Genesis 14:18-24
Vrs18 Melchizedek=”King of righteousness” Salem is another name for Jerusalem which means peace so He is the “King of peace”
Brought out bread and wine for refreshment of the troops and a congratulatory act. These were staples at the time.
Priest of God-This priesthood is not to be confused with that of priest’s of the law that brought the sacrifices to pay for sin under the law.
This is a different order of eternal peace and righteousness. Melchizedek is the first mention of a priest in the Bible and is generations before Aaron which God set up the Levitical priesthood through.
Psalm 110:4 A Prophecy of Jesus
“The LORD has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.
All priest’s died, but not Jesus. There is no account of where Melchizedek came from or when He died, But we see a few verses in Genesis in which he appears in had a huge impact.
Some even say He may have been the pre-incarnate Christ, meaning an appearance of Jesus.
But as we look at the book of Hebrews it seems to better understand He was a man that foreshadowed Jesus and was not Jesus.
Vrs 19 And he blessed him. We have talked about this before and a modern way to understand blessing is make someone happy
Vrs 20 and Abram gave him a tithe
Now lets take what we have read about Melchizedek and see how the writer of Hebrews connects him with Jesus
Hebrews chapter 5 starts out by saying that the job of a Levitical priest was to bring sacrifices for the sins of himself and the people, in order to be forgiven.
Then the passage goes on to say that Jesus is that High priest for all of us “according to the order of Melchizedek”
So what is this saying about Melchizedek and Jesus?
Hebrews 7:1-4 The writer of Hebrews is communicating to the Jewish audience that The law and the priesthood that comes with it could not save people but Jesus like Melchizedek “the king of righteousness and peace” can and has the power to save us from our sins.
Jesus
Like Melchizedek blessed Abram…Jesus came and blessed us with himself when he laid down his life in our place on the cross. Gospel
Hebrews goes on to say 7:22-25 so that in Jesus we can have surety that the new order or covenant is better and Jesus lives to forgive our sins. There is no sin he cannot forgive
Notice that when we celebrate communion we use bread and wine. Remember I said they were staples or necessities of the time. Jesus body and blood are a necessity for us to receive forgiveness.
Jesus was a priest that brought the Sacrifice to the next level, it was of Himself.
But through this study of Melchizedek how can we look more like Jesus?
Us
1 Peter 2:4-10 God calls us a holy priesthood and His chosen, special people. So how do we respond?
1. 1 Peter 2:7 Jesus is the Cornerstone- in ancient architecture the cornerstone was set and the building was build off of that, if that is out of wack the entire structure suffers and each stone needs to be adjusted to make up for it.
My bathroom ill
Jesus needs to be our cornerstone and what we align ourselves with in order to be on the right track.
If we align ourselves with anything but Jesus we will always be making adjustments to compensate and we will suffer the consequences
The text says we are building a spiritual house, our foundation must be Jesus and then we must continue to build. That means we always reach to learn more and apply those to our lives
2. When our lives are aligned with Jesus 1 Peter 2:5 we as a priesthood offer up spiritual sacrifices. What is that? That means we sacrifice things in our lives and replace them with things that please God. Replace sin with Righteousness.
3. 1 Peter 2:9-10 The response of us should be give back to God by proclaiming what He has done in your life. Tell others how God saved you
Remember how Abraham responded to the work of the Lord He gave the tenth to Melchizedek. How do you usually respond to God when He blesses you with, that extra money, job promotion, good grades, a relationship gets better, you have victory over a sin? We take it and we are happy and we often forget to give back to God. How should you respond?
Give= Time, talent, treasure
4. Melchizedek blessed Abram. Jesus blesses us. How can you bless the people around you?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
"You look like Jesus" Series: Adam
To define our terms, a type is a shadow cast on the pages of the Old Testament
An account in the Old Testament that is meant to illustrate a truth about Messiah (Jesus) and his mission.
Teaches us about Jesus before Jesus came to earth as a man so people would recognize Him.
Types have the following characteristics:
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
Tonight I want to go back to the beginning of the Bible with the first man Adam. How do we know that Adam was a type of Jesus in the O.T? This one is easy to identify because the book of Romans tells us He is.
Romans 5:12-19 Sin entered the world through Adam and Jesus Christ came to this world to free us from sin if we trust in Him. 1 Corinthians 15:21 echoes that in saying “for in Adam all die through Christ all shall be made alive”
Lets give this the type Characteristic test.
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
The account of Adam gives us the history that we are all sinners. Some say this is just an allegorical story and don’t believe there is a creator who created. If that is the category you fall into, I want to ask you to consider reading the Bible and research its claims. What do you have to loose?
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
Genesis 3:15 is a prophecy of Jesus in the punishment of the serpent.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
In the case of Adam we see he is actually an antitype in some senses because as we will see he was created to live the life in which Jesus lived sinless but he actually did sin and that is what we are going to look at.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
It is obvious that all generations can learn from Adam.
Genesis 1:26-30
1) Fill the earth with the image of God through procreation,2) Accomplish this task with the assistance of his bride Eve.
3) Exercise authority over the creation
4) Don’t eat the fruit off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil 2:16-17
But in all that the first Adam failed at, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, succeeded! How?
1) Jesus filled the earth with the image of God, not by procreation as the first Adam, but by making new creations out of us, who are being conformed to His image, the image of Christ, who is Himself the image of the invisible God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “says that if any one is in Christ He is a new creation” How? The Gospel
2) And as the first Adam failed to pair with his wife Eve, to accomplish being fruitful and multiplying, Christ, the second Adam is using His bride, the church, to accomplish this work on earth! The church is the only organization that is set up by the Lord himself. Why do you think there are so many problems in it then? The number one reason is that we are first on the Satan’s hit list to destroy.
But God’s desire and design for the church is for us to proclaim the good news about Jesus and then help one another grow closer to Him.
3) Adam failed to subdue and exercise authority over the earth because he started to think of himself rather then his job of taking care of the land, animals and so forth.
Christ, the second Adam, holds all authority in heaven and on earth because He chose to give up Himself. Phil 2:7. A true authority or leader thinks of those that he will serve and help rather them putting him or herself first.
Adam got off focus from being the one that God put in charge of things and therefore sinned
4) And lastly unlike Adam who tried to grasp equality with God by taking the fruit, Remember what the serpent said? “you will not surly die, you will just be like God.” So through his sin Adam tried to grasp equality with God by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
the 2nd Adam, Jesus Christ, did not use His equality with God to save Him from the cross, but willingly went to it, as Phil 2:6-8 states, “although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
-So in the disobedience and failure of the 1st Adam, we see how amazing the obedience of the 2nd Adam Jesus was and what it did for us.
So what do we learn from Jesus’ good example and from Adam’s disobedience?
1. As image bearers of God we are called to live a life that shows who He is. The hardest part of the Christian life is the Christian life. It is hard to live a life like Jesus did, sinless, selfless and obedient. But that is God’s desire for us. IN what areas do you work to look more like Jesus?
