Resources

Introduction to Genesis

Moses, the author of Genesis wrote the first book of the Bible to a nation recently born. God saved the Israelites from Egypt. They were the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

At the time of Moses’ writing the book, the people were about to enter the land God had promised to them. They were on the cusp of becoming a nation state.

If they would fulfill all God had in store for them, they would have to know and remember who they were. They, like us, had to be able to answer the question of identity, “Who are we?”

God through Moses taught the Israelites who they were by rooting their identity in their first parents Adam and Eve. They were a nation of human beings. They were not animals. They were God’s image bearers. Second, they were descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the family God chose to set apart as his own. They were the recipients of God’s grace and promise. They were God’s people.

Because of their connection to Adam, they were like all mankind. Because of the lineage in Abraham they were distinct from the world. These two truths shaped their identity and informed their living.

We too are wrestling with questions of identity. We, along with our society, are struggling to answer the question, “Who are we?” We are struggling to answer for our children, “What does it mean to be human?” Consequently, we also struggled in the church to answer, “Who are the Christians?”

Thankfully, Genesis provides the origin story for men and women living in A.D. 2026 just as it did for the recently rescued Israelites in the 15th or 13th century B.C. By going back to the beginning, we will see what God reveals about himself. This will reveal much about who we are. Knowing who we are should in turn instruct us for life today.

Timothy Keller, “The Cosmic King” (Sermon)

You have to start with dogma and doctrine because unless you start with something outside of you, you’ll never find you. That’s the point. You were not the Alpha. You can’t start with you. If you start with you, you’ll never find you. You have to get out of you to find yourself. That’s the message of the Scripture. Unless you start with him, unless you know him, you can’t know yourself.

Sermon Series

In the coming weeks, we will journey together through Genesis:
- September 13th | Introduction
- September 20th | Genesis 1:1-2
- September 27th | Genesis 1:3-2:3
- October 4th | Genesis 2:4-24
- October 11th | Genesis 3:1-7
- October 18th | Genesis 3:8-24
- October 25th | Genesis 4:1-26
- November 1st | Genesis 5:1-32
- November 8th | Genesis 6:1-8:22
- November 15th | Genesis 9:1-29
- November 22nd | Genesis 10:1-11:32
Click on the date for the week of to view the Preparing for Sunday Guide.
- September 6th
- September 13th
- September 20th
- September 27th
- October 4th
- October 11th
- October 18th
- October 25th
- November 1st
- November 8th
- November 15th
- November 22nd
Read our complete sermon series introduction and overview here.

The Gospel according to Luke: Veiled in Flesh

The Advent of Christ narrative in Luke is the most recognizable amongst Christians and non-Christians alike. From A Charlie Brown Christmas to the Magnificat, Luke’s account has some of the most familiar moments, which means special attention must be given in preaching to those themes which are easily missed through over-familiarization.

The Outsider and the Kingdom

Luke abounds with the barren, the scandalous, the sinful, and the prodigal, all being welcomed into the Kingdom of God, while it is the powerful and self-secure who are left out.

The Glory of Immanance

Luke’s account contains the three most famous New Testament hymns that have been included in the hymnody of the Church for 2,000 years – the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55), the Benedictus (Luke 1:68–79), and the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29–32). There is a fourth,much shorter, called the Gloria in Excelsis (Luke 2:14). The series subtitle, “Veiled in Flesh” will be the unifying theme across the series. Each in our own way, we will be proclaiming how awesome Jesus is.

The Hope of Israel and the World

Luke’s account emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s Scriptures and story. From the beginning narratives to the road to Emmaus, Jesus is presented as the one in whom all of Israel’s hopes come to their proper end. But, Luke, as volume one of a two volume work, is also very interested in missions to the Gentile world, and the seeds of that are laid down in the early chapters of Luke.

The Universal Mission of God

Finally, the mission of God in Christ Jesus is depicted as universal in scope. All kinds of people, all kinds of circumstances, and all kinds of places will be reached by the Gospel.

Upcoming Sermon Series

- November 29 | Luke 1:1-25
- December 6 | Luke 1:26-56
- December 13 | Luke 1:57-80
- December 20 | Luke 2:1-21
- December 27 | Luke 2:22-52
Click on the date for the week of to view the Preparing for Sunday Guide.
- November 29, 2026
- December 6, 2026
- December 13, 2026
- December 20, 2026
- December 27, 2026
- The Gospel of Luke From the Outside In by David Morlan.
- The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary: Luke by Peter Bolt.
- Luke, by Darrell L. Bock, IVP New Testament Commentary Series.
  Luke 1–13, by Dale Ralph Davis
- The Gospel According to Luke by James R. Edwards.
- Expository Thoughts on the Gospels by J. C. Ryle
- Harmony of the Gospels by John Calvin.

Trusted Resources for Discipleship

Growing as a follower of Jesus takes time, reflection, and the right tools. Our pastors have gathered a selection of books that we trust to help you engage Scripture, understand the big story of the Bible, and think wisely about the Christian life. These recommendations cover a range of topics that matter for every believer, from personal study to doctrine to the history that has shaped the church.

We hope this list serves as a reliable starting point when you want to go deeper or when you are looking for something solid to read or share with others. Our goal is not to overwhelm you with options, but to give you a curated set of books that have proven helpful and faithful over time.