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Recap of 10/11/09:
1. Attention in Genesis 47 turns once again to Joseph’s superb leadership.
2. He did his job with:
-Integrity. Though he handled great sums of money and property, he didn’t abuse his power or his authority. A great test of leadership is the use of power (1 Peter 5:1-4)
-Wisdom. He discerned what was needed, established a plan, and carried out the plan.
-Discipline. He had mastered himself, before seeking to master others.
3. Oswald Sanders in his book Spiritual Leadership talks about the qualities essential to good leadership. They are: Discipline; it is the quality which is essential to all other qualities, “the man who has conquered himself makes the best leader;” Vision; faith is vision and imparts vision, it includes optimism and hope, and imparts venturesomeness; Wisdom; is more than knowledge, it is the “right application of knowledge in moral and spiritual matters, in meeting baffling situations, and in the intricacies of human relationships;” Decision; a spiritual leader accepts full responsibility for both failure and success of decisions; Humility; self-effacement not self-advertising; Humor; which can diffuse a tense situation or meeting, it must be appropriate.
4. Genesis 47:11-27 is a good example of the Abrahamic covenant in action (Genesis 12:2,3). God promised Abraham that those who blessed the Jews (Abraham’s seed) would themselves be blessed. God blesses Pharaoh with great wealth and the people of Egypt with life because they received the Jews.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Out on the Ledge with God
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Recap of 10/4/09:
1. It seems that Jacob’s focus for 22 years, since the loss of Joseph (Genesis 37:34,35) was death and fear. Life had become bitter for him. As one scholar said he was at the “end of hope.”
2. God restores hope to him by reassuring him of His promises, by reunion with his beloved son, and by making provision for him in a new home.
3. Jacob ultimately understood that he was a pilgrim (an alien) and a stranger here, his real home was a heavenly home provided by God (Hebrews 11:13,14). As expositor Matthew Henry said: “He calls his life a pilgrimage, looking upon himself as a stranger in this world, and a traveler towards another world. This world his inn, not his home.” (emphasis mine)
4. In 1 Peter 2:11 calls believers “aliens and strangers” in this world. A recognition that our real home is heaven. Do we think and live as if this place is temporary or have we driven out tent pegs deep into the earth.
Recap of 10/4/09:
1. It seems that Jacob’s focus for 22 years, since the loss of Joseph (Genesis 37:34,35) was death and fear. Life had become bitter for him. As one scholar said he was at the “end of hope.”
2. God restores hope to him by reassuring him of His promises, by reunion with his beloved son, and by making provision for him in a new home.
3. Jacob ultimately understood that he was a pilgrim (an alien) and a stranger here, his real home was a heavenly home provided by God (Hebrews 11:13,14). As expositor Matthew Henry said: “He calls his life a pilgrimage, looking upon himself as a stranger in this world, and a traveler towards another world. This world his inn, not his home.” (emphasis mine)
4. In 1 Peter 2:11 calls believers “aliens and strangers” in this world. A recognition that our real home is heaven. Do we think and live as if this place is temporary or have we driven out tent pegs deep into the earth.
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Family Reunion of Biblical Proportions
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Recap of 9/27/09:
1. Though circumstances are pointing Jacob and his family toward Egypt (God’s preservation and elevation of Joseph in Egypt, Pharaoh’s offer, famine in Canaan), Jacob needed the assurance of God’s word, which he gets, before he continues on from Beersheba into Egypt. Circumstances alone are not enough when determining the will of God.
2. Four scriptural observations concerning God’s will:
-before God’s will involves an action, it involves an attitude. 2 Corinthians 8:5
-renewing our minds is foundational to knowing God’s will. Romans 12:1,2; Hebrews 5:11-6:1a
-prayer is essential to knowing the will of God. Colossians 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
-the flesh (i.e. the sin nature) and Satan seek to deter us from the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 1 Thessalonians 2:18
3. Patrick Morley’s principles of effective decision-making:
-make decisions according to the Word of God. If your decision contradicts Scripture, it’s a bad decision.
-avoid foolish decision that test God. Don’t put yourself in a position which requires a miracle to bail you out.
-avoid decisions that reduce your worship and service to God. Don’t get caught up in the rat race and chase phony gods.
