Genesis 50:18-21

INTRODUCTION: I was watching the news and reading my Bible and found something interesting. "whatever two or more of agree on it shall be done in heaven." and "Give us this day our daily bread."

All around us is turmoil. Which the Bible says will get worse.

Our state budget troubles follow those of business around our state. Smaller paychecks on one end and higher taxes on the other end are killing the middle class. Today it cost a family of 4 $28.28 a day for food. The average wage is $20.00 per hour. One person working in the family spends 1 1/2 hours each day working to feed the family. In Rev 6:5-7 it tells us that a day is coming when a person, if they have a job will work for 4 days to feed that family for 1 day.

We see riots and protest for a new government in the middle east. The Bible tells us in the books of Daniel and Revelation that a new 10 nation Arab state will emerge, Three of those nations will merge to become one, from which will come a new charismatic head of state. Rev 20:8 Tells us that they will gather together at armageddon to destroy the nation of Israel.

How do we deal with a world like this and still keep our faith? God has something to learn from Joseph today that will help us through the storm today and the storm ahead.

1. THEY INTENDED HARM, BUT GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD

A. JOSEPH'S BROTHERS AND GOD

a. THEY INTENDED TO DESTROY JOSEPH

b. GOD INTENDED TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE

B. BABYLON AND GOD

a. THEY INTENDED TO RULE ISRAEL

b. GOD INTENDED TO WAKE HIS PEOPLE UP

C. THE CROSS AND GOD

a. SATAN SOUGHT TO DESTROY THE MESSIAH

b. GOD INTENDED TO SAVE THE WORLD

2. WE FACE DIFFICULT TIMES

A. AS A STATE (BUDGETS, DEBTS, LABOR DISPUTES)

B. AS A NATION (WARS, BUDGETS, UNEMPLOYMENT)

C. AS A WORLD (WARS, POLITICAL CHANGES, FAMINE)

D. AS A CHURCH (DISPUTES ABOUT THE BIBLE, SEX, ABORTION,

AND ISRAEL.

3.TRUSTING GOD BEYOND OUR SIGHT

A. JOSEPH (GOD INTENDED GOOD)

B. JESUS (IF THERE BE ANY WAY)

C. JOB 13:15 (THOUGH HE SLAY ME, I WILL TRUST HIM)

D. ROMANS 8:28 (FOR ALL THINGS GOD WORKS)

CONCLUSION: Like Joseph, we do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. Whatever people or governments might intend, God will work through it, us it, to bring good. Genesis 50:18-21 "What you intended for harm God has intended for the good."

Genesis 46-49

Gen 46:1-6 “Out of the Box”

INTRODUCTION: New things are difficult for us. Quite possibly the first words ever spoken were, “but we have always done it this way!” Yet God calls us from time to time to step out of the box. Paul, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, and so many more. Some are called to great task while others only seemingly small one. But each of us like Jacob here in this passage, are called to step out of the box.

1. LIFE IN THE BOX

A. THE ONLY LIFE HE HAS KNOWN

B. ALL OF GOD’S PROMISES ARE CONNECTED TO THE LAND

C. HE IS OLD AND SURE NOT TO RETURN

D. RACHEL IS BURIED HERE

E. OUR BOX

a. FAMILY

b. JOB

c. COMMUNITY

d. RECREATION

e. COMFORT AND SECURITY

f. WHAT WE KNOW

2. CHALLENGED BY GOD

A. NOT TO BE AFRAID

B. GO TO EGYPT

C. I WILL MAKE YOU GREAT

D. I WILL BRING YOU BACK

E. JOSEPH WILL CLOSE YOUR EYES

F. OUR CHALLENGE

a. LEAVE OUR COMFORT ZONE

b. GO TO A NEW PLACE

c. GO TO A NEW JOB

d. TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT JESUS

e. WALK ACROSS THE ROOM AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF

3. STEPS OF FAITH

A. JOSEPH WENT TO EGYPT

B. TOOK HIS FAMILY

C. TOOK HIS FLOCKS

D. TOOK ALL HE OWNED

E. HELD NOTING BACK

F. GOD CHALLENGES US TO TAKE STEPS OF FAITH

G. STEPS TURN INTO A WALK

H. A WALK THAT TURNS INTO A LIFE

Conclusion: has god been laying out a challenge to you? Has god been speaking to your heart? Perhaps you have dismissed it. Maybe you have been afraid of where it would lead you? It’s time in faith to take a step.

Genesis 41:41-45

Gen 41:41-45

INTRODUCTION: In chapters 35-40 we saw Joseph go from favored child to slavery, to prison. Yet his attitude, integrity and faith, now take him from the prison to being the administrator of all Egypt. A forgotten pawn in a strategic chess move, Joseph has come through the fray to be placed before the King.

1. THE REALITY OF JOSEPH’S STORY

A. THE REIGN OF THE HYKSOS PHARAOHS 1800 – 1500 BC

B. JOSEPH INTERPRETS THE DREAM OF A HYKSOS PHARAOH

C. THE HYKSOS MAKE A LAND GRANT TO JOSEPH

D. JOSEPH’S ACTIONS RESULT IN PHARAOH OWNING THE LAND 47:20

E. JOSEPH’S BONES IN SHECHEM GEN50:26

F. HYKSOS LOOSE POWER IN 1500 TO THE EGYPTIANS EXODUS 12

G. THE EGYPTIANS ENSLAVE THE ISRAELITE ALLIES OF THE HYKSOS

H. A NEW EGYPTIAN PHARAOH IS FORCED TO LET THEM GO

I. ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORY TELL US JOSEPH’S STORY IS TRUE

2. THE LOSS OF DREAMS

A. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE PRESBYTERIAN

a. TURN ANTI-ISRAEL, FAVOR ABORTION IN ALL STAGES

b. SAY THE BIBLE IS NOT TRUE, AND NOT THE WORD OF GOD

c. THAT JESUS IS A METAPHOR AND NOT A REALITY

B. THE DOCTOR WOULD SAY CANCER

C. YOU WOULD LOSE YOUR JOB

D. THAT YOUR RETIREMENT WAS GOING FROM WHEN TO IF

E. THE PERSON YOU LOVE WOULD SAY IT’S OVER

F. AFTER YOUR COLLEGE GRADUATION THERE WOULD BE NO JOB

3. REMEMBERED BY GOD

A. HOW TO RESPOND

a. FAITH

b. INTEGRITY

c. DILIGENCE

d. LOVE

B. REMEMBERED BY GOD HERE

a. JOSEPH

b. JOB

c. YOU

C. REMEMBERED IN THE KINGDOM TO COME

a. A PLACE PREPARED FOR US. JOHN 14: 1-4

b. A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 2 TIM 4:8

c. WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT MAT 25:21

CONCLUSION: In Jesus we know and must remind ourselves, our situation is not hopeless, our situation is not final, Jesus has not forgotten us, and one day we will realize that we are remembered.