Genesis 1:26–28 (ESV) 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 14: The Creation and Fall of Man Summary This is the third time now this year that we've turned to Genesis 1, and the second time that worship Him, you are slowly being "renewed in knowledge in the image of your Creator" (Colossians 3:10

Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire (James 1:14 ESV) James 1:13-17 (NIV) 13  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14  but each person is tempted when they Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election 1 - God's right to condemn all people 2 - God in the sending of Jesus Christ 3 - The Preaching of the Gospel 4 - A Twofold Response to the Gospel 5

Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 112 Q. ethical situations; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - John 10

Psalm 51:1–12 (NIV) 51 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5  let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a

2 Corinthians 3:1–6 (NIV) CONTEXT: Some people in the Corinthian church questioned Paul's authority as tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5  Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 14: The Creation and Fall of Man Today: Matthew 15

Colossians 1:15–20 (NIV) 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation . 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19

Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 111 Q. of doing good; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - John 5

Psalm 89:34-37(NIV) A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. 1  I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever Today: 2 Corinthians 5

Biblical preaching is what fuels your faith in Christ. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 65 Q. It is by faith alone that we share in Christ and all his blessings: where then does that faith come from? A. The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts by the preaching of the holy gospel, and confirms it through our use of the holy sacraments. Summary This week, we're pivoting from the Apostles’ Creed to an introduction of the sacraments. The sacraments are an important part of our worship. Before we get into the sacraments, lets be reminded where our faith comes from. As someone who grew up in the Reformed tradition, I have heard Ephesians 2:8 preached on many times. Its simple message is one that cannot be overstated: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. We do not earn grace, we cannot buy grace, we are given God’s grace through faith. Heidelberg Question 65 asks the next logical question: where then does that faith come from? Our faith is a gift of God, through the work of the Holy Spirit. When we hear the word of God proclaimed, through preaching, the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to draw us to the Lord. Our faith is dependent upon the preaching of the gospel. Dig Deeper Do you ever wonder why ministers preach on the Old Testament as well as the New Testament? The New Testament focuses on Jesus, so why do we need to hear from the Old Testament? The Bible is the arc of redemption. The climax of the Bible are the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, because they teach us about Jesus; His life, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. While the Gospels are the climax, the Old Testament teaches us God’s plan for salvation and how we got there. God worked through men and women like Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Ruth, and David to bring about his plan for salvation. He spoke through prophets like Isaiah and Haggai to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Through the preaching of the Old Testament, we see how God was at work all the way back in Genesis, and as we move forward through the Bible we are led by God to his Son, Jesus Christ. From there, God lays out how He will complete His work when Jesus returns. The Holy Spirit works through all of scripture to turn your heart toward God. By the preaching of God’s Word, you hear who God is, who you are in relation to Him (a sinner in need of redemption), and what God did to save you from your sin. It is through the preaching of the Word that the Holy Spirit works on your heart to draw you to God by showing you that you are a sinner in need of grace. The only way to receive that grace is from God through faith that preaching produces. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Most Holy and Righteous God, your Word endures forever; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: May I seek out the preaching of your word; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Philippians 3

easy to feel pessimistic about the Church, but be encouraged by God's powerful, yet gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19 CONTEXT: Elijah just witnessed God send fire from heaven. “Take my life; I am no better than my fathers.” 5  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. 10  He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. 14  He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty.