Sunday School: Genesis 1–5 and Matthew 1–5

Teacher: Pastor Abe

Date: 2026-08-23

Opening

• The session began with a prayer by Pastor Abe, thanking God for His Word and asking for understanding (cf. Psalm 119:130).

• All attendees and visitors were welcomed, with an emphasis on the Bible as the final authority for faith and practice.

Purpose and Format

• The Sunday School follows a weekly reading plan of 10 chapters. This session covered Genesis 1–5 and Matthew 1–5.

• The format is interactive, encouraging questions and contributions to build a "unity of knowledge" from the Bible.

Key Scriptures and Themes

• Genesis 1–5: Covered the creation account, the fall of man, the story of Cain and Abel, and the genealogies from Adam, which show the continuity of God's plan.

• Matthew 1–5: Covered the genealogy and birth of Jesus, the angelic instructions to Joseph, Herod's plot, the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, and the start of the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes).

Congregational Reflections

• Kara’s Insight: The genealogies and lifespans are important because they show "how everything started and how we got here."

• Lizzy’s Insights:

  • On Genesis: She highlighted creation, Adam and Eve's disobedience, and the story of Cain and Abel as "a new beginning of how the world was created."

  • On Matthew: She noted the birth of Jesus, the angel's message to Joseph, and Herod's attempt to kill the Messiah.

Discussion Points

• Question 1: “What are the three names of Noah’s sons?”

  • Answer: Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 5:32).

• Question 2: “How did Moses know what to write in Genesis?”

  • Pastor’s Guidance: God told him through divine revelation. Moses received this revelation, possibly through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and preserved oral traditions, using concepts he could understand (like pictograms). The core message, such as Adam and Eve's disobedience, was conveyed through relatable stories.

Take-Home Points

• Read Scripture consistently to build a strong biblical foundation.

• Value genealogies and historical details as they show God’s faithfulness.

• Recognize the seriousness of sin and the need for obedience.

• See Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises.

• Trust in the divine inspiration of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).

Opening Prayer and Announcements

Prayer of Intercession

• Leader: Kara

• Prayer Points:

  • For Truth: Prayed for God to remove deception so people can see the truth of the Gospel (John 8:32).

  • For Faith: Prayed to remove doubt and strengthen trust in God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:6).

  • For America: Prayed for the nation to return to God, for corruption to be exposed, and for justice.

  • For God's Will: Prayed for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Announcements

• Speaker: Brook Papazoni

• Monthly Service Schedule:

  • First Sunday: Thanksgiving Service

  • Second Sunday: Pentecost Sunday (Acts 2)

  • Third Sunday: Communion Service

  • Last Sunday: Anointing Service (today's service), for breaking the works of the enemy (Isaiah 10:27).

• Upcoming Event:

  • Pastor’s Mom’s Birthday Celebration: A Thanksgiving get-together will be held after service on Sunday, September 20, 2026. All are invited.

• Evangelism:

  • Pastor Abe thanked those who participated in evangelism on Saturday, August 22nd.

  • All members are encouraged to join the weekly evangelism efforts every Saturday from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Sermon: Obedience, Patience, and Dwelling in God's Presence

Speaker: Pastor Abe

Sermon Part 1: The Critical Call to Obedience and Patience

The sermon began with a call to worship, including the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," before focusing on the themes of obedience and patience.

Main Points

• Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice: God's commands are not suggestions. Partial obedience is disobedience.

  • Illustration (King Saul): In 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites. Saul spared their king and the best animals, claiming he would sacrifice them. Samuel rebuked him, saying, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22). This single act of disobedience cost Saul his kingdom.

• Patience is Key to Inheriting Promises: Acting outside of God's timing, even with good intentions, can lead to generational problems.

  • Illustration (Abraham and Sarah): God promised them a son, but out of impatience, Sarah suggested Abraham have a child (Ishmael) with her maidservant, Hagar. This "simple act of disobedience" created conflict that has had consequences through history.

  • Illustration (Cain and Abel): The time between Cain and Abel's birth and their offerings was many years. Cain's failure was reacting poorly when he didn't receive an immediate blessing, rather than patiently trusting God. We must have "patience and faith to inherit the promises."

• A Higher Standard of Righteousness:

  • Key Scripture: "For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 5:20).

  • Sermon Point: Jesus calls us to a higher standard. Our righteousness must be more than external; there must be a visible difference in how a believer lives.

• Grace in the New Covenant: While Saul faced irreversible judgment under the Old Covenant, we live under the New Covenant of grace. Jesus paid the price for our sins, offering forgiveness and restoration.

Sermon Part 2: Dwelling in the Presence of God

The sermon transitioned to the topic of God's presence, starting with a prayer against a "territorial spirit" the pastor had discerned on the church property.

Main Points

• The Anointing is God's Tangible Presence:

  • Key Scripture: "He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty." (Psalm 91:1).

  • Sermon Point: The anointing is the manifested presence of God. If you are in a place where God’s Word is taught but His power is not felt, His presence is not there.

  • Illustration (Visiting Minister): A minister who visited on July 25, 2026, confirmed feeling God's presence upon entering the building, showing it is a real, perceivable experience.

• The Holy Spirit Indwells Believers Permanently:

  • Old vs. New Covenant: In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon people for specific tasks. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit indwells believers permanently. You are never alone.

  • Key Scriptures: John 7:38 ("out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water") and John 4:14 ("a well of water springing up into everlasting life").

• The Holy Spirit is for Communication and Guidance:

  • Sermon Point: The Holy Spirit is not for decoration; He is in us for relationship. Many believers don't hear from God because they don't speak to the Holy Spirit within them.

  • Illustration (The Young Lady's Name): Over 20 years ago, Pastor Abe asked God for a woman's last name. God revealed it to him, demonstrating how God can speak to us when we have a living connection with Him.

  • Illustration (The Infancy of Jesus): God told Joseph to flee to Egypt to teach the importance of being led by the Spirit, following instructions, and exercising patience. It was a lesson in obedience.

  • Illustration (A Recent Word of Knowledge): The pastor asked God for a specific word about someone's sickness. He prayed on a Monday, and God gave him the specific details on Wednesday, which were then confirmed.

Take-Home Points and Action Items

1. Obedience Over Everything: Follow God’s commands fully, without altering them with your own wisdom.

2. Beware of Conversations Against God's Word: Do not execute plans born from conversations that contradict God's instructions.

3. Cultivate Patience: Understand God’s timing is not our own. Continue to pray, believe, and wait on the Lord.

4. Recognize His Presence: As a New Testament believer, the Holy Spirit lives inside you permanently.

5. Communicate with the Holy Spirit: Make dialogue with the Holy Spirit a part of your daily life. Ask Him questions and wait for His answers.

6. Listen and Obey: Follow the Spirit’s instructions for your growth and protection.

7. Surrender: Actively surrender to the Holy Spirit daily.

Closing and Next Steps

• Closing Prayer: Pastor Abe prayed for an impartation of the Holy Spirit to lead and direct the congregation.

• Welcome: A visitor named Kelly was welcomed.

• Weekly Reading: For the week beginning August 24th, 2026, please read Genesis 6–10 and Matthew 6–10 for the next Sunday discussion.

• Call to Evangelism: A final encouragement was given to stand as soldiers for Christ and preach the gospel in these last days.