2. We are God’s helpers to do His work and be His hands in the work of spreading the Word and teaching others about Him. The church is called the bride of Christ. That means that we are to work together with Him for his kingdom. Are you doing anything to promote His kingdom? Used message
3. We all have responsibilities God gave us which in the case of Adam it was authority over the land and animals and to take care of those things. He got off focus. You have responsibilities in life, family, work, & school and God wants you to do certain things there.
When you start thinking to much of yourself you get off focus. If Adam’s focus was right he would have been right there to talk some sense into his wife and protect her from the deceit of Satan. Instead he was selfish and followed the lie as well. When we get selfish we get off focus. I can tell you the more you think of yourself the more miserable you will become. Remember we can find comfort in the fact that our spouse Jesus will never let us down so bring your responsibilities to Him.
4. Lastly we are not God, that means we have to answer to Him and go to Him with everything. Most of us live our lives as if we are in charge. Adam and Eve wanted to see things as God sees them, they wanted to be His equal. And we feel we deserve to know what He knows. We all have many questions that we all want answers to but the bible says Deut 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
An account in the Old Testament that is meant to illustrate a truth about Messiah (Jesus) and his mission.
Teaches us about Jesus before Jesus came to earth as a man so people would recognize Him.
Types have the following characteristics:
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
Tonight I want to go back to the beginning of the Bible with the first man Adam. How do we know that Adam was a type of Jesus in the O.T? This one is easy to identify because the book of Romans tells us He is.
Romans 5:12-19 Sin entered the world through Adam and Jesus Christ came to this world to free us from sin if we trust in Him. 1 Corinthians 15:21 echoes that in saying “for in Adam all die through Christ all shall be made alive”
Lets give this the type Characteristic test.
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
The account of Adam gives us the history that we are all sinners. Some say this is just an allegorical story and don’t believe there is a creator who created. If that is the category you fall into, I want to ask you to consider reading the Bible and research its claims. What do you have to loose?
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
Genesis 3:15 is a prophecy of Jesus in the punishment of the serpent.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
In the case of Adam we see he is actually an antitype in some senses because as we will see he was created to live the life in which Jesus lived sinless but he actually did sin and that is what we are going to look at.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
It is obvious that all generations can learn from Adam.
Genesis 1:26-30
1) Fill the earth with the image of God through procreation,2) Accomplish this task with the assistance of his bride Eve.
3) Exercise authority over the creation
4) Don’t eat the fruit off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil 2:16-17
But in all that the first Adam failed at, the second Adam, Jesus Christ, succeeded! How?
1) Jesus filled the earth with the image of God, not by procreation as the first Adam, but by making new creations out of us, who are being conformed to His image, the image of Christ, who is Himself the image of the invisible God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “says that if any one is in Christ He is a new creation” How? The Gospel
2) And as the first Adam failed to pair with his wife Eve, to accomplish being fruitful and multiplying, Christ, the second Adam is using His bride, the church, to accomplish this work on earth! The church is the only organization that is set up by the Lord himself. Why do you think there are so many problems in it then? The number one reason is that we are first on the Satan’s hit list to destroy.
But God’s desire and design for the church is for us to proclaim the good news about Jesus and then help one another grow closer to Him.
3) Adam failed to subdue and exercise authority over the earth because he started to think of himself rather then his job of taking care of the land, animals and so forth.
Christ, the second Adam, holds all authority in heaven and on earth because He chose to give up Himself. Phil 2:7. A true authority or leader thinks of those that he will serve and help rather them putting him or herself first.
Adam got off focus from being the one that God put in charge of things and therefore sinned
4) And lastly unlike Adam who tried to grasp equality with God by taking the fruit, Remember what the serpent said? “you will not surly die, you will just be like God.” So through his sin Adam tried to grasp equality with God by eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
the 2nd Adam, Jesus Christ, did not use His equality with God to save Him from the cross, but willingly went to it, as Phil 2:6-8 states, “although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
-So in the disobedience and failure of the 1st Adam, we see how amazing the obedience of the 2nd Adam Jesus was and what it did for us.
So what do we learn from Jesus’ good example and from Adam’s disobedience?
1. As image bearers of God we are called to live a life that shows who He is. The hardest part of the Christian life is the Christian life. It is hard to live a life like Jesus did, sinless, selfless and obedient. But that is God’s desire for us. IN what areas do you work to look more like Jesus?
2. We are God’s helpers to do His work and be His hands in the work of spreading the Word and teaching others about Him. The church is called the bride of Christ. That means that we are to work together with Him for his kingdom. Are you doing anything to promote His kingdom? Used message
3. We all have responsibilities God gave us which in the case of Adam it was authority over the land and animals and to take care of those things. He got off focus. You have responsibilities in life, family, work, & school and God wants you to do certain things there.
When you start thinking to much of yourself you get off focus. If Adam’s focus was right he would have been right there to talk some sense into his wife and protect her from the deceit of Satan. Instead he was selfish and followed the lie as well. When we get selfish we get off focus. I can tell you the more you think of yourself the more miserable you will become. Remember we can find comfort in the fact that our spouse Jesus will never let us down so bring your responsibilities to Him.
4. Lastly we are not God, that means we have to answer to Him and go to Him with everything. Most of us live our lives as if we are in charge. Adam and Eve wanted to see things as God sees them, they wanted to be His equal. And we feel we deserve to know what He knows. We all have many questions that we all want answers to but the bible says Deut 29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
"You look like Jesus" Series: Boaz
“You look like Jesus” Boaz
Into to the series – we are going to look out the doctrine of typology
To define our terms, a type is a shadow cast on the pages of the Old Testament
An account in the Old Testament that is meant to expound a significant truth about Messiah (Jesus) and his mission.
Teaches us about Jesus before Jesus came to earth as a man so people would recognize Him.
Types have the following characteristics:
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
Tell the story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz
Naomi and Elimalech leave Bethlehem with two sons, they marry two Moabite women. Elimelech and two sons Die and Naomi realizes she should go back o her land and her people and told her two daughters in law to stay with their people and their gods.
Ruth would not leave her and went to Bethlehem. So they got there and all the people heard and Naomi told them to call her Mara which means bitter because she feels that the Lord’s hand has went out against her.
1:20-21
Naomi and Ruth were poor so Ruth went to glean in the fields and happened to glean in Boaz’s field.
Boaz took notice of her, he also heard about what she had done for Naomi 2:11
Boaz gave her a protection and allowed her to work in his field during the Harvest.
Eventually at Naomi’s advice Ruth pursued Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer = Deut. 25 was a Leverite law in which the closest living relative of a widow would marry her and take care of her and the family.
Boaz was not the closest relative but he had already showed kindness and compassion to Ruth
When Ruth pursued him his response was that there was a kinsman redeemer closer then he was 3:12-13. Ruth asked
So Boaz sits down with the unnamed kinsman redeemer with the legal court which were the Elders and showed how this man was not the right man for Ruth.
The unmanned man said 4:1
So now Boaz took Ruth in marriage and they conceived a son named Obed who was grandfather to king David.
So what do we learn about Jesus from Boaz?