Recap of 9/27/09:
1. Though circumstances are pointing Jacob and his family toward Egypt (God’s preservation and elevation of Joseph in Egypt, Pharaoh’s offer, famine in Canaan), Jacob needed the assurance of God’s word, which he gets, before he continues on from Beersheba into Egypt. Circumstances alone are not enough when determining the will of God.
2. Four scriptural observations concerning God’s will:
-before God’s will involves an action, it involves an attitude. 2 Corinthians 8:5
-renewing our minds is foundational to knowing God’s will. Romans 12:1,2; Hebrews 5:11-6:1a
-prayer is essential to knowing the will of God. Colossians 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
-the flesh (i.e. the sin nature) and Satan seek to deter us from the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 1 Thessalonians 2:18
3. Patrick Morley’s principles of effective decision-making:
-make decisions according to the Word of God. If your decision contradicts Scripture, it’s a bad decision.
-avoid foolish decision that test God. Don’t put yourself in a position which requires a miracle to bail you out.
-avoid decisions that reduce your worship and service to God. Don’t get caught up in the rat race and chase phony gods.
Monday, September 21, 2009
I Am Joseph!
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Recap of 9/20/09:
1. Joseph’s character had been forged in the furnace of affliction. His faith was tested and came forth as gold. Joseph recognized God’s hand in his life. What sustained him was his certain belief that: “…God’s will, not man’s, was the controlling reality of his life.” (Ross). That was the secret to his ability to accept his circumstances and to forgive those who had wronged him.
2. In our walk and especially in our response to the wrongs done to us we must: 1) have the right perspective, God’s will is the controlling reality of our lives; and 2) Out of that perspective must grow the attitude that we can take all that life’s circumstances and people can throw at us with grace, forgiveness, and peace.
3. “It is no matter who starts our trial, whether man, or devil or even our own foolish selves, if God permits it to reach us, he has by this permission made the trial His own, and will turn it for us into a chariot of love which will carry our souls to a place of blessing that we could not have reached in any other way….Joseph was sold into Egypt by the wickedness of his brethren, but God made their wickedness the chariot that carried Joseph to his place of triumph…” (Hannah Whitall Smith quoted in Genesis in the God’s Word for the Biblically Inept series.
Recap of 9/20/09:
1. Joseph’s character had been forged in the furnace of affliction. His faith was tested and came forth as gold. Joseph recognized God’s hand in his life. What sustained him was his certain belief that: “…God’s will, not man’s, was the controlling reality of his life.” (Ross). That was the secret to his ability to accept his circumstances and to forgive those who had wronged him.
2. In our walk and especially in our response to the wrongs done to us we must: 1) have the right perspective, God’s will is the controlling reality of our lives; and 2) Out of that perspective must grow the attitude that we can take all that life’s circumstances and people can throw at us with grace, forgiveness, and peace.
3. “It is no matter who starts our trial, whether man, or devil or even our own foolish selves, if God permits it to reach us, he has by this permission made the trial His own, and will turn it for us into a chariot of love which will carry our souls to a place of blessing that we could not have reached in any other way….Joseph was sold into Egypt by the wickedness of his brethren, but God made their wickedness the chariot that carried Joseph to his place of triumph…” (Hannah Whitall Smith quoted in Genesis in the God’s Word for the Biblically Inept series.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Substitute
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Recap of 9/13/09:
1. “We imagine we would be all right if a big crisis arose; but the big crisis will only reveal the stuff we are made of, it will not put anything into us. ‘If God gives the call, of course I will rise to the occasion.’ You will not unless you have risen to the occasion in the workshop, unless you have been the real thing before God there. If you are not doing the thing that lies nearest, because God engineered it; when the crisis comes instead of being revealed as fit, you will be revealed as unfit. Crises always reveal character.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest) This is the lesson of Genesis 44: crises reveal character; and character is not formed in a minute.
2. Joseph sets up a final test of his brothers’ character. Have they changed? Have they grown, especially in relationship with God? Have their attitudes changed? Do they have concern for Jacob and Benjamin even above their own concerns?
3. All that they trusted in/counted on, was taken away; their word, their money, their integrity.
4. The test is set up in such a way that to save their own skins they would have to betray Benjamin (as they had Joseph 20+ years earlier).
5. Not only do they not betray Benjamin but Judah offers to take his place as a slave so that Benjamin might be releases and save Jacob from a grief that would kill him; a wonderful picture of the later descendant of Judah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ, who would offer Himself as a substitute for sinners on the cross of Calvary.
