Joseph Puts His Plan into Action 10am

Am I in the Place of God? 11am

November 26, 2023 • Dennis Whitcher • Genesis 50:15–26

Disagreements, harsh words, and even physical abuse have torn apart many families. The hurts can go beyond families. False rumors, bullying, cruel comments (behind your back and on line!). People are selfishly used, friendships broken, trust betrayed. Some of us bear scars from our past: bitterness, anger, or desire to get even somehow. How can we get past that? Is it even possible? The story of Joseph offers hope. https://www.bibleref.com/genesis/50/genesis-50-15.html reveals that Joseph's brothers are consumed with guilt and fear after their father's death. They worry Joseph has been waiting for Jacob to die before taking revenge. This would not be unexpected, as they cruelly sold Joseph into slavery as a teenager (https://www.bibleref.com/genesis/37/genesis-37-26.html). The brothers attempt to appease Joseph with a message, supposedly from Jacob, but he tells them not to be afraid. In one of Scripture's most pivotal remarks, Joseph explains his conviction that, though their intent was evil, God's good purposes were behind everything that had happened. Despite their bad intentions, God used their acts to save many lives. Joseph assures them he will not harm them. Joseph is a wonderful picture of the Lord Jesus. Beloved of the Father, hated by His brethren, betrayed by those He knew and loved, only to be used of God to save His people from death and destruction before being placed in the highest position in the land, carrying out the will of the Father. God uses all things to work together for good so that even when others intend things for evil, God will use it for good - not only for our eternal benefit, but for the benefit of others and to bring glory to His name.

Am I in the Place of God? 9am

November 26, 2023 • Dennis Whitcher • Genesis 50:15–26

Disagreements, harsh words, and even physical abuse have torn apart many families. The hurts can go beyond families. False rumors, bullying, cruel comments (behind your back and on line!). People are selfishly used, friendships broken, trust betrayed. Some of us bear scars from our past: bitterness, anger, or desire to get even somehow. How can we get past that? Is it even possible? The story of Joseph offers hope. https://www.bibleref.com/genesis/50/genesis-50-15.html reveals that Joseph's brothers are consumed with guilt and fear after their father's death. They worry Joseph has been waiting for Jacob to die before taking revenge. This would not be unexpected, as they cruelly sold Joseph into slavery as a teenager (https://www.bibleref.com/genesis/37/genesis-37-26.html). The brothers attempt to appease Joseph with a message, supposedly from Jacob, but he tells them not to be afraid. In one of Scripture's most pivotal remarks, Joseph explains his conviction that, though their intent was evil, God's good purposes were behind everything that had happened. Despite their bad intentions, God used their acts to save many lives. Joseph assures them he will not harm them. Joseph is a wonderful picture of the Lord Jesus. Beloved of the Father, hated by His brethren, betrayed by those He knew and loved, only to be used of God to save His people from death and destruction before being placed in the highest position in the land, carrying out the will of the Father. God uses all things to work together for good so that even when others intend things for evil, God will use it for good - not only for our eternal benefit, but for the benefit of others and to bring glory to His name.

Joseph Revealed Himself ... With Tears 9am

November 12, 2023 • Curt McFarland • Genesis 45:1–15

Joseph wept. Joseph was a man of strength. Joseph was a man of wisdom. Joseph was a man with a lofty title, and life & death responsibilities. Joseph was a man whose faith had been tested by heartache and mistreatment. Joseph wept. When was the last time you cried, sobbed, wept? I’m going to be vulnerable here … to the point some of you may feel uncomfortable next time you see me … I’m an emotional guy. I cry regularly. A well written scene in a movie, or TV show, can set me off. I hear a heart-wrenching song and tears flow. Even a sappy holiday commercial can turn the faucet on. I cry when I catch a glimpse of real life, real beauty, real sorrow. Sobbing, weeping, comes when those I care about are harmed, pierced, in pain, or have died. Tears do not always come, even when I expect them … but I’m an emotional guy. This is even more surprising because tears were not encouraged, or even tolerated, as I was growing up. Some of that, I’m certain, was the result of my father’s WW2 experience, and the loss of his mom at age 2, and his father at age 18. For him tears = weakness. I brought a measure of that to my own parenting … I wasn’t zero-tolerance, but I wish I had encouraged, rather than questioned, the tears of both of my kids, and my wife. I arrived late to tears and emotions. But I’m thankful I’m more comfortable now expressing both. How about you? Our Lord wept. Jesus wept. How did I miss that? … or miss that He gave us permission to weep. He validates our emotions and tears.

Grace of Christ