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In the days of Noah, God looked at the earth and saw that the hearts of all men and women were constantly evil. Today, Pastor Mike reminds us that thousands of years later, our hearts are still wicked. But God, in His rich grace, made a way for us to be redeemed through Jesus Christ. Pastor Mike emphasizes that it’s not about how good we are, or how far we’ve come. What matters is that God chose to forgive us despite the wickedness in our hearts, and it’s important for us to keep our faith in Him.

Today, Pastor Mike teaches about the story of Enoch, who the Bible says walked with God and did not die because he was taken up by God. Enoch lived in wicked times, and yet he pleased God. Likewise, we live in dark times; but the life of Enoch shows us that we don’t have to succumb to the darkness around us. On the contrary, we can live a life that is pleasing to God. Pastor Mike encourages us to learn from Enoch’s example by walking with God, and as a result abhorring sin.

As Pastor Mike teaches about Enoch today, he points out that the New Testament interestingly clarifies which Enoch is being spoken about. Pastor Mike explains that the beginning chapters of Genesis actually speak about two Enochs. One Enoch was the son of Cain, but the Bible tells us that the other Enoch walked with God. Pastor Mike insists that – just like there were two Enochs – there are two kinds of teachers today: there are teachers who serve the Devil, and there are teachers who walk with God.

Today, Pastor Mike teaches through the tragic story of Cain and Abel. And yet, there is so much we can learn from this ancient text. Pastor Mike shows that Cain had a choice. God in His grace conversed with Cain and explained that sin crouched in wait, seeking to subdue him. Cain could choose to defeat the sin or let the sin defeat him. Likewise, we all face the same choice. In Cain’s case, he disregarded God’s guidance and murdered his brother in anger. But we don’t have to make the same mistake he did.

The story of Cain and Abel can be somewhat confusing – why was God pleased with Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s? Today, Pastor Mike breaks down some suggestions for why this was the case. He reminds us that sin can only be covered through blood sacrifice; when Adam and Eve first sinned, their punishment was death. But in His mercy, God killed an animal in their place. So, Pastor Mike insists that when Abel sacrificed an animal, he was following God’s prescribed model. But Cain attempted to make his own way.

The relationship is part of God’s design. As Pastor Mike will point out in today’s message, when God created the universe and everything in it, He called it all good… except for one thing: Adam’s aloneness. He saw that Adam needed a relationship. While that gift brought pleasure to God’s heart, it also led to the fall. Instead of obeying God together and bringing Him glory, Adam and Eve sinned together, compromising their relationship with Him and setting mankind on a course towards destruction.

Sin is not worth it. You may be convinced that the momentary pleasure it brings is going to bring you happiness and pleasure – and for a moment it may – but then comes the guilt and consequences. God’s grace is enough. If you’ve been saved, Jesus’ work on the cross covers you. But, as Pastor Mike will remind us in today’s message, there are still consequences for sin. It always brings destruction to your life and keeps you from living in the fullness God desires for you.

To experience salvation in Christ requires humble repentance. It can’t happen without acknowledging that you’re sinful and you need and want Him to save you from that sin. He washes you and makes you righteous in the sight of God. Many tacks on extra conditions to that – such as holy living. They argue that if you sin, you forfeit your salvation. As Pastor Mike will clarify in today’s message, that’s not how it works. You should desire to live holy, but there will be moments of weakness as long as you walk this earth.

There’ve been theological debates for a long time over whether God knew that man would fall into sin. Did He know even before the fall that He would need to send His Son to die on the cross and secure our salvation? Those are some big questions. No human being can claim to understand or fathom the mind of God and His position as an eternal being, but as Pastor Mike will point out in today’s message, we find a prophetic hint to Christ in these moments following Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden.

Sin leads to more sin. It’s a downward spiral that can’t correct itself. Instead of seeking out a way to stop it, our inclination will be to justify it and harden our hearts to the convictions we feel. This has happened on a massive scale in our modern world. We’ve gotten to a point where wrong has been labeled as right and normal. In today’s message, Pastor Mike will continue our study of the book of Genesis and help us understand the beginnings of this destructive state that we find mankind in.

We are so easily deceived. Even Adam and Eve – perfect humans who intimately knew God and literally walked and talked with Him – fell into the deception of Satan. Why would we expect to be able to discern his lies any better? In today’s message, Pastor Mike will continue our exploration of this decisive moment in our history. The enemy will dress up temptation in the finest dresses. At first glance, it may appear to be a good thing, and you’ll easily find justification for it… but it always brings destruction.

When you watch the news or browse social media, the condition of this world is heartbreaking. Wars, rumors of war, violence, discord, oppression, and various atrocities plague our world. How could God let this happen? As Pastor Mike will explain in today’s message, all this evil is a byproduct of God’s love for humanity. He designed us with the choice to love and obey Him or to reject and rebel. Sadly, many have chosen rebellion and it’s led to the brokenness that surrounds us in this place.