Recap of 9/13/09:
1. “We imagine we would be all right if a big crisis arose; but the big crisis will only reveal the stuff we are made of, it will not put anything into us. ‘If God gives the call, of course I will rise to the occasion.’ You will not unless you have risen to the occasion in the workshop, unless you have been the real thing before God there. If you are not doing the thing that lies nearest, because God engineered it; when the crisis comes instead of being revealed as fit, you will be revealed as unfit. Crises always reveal character.” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest) This is the lesson of Genesis 44: crises reveal character; and character is not formed in a minute.
2. Joseph sets up a final test of his brothers’ character. Have they changed? Have they grown, especially in relationship with God? Have their attitudes changed? Do they have concern for Jacob and Benjamin even above their own concerns?
3. All that they trusted in/counted on, was taken away; their word, their money, their integrity.
4. The test is set up in such a way that to save their own skins they would have to betray Benjamin (as they had Joseph 20+ years earlier).
5. Not only do they not betray Benjamin but Judah offers to take his place as a slave so that Benjamin might be releases and save Jacob from a grief that would kill him; a wonderful picture of the later descendant of Judah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ, who would offer Himself as a substitute for sinners on the cross of Calvary.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Between a Rock and a Banquet
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Recap of 9/6/09:
1. Jacob was subjected to what J. Oswald Sanders, in the book Spiritual Leadership calls a searching test of leadership, the impossible situation. Sanders concludes: “The bracing lesson is that God delights to shut people up to Himself and then, in response to their trust, display His power and grace in doing the impossible.”
2. When we do not look for God in our situations (as Jacob in Genesis 43) we become negative, pessimistic, resigned to life’s curves, indecisive, and reluctant to lead. We turn to self-pity and blame.
3. Genesis 43 provides us with an illustration of salvation through the actions of Joseph and his father and brothers. Like the brothers we have wronged God and rejected Him. We have sought to approach Him on our own terms, attempting to appease Him with our “gifts,” i.e. good works. Yet God shuts us up to only one way, the way of faith. When we come to Him by faith, He receives us and lavishly provides for us. The brothers expected and deserved judgment and prison, they received gracious acceptance.
Recap of 9/6/09:
1. Jacob was subjected to what J. Oswald Sanders, in the book Spiritual Leadership calls a searching test of leadership, the impossible situation. Sanders concludes: “The bracing lesson is that God delights to shut people up to Himself and then, in response to their trust, display His power and grace in doing the impossible.”
2. When we do not look for God in our situations (as Jacob in Genesis 43) we become negative, pessimistic, resigned to life’s curves, indecisive, and reluctant to lead. We turn to self-pity and blame.
3. Genesis 43 provides us with an illustration of salvation through the actions of Joseph and his father and brothers. Like the brothers we have wronged God and rejected Him. We have sought to approach Him on our own terms, attempting to appease Him with our “gifts,” i.e. good works. Yet God shuts us up to only one way, the way of faith. When we come to Him by faith, He receives us and lavishly provides for us. The brothers expected and deserved judgment and prison, they received gracious acceptance.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Everything Is Against Me!
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Recap of 8/30/09:
1. Genesis 43 recap: Joseph’s brothers come down to Egypt to secure grain for the famine has reached the land of Canaan. He recognizes them but they do not recognize him.
2. Lessons from chapter 43:
-from Joseph: he shows no bitterness or tendency toward revenge. He is living out the name he gave his first born son, Manasseh, “God has made me forget all my trouble.” His harsh treatment of his brothers was a test designed to bring conviction upon them, to “stir up their consciences” and to see if they had changed.
-from the brother: sin can not be hidden indefinitely, it will be found out. Conviction of sin should bring repentance (a change of mind) and confession to God. (Psalm 32; 51; 1 John 1:9)
-from Jacob: Jacob was sure that everything was working against him. In truth God was working everything together for his good (Romans 8:28). Because he didn’t look for or reckon on God in his situation, he became negative and resigned to his situation.
3. Application from chapter 43:
-Who do we need to forgive? Do we keep a written or unwritten list of those who’ve wronged us?
-What sin do we need to own? To confess?
-Are we looking for God in our situations, or do we discount what He may be doing? Remember, when you think things are as bad as they can get—they are better than you think!