Look at the characteristics for a type
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
Ruth and Boaz fathered Obed who was David’s Grandfather and they were the family in which Jesus would come from.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
v4:11 Famous not only Ruth and Boaz but the offspring who will eventually be Jesus will be famous. Matthew 1 Genealogy why?
Obligation and religion does not save (the loser kinsman who did nothing)
Having Ruth in Jesus’ genealogy communicates that Jesus is all about redemption and grace not religion and obligation. Matthew is saying look you thought it was “be good and God will love you” “you have an obligation to God”
Religion is like the unnamed kinsmen redeemer the loser it will let you down.
Christianity teaches “God loves you and wants to make you good”
3. They all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
Character traits of Boaz that foreshadow Jesus… These are also things we can apply to our lives so we look more like Jesus.
Compassion-saw she had a bad situation and wanted to make it better. Jesus did that for us and many of his miracles were spurred on by compassion Challenge is how can you do that in another persons life? Maybe there is someone around you that is suffering and you have the resources to help, but you need compassion on them
Kindness-Boaz was kind to her and the passage actually says 2:13 Comforted with words of Kindness. Jesus did that in His earthy ministry and His Word is a comfort for us daily. Challenge for us is are we using our words to kindly speak to others and comfort them?
Provider-Boaz provided job and food for Ruth and Naomi. Jesus provides for us, “every good gift is from above” He provides a way for us to get to heaven. Challenge is how can you provide for other people? Maybe you have a gift or talent that you can use to provide a service for others, maybe it is financial, maybe it is time.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT , NT and Today.
Redeem means to pay off and the main parallel between him and Jesus is that it teaches about us about Redemption.
Boaz stepped in with grace and not obligation redeemed Ruth from her situation and one of the many reasons why is because Ruth asked.
Redemption- we all need to be redeemed from our desperate situation. Gospel Jesus was not obligated but willing to redeem us sinners. We only have to ask
Into to the series – we are going to look out the doctrine of typology
To define our terms, a type is a shadow cast on the pages of the Old Testament
An account in the Old Testament that is meant to expound a significant truth about Messiah (Jesus) and his mission.
Teaches us about Jesus before Jesus came to earth as a man so people would recognize Him.
Types have the following characteristics:
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
3. Types all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT, NT and Today.
Tell the story of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz
Naomi and Elimalech leave Bethlehem with two sons, they marry two Moabite women. Elimelech and two sons Die and Naomi realizes she should go back o her land and her people and told her two daughters in law to stay with their people and their gods.
Ruth would not leave her and went to Bethlehem. So they got there and all the people heard and Naomi told them to call her Mara which means bitter because she feels that the Lord’s hand has went out against her.
1:20-21
Naomi and Ruth were poor so Ruth went to glean in the fields and happened to glean in Boaz’s field.
Boaz took notice of her, he also heard about what she had done for Naomi 2:11
Boaz gave her a protection and allowed her to work in his field during the Harvest.
Eventually at Naomi’s advice Ruth pursued Boaz to be her kinsman redeemer = Deut. 25 was a Leverite law in which the closest living relative of a widow would marry her and take care of her and the family.
Boaz was not the closest relative but he had already showed kindness and compassion to Ruth
When Ruth pursued him his response was that there was a kinsman redeemer closer then he was 3:12-13. Ruth asked
So Boaz sits down with the unnamed kinsman redeemer with the legal court which were the Elders and showed how this man was not the right man for Ruth.
The unmanned man said 4:1
So now Boaz took Ruth in marriage and they conceived a son named Obed who was grandfather to king David.
So what do we learn about Jesus from Boaz?
Look at the characteristics for a type
1. They are rooted in history and serve a purpose.
Ruth and Boaz fathered Obed who was David’s Grandfather and they were the family in which Jesus would come from.
2. Types are prophetic in nature.
v4:11 Famous not only Ruth and Boaz but the offspring who will eventually be Jesus will be famous. Matthew 1 Genealogy why?
Obligation and religion does not save (the loser kinsman who did nothing)
Having Ruth in Jesus’ genealogy communicates that Jesus is all about redemption and grace not religion and obligation. Matthew is saying look you thought it was “be good and God will love you” “you have an obligation to God”
Religion is like the unnamed kinsmen redeemer the loser it will let you down.
Christianity teaches “God loves you and wants to make you good”
3. They all point to characteristics of Christ in one way or another.
Character traits of Boaz that foreshadow Jesus… These are also things we can apply to our lives so we look more like Jesus.
Compassion-saw she had a bad situation and wanted to make it better. Jesus did that for us and many of his miracles were spurred on by compassion Challenge is how can you do that in another persons life? Maybe there is someone around you that is suffering and you have the resources to help, but you need compassion on them
Kindness-Boaz was kind to her and the passage actually says 2:13 Comforted with words of Kindness. Jesus did that in His earthy ministry and His Word is a comfort for us daily. Challenge for us is are we using our words to kindly speak to others and comfort them?
Provider-Boaz provided job and food for Ruth and Naomi. Jesus provides for us, “every good gift is from above” He provides a way for us to get to heaven. Challenge is how can you provide for other people? Maybe you have a gift or talent that you can use to provide a service for others, maybe it is financial, maybe it is time.
4. They edify, having spiritual meaning for God's people in OT , NT and Today.
Redeem means to pay off and the main parallel between him and Jesus is that it teaches about us about Redemption.
Boaz stepped in with grace and not obligation redeemed Ruth from her situation and one of the many reasons why is because Ruth asked.
Redemption- we all need to be redeemed from our desperate situation. Gospel Jesus was not obligated but willing to redeem us sinners. We only have to ask
Friday, August 22, 2008
Hey Joe Series: "Forgiveness"
Then we jump to 50:15-21
Joseph’s brothers are afraid that he would be mad at them because he lost all those years with his father.
Tonight we are going to talk about forgiveness this is the first place in the Bible we see the word forgive Gen 50:17
Forgive-to grant pardon, cancel indebtedness.
If you wronged someone ask for their forgiveness.
50:15-17 Joseph’s bad example of asking for forgiveness
1. They worried, what about us, we may now have to pay for ours sin. Self protection. Many times in life we just seek forgiveness because we are caught and we know there is a consequence, so to avoid it we apologize.
Actually Ten years ago today Bill Clinton gave his apology speech to our country and in that speech, he admitted to the fact that he misled the American people to protect himself and his family,
2. They lied about what Jacob said. There is not account that Jacob said this, to their credit it could have been true but I really think there would be some record of it if it was. In their desire for forgiveness instead of being truthful and showing humility they are trying to lie their way out of it. “We know he loves our dad, he will listen to him”
Did you ever lie to protect the wrong thing you did, to soften the blow so you could be forgiven/pardoned, so you did not have to pay?
3. They sent messengers, did you ever hear the phrase don’t kill the messenger, Joseph had the power and authority to take their lives and they knew that, but he would not kill a messenger. His brothers were like the guy that hears a sound in the night and makes his wife check what it is. They were cowards.
We have to face the person we have wronged and take care of business, be a person of integrity and face the music.
