Video Joseph April 20th - Sept 21st a new sermon series - - PDF document

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Joseph April 20th - Sept 21st a new sermon series - jealousy, betrayal, temptation & salvation

Acceptance Provision Occupation ! drive us to be the Hands, Feet & Voice of Jesus

Jacob - deceiver/schemer Israel - Prince of God

27 Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years. Genesis 47:27-31

29 And when the time drew near that Israel must die… Genesis 47:27-31

…he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” 31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Genesis 47:27-31

Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed. Genesis 47:27-31

Losing clarity & Focus ! Get back up & run the race!

Before the move… then brothers had been fearful & indecisive (42:1). ! After the move… they’re leading their families with strength & conviction (46:5). ! Before the move… Jacob had been a tired, depressive, worrisome, old man ! After the move… Jacob stands with dignity & grace before the most powerful man in the world (47:9)

Embracing the Role once again! ! Relying on the Promises ! Blessed to be a Blessing to the ‘Nations’

“I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father & the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you & to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west & to the east and to the north & to the south, and in you & your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you & will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28

Are we not like Jacob?

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink & sex & ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” CS Lewis

God intervenes with… Acceptance Provision Occupation ! to get up & back in the race!

While the way in which we run the race is important, what is most important is how we finish. ! “Never, never, never give up!” ! Christ never, never, never gives up on you!

Will we give up when we fall?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders & the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer & perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary & lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3