Recap of 8/30/09:
1. Genesis 43 recap: Joseph’s brothers come down to Egypt to secure grain for the famine has reached the land of Canaan. He recognizes them but they do not recognize him.
2. Lessons from chapter 43:
-from Joseph: he shows no bitterness or tendency toward revenge. He is living out the name he gave his first born son, Manasseh, “God has made me forget all my trouble.” His harsh treatment of his brothers was a test designed to bring conviction upon them, to “stir up their consciences” and to see if they had changed.
-from the brother: sin can not be hidden indefinitely, it will be found out. Conviction of sin should bring repentance (a change of mind) and confession to God. (Psalm 32; 51; 1 John 1:9)
-from Jacob: Jacob was sure that everything was working against him. In truth God was working everything together for his good (Romans 8:28). Because he didn’t look for or reckon on God in his situation, he became negative and resigned to his situation.
3. Application from chapter 43:
-Who do we need to forgive? Do we keep a written or unwritten list of those who’ve wronged us?
-What sin do we need to own? To confess?
-Are we looking for God in our situations, or do we discount what He may be doing? Remember, when you think things are as bad as they can get—they are better than you think!
Monday, August 24, 2009
A Reversal In Fortune, Part 2
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Recap of 8/23/09:
1. Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was a man of wisdom. Joseph’s wisdom was a product of his choosing righteousness and faithfulness. His ability to make good plans was a product of his wisdom. (See Proverbs 21:5; 22:3; 16:1-3,5,9; 30:24,25) “Plans are a necessary part of the wise man’s life; only fools follow the path of fateful chance. The plans of wise [men and women] incorporate righteous principles.” (from: God’s Wisdom for Daily Living)
2. Joseph’s life illustrates a Biblical principle of life: faithfulness in little things leads to being trusted with greater things. The parable of Luke 19:11-27 illustrates this principle for the believer. Four lessons of life can be deduced from this passage: 1) God has made an investment in us, we are to bear fruit; 2) we are responsible to the Lord for the way we use our gifts, abilities, opportunities, circumstances, means, and time. He will hold us accountable; 3) Faithfulness is the key to fruitfulness & success (but see also point #3); 4) this life is training for the kingdom and for eternity.
3. Joseph has two sons and he names them “forget” and “fruitful.” He, in God’s goodness “forgot” about the pain of the past, his mistreatment by his brothers, his slavery and imprisonment. He determined to let go of the pain of the past, the hurts of the past. Without this step in our lives we condemn ourselves to relive the past over and over in every new situation. Fruitfulness is dependent, not only on faithfulness (as point #2 above) but on forgetfulness of past hurts.
Recap of 8/23/09:
1. Pharaoh recognized that Joseph was a man of wisdom. Joseph’s wisdom was a product of his choosing righteousness and faithfulness. His ability to make good plans was a product of his wisdom. (See Proverbs 21:5; 22:3; 16:1-3,5,9; 30:24,25) “Plans are a necessary part of the wise man’s life; only fools follow the path of fateful chance. The plans of wise [men and women] incorporate righteous principles.” (from: God’s Wisdom for Daily Living)
2. Joseph’s life illustrates a Biblical principle of life: faithfulness in little things leads to being trusted with greater things. The parable of Luke 19:11-27 illustrates this principle for the believer. Four lessons of life can be deduced from this passage: 1) God has made an investment in us, we are to bear fruit; 2) we are responsible to the Lord for the way we use our gifts, abilities, opportunities, circumstances, means, and time. He will hold us accountable; 3) Faithfulness is the key to fruitfulness & success (but see also point #3); 4) this life is training for the kingdom and for eternity.
3. Joseph has two sons and he names them “forget” and “fruitful.” He, in God’s goodness “forgot” about the pain of the past, his mistreatment by his brothers, his slavery and imprisonment. He determined to let go of the pain of the past, the hurts of the past. Without this step in our lives we condemn ourselves to relive the past over and over in every new situation. Fruitfulness is dependent, not only on faithfulness (as point #2 above) but on forgetfulness of past hurts.
Monday, August 17, 2009
A Reversal In Fortune
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Recap of 8/16/09:
1. With suddenness Joseph’s position changes in Genesis 41. He begins the chapter in prison, he ends the chapter in power.
2. For two years the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh forgot about Joseph. These were not wasted years for Joseph, however; God was perfecting him, maturing him, and preparing him for what was ahead.