I had a situation not long ago
So this begs the question were they really sorry and what should Joseph do if they are not they are just thinking of themselves?
Vrs 18 they did finally do one good thing, they bowed down and humbled themselves before Joseph.
the desire to be forgiven was there many of us have the dsire to be forgiven.
There's a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers.
Now lets take a look at how Joseph responded
Keys to Forgiveness from Joseph’s life
Before I even look at the rest these verses I want to remind us of what we already witnessed from his life.
1. Joseph did not spend his time being bitter at his brothers which allowed him to forgive them.
Actually named his sons names to remind himself what God has done.
Manasseh:[a] “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.
Ephraim:[b] “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
We realize that bitterness just hurts us more then anyone else
2. He was content in the places God put him, Potpher’s slave, in jail and Pharaoh’s house.
Remember Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin
Paul writes from jail in Philippians 2:11“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
3. He extended grace towards his brothers (who were in many senses his enemies) We talked about that extensively last week.
But now we see what he is truly made of, Jacob his dad is dead and he really has no obligation to his brothers who treated him bitterly. And he has the power 2nd in charge.
1. Vrs 19 1st of all the power has not went to his head. Forgiveness belongs to God.
Listen carefully any sin that we commit whether it is against someone else we need forgiveness from God. Joseph is saying that is who you need to be talking to. Eph 1:7 IN Jesus there is forgiveness Luke 7:47 Jesus has the power to forgive
As we talked about last week in Romans 5 we are enemies of God because of our sin and we need forgiveness.
God is the one who needs to forgive you and in order receive that forgiveness you have to realize you are a sinner and need forgiveness and when you trust that Jesus paid the price for your sins on the cross and believer that He rose from the dead you have eternal life.
Jesus can forgive any sin the only sin that He will not forgive is the sin of rejection of Him. But he does it because of His love for us Proverbs 10:12 love covers all sins
As far as a believer in Christ we confess or ask forgiveness to restore our relationship with God
We as believers need to follow Jesus example of love and forgiveness to the others around us. He humbled himself to death on the cross.
Many times we don’t want to humble ourselves, we say they wronged me, I am right, I can’t get over this. Sorry is not good enough, they are not really sorry.
Jesus could have said, why should I go to the cross they are my enemies many of them will reject. But what did He say “Father Forgive them for they know not what they do”
2nd Vrs 20 Joseph reminds them that God is in control and his hand is at work and the reason why he can forgive them is because he realizes that.
Tapestry, God uses the bad situations that happen in our lives to display that He is in control and will work these things out.
Jesus gives us the power to forgive others Luke 7:44-48 Is a beautiful account of what Christ’s forgiveness can do for us.
3rd Vrs 21 Look at how Joseph displayed his forgiveness he acted and spoke
He acted on his forgiveness
Many times we “forgive” people but still give them the cold shoulder and talk about them. Or refuse to do nice things for them. Joseph was still willing to provide for his brothers
Then Joseph spoke kindly and comforted them. This is an act of restoring a broken relationship. This is the hardest part
Think about the kind words Jesus comforts us with “I will never leave you or forsake you”
Joseph is what we call a type of Christ in the OT that teaches us what forgiveness is all about.
We need to be an example of Christ’s forgiveness in the lives of the people around us by putting these things into practice.
Joseph’s brothers are afraid that he would be mad at them because he lost all those years with his father.
Tonight we are going to talk about forgiveness this is the first place in the Bible we see the word forgive Gen 50:17
Forgive-to grant pardon, cancel indebtedness.
If you wronged someone ask for their forgiveness.
50:15-17 Joseph’s bad example of asking for forgiveness
1. They worried, what about us, we may now have to pay for ours sin. Self protection. Many times in life we just seek forgiveness because we are caught and we know there is a consequence, so to avoid it we apologize.
Actually Ten years ago today Bill Clinton gave his apology speech to our country and in that speech, he admitted to the fact that he misled the American people to protect himself and his family,
2. They lied about what Jacob said. There is not account that Jacob said this, to their credit it could have been true but I really think there would be some record of it if it was. In their desire for forgiveness instead of being truthful and showing humility they are trying to lie their way out of it. “We know he loves our dad, he will listen to him”
Did you ever lie to protect the wrong thing you did, to soften the blow so you could be forgiven/pardoned, so you did not have to pay?
3. They sent messengers, did you ever hear the phrase don’t kill the messenger, Joseph had the power and authority to take their lives and they knew that, but he would not kill a messenger. His brothers were like the guy that hears a sound in the night and makes his wife check what it is. They were cowards.
We have to face the person we have wronged and take care of business, be a person of integrity and face the music.
I had a situation not long ago
So this begs the question were they really sorry and what should Joseph do if they are not they are just thinking of themselves?
Vrs 18 they did finally do one good thing, they bowed down and humbled themselves before Joseph.
the desire to be forgiven was there many of us have the dsire to be forgiven.
There's a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers.
Now lets take a look at how Joseph responded
Keys to Forgiveness from Joseph’s life
Before I even look at the rest these verses I want to remind us of what we already witnessed from his life.
1. Joseph did not spend his time being bitter at his brothers which allowed him to forgive them.
Actually named his sons names to remind himself what God has done.
Manasseh:[a] “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.
Ephraim:[b] “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
We realize that bitterness just hurts us more then anyone else
2. He was content in the places God put him, Potpher’s slave, in jail and Pharaoh’s house.
Remember Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin
Paul writes from jail in Philippians 2:11“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
3. He extended grace towards his brothers (who were in many senses his enemies) We talked about that extensively last week.
But now we see what he is truly made of, Jacob his dad is dead and he really has no obligation to his brothers who treated him bitterly. And he has the power 2nd in charge.
1. Vrs 19 1st of all the power has not went to his head. Forgiveness belongs to God.
Listen carefully any sin that we commit whether it is against someone else we need forgiveness from God. Joseph is saying that is who you need to be talking to. Eph 1:7 IN Jesus there is forgiveness Luke 7:47 Jesus has the power to forgive
As we talked about last week in Romans 5 we are enemies of God because of our sin and we need forgiveness.
God is the one who needs to forgive you and in order receive that forgiveness you have to realize you are a sinner and need forgiveness and when you trust that Jesus paid the price for your sins on the cross and believer that He rose from the dead you have eternal life.
Jesus can forgive any sin the only sin that He will not forgive is the sin of rejection of Him. But he does it because of His love for us Proverbs 10:12 love covers all sins
As far as a believer in Christ we confess or ask forgiveness to restore our relationship with God
We as believers need to follow Jesus example of love and forgiveness to the others around us. He humbled himself to death on the cross.
Many times we don’t want to humble ourselves, we say they wronged me, I am right, I can’t get over this. Sorry is not good enough, they are not really sorry.
Jesus could have said, why should I go to the cross they are my enemies many of them will reject. But what did He say “Father Forgive them for they know not what they do”
2nd Vrs 20 Joseph reminds them that God is in control and his hand is at work and the reason why he can forgive them is because he realizes that.
