By Kenny Bruce Pastor emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Cordova Focal Passage: Genesis 16:1-5; 17:1-9  In Genesis 15 Abram was the man of faith. In chapter 16 he is the man of unbelief.  I. UNDESERVED PAIN (16:1-5) The Bible records the first biblical instance of domestic strife. The story involves Abram, Sarai, and Hagar who were real people, like we are, and succumbed to the temptation to solve their situation

By Kenny Bruce Pastor emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Cordova Focal Passage: Genesis 15:1-6, 13-16   Abram is dealing with fear, doubt, confusion and uncertainty. God brings him confidence, security and peace with His promises.  I. GOD’S PROMISES PROVIDE A FOUNDATION IN THE FACE OF FEAR (Genesis 15:1-5) In the previous chapter, Lot was captured by four invading armies from distant lands, and Abram led 318 of his men to

By Kenny Bruce Pastor emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Cordova Focal Passage: Genesis 13:5-11, 14-18  The herds and flocks of Abram and Lot had increased to the point that the land on which they were grazing could no longer support them. Quarreling began between their herdsmen.  I. RELIEVED BY GOD (Ch. 13:5-9) Abram, in the flesh, could have said, “Lot, this land belongs to me because God has promised it

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage:  Genesis 12:10-13, 17-13:4  Abram is in the land of promise, following God, and there is a famine. Should he remain, or flee to Egypt where there is food?  I. FAITH TRIED (12:10-13) Abram was afraid that he would starve. He took his eyes off the promise that God would make him into a great nation and fixed them

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Genesis 12:1-8 Confidence in God means that we focus on God’s plans and promises, not on our plans and circumstances. We see Abraham’s confidence in God expressed through faith and worship.  I. GOD CALLS US TO FOLLOW HIM (Ch. 12:1-3) God invited Abraham to join Him in a journey to a land God would show Him. Abraham did

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: I John 5:1-5, 11-13, 18-21  I John was written to provide believers an assurance of their salvation. That is why the word “know” is used over 35 times in this letter. Believers have a “know-so,” not a “hope-so” salvation.  I. WE ARE CONQUERORS (I John 5:1-5) Because Jesus overcame the world (John 16:33), we have overcome the world

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: I  John 3:19-4:4  Our world is inundated with false teachers. We must walk in victory and remain vigilant in order to detect the difference between true and false teaching. I. VICTORY OVER CONDEMNATION (vv. 19-22) Because of our old nature, our hearts continue to condemn us even though God set us free from condemnation when we were saved

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: I  John 2:18-29  John is contrasting truth with falsehood by distinguishing a believer from an unbeliever. A believer is anchored in the truth that Jesus resides in Him and is coming again. An unbeliever denies the truth of Jesus and, therefore, is a “liar” (v. 22). He is described as an “antichrist” (vv. 18, 22).  I. BELIEVERS KNOW

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: 1 John 2:3-11, 15-17   A Christian is a person who has a relationship with Jesus Christ. In 1 John 2, John gives us three tests so we can know for certain we have that relationship.  (1) The test of obedience (vv. 3-6). Verse three assures us that if we keep His commands, we know Him. The word