3 . Because of his faith, Joseph was able to go through this time without becoming bitter, vindictive, or disillusioned.
4. About the suffering of the righteous, Peter writes: “Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like Him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.” (The Message)
5. When given the opportunity to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh, Joseph is careful throughout to give God the credit. (Genesis 41:16,25,28,32).
Recap of 8/16/09:
1. With suddenness Joseph’s position changes in Genesis 41. He begins the chapter in prison, he ends the chapter in power.
2. For two years the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh forgot about Joseph. These were not wasted years for Joseph, however; God was perfecting him, maturing him, and preparing him for what was ahead.
3 . Because of his faith, Joseph was able to go through this time without becoming bitter, vindictive, or disillusioned.
4. About the suffering of the righteous, Peter writes: “Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like Him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.” (The Message)
5. When given the opportunity to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh, Joseph is careful throughout to give God the credit. (Genesis 41:16,25,28,32).
Monday, August 10, 2009
Why Me?
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Recap of 8/9/09:
1. There are two ways we can respond to the hurts, failures, unjust treatment, and disappointments of life, we can be consumed by them, eaten up inside, never letting go of the hurt, never surrendering the pain, consumed with bitterness and revenge; or we can see beyond the hurt, pain, disappointment and allow God to use those things to fulfill His purposes for us. The latter is the path that Joseph trod.
2. What we can learn from Joseph’s response to injustice is:
-do what’s at hand and do it well, be conscientious, keep a positive attitude, an attitude of expectation (Joseph could not have seen how being in prison could be helpful to his cause)
-stay busy, make yourself available to God, to be used of Him, even in menial things
-be sensitive to the hurting people around us (Joseph could have been so locked in self-pity that he could have missed the pain of the baker and cupbearer and an opportunity for service – which would lead to his release )
-when the opportunity to share your plight comes, do not remain silent, trusting God does not mean just doing nothing
-wait for God to work (Genesis 41:1, Joseph waited two years)
3. “All the water in the ocean cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside; and all the trouble in the world cannot harm us unless it gains entrance to our hearts. On such analogy faith is pitch and caulking.” (Eugene Peterson, Praying with the Psalms)
Recap of 8/9/09:
1. There are two ways we can respond to the hurts, failures, unjust treatment, and disappointments of life, we can be consumed by them, eaten up inside, never letting go of the hurt, never surrendering the pain, consumed with bitterness and revenge; or we can see beyond the hurt, pain, disappointment and allow God to use those things to fulfill His purposes for us. The latter is the path that Joseph trod.
2. What we can learn from Joseph’s response to injustice is:
-do what’s at hand and do it well, be conscientious, keep a positive attitude, an attitude of expectation (Joseph could not have seen how being in prison could be helpful to his cause)
-stay busy, make yourself available to God, to be used of Him, even in menial things
-be sensitive to the hurting people around us (Joseph could have been so locked in self-pity that he could have missed the pain of the baker and cupbearer and an opportunity for service – which would lead to his release )
-when the opportunity to share your plight comes, do not remain silent, trusting God does not mean just doing nothing
-wait for God to work (Genesis 41:1, Joseph waited two years)
3. “All the water in the ocean cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside; and all the trouble in the world cannot harm us unless it gains entrance to our hearts. On such analogy faith is pitch and caulking.” (Eugene Peterson, Praying with the Psalms)
Monday, August 03, 2009
Guest Speaker ~ Frank Ochello
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Guest Speaker Frank Ochello speaks todays from 1 Peter 1:13-25. Approximately 40 minutes.
Guest Speaker Frank Ochello speaks todays from 1 Peter 1:13-25. Approximately 40 minutes.
Monday, July 27, 2009
A Primer in Purity & Other Virtues, Pt 3
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Below is a recap for 7/26/09's sermon.
As part of a strategy for purity we need to have a biblical understanding of God’s purposes for the sexual relationship.
1. There are four scriptural purposes for sex: procreation (Genesis 1:28); recreation and release (Proverbs 5:18,19); and communication (Genesis 2:24).
2. God has created us as sexual beings, therefore, in the context of the marriage relationship:
sex is good; it has been marred by the Fall (Genesis 3), and is for married couples only.
3. Sex outside of marriage causes us to sin against our own bodies in a way that is different from other sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-20) and has other destructive effects. It separates us from God, keeps other aspects of a relationship from developing, introduces fear and guilt into the relationship, and is training for unfaithfulness after marriage.