Tapestry, God uses the bad situations that happen in our lives to display that He is in control and will work these things out.
Jesus gives us the power to forgive others Luke 7:44-48 Is a beautiful account of what Christ’s forgiveness can do for us.
3rd Vrs 21 Look at how Joseph displayed his forgiveness he acted and spoke
He acted on his forgiveness
Many times we “forgive” people but still give them the cold shoulder and talk about them. Or refuse to do nice things for them. Joseph was still willing to provide for his brothers
Then Joseph spoke kindly and comforted them. This is an act of restoring a broken relationship. This is the hardest part
Think about the kind words Jesus comforts us with “I will never leave you or forsake you”
Joseph is what we call a type of Christ in the OT that teaches us what forgiveness is all about.
We need to be an example of Christ’s forgiveness in the lives of the people around us by putting these things into practice.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Hey Joe Series: "Grace"
As we continue in our study of Joseph I want to pause and remind us that this historical account of Joseph’s life has a major Biblical theme it is called Grace
The thing the distinguishes Christianity from all other religions is GRACE, Other religions say that you need to be a good person so God will love you, Christianity says that you are not a good person but God loves you and by His grace wants to help you to be good person.
Defining Grace-God’s love demonstrated to ill-deserving sinners. If we were strangers to God we would be undeserving but we are known by God and because of sin we make ourselves out to be enemies of God Romans 5:8-11.
Like you who received the $20 you were undeserving, but what if an enemy of mine walked in and I gave him $20. I would not want to do that because now not only was he my enemy but now I am helping him with resources to possibly do more harm to me.
In God’s eyes we are all ill deserving not just undeserving because we are His enemies. That’s what makes grace so amazing, that God would extend a helping hand to His enemies and unfortunately some use this against Him.
Two types
Common Grace- which everyone enjoys James 1:16-17, Matthew 5:44-46. This is God’s way of telling everyone, “hey I am here”
Saving Grace- which God’s desire is for us to trust in Him
All of Joseph’s story illustrates facets of saving grace and I going to point out the grace illustrations from the next 4 chapters
Chapter 42 overview. Jacob told his sons to go to Egypt to buy some food and he sent 10 but not the youngest Benjamin “incase calamity befell them. When Joseph saw them he recognized them but they did not recognize him and they bowed down to him. He called them spies and they spilled the beans. We are all sons of one man, the youngest is with our father and “one is no more” “we are honest men” So Joseph insisted they were spies and said I will sell you food but you must leave one here with me (Simeon) and return with the youngest brother. At this the brothers vrs 21-23 (read). They felt they were paying for their past sin. He sells them food and has the money put back in their bag and when they find it v28 so they go home tell Jacob their father what happened and he says he will not seen Benjamin back with them.
Joseph’s brothers were in many senses his enemies but he still had grace on them by giving there money back.
Have you ever extended grace to someone who can be said to be your enemy? What would that do to your relationship if you did? It would change the relationship and in most cases make it better
-Sometimes are initial response to Grace is not what you would think. We feel bad, Joseph’s brothers “hearts failed them”. When someone does something gracious for you and you have had hatred or enmity towards them you feel horrible. Proverbs 25:21-22
When I first found out the Jesus went to the cross for my sins it was bitter sweet, sweet because he would do that for me but bitter that I would do that to him.
Genesis 43 So the famine got worse and His sons primarily Judah convince Jacob to let them bring Benjamin back with them so they can get more food and Jacob agreed. They also brought the money that was in their sacks. When they got their Joseph had a feast prepared for them and they told the steward about the money in the sacks and his reply was v 23. So they had a feast with Joseph and Simeon was back with them.
Romans 10:13-15 Preached Grace The steward gave them the Good News.
We extend Grace on others by sharing with them what we know and have experienced about the grace of God. Seaside ill
Genesis 44 So Joseph ordered his servants to fill the men’s bags with grain and their money and send them on their way. But he told them to put His cup in Benjamin’s bag and follow after them and say it was stolen. Then he wanted to keep him as his slave. Then Judah went and begged Joseph to take him as a slave instead.
We see Judah is an example of Sacrificial Grace 1 Cor 5:7 Jesus sacrificed His own life for ours. Gospel
When was the last time you were willing to take the backseat to put the needs of others before you?
How would that change the relationships you have?
If you do that you are an example of God’s grace. Just yesterday Zane and towel.
Grace is a motivation to do good
Hebrews 12:28 Tells us because we are receiving heaven we should “have grace’ and serve God, we know that we serve God by serving others.
Genesis 45 Seeing Judah and the love He had for Jacob and the grace he was willing to extend Joseph was upset and that he told his brothers who he was. Vrs4-8 “God sent me before you to preserve life” Just imagine how the brothers must have felt. Joseph comforted them and told them it was the work of God.
Now does this make God the originator of evil? No but it illustrates how in a sinful world God can use evil men’s purposes to promote His master plan, which is graciously save His people.
Then Pharoah found out that it was Joseph’s brothers and he said send for his father and He will give them the best of land Egypt and take care of them during the famine because it was 5 more years
Hebrews 13:12 talks about Sanctifying grace God set apart Joseph to preserve the lives of his people. As believers in Jesus our lives should be in the constant process of being set apart different from the sinful world and it is only by His grace that this can happen
Joseph’s family was weak and on the verge of death because of famine and Pharaoh said he would take care of them. That is God’s hand working to illustrate a truth that Jesus taught in the NT 2 Cor. 12:9 “my power is made perfect in your weakness because my grace is sufficient for you”
Life has its struggles and those are the times when the need for God’s grace becomes more of a reality to us. We always need it but until trouble hits we rarely realize it.
Some of us are weak right now just looking at all the things I need to do before the end of August. That is barring any problem comes along.
Maybe there is trouble in your family, with friends at work. Maybe it is sickness or death or a financial problem. Maybe you are having trouble parenting or your parents are having trouble parenting you. By God’s grace you can get through it.
-Joseph was enslaved in Egypt to preserve the lives of his people.
God’s Grace is what can preserve our lives. Through the death of Jesus
Ezekiel 36:26 talks about something we call Regenerating grace
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
NT echoes that in 2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation”
Joseph was confident in knowing the God placed him there. Grace gives us confidence
I believe having this “grace net” as I like to call it parallels Ephesians 2:8-10 God saved us by grace and because of that grace we can do Good in His name
1 Cor15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
What kind of effect does God’s grace have on you?
If the answer to that is no effect
then you are following in the words of what Bob Dylan sung in his song “Property of Jesus”You got something better You've got a heart of stone
The thing the distinguishes Christianity from all other religions is GRACE, Other religions say that you need to be a good person so God will love you, Christianity says that you are not a good person but God loves you and by His grace wants to help you to be good person.
Defining Grace-God’s love demonstrated to ill-deserving sinners. If we were strangers to God we would be undeserving but we are known by God and because of sin we make ourselves out to be enemies of God Romans 5:8-11.
Like you who received the $20 you were undeserving, but what if an enemy of mine walked in and I gave him $20. I would not want to do that because now not only was he my enemy but now I am helping him with resources to possibly do more harm to me.
