Virtual Church Consulting

We’re currently exploring a series titled “Kingdom Rebellion.” In our previous session, we delved into Genesis Chapter 5, discussing Seth and his lineage as the offspring of the woman. We also looked at Enoch, who notably walked with God. This session will introduce us to Noah, another exemplary figure who walked with God, and we’ll also explore the topics of giants and the flood.

Genesis 6:1-4 (NIV)
1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days–and also afterward–when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

At the beginning of Genesis Chapter 6, we encounter the Nephilim, often translated as ‘giants’ in various versions of the text. The passage describes the sons of God observing the beauty of human women and choosing to sire their offspring, aiming to create beings in their own image. This act signifies a deviation from embracing God’s creation, attempting instead to forge a separate lineage, one not of family but of servitude.

Genesis 6:5-6 (NIV)
5 The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

Genesis 6:5-6 reveals how bad things have gotten, stating that human thoughts were persistently evil. This observation invites deep reflection on the state of humanity, diverging from God’s vision and deeply affecting Him. God’s response was not anger but one of profound sorrow, witnessing His creation’s fall into continuous wickedness. This sorrow stemmed from the misuse of free will, leading to a decision for a cosmic reset through the flood, aimed at eradicating the sin escalated by the corrupt beings.

This weekend at church we will look deeper into these ideas as well as looking at confronting our personal ‘giants.’ Over the last few weeks, we have addressed temptation, highlighting the various forms it takes and the empowerment through the Holy Spirit to make righteous choices and keep in step with God. Today, we will look at how fear, often manifesting as ‘giants’ in our lives, serves the enemy’s purpose of disrupting our peace and joy.

These ‘giants’ may differ in form but share a common goal: to diminish our serenity and happiness, acting on the enemy’s behalf to wreak havoc. Despite the enemy’s persistence, we’re reminded that Jesus surpasses any challenge we may face. The enemy’s tactics include making us forget the magnitude of our God, thereby amplifying the threat of these ‘giants.’

Often, we think we have to deal with the giants in our lives in our strength. You must never forget to keep God in the equation of your life.

Philippians 4:12–13 (NIV)
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Moreover, the importance of preparing for spiritual battles through prayer and the armor of God, as discussed in Ephesians 6:10–18, cannot be overstated. This is a timely reminder to revisit and reinforce our understanding of these spiritual defenses.

Ephesians 6:10–18 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

We’re currently exploring a series titled “Kingdom Rebellion.” The last session delved into the story of Cain and Abel. This week, we turn our attention to Seth, tracing his descendants to the time of the flood.

Genesis 4:25–26 (NIV)
25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.

We will be looking more deeply into the lineage of Cain and the lineage of Seth as we compare and contrast the two lines this weekend at the Vineyard so make plans to join us in person or online.

From Seth’s lineage emerges Enoch, a notable figure.

Genesis 5:21–24 (NIV)
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

Scripture recounts Enoch’s close relationship with God to the point where “he was no more because God took him away.”

What does it mean to “walk with God”?

We need to yield to Holy Spirit and keep in step with Him, walk with Him.

Galatians 5:25 (NIV)
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

As a child of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, you can now choose to live the way God calls you to live, and you have the power to walk it out.

Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

A life driven by the flesh manifests in specific ways, as detailed in Scripture, resembling a choice made from the symbolic tree of defining good and evil on our terms. Such choices devalue our humanity, reducing us to less than we were meant to be.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

However, as new creations, we’re called back to our fundamental purpose: to reflect God’s image to the world. This is the essence of choosing from the tree of life.

Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Which tree will you take from? Partner with and yield to Holy Spirit. Keep in step with Him.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Last week, in our “Kingdom Rebellion” series, we explored the events of Genesis Chapter 3, focusing on the Fall and its consequences. This week, we shift our attention to Genesis Chapter 4 and look at the tale of two seeds.

Genesis 4:1–7 (NIV)
1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the ORD. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Chapter 4 introduces us to several firsts: the initial sibling rivalry, the inaugural murder, and the establishment of the first city, among other significant events. We’ll delve into these topics more thoroughly at Keys Vineyard Church this weekend. To prepare, let’s examine the conflict between the seed/offspring more closely.

Genesis 4:7 (NIV)
7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

In John’s first letter, he expounds on the story of Cain and Abel. He shows us that there are two wills at work.

1 John 3:10–18 (NIV)
10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. 11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Cain is biologically the seed of the woman, yet his choices/actions align him more closely with the serpent’s lineage.

As believers in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are blessed to have the ability to choose to do what is right and the power to carry out that choice in our actions.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

In the fruit of the spirit list, this is about self-control. As we see in Cain and Abel’s story, anything uncontrolled can harm your relationships.

Self-control is ultimately a divine gift cultivated within us by the Holy Spirit. Recognizing it as such helps us credit God rather than ourselves. However, embracing self-control involves both reception and active participation. It’s about allowing Christ, through his Spirit, to govern our desires, not merely about self-management.

This weekend at church, we’ll explore what this looks like in practice, including:

Being accountable (Romans 14:12)
Living with integrity (Proverbs 15:3)

Make plans to join us this weekend at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.