(Sources for this and other information see: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley and Before You Say I Do by H. Norman Wright and Wes Roberts)
Below is a recap for 7/26/09's sermon.
As part of a strategy for purity we need to have a biblical understanding of God’s purposes for the sexual relationship.
1. There are four scriptural purposes for sex: procreation (Genesis 1:28); recreation and release (Proverbs 5:18,19); and communication (Genesis 2:24).
2. God has created us as sexual beings, therefore, in the context of the marriage relationship:
sex is good; it has been marred by the Fall (Genesis 3), and is for married couples only.
3. Sex outside of marriage causes us to sin against our own bodies in a way that is different from other sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-20) and has other destructive effects. It separates us from God, keeps other aspects of a relationship from developing, introduces fear and guilt into the relationship, and is training for unfaithfulness after marriage.
(Sources for this and other information see: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley and Before You Say I Do by H. Norman Wright and Wes Roberts)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A Primer in Purity & Other Virtues, Pt. 2
There is no sermon for Sunday, July 19, 2009 due to technical errors. We apologize.
Below is the re-cap of the sermon, taken from Genesis chapter 39, vv. 1-20:
1. For Joseph temptation and testing come at the time of his greatest success. Success often gives rise to greater testing than does failure or adversity.
2. Joseph succeeded in resisting temptation to sexual sin for several reasons:
-He rightly called Potiphar’s wife’s invitation to sexual sin what it was, a “wicked thing” and “sin.” He did not try to justify wrong behavior by calling it something else (“my wife/husband doesn’t understand me like you do,” “I’ve found my soul mate,” “What goes TDY stays TDY.”
-He realizes that ultimately he would be sinning against God (not just himself, Potiphar, or his wife)
-He took steps to avoid her (Romans 13:14)
-He fled the compromising situation
3. We must think through our strategy for dealing with sexual temptation:
-We must have a strategy for purity including things such as allowing our spouse free access to all electronic/phone communications (email accounts, cell phone, websites, etc.); except for work situations avoid being alone with a person of the opposite sex, etc.
-We must count the cost of moral failure. We should make a list of the people and things most important to us in life and then think through the devastation that our moral failure would bring to us and to them.
-We must immediately call upon God in the moment of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12,13)
-We must be growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ (through the word, Bible study, prayer) we can pursue sin or Jesus but we can’t be pursuing both.-We must retain our thinking and attitudes about sex and sexuality so that they are Biblical.
Below is the re-cap of the sermon, taken from Genesis chapter 39, vv. 1-20:
1. For Joseph temptation and testing come at the time of his greatest success. Success often gives rise to greater testing than does failure or adversity.
2. Joseph succeeded in resisting temptation to sexual sin for several reasons:
-He rightly called Potiphar’s wife’s invitation to sexual sin what it was, a “wicked thing” and “sin.” He did not try to justify wrong behavior by calling it something else (“my wife/husband doesn’t understand me like you do,” “I’ve found my soul mate,” “What goes TDY stays TDY.”
-He realizes that ultimately he would be sinning against God (not just himself, Potiphar, or his wife)
-He took steps to avoid her (Romans 13:14)
-He fled the compromising situation
3. We must think through our strategy for dealing with sexual temptation:
-We must have a strategy for purity including things such as allowing our spouse free access to all electronic/phone communications (email accounts, cell phone, websites, etc.); except for work situations avoid being alone with a person of the opposite sex, etc.
-We must count the cost of moral failure. We should make a list of the people and things most important to us in life and then think through the devastation that our moral failure would bring to us and to them.
-We must immediately call upon God in the moment of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12,13)
-We must be growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ (through the word, Bible study, prayer) we can pursue sin or Jesus but we can’t be pursuing both.-We must retain our thinking and attitudes about sex and sexuality so that they are Biblical.
Monday, July 13, 2009
A Primer In Purity
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of the July 12, 2009 sermon, taken from Genesis 39, verses 1 through 20a.
1. Joseph, at seventeen, finds himself a slave in an Egyptian official’s estate. He evidences no bitterness, no anger, and no resentment for his predicament.
2. God is with him in this dark moment in his life (38:2,3,21,23) and he is successful - rising to the highest position, that of steward or overseer, in Potiphar’s household.