In God’s eyes we are all ill deserving not just undeserving because we are His enemies. That’s what makes grace so amazing, that God would extend a helping hand to His enemies and unfortunately some use this against Him.
Two types
Common Grace- which everyone enjoys James 1:16-17, Matthew 5:44-46. This is God’s way of telling everyone, “hey I am here”
Saving Grace- which God’s desire is for us to trust in Him
All of Joseph’s story illustrates facets of saving grace and I going to point out the grace illustrations from the next 4 chapters
Chapter 42 overview. Jacob told his sons to go to Egypt to buy some food and he sent 10 but not the youngest Benjamin “incase calamity befell them. When Joseph saw them he recognized them but they did not recognize him and they bowed down to him. He called them spies and they spilled the beans. We are all sons of one man, the youngest is with our father and “one is no more” “we are honest men” So Joseph insisted they were spies and said I will sell you food but you must leave one here with me (Simeon) and return with the youngest brother. At this the brothers vrs 21-23 (read). They felt they were paying for their past sin. He sells them food and has the money put back in their bag and when they find it v28 so they go home tell Jacob their father what happened and he says he will not seen Benjamin back with them.
Joseph’s brothers were in many senses his enemies but he still had grace on them by giving there money back.
Have you ever extended grace to someone who can be said to be your enemy? What would that do to your relationship if you did? It would change the relationship and in most cases make it better
-Sometimes are initial response to Grace is not what you would think. We feel bad, Joseph’s brothers “hearts failed them”. When someone does something gracious for you and you have had hatred or enmity towards them you feel horrible. Proverbs 25:21-22
When I first found out the Jesus went to the cross for my sins it was bitter sweet, sweet because he would do that for me but bitter that I would do that to him.
Genesis 43 So the famine got worse and His sons primarily Judah convince Jacob to let them bring Benjamin back with them so they can get more food and Jacob agreed. They also brought the money that was in their sacks. When they got their Joseph had a feast prepared for them and they told the steward about the money in the sacks and his reply was v 23. So they had a feast with Joseph and Simeon was back with them.
Romans 10:13-15 Preached Grace The steward gave them the Good News.
We extend Grace on others by sharing with them what we know and have experienced about the grace of God. Seaside ill
Genesis 44 So Joseph ordered his servants to fill the men’s bags with grain and their money and send them on their way. But he told them to put His cup in Benjamin’s bag and follow after them and say it was stolen. Then he wanted to keep him as his slave. Then Judah went and begged Joseph to take him as a slave instead.
We see Judah is an example of Sacrificial Grace 1 Cor 5:7 Jesus sacrificed His own life for ours. Gospel
When was the last time you were willing to take the backseat to put the needs of others before you?
How would that change the relationships you have?
If you do that you are an example of God’s grace. Just yesterday Zane and towel.
Grace is a motivation to do good
Hebrews 12:28 Tells us because we are receiving heaven we should “have grace’ and serve God, we know that we serve God by serving others.
Genesis 45 Seeing Judah and the love He had for Jacob and the grace he was willing to extend Joseph was upset and that he told his brothers who he was. Vrs4-8 “God sent me before you to preserve life” Just imagine how the brothers must have felt. Joseph comforted them and told them it was the work of God.
Now does this make God the originator of evil? No but it illustrates how in a sinful world God can use evil men’s purposes to promote His master plan, which is graciously save His people.
Then Pharoah found out that it was Joseph’s brothers and he said send for his father and He will give them the best of land Egypt and take care of them during the famine because it was 5 more years
Hebrews 13:12 talks about Sanctifying grace God set apart Joseph to preserve the lives of his people. As believers in Jesus our lives should be in the constant process of being set apart different from the sinful world and it is only by His grace that this can happen
Joseph’s family was weak and on the verge of death because of famine and Pharaoh said he would take care of them. That is God’s hand working to illustrate a truth that Jesus taught in the NT 2 Cor. 12:9 “my power is made perfect in your weakness because my grace is sufficient for you”
Life has its struggles and those are the times when the need for God’s grace becomes more of a reality to us. We always need it but until trouble hits we rarely realize it.
Some of us are weak right now just looking at all the things I need to do before the end of August. That is barring any problem comes along.
Maybe there is trouble in your family, with friends at work. Maybe it is sickness or death or a financial problem. Maybe you are having trouble parenting or your parents are having trouble parenting you. By God’s grace you can get through it.
-Joseph was enslaved in Egypt to preserve the lives of his people.
God’s Grace is what can preserve our lives. Through the death of Jesus
Ezekiel 36:26 talks about something we call Regenerating grace
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
NT echoes that in 2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation”
Joseph was confident in knowing the God placed him there. Grace gives us confidence
I believe having this “grace net” as I like to call it parallels Ephesians 2:8-10 God saved us by grace and because of that grace we can do Good in His name
1 Cor15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
What kind of effect does God’s grace have on you?
If the answer to that is no effect
then you are following in the words of what Bob Dylan sung in his song “Property of Jesus”You got something better You've got a heart of stone
Monday, July 28, 2008
Hey Joe Series: "Used"
Background on the last two weeks Sins of O and Co and resolve, we talked about how God was with Joseph, he was content didn’t covet, resisted temptation, respected his authorities but something bad still happened to him he was put in jail.
Genesis 40 Now Joseph was in jail and the chief butler and baker of Pharaoh were both put in jail also. They both had dreams and were troubled by them.
Joseph being in charge at the jail house asked why are you so sad?
The interpretation of the butlers dream was good, he would be restored and Joseph said remember me and the bakers dream was bad, he would be killed.
Both of those things came to pass and of course the butler did not mention Joseph.
Chapter 41 2 years pass and Joseph was still in jail and Pharaoh had a dream.
Vrs 1-8 Pharaoh’s dream 7 cows and 7 stalks of wheat. He called all the wise men for interpretation.
Vrs 9-13 The Butlers memory was jogged, oh yeah Joseph
Vrs 14-16 Pharaoh called for Joseph and Joseph said it was God
Vrs 17-24 restates the dreams don’t read
Vrs 25-33 Joseph interprets seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine
Vrs 33-36 Then Joseph gives the advice of saving one fifth for the famine years
Vrs 37-45 Pharaoh is pleased and elevates Joseph to second in charge of Pharaoh.
Vrs 46-57 then talks about how Joseph did his Job, and had two children named Ephraim and Manasseh.
Things we can learn from this time in Joseph’s life.
Joseph allowed himself to be “Used” by God
1. 40:38 Has God’s Spirit- We have God’s spirit so we are equipped to serve Him
Gospel
1 Cor. 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”:
Some of the gifts are evangelism, helps, teaching, wisdom, encouragement, faith and leadership.
At the moment you trust is Jesus God gives you at least one spiritual gift to use for Him.
We also have natural talents and abilities in which can also use. Drama, music, good with children, maybe good at a sport or excel in a certain career or field. God wants us to use those things for Him as well.
