In this episode of the Sermon Notes podcast, host Jay Strother sits down with Corey Howes, the pastor of Connection Hill Church in Thompson Station and a ministry resident at Brentwood Baptist Church. They explore impactful stories of answered prayers, share insights on leading a church in prayer, and discuss the enriching experience of Brentwood's residency program.
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Genesis 29: Jacob meets Rachel at a well and agrees to work seven years for her hand in marriage, only to be deceived by Laban who marries him to Leah first, requiring another seven years of work for Rachel. Matthew 28: The angel announces Jesus' resurrection to the women at the tomb, instructing them to inform the disciples; Jesus commissions the disciples to make disciples of all nations, promising His perpetual presence. Esther 5: Queen Esther, risking her life, approaches King Ahasuerus without being summoned, secures his favor, and invites him and Haman to a banquet where she plans to request their aid. Acts 28: Paul, shipwrecked on Malta, is unharmed by a viper bite and heals many, including Publius's father; he eventually arrives in Rome, preaches the kingdom of God, and lives freely while under house arrest.
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Genesis 28: Jacob leaves for Paddan-aram on Isaac's advice to avoid marrying Canaanite women and at Bethel, he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, receiving God's promise of land and blessing. Matthew 27: Jesus, handed over to Pilate, is rejected in favor of Barabbas and crucified. Esther 4: Mordecai urges Esther to intervene for the Jews against Haman's decree; Esther, risking death, agrees to approach the king unsummoned to save her people. Acts 27: Paul, en route to Rome for trial, sails into a storm, leading to a shipwreck from which all aboard safely reach shore.
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Genesis 27: Jacob, encouraged by Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau, leading to family conflict and Esau's vow of revenge, prompting Jacob to flee to Laban's house. Matthew 26: Jesus faces betrayal from Judas, institutes the Lord's Supper, predicts Peter's denial, prays in Gethsemane, and is arrested, leading to His trial before the Sanhedrin where He affirms His identity, resulting in charges of blasphemy. Esther 3: Haman, honored by King Ahasuerus, becomes enraged by Mordecai's refusal to bow and plots to annihilate all Jews in the kingdom, securing the king’s approval to enact a decree for their destruction. Acts 26: Paul defends his faith before King Agrippa, recounting his persecution of Christians, his conversion, and his mission, asserting his teachings align with Jewish prophecy, but Agrippa remains unconvinced of the need for conversion.
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Genesis 26: Isaac, instructed by God not to go to Egypt, stays in Gerar where he deceives Abimelech about Rebekah being his sister; after conflict over wells, Isaac makes peace with Abimelech and reaffirms God’s promise of blessings. Matthew 25: Jesus teaches about readiness and responsibility through parables of ten virgins and talents, emphasizing preparedness for His return and judgment based on acts of kindness, depicted in the parable of the sheep and goats. Esther 2: After King Ahasuerus’s decree, Esther is chosen for her beauty to replace Vashti as queen, keeping her Jewish identity secret; Mordecai, her cousin, uncovers a plot to kill the king, highlighting Esther's rising influence. Acts 25: Paul, facing accusations from Jewish leaders, appeals to Caesar for a fair trial, which Festus grants; King Agrippa arrives and expresses interest in hearing Paul, setting the stage for another defense of his actions and beliefs.
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Genesis 25: Abraham passes away after securing his legacy through his sons Isaac and Ishmael, while the narrative shifts to focus on Isaac's twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Matthew 24: Jesus prophesies the destruction of the Temple, warns of false prophets and persecution, and describes the signs of His second coming, urging vigilance and faithfulness. Esther 1: King Ahasuerus dismisses Queen Vashti for her defiance and plans to find a new queen. Acts 24: Paul defends himself against accusations before Governor Felix, emphasizing his faith and conduct, but Felix keeps Paul in custody.
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Genesis 24: Abraham's servant finds Rebekah to be Isaac's wife through a divinely answered prayer at a well. Matthew 23: Jesus condemns the hypocrisy and legalism of the Pharisees and scribes, warning them of divine judgment while expressing a deep lament for Jerusalem's resistance to God's messengers. Nehemiah 13: Nehemiah enforces reforms to restore the integrity of worship and community life in Jerusalem, confronting issues like Sabbath breaking, intermarriage, and temple negligence. Acts 23: Paul's declaration of his faith and hope in the resurrection causes a division among the Sanhedrin, leading to a plot against his life which is thwarted by his nephew.
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In this episode of Sermon Notes, Jay Strother, senior pastor at Brentwood Baptist Church, engages in a compelling conversation with Harry Brown, the president of New Generations Ministry. Together, they delve into the transformative power of prayer and its pivotal role in disciple-making movements worldwide.
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Genesis 23: Abraham buys the Cave of Machpelah from the Hethites to bury Sarah, establishing his family's burial place in Canaan. Matthew 22: Jesus teaches through parables and confronts religious leaders about the essence of God's law, emphasizing love as the greatest commandment. Nehemiah 12: The dedication of Jerusalem's walls features a large, celebratory procession, symbolizing the restoration of communal and religious life. Acts 22: Paul shares his conversion story and divine mission to the Gentiles, invoking his Roman citizenship to avoid unjust punishment from a hostile crowd.
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Genesis 22: Abraham is tested by God to sacrifice his son Isaac but is stopped by an angel just in time, reaffirming God's promise of numerous descendants through Isaac due to Abraham's faithfulness. Matthew 21: Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, cleanses the temple, curses a fig tree as a lesson in faith, and confronts the religious leaders with parables highlighting their failures and the kingdom being opened to others. Nehemiah 11: Leaders and residents are appointed to live in Jerusalem to repopulate it, emphasizing the diverse roles and families involved in restoring the city and maintaining the temple services. Acts 21: Paul faces warnings against going to Jerusalem, continues his journey, and upon arrival, attempts to pacify Jewish believers by joining in purification rites, only to be arrested after being falsely accused of defiling the temple.
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Genesis 21: Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah, fulfilling God's promise; Hagar and Ishmael are sent away but are protected and blessed by God; Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech at Beer-sheba. Matthew 20: Jesus shares the parable of the vineyard workers to illustrate God’s generosity, predicts His suffering and death, teaches servant leadership, and heals two blind men near Jericho. Nehemiah 10: The Israelites renew their covenant with God, committing to obey His laws, honor the Sabbath, avoid intermarriage with foreign nations, and support the temple through offerings and firstfruits. Acts 20: Paul encourages the churches in Macedonia and Greece, raises Eutychus from the dead in Troas, and gives a heartfelt farewell to the Ephesian elders, warning them of future challenges.
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Genesis 20: Abraham deceives Abimelech by calling Sarah his sister; God warns Abimelech in a dream, leading to Sarah's return and Abraham praying for Abimelech's household to be healed. Matthew 19: Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage; he blesses children, and challenges a rich young ruler to give up his wealth for eternal life, illustrating the difficulty for the rich to enter heaven. Nehemiah 9: Israelites confess their sins and recount God's faithful acts throughout their history, acknowledging God's mercy despite their repeated disobedience and celebrating His provision and guidance. Acts 19: Paul evangelizes in Ephesus, where extraordinary miracles occur, leading to a riot incited by those whose livelihoods are threatened by the spread of the gospel; the disturbance underscores the tension between new Christian converts and traditional pagan practices.
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