The Gathering Sermons

The Boat (Genesis 6-7)

Series: The Book of Genesis Preacher: Ps. James Tang Date: 24th May, 2026 Passage: Genesis 6-7

The Wait (Genesis 5)

Reading Genesis 5 can feel a bit like reading a math textbook, just a long list of names, ages, and numbers. It’s tempting to skip it, but we believe that there’s value in all of Scripture. God speaks to us in this genealogy. Adam and Eve rebelled in Genesis 3, and sin spread quickly. By chapter 4, not only does Cain murder his brother, but several generations later, Lamech even boasts about it. Genesis 5 shifts our focus to Seth’s family line. These people decided to live differently and "call upon the name of the Lord." As we search for patterns and breaks from the pattern in the genealogy from Adam to Noah, this phrase is a constant refrain: "...and he died." It’s a repetitive reminder of the consequence of turning away from God. We die because of our sin. But right in the middle of this list, someone breaks the pattern. Enoch "walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." In a difficult culture, Enoch chose a different path. He reminds us there is something beyond the grave. It makes us ask: what kind of legacy do we want to leave? If you were remembered for just one thing, what would it be? Then we meet Methuselah, the oldest man in the Bible. His name means when he dies, it shall be sent. If you do the math, Methuselah died the exact year the flood came. His long life of 969 years shows God's patience, waiting to give people time to turn back to Him. Lamech names his son Noah, meaning "rest" or "relief." While Noah brought rescue through the ark, this entire family line ultimately points forward to the final Deliverer: Jesus. While Adam failed at the tree in the garden, Jesus succeeded on the cross. He took the curse of sin upon Himself so we could find real rest.

The Fallen Falling Further (Genesis 4)

Series: The Book of Genesis Preacher: Ps. Gabriel Wong Date: May 10, 2026 Passage: Genesis 4 In Genesis 4, we see how quickly the rebellion of the Garden spirals out of control. Genesis 4 is "Genesis 3+1"—the fallen falling further. The tragedy begins at the very first worship service. Abel gives God his first and best, but Cain merely offers his leftovers. God's rejection of Cain's offering reveals that the root of all sin is defective worship. When we mistrust God, we also misvalue God and devalue His glory. Because we were made with a God-shaped hole, holding back our best from the Creator doesn't just insult Him—it leaves us restless, anxious, and deeply unsatisfied. God graciously warns Cain that "sin is crouching at the door." We cannot manage, control, or domesticate our sin. If we crack the door open even a little, it will pounce. We must kill sin, or sin will kill us. Tragically, Cain ignores this warning. He kills his brother and shows absolutely no remorse, complaining only about his punishment. Because sin always leads to more sin, this sets off a generational downward spiral. By the seventh generation, Lamech is actively boasting and singing songs about his own violence. Unchecked sin hardens our hearts and completely alienates us from God and one another. If the story ended with our sin, we would be utterly hopeless. Like Cain, we are all guilty, and no amount of human effort can wash the stain away. The blood of Abel cries out from the dirt for justice, declaring us condemned and unclean. But God provided a Savior. On the cross, Jesus shed His blood to crush the serpent’s head. Where Abel's blood cries out for condemnation, Jesus’s blood speaks a far better word over us today: justified, spotless, redeemed, and fully forgiven. Right now, there are two knocks at the door of your heart. Sin is crouching, waiting to destroy you; but Jesus is knocking, eager to restore you. May we shut the door on sin and open our hearts to the Savior.

The Fall (Genesis 3)

Series: The Book of Genesis Preacher: Ps. James Tang Date: 3rd May, 2026 Passage: Genesis 3

The Connection (Genesis 2)

Series: The Book of Genesis Preacher: Ps. James Tang Date: 26th April, 2026 Passage: Genesis 2 Sermon Summary: As God finishes His work of creation, He gives to mankind a blueprint for perfect and good living. The rest and restoration of the Sabbath is part of this blueprint as God Himself rests on Adam’s first day (Gen. 2:2-3).  From verse 4 onwards, Genesis 2 zooms in to give us a micro view of creation: it tells us how God formed Adam from the dust and dirt of the ground and breathed life into him. (v.7) It tells us how He planted a garden in Eden and put Adam to work there. (v.8, 15) It tells us too that God created Eve to be Adam’s companion, a helper fit for him. (v.18) Genesis 2 shows us that God’s blueprint for perfect and good living includes good relationship with God, with work, and with community. An example of this is the usage of God’s personal name from verse 4 onwards, Yahweh Elohim instead of God’s title only, which is Elohim. The triune God who exists in perfect community desired relationship with man and saw that it was not good for him to be alone. Thus He established relationship with His creation and created Eve, the first woman, as a companion for Adam. (v.21-22)  Adam receives Eve with perfect joy as he bursts into a poem of delight. (v.23) Together, they are tasked with the work of filling the earth and having dominion over it (Gen. 1:28), work that Adam is seen doing as he names the animals. (Gen. 2:19-20a) His work echoes what God was doing in creation and is meant to point back towards Him. Sadly, the curse of sin and brokenness in Genesis 3 changed everything. Nothing is what it was meant to be. But we who hold fast to Christ have the good news of the gospel. As we long for more, let us look towards the One who will make all things new. (Rev. 21:1-5)