We all have God’s Spirit in us when we trust in Jesus the question is, are we going to heed to the Spirit and use our gifts and abilities for service?
God was with Joseph and he allowed Him to use him
2. 40:8 & 41:16 In God’s hands- all service belongs to God
We are just joining on the work that He is doing
John 15:1-8 Vine and branches. This passage is really saying without Jesus we are useless but with a abiding relationship with Him we can be useful.
Vrs 6 to some seems to be a problem, some may say “if I don’t abide or follow Jesus gets rid of me” no
Breakdown of verse 6
“He is cast out” loss of fellowship with Jesus and others, if you are not following God and serving Him you are not obeying which is sin, sin mars fellowship with Jesus. It also mars fellowship with other believers, the best way to have fellowship with others is to serve them and serve along side them.
“and withered” not vital, a growing Christian is one who serves, I don’t think you can show me a vital, effective growing Christian that does not have a ministry.
“thrown into the fire and burned” loss of rewards, remember we talked about being rewarded for service, at the day of judgment you will suffer loss if you do not allow yourself to be used.
3. 41:39-45 God will lift you up when you are used by Him- The more we serve God, He will lift you up.
Being “used” is humbling
Humble yourself in His sight James 4:10.
Romans 12:3-6a not think to highly of ourselves and 14:18-19 this will edify others. When God uses you, you should be thankful that He did
We will not truly be used unless we humble ourselves
Look what happened to Joseph God made him second in charge in all of Egypt and the distributor of the food.
4. 40:51-52 He named his children after what the Lord has done in his life. Forget your troubles and God will bless even in a land that he was afflicted.
Being used gets your mind off your own problems and focuses them on the tasks and the fact that there are people around you who need the Lord and need to be ministered to.
“when life gives you lemons…make lemonade” make the best out of a bad situation
-Notice in 40:7 “Why are you sad?” The thing we see here with Joseph is that he cared and had compassion for the needs of others even though he was in jail. We need to have the attitude of caring for others when we get involved in ministry. No one desires to put themselves second but when we do God blesses us.
3 Catagories of being used
1. Over extend yourself. You’re a door mat
2. Don’t do anything and maybe think you do, you bless us with your presence and call it ministry
3. Allowing yourself to be used in a healthy Biblical way which means having a ministry and doing it well and being committed to it.
Genesis 40 Now Joseph was in jail and the chief butler and baker of Pharaoh were both put in jail also. They both had dreams and were troubled by them.
Joseph being in charge at the jail house asked why are you so sad?
The interpretation of the butlers dream was good, he would be restored and Joseph said remember me and the bakers dream was bad, he would be killed.
Both of those things came to pass and of course the butler did not mention Joseph.
Chapter 41 2 years pass and Joseph was still in jail and Pharaoh had a dream.
Vrs 1-8 Pharaoh’s dream 7 cows and 7 stalks of wheat. He called all the wise men for interpretation.
Vrs 9-13 The Butlers memory was jogged, oh yeah Joseph
Vrs 14-16 Pharaoh called for Joseph and Joseph said it was God
Vrs 17-24 restates the dreams don’t read
Vrs 25-33 Joseph interprets seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine
Vrs 33-36 Then Joseph gives the advice of saving one fifth for the famine years
Vrs 37-45 Pharaoh is pleased and elevates Joseph to second in charge of Pharaoh.
Vrs 46-57 then talks about how Joseph did his Job, and had two children named Ephraim and Manasseh.
Things we can learn from this time in Joseph’s life.
Joseph allowed himself to be “Used” by God
1. 40:38 Has God’s Spirit- We have God’s spirit so we are equipped to serve Him
Gospel
1 Cor. 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”:
Some of the gifts are evangelism, helps, teaching, wisdom, encouragement, faith and leadership.
At the moment you trust is Jesus God gives you at least one spiritual gift to use for Him.
We also have natural talents and abilities in which can also use. Drama, music, good with children, maybe good at a sport or excel in a certain career or field. God wants us to use those things for Him as well.
We all have God’s Spirit in us when we trust in Jesus the question is, are we going to heed to the Spirit and use our gifts and abilities for service?
God was with Joseph and he allowed Him to use him
2. 40:8 & 41:16 In God’s hands- all service belongs to God
We are just joining on the work that He is doing
John 15:1-8 Vine and branches. This passage is really saying without Jesus we are useless but with a abiding relationship with Him we can be useful.
Vrs 6 to some seems to be a problem, some may say “if I don’t abide or follow Jesus gets rid of me” no
Breakdown of verse 6
“He is cast out” loss of fellowship with Jesus and others, if you are not following God and serving Him you are not obeying which is sin, sin mars fellowship with Jesus. It also mars fellowship with other believers, the best way to have fellowship with others is to serve them and serve along side them.
“and withered” not vital, a growing Christian is one who serves, I don’t think you can show me a vital, effective growing Christian that does not have a ministry.
“thrown into the fire and burned” loss of rewards, remember we talked about being rewarded for service, at the day of judgment you will suffer loss if you do not allow yourself to be used.
3. 41:39-45 God will lift you up when you are used by Him- The more we serve God, He will lift you up.
Being “used” is humbling
Humble yourself in His sight James 4:10.
Romans 12:3-6a not think to highly of ourselves and 14:18-19 this will edify others. When God uses you, you should be thankful that He did
We will not truly be used unless we humble ourselves
Look what happened to Joseph God made him second in charge in all of Egypt and the distributor of the food.
4. 40:51-52 He named his children after what the Lord has done in his life. Forget your troubles and God will bless even in a land that he was afflicted.
Being used gets your mind off your own problems and focuses them on the tasks and the fact that there are people around you who need the Lord and need to be ministered to.
“when life gives you lemons…make lemonade” make the best out of a bad situation
-Notice in 40:7 “Why are you sad?” The thing we see here with Joseph is that he cared and had compassion for the needs of others even though he was in jail. We need to have the attitude of caring for others when we get involved in ministry. No one desires to put themselves second but when we do God blesses us.
3 Catagories of being used
1. Over extend yourself. You’re a door mat
2. Don’t do anything and maybe think you do, you bless us with your presence and call it ministry
3. Allowing yourself to be used in a healthy Biblical way which means having a ministry and doing it well and being committed to it.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Hey Joe Series: "Resolve"
Vrs 1-6a Joseph was sold into Potiphar’s house and Potiphar realized that there was something different about Joseph “the Lord was with him” and “the Lord made all that he did prosper”
Potiphar trusted him so much that he did not even know the affairs of his own business
Vrs 6b-10 Potphar’s wife advances toward Joseph and his resolve is not to “sin against God” and she kept trying
Vrs 11-18 The wife tried to seduce him again and then made up a story to tell her husband because Joseph left his coat behind.
Vrs 19-23 So Potiphar threw him into prison and again God raised him up and the highest ranking guard put everything under his control.
What can we learn from this?
