Pastor's Pen- August
Pastor’s Pen
We just started a New Sunday Morning Sermon Series titled, “Finding Victory in Your Adversity,” from the Life of Joseph, in (Genesis 37-50). God uses a full one fourth of the book of Genesis to share with all of us key Hebrew History, filled with multiple practical applications for our daily lives.
The first sermon, based on (Genesis 37), was titled, “From Favor to Resentment: When Life’s the Pits.” You know the story of Joseph’s Dreams of Royalty, where he dreams about his brothers being Sheaves of Grain that all bow down to his Sheave of Grain, and the Dream where his father and mother are the Sun and the Moon, and his brothers are the Stars, yet all of these family members bow down to him.
No wonder his family Resented him for telling such audacious dreams of his future royalty. Yet, Joseph was Favored by his father, Jacob, for being one of just two sons of his favorite wife, Rachael. That’s where the story of the Coat of Many Colors with Long Sleeves of Royalty enter the plot line, only to be dipped in blood and used by the sons to convince their father that Joseph had been eaten by a wild animal- Lies and Deceit, Deceit and Lies!
This twisted tale that results in the brothers throwing Joseph in a Pit, and then selling him to a caravan of Midianites who were traveling to Egypt, not only tells us the Hebrew History of how the Israelites first arrived in Egypt, it has multiple lessons that warn about dysfunctional families:
1. Refuse to be Envious or Jealous or Any Person.
2. Reject All Favoritism and Deception in Your Family and Personality.
3. Reflect and Refocus on the Big Picture.
4. Rely on God’s Promises and His Provision.
I just concluded final work on the second Sermon, “Developing and Demonstrating Integrity and Purity,” from (Genesis 39). This is the story of how Joseph WORKED with Integrity and was put in charge of Potiphar’s household, then RAN in Purity, from “Sexual Temptation,” in the advances of Potiphar’s wife. Once again, we find great Lessons:
1. Imitate and Emulate Joseph’s Integrity of Mind and Purity of Heart, both On and Off the Job.
2. Eliminate Tempting Situations to Terminate Sexual Sins, Deliberately Avoiding the Opportunity for Impropriety and Build Trust in Marriage.
3. Concentrate on God’s Higher Plan and Greater Purpose, even when Falsely Accused and Wrongfully Punished and Persecuted.
Please make it a habit to attend and look forward to being present for every Sermon in this Series, “Finding Victory in Your Adversity.” The next Sermon with Practical Lessons for Daily Life is “When Your Problems Feel Like a Prison.” It is the story of how Joseph not only survived but thrived when falsely accused of Rape, and thrown into Prison, because of the false allegation against him. In (Genesis 40), we will note the encouragements:
1. Don’t Give Up! Refuse to Throw Yourself a “Pity Party.” Instead, Become a Useful Servant of God and Others.
2. Do Your Part by Looking for Someone Else to Encourage, Using Your Gifts for God’s Glory!
3. Be Willing to Warn in Order to Be Faithful to God’s Holy Word.
4. Wait for God to Go to Work, Trusting in His Perfect Timing.
As we conclude this Message, we will be challenged to Rise above the Feeling of our Problems being like a Prison, and Develop Four Essential Attributes for Living by Faith, instead of our Feelings: (Peace, Patience, Productivity, and persistent Prayer).
As you can see, we have much to Learn and Apply as we Dive into this Journey of “Finding Victory in our Adversity,” from the Life of Joseph, in Genesis.
In God’s Holy Name
And Precious Love,
Pastor Kevin