3. Joseph’s success could be attributed to several factors: God’s hand on his life, the promises of the Abrahamic covenant, his faith, and his work ethic.
4. Christians should make a difference in their workplace—they should work to make their employer successful, whether they are a Christian or non-Christian employer. They should be hard workers, have a good work ethic (diligent, industrious, conscientious, honest, faithful, upright), and be a positive force. (see Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1,2)
5. There are similarities between Joseph and Daniel the prophet: both were captured and taken to lands far away from their homes and families; both kept their faith and commitment to God and flourished despite the negative attractions, morals, and ethics of cultures far different from their own; both had to make difficult decisions without parental help or influence as relatively young people.
Recap of the July 12, 2009 sermon, taken from Genesis 39, verses 1 through 20a.
1. Joseph, at seventeen, finds himself a slave in an Egyptian official’s estate. He evidences no bitterness, no anger, and no resentment for his predicament.
2. God is with him in this dark moment in his life (38:2,3,21,23) and he is successful - rising to the highest position, that of steward or overseer, in Potiphar’s household.
3. Joseph’s success could be attributed to several factors: God’s hand on his life, the promises of the Abrahamic covenant, his faith, and his work ethic.
4. Christians should make a difference in their workplace—they should work to make their employer successful, whether they are a Christian or non-Christian employer. They should be hard workers, have a good work ethic (diligent, industrious, conscientious, honest, faithful, upright), and be a positive force. (see Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1,2)
5. There are similarities between Joseph and Daniel the prophet: both were captured and taken to lands far away from their homes and families; both kept their faith and commitment to God and flourished despite the negative attractions, morals, and ethics of cultures far different from their own; both had to make difficult decisions without parental help or influence as relatively young people.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
The Family of the Unsandaled
Click here to download the sermon file.
Recap of July 5, 2009:
1. Concerning Genesis 38, J. Vernon McGee writes: “This is another chapter that seems to be about as necessary as a fifth leg on a cow. After you have read the story, you may wish that it had been left out of the Bible.”
2. There are four reasons for the inclusion of chapter 38 in the Genesis record:
-Judah’s failure is a contrast with Joseph’s victory in Genesis 39
-to teach, by contrast, the need for purity
-to teach the importance of not buying into the culture’s viewpoints, especially of sex and marriage
-MOST IMPORTANTLY, Chapter 38 traces the line of Messiah through Judah, Tamar and Perez (see genealogies at Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1; and Luke 3).
3. John MacArthur rightly says: “The genealogy of Jesus Christ is immeasurable more than a list of ancient names; it is even more than a list of Jesus’ human forbears. It is a beautiful testimony to God’s grace and to the ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners, who ‘did not come to call the righteous, but sinners’ (Matt. 9:13). If He has called sinners by grace to be His forefather, should we be surprised when He calls them by grace to be His descendants? The King presented here is truly the King of grace!”
4. Once again Genesis 38 shows us that: God uses sinful people (we’re the only material He has to work with); whatever we are today, we may be better; and whatever our past sins, we may be forgiven and used of God again (though we will experience the consequences of forgiven sin.
Recap of July 5, 2009:
1. Concerning Genesis 38, J. Vernon McGee writes: “This is another chapter that seems to be about as necessary as a fifth leg on a cow. After you have read the story, you may wish that it had been left out of the Bible.”
2. There are four reasons for the inclusion of chapter 38 in the Genesis record:
-Judah’s failure is a contrast with Joseph’s victory in Genesis 39
-to teach, by contrast, the need for purity
-to teach the importance of not buying into the culture’s viewpoints, especially of sex and marriage
-MOST IMPORTANTLY, Chapter 38 traces the line of Messiah through Judah, Tamar and Perez (see genealogies at Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1; and Luke 3).
3. John MacArthur rightly says: “The genealogy of Jesus Christ is immeasurable more than a list of ancient names; it is even more than a list of Jesus’ human forbears. It is a beautiful testimony to God’s grace and to the ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners, who ‘did not come to call the righteous, but sinners’ (Matt. 9:13). If He has called sinners by grace to be His forefather, should we be surprised when He calls them by grace to be His descendants? The King presented here is truly the King of grace!”
4. Once again Genesis 38 shows us that: God uses sinful people (we’re the only material He has to work with); whatever we are today, we may be better; and whatever our past sins, we may be forgiven and used of God again (though we will experience the consequences of forgiven sin.
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