1. Vrs 2,5 and 21 The Lord was with Joseph.
-If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior the bible says in Acts 17:26-27 that He has placed you where you are so that you will seek God and perhaps find Him. 2 Peter 3:9 God desires all to come to know Him. If you are here today and wondering is God real and if so what does it mean to my life. God loves you and wants to forgive you of your sin the bible tells us that we have to trust that Jesus’ death on the cross was enough to forgive us of our sins 3 days later he rose again to prove that He was God and has victory of sin and death.
-If you trusted in Jesus as your Savior no matter where you are or what situation you are in, God is with you. At your job or school, with friends or in your family He is there with you. Jesus says He “will never leave us or forsake us.”
Hebrew 13:5 Joseph is an illustration of this passage.
2. Lets look at the other things that passage says
“Let your conduct be without covetousness;”
Joseph did not covet what Potiphar had Vrs 6-9 we see that Joseph was in charge of and had access to everything in Potiphar’s house except his wife. Instead of coveting what Potiphar had, his wife, he refused to sin with Potiphar’s wife.
Many times in life we have so much but we still covet after more, we are unhappy with or jobs or our possessions and we feel that we need better or we need more. Maybe you are not content with your relationships in life and you covet others around you because they have a girlfriend or a boyfriend or they have children you and don’t. But God is saying don’t covet be content.
3. Contentment,” be content with such things as you have.” Joseph was content event though he was sold into slavery and was no longer with his father in his own land he was still content Vrs 4 Because Joseph was content he was able to serve. And with that service found favor in the eyes of Potiphar.
Are you content with where God has placed you, your job, school and relationships. If you are not content it will show and eventually you will have a bad testimony among the people around you. When we are content in any and every situation we are a good testimony to those around us.
Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin
When you are content you have a good testimony among unbelievers and God will elevate your positions in life.
Paul writes from jail in Philippians 2:11“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
1 Tim 6:6-9 Because Joseph was content he was able to resist temptation
4. Joseph resisted Temptation. Last summer I had a message about Temptation and the focus was Jesus’ temptation. Lets take a quick look at Josephs temptation. Potiphar’s wife was aggressively pursuing him but he did not give in. Vrs 9b “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
Maybe you are constantly in situations where you are tempted to do something wrong, sexual sins, drunkinness, gossiping, dishonest gain.
Christian Author John Piper Said “The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier."
Whatever the temptation may be there is some advice and comfort from the Bible
-1 Cor 10:13 There is a way out
-Luke 22:40 Jesus says pray that you will not enter into temptation.
-James 1:12 says we are blessed if we endure under temptation
-2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptation.
5. Joseph had respect for the authority Romans 13:1-3 Potiphar was over Joseph and Joseph was his slave. But he still respected him Vrs 8-9a This would have been a good way to mock his master “your wife wanted me”
We all have authority over us, our bosses, teachers parents, do you respect that and heed to there direction? Or do you look for and take opportunities to mock them? If you want to be a good testimony for the Lord you will respect them.
6. Even though he did everything right something bad still happened to him. He was wrongly accused and was thrown in jail. But God was still with him Hebrew 13:6 Joseph can boldly say…
You may have been struggling because you seem to have your relationship with God on track but things still seem to go wrong.
Well join the club 2 Tim 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. When we suffer for doing what is right it is just a reminder that this world is not our home and we need to look toward heaven and not be to comfortable in this life on earth.
Potiphar trusted him so much that he did not even know the affairs of his own business
Vrs 6b-10 Potphar’s wife advances toward Joseph and his resolve is not to “sin against God” and she kept trying
Vrs 11-18 The wife tried to seduce him again and then made up a story to tell her husband because Joseph left his coat behind.
Vrs 19-23 So Potiphar threw him into prison and again God raised him up and the highest ranking guard put everything under his control.
What can we learn from this?
1. Vrs 2,5 and 21 The Lord was with Joseph.
-If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior the bible says in Acts 17:26-27 that He has placed you where you are so that you will seek God and perhaps find Him. 2 Peter 3:9 God desires all to come to know Him. If you are here today and wondering is God real and if so what does it mean to my life. God loves you and wants to forgive you of your sin the bible tells us that we have to trust that Jesus’ death on the cross was enough to forgive us of our sins 3 days later he rose again to prove that He was God and has victory of sin and death.
-If you trusted in Jesus as your Savior no matter where you are or what situation you are in, God is with you. At your job or school, with friends or in your family He is there with you. Jesus says He “will never leave us or forsake us.”
Hebrew 13:5 Joseph is an illustration of this passage.
2. Lets look at the other things that passage says
“Let your conduct be without covetousness;”
Joseph did not covet what Potiphar had Vrs 6-9 we see that Joseph was in charge of and had access to everything in Potiphar’s house except his wife. Instead of coveting what Potiphar had, his wife, he refused to sin with Potiphar’s wife.
Many times in life we have so much but we still covet after more, we are unhappy with or jobs or our possessions and we feel that we need better or we need more. Maybe you are not content with your relationships in life and you covet others around you because they have a girlfriend or a boyfriend or they have children you and don’t. But God is saying don’t covet be content.
3. Contentment,” be content with such things as you have.” Joseph was content event though he was sold into slavery and was no longer with his father in his own land he was still content Vrs 4 Because Joseph was content he was able to serve. And with that service found favor in the eyes of Potiphar.
Are you content with where God has placed you, your job, school and relationships. If you are not content it will show and eventually you will have a bad testimony among the people around you. When we are content in any and every situation we are a good testimony to those around us.
Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
Benjamin Franklin
When you are content you have a good testimony among unbelievers and God will elevate your positions in life.
Paul writes from jail in Philippians 2:11“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
1 Tim 6:6-9 Because Joseph was content he was able to resist temptation
4. Joseph resisted Temptation. Last summer I had a message about Temptation and the focus was Jesus’ temptation. Lets take a quick look at Josephs temptation. Potiphar’s wife was aggressively pursuing him but he did not give in. Vrs 9b “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
Maybe you are constantly in situations where you are tempted to do something wrong, sexual sins, drunkinness, gossiping, dishonest gain.
Christian Author John Piper Said “The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier."
Whatever the temptation may be there is some advice and comfort from the Bible
-1 Cor 10:13 There is a way out
-Luke 22:40 Jesus says pray that you will not enter into temptation.
-James 1:12 says we are blessed if we endure under temptation
-2 Peter 2:9 “The Lord knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptation.
5. Joseph had respect for the authority Romans 13:1-3 Potiphar was over Joseph and Joseph was his slave. But he still respected him Vrs 8-9a This would have been a good way to mock his master “your wife wanted me”
We all have authority over us, our bosses, teachers parents, do you respect that and heed to there direction? Or do you look for and take opportunities to mock them? If you want to be a good testimony for the Lord you will respect them.
6. Even though he did everything right something bad still happened to him. He was wrongly accused and was thrown in jail. But God was still with him Hebrew 13:6 Joseph can boldly say…
You may have been struggling because you seem to have your relationship with God on track but things still seem to go wrong.
Well join the club 2 Tim 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. When we suffer for doing what is right it is just a reminder that this world is not our home and we need to look toward heaven and not be to comfortable in this life on earth.
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