Becomes Surety (v.18-34)

• Judah Requests a Favorable Hearing (v.18)
• Judah Recounts Their First Visit (v.19-23)
• Judah Reports His Father's Distress (v.24-31)
• Judah Renders Himself As Surety (v.32-34)

Judah's passionate offer to become Benjamin's substitute and surety foreshadows our surety, our Lord Jesus Christ. No wonder Jesus is called the Lion of Judah.

• Judah asks Joseph for a favorable hearing (v.18)
• Judah reminds Joseph of their first encounter (v.19-23)
• Judah reports their father's distress (v.24-29)
• Judah offers himself as Benjamin's substitute (v.30-34)

• Placement of Joseph's Silver Cup with Benjamin (v.1-5)
• Discovery of Joseph's Silver Cup with Benjamin (v.6-13)
• Pronouncement of Guilt on Benjamin (v.14-17)

• Plight of Jacob's family (v.1-7)
• Judah's Surety Guarantee (v.8-10)
• Jacob's acceptance of bereavement (v.11-14)
• Joseph's Second Meeting with Brothers (v.15-25)
• Joseph's Brothers' Fears Expelled (v.26-34)

• The Plight of Jacob's Family (v.1-7)
• The Surety Guarantee of Judah (v.8-10)
• The Acceptance of Bereavement by Jacob (v.11-14)

• Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt (v.1-5)
• Joseph's Brothers Held Custody (v.6-17)
• Joseph's Brothers Sent Back to Canaan (v.18-28)
• Joseph's Brothers Bereave Jacob (v.29-38)

Here are 10 Puritan Prayers on the Trinity of God. Each prayer is about 2 minutes long.

1. Man's Great End
2. God Honoured
3. Praise and Thanksgiving
4. The Gift of Gifts
5. Christ the Word
6. Christ Is All
7. Fullness in Christ
8. Union with Christ
9. The Name of Jesus
10. Christ Alone

• God Remembered Joseph in Potiphar's House (chapter 39)
• God Remembered Joseph in Prison (chapter 40)
• God Remembered Joseph in Pharaoh's Court (chapter 41)

Genesis 41:37-57 Outline

• Pharaoh Accepts Joseph's Counsel (v.37-45)
• Joseph Fills the Store Cities (v.46-49)
• Joseph Names His Two Sons (v.50-52)
• Joseph Opens the Storehouses (v.53-57)

• God Remembered Joseph in Potiphar's House (chapter 39)
• God Remembered Joseph in Prison (chapter 40)
• God Remember Joseph in Pharaoh's Court (chapter 41)

Genesis 41:1-36 Outline

• Pharaoh Troubled by Two Dreams (v.1-8)
• Cupbearer Remembered Joseph (v.9-13)
• Joseph Summoned to Pharaoh (v.14-24)
• Joseph Interpreted Pharaoh’s Dreams (v.25-36)

• Introduction to Ancient Egypt
• Joseph's Success in Managing Potiphar's House (v.1-6a)
• Joseph's Success in Resisting Temptation (v.6b-10)
• Joseph's Success Leading to False Accusation (v.11-18)
• Joseph's Success Continuing in Prison (v.19-23)

• Judah's First Sin - Marrying a Pagan Wife (v.1-5)
• Judah's Second Sin - Breaking a Promise (v.6-14)
• Judah's Third Sin - Soliciting a Prostitute (v.15-23)
• Tamar's Vindication (v.24-26)
• Tamar Bears Twins (v.27-30)

In this episode, we will study a parenthetical chapter: Genesis 38. This chapter is a flashback in Canaan to Joseph older brother Judah. Many ask, “why is this here?” It seems to interrupt the plot development of the Genesis narrative of Joseph.

There are at least 5 reasons why the account of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar.

• First, it is a part of Jacob’s story. Remember that the heading of Genesis 37:2 is “These are the generations of Jacob.” Even though I have consistently referred to Genesis 37-50 as the Joseph narrative, it is really the story of Jacob’s household. We will soon see that in this story of Jacob’s children, Judah becomes a central protagonist.
• Second, this chapter explains why it was necessary for God to bring Israel to Egypt. Jacob’s sons were intermarrying with the Canaanites and in danger of being swallowed up by Canaan’s culture. God chose to preserve the Jews in Egypt as a separate people, since the Egyptians disliked foreigners, particularly shepherds.
• Third, Genesis 38 contrasts the shortcoming of Judah with the uprightness of Joseph in Genesis 39.
• Fourth, this chapter provides important background for us that will built up to the climax in Genesis 44, when Judah becomes a pledge and guaranteer for Benjamin. I can’t wait til chapter 44 when we see one of the strongest foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
• Finally, this story gives Judah’s lineage that provides further background to the genealogy of the Messiah. We learn that God’s promised Messiah, Christ Jesus, will come through the line of Judah through Tamar.

