Reach Church

In our study of Genesis on Sundays, we’ve walked through some difficult passages together. Chapter 34 may be the most difficult passage of all because of the sexual violence it details. To give this story the care and attention it deserves, we’ve recorded a podcast episode in place of a shorter Sunday morning sermon. Doing so allowed more time to honor the content and the opportunity for multiple trusted and qualified voices to join the discussion. God’s decision not to omit this story from His Word demonstrates His commitment to provide grace and care even in the harshest realities of life this side of heaven. We hope this discussion will shine light into places that remain dark and that the Lord will use it for healing and reconciliation. This conversation was led by:Amy Lathrop - Licensed Counselor specializing in trauma, Co-Lead of Reach Counseling CenterErin Sanchez – Pastor at Reach, Licensed Counselor specializing in women’s traumaJosh Loy – Pastor at Reach, Licensed Counselor, Co-Lead of Reach Counsel

In one of the hardest chapters of the entire book, Genesis 38 confronts us with sin, death, immorality, hypocrisy, repentance and birth all hanging in the particulars of a culture quite distant from ours. But there is much to learn and see as we faithfully engage even the ugly parts of the human story God is writing. Our Father never sweeps sin under the rug or dismisses it. Instead, even within its consequences, He wisely overrules it, faithfully keeping His promise and enduring with sinners in loving pursuit and grace. 

This week we return to our study of Genesis. As we continue to examine the life of Jacob, we’ll see how God’s truth is able to heal our brokenness and how it enables us to become conduits of his healing love for others.

As we conclude our People, Place, & Presence series, we examine what it means for us to be created in God’s image, sent by God to the place we live, to put down roots (no matter how long we’re here) and have a role in transforming our region.  

We explore the question of discipleship both universally and contextually: what has always been true of Christ’s disciples, and what specifically shapes us at Reach? Our desire is to follow Jesus, become like him, and join him in his mission.

There is an unfortunate tendency in the Church to separate the Spirit of God and the Word of God. We take sides, form tribes, and categorize ourselves and others. But the Scriptures couldn’t be more clear: there is a wonderful harmony between Word and Spirit. Reach will seek more of Jesus by living in the fullness of both.

Culture matters in the church. God is always moving us and growing us - and this causes culture to accumulate. We’ll spend the next few weeks speaking to vision, values and important questions in the life of the church. But before we begin that conversation, we want to remember what it means to be Jesus’ church.

As Esau rapidly approaches Jacob, his rascal brother, the drama of a long estrangement comes to a close. On the one side we have Esau, foolish and angry. On the other we have Jacob, tricky and manipulative, yet on the heels of a fresh encounter with the Living God. 

In Genesis 32, we encounter a pivotal moment in Jacob's life—a night of wrestling with God that would forever change his identity and destiny. As Jacob prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau, he finds himself alone, fearful, and uncertain. It is in this solitude that he engages in a mysterious and intense struggle with a divine figure.

God is with you in your waiting, even if you’re not waiting on Him. His presence is the true fulfillment of all your longings, because having Him with you is better than getting what you’re waiting for. In the presence of Jesus, even the weight of your waiting will bow its knee.

Running from a revengeful brother, armed with a dramatic vision of God, Jacob arrives in modern day Iraq. What was intended as a short stay becomes twenty years as Jacob gains a large family. Yet the seeds of deception the younger Jacob sowed are coming to ironic fruit as the new Patriarch and father of a tiny nation is humbled and changed. 

Genesis 27 brings us to an uncomfortable story of deception and theft. Yet despite human unfaithfulness, we see how God is still orchestrating all things for the covenant to continue.

As Jacob flees for his life, God slows down the story to encounter Jacob and reveal the heavenly reality of His presence. 

In a world where joy often feels scarce, we will find it in unexpected places. True joy is not just a fleeting happiness, but a deep gift rooted in Jesus the King. Here are four unexpected places where joy is waiting for you…

As the twins (Jacob and Esau) are born, we see the generational impact of their family across 3 different stories of 1) A parent’s favoritism, 2) A grandfather’s faithfulness, and 3) A son’s weakness.

We finally come to the account of Abraham's death. This short text will allow us to review and relive Abraham's journey and the story of his faith, from which there is much to learn and live ourselves.

Three episodes spanning three chapters bring us sad news, big questions and one of the most cinematic love story scenes of the whole Bible. In all of it we find not only truth but living, challenging and transformative application.

God tests Abraham's faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham obediently prepares to carry out the sacrifice and at the last moment, God provides Abraham with a ram as a substitute, reaffirming His covenant with Abraham and blessing him.

It’s a subject no one enjoys discussing but one that everyone knows personally. Suffering.What does the reality of diverse kinds of suffering say about God? About His goodness? What do Job and David and Joseph and Daniel and Jesus have to say? But mostly, how do we walk closely with God in the midst of suffering? These, and many other questions will be the main topics in this special lecture and prayer time.

After 25 years of waiting on God to make good on His promise for a family, Abraham and Sarah finally feel the flutter of life within an aged womb and then finally hold the in their wrinkled hands the new joy of a child, Isaac, born according to the perfect promise, plan and timing of God.