• Joseph is sent to Shechem (v.12-17)
• Joseph is sold at Dothan (v.18-30)
• Jacob mourns in Hebron (v.31-35)
• Joseph is sold to Potiphar (v.36)

Here are 10 Puritan Prayers on the Trinity of God. Each prayer is about 2 minutes long.

1. The Trinity
2. God the All (2:12)
3. God the Source of All Good (4:15)
4. The Great God (6:21)
5. The All-Good (8:27)
6. The Mover (10:17)
7. The Divine Will (12:19)
8. Divine Mercies (14:24)
9. God Enjoyed (16:43)
10. A Present Salvation (18:49)

• Joseph’s special status (v.2)
• His father’s favoritism (v.3)
• His brother’s hatred (v.4)
• God’s providential revelation (v.5-11)

• Joseph’s childhood and upbringing
• Joseph’s model character
• Joseph in the New Testament
• Joseph’s similarities with Christ Jesus
• Joseph and God’s providence 

We will take a closer look at Joseph’s childhood and how God prepares him for the difficult life he will live to protect and preserve his family.

Four Arguments Against Romans 9

• Systematic avoidance of Romans 9
• Romans 9 is not talking about individuals but talking about nations.
• Romans 9 is referring to individual election of temporal and material blessing.
• Doctrine of prescience

“Why did God choose Jacob, not Esau?”

Answer: God chooses to whom He grants mercy not on the basis of man’s will, but based on God’s sovereign free will so that His purposes might stand. And that divine prerogative is what makes Him God.

Esau spurned his birthright, and never did he show any spiritual perception or interest. But God did not forget him. Esau was still the son of Isaac. He was still Jacob’s brother. He became the father of Israel’s “brother” nation, Edom. 

Genesis 35 can be divided into two main sections.

• Jacob returns to Bethel (v.1-15)
• Birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel and Isaac (v.16-29)

Genesis 34 can be divided into 6 sections

• The wickedness of exposure and rape (v.1-4)
• The wickedness of accepting immorality (v.5-6)
• The wickedness of deception and misusing religion (v.7-17)
• The wickedness of greed and covetousness (v.18-24)
• The wickedness of revenge and false justice (v.25-29)
• The result of wickedness (v.30-31)

Today’s story of Jacob’s reconciliation with Esau can be divided into five sections

• Jacob approached Esau humbly (v.1-4)
• Jacob shared about his life with Esau (v.5-7)
• Jacob asked for a sealing of the reconciliation (v.8-11)
• Jacob saw proof of reconciliation (v.12-16)
• Jacob experienced the results of reconciliation (v.17-20)

Jacob seeks reconciliation with Esau

• Jacob sees God's presence (v.1-2)
• Jacob sends a message to Esau (v.3-5)
• Jacob confronts his fears (v.6-8)
• Jacob prays for God's deliverance (v.9-12)
• Jacob sends gifts of goodwill (v.13-21)
• Jacob wrestles with God (v.22-32)

First Half of Story

• Jacob negotiates his wages. (30 v.25-36)
• Jacob breeds the flocks to his advantage (30 v.37-43)

Second Half of Story

• Jacob prepares to leave Laban's house (31 v.1-16)
• Jacob's family leaves (31 v.17-24)
• Laban confronts Jacob (31 v.25-42)
• Jacob and Laban make a covenant (31 v.43-55)

• Four sons are born to Leah (29 v.31–35)
• The two handmaids each bear two sons (30 v.1–13)
• Leah bears two sons and a daughter (30 v.14–21)
• Rachel finally gives birth to a son (30 v.22–24)

• Jacob begins his new life (v.1-8)
• Jacob finds his new family (v.9-14)
• Jacob works in hopes to marry Rachel (v.15-20)
• Jacob is deceived, reaping what he had sown (v.21-30)

• Who made us, and to whom are we accountable?
• What is man's problem?
• What is God's solution to that problem?
• What makes this good news for me and not just for someone else?

https://www.biblesumo.com/gospel-jesus-christ/

• Esau plans to kill Jacob. (27 v.41-45)
• Jacob flees to Haran. (27 v.46 - 28 v.5)
• Esau marries a third wife. (28 v.6-9)
• God appears to Jacob in a dream at Bethel. (28 v.10-22)

• Issac offered to bless his favored son Esau. (v.1-4)
• Rebekah sent Jacob to receive the blessing. (v.5-17)
• Jacob deceived his father and received the blessing. (v.18-29)
• Everything is discovered. (v.30-40)

I love to study God's word. And in this podcast, I'll share what I've been learning in my personal Bible study. You can listen alone, or you can listen together with your family. If you are a Bible scholar - this isn't designed for you. But if you are an everyday Christian like me who just wants to understand the Bible, you will find the podcast helpful.

So join me each week here at BibleSumo as we read and study God’s word together.