Sermon Reflections based on from Pit to Purpose | Alex Hardt | January 14, 2024
Have you ever been stuck somewhere, a pit so to speak, and could not see a way out? Can you identify with the despair Joseph must have felt after his brothers took his robe and put him in the cistern, pit? These verses from Psalm 103 come to mind as David identified with being stuck. We learn later that Joseph clung to his faith in God to see him through just as David leaned upon God in his darkest times. Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Things looked bleak for Joseph but God had it handled and had great renewal and hope in Joseph’s future. David realized this in his life too and trusted God to provide all that he needed. What about you? Have you ever been with Joseph and David despairing over the future? David encourages us to lay claim to the providence and provision of the Lord. Joseph confirms this with our memory verse Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God had it handled and as Joseph looked back he saw God’s hand in their lives just as David had. Going down into the pit is tough or maybe I should say sliding into it. Many times things pile one upon another and it seems hopeless to reverse the trajectory of our lives. Joseph saw no way out of his dilemma. Jealousy and envy had wreaked havoc on the lives of Jacob’s sons. The Bible links jealousy, hatred and envy. Hebrews 12:14-17 in the Message speaks plainly of Jacob’s brother Esau and the problems envy, jealousy and hatred can bring. “Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. After selling Joseph to the Egyptian bound caravan, Rueben was not able to save his brother. The hatred they had was now cast in regret as they saw their father’s grief. The ‘getting rid’ of the favored brother did not bring the joy, it brought sorrow that they could not live down or fix. That is often the case with a slide into the pit, there is no way to rescue yourself, fix those relationships or undo what you’ve done. Only GOD, can rectify the situation! The brothers discovered their callused hearts were vulnerable to hurt and despair even though they thought they were above it. They thought they were ‘fixing’ the problem in their family by getting rid of Joseph. ATTENTION: God had other plans. Our greatest hurts or failures can be used by God. He can redeem us in all ways as He is sovereign and His plans will prevail. Job 42:2 reminds us “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Do you believe this? Do you trust God to prevail? Know this, God will not give up on you! Consider Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” God always has a purpose and can use whatever happens to us for our good and His glory! Romans 8:28- claim it in your life. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God always keeps His promises and His plan always prevails as we will see as the story of Joseph continues. Linda P.S. Look back at Psalm 103 above, God had redemption in mind for all of Joseph’s family, crowns of love and compassion for Joseph and his brothers as well as renewal for all their family. God is indeed good! MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. Sermon Reflections based on Dream Ignition | Alex Hardt | January 7, 2024
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! The New Year is always a time of reflection about what the year might have in store, goals you might like to see accomplished, and hopes and dreams for all the days that lie ahead. Sometimes we have things we know will take place in the coming year and we want to get ready for them-like a wedding, a baby, a vacation, a move, a new job or as with all of us the unexpected events that will fill the year. How much of your dreaming adds God into the equation? Do you seek His guidance when you are planning the wedding or the vacation, for the new job or when you think a new home is needed? Do you seek His wisdom for dealing with a new child, a new job or a budding relationship? In Pastor Alex’s sermon, he challenges us to dream, and dream big but also to consider God and to include Him when dreaming. He uses Joseph and his situation to show how God reveals and guides. Joseph was 17 in our passage from Genesis 37:1-11. He was the favored son of Jacob the patriarch by his wife Rachel. Jacob learned favoritism in his growing up years with his mother Rebecca who favored him and his father Isaac who favored his brother Esau. His brother Esau disregarded his birthright and sold it to Jacob for a bowl of stew. But, when it came time for the patriarchal blessing, Esau wanted it back. Jacob used trickery to keep the birthright Esau had sold him. Jacob fled to his Uncle Laban’s home in Haran where he encountered an uncle who used trickery against him so that he married Leah, the older sister, instead of Rachel. Jacob had agreed to work 7 years for Rachel and after marrying Leah he had to work another 7 years to be able to marry Rachel, his beloved. Considering this history of favoritism, trickery and deceit, it should not surprise us that Jacob showed unashamed favoritism towards Joseph. At this point we don’t know much about Joseph and his character except that he was young, favored by his father and would bring reports back to his dad about what his brothers were doing in the fields. He would go out into the fields, tend the sheep and then report back to his father. Genesis 37:2-4 “Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Their hatred of Joseph was due to jealousy, favoritism by their father and Joseph’s own inability to be sensitive to hurt they were feeling and the rift caused by their father’s actions. Into this scene comes dreamer Joseph. Having dreams was not an uncommon way for God to speak with his people. In fact, I’m sure they had heard of the many dreams had by their great-grandfather Abraham about his calling to come to Canaan, their grandfather’s Isaac servant who had a dream about choosing their mother Rebecca when sent to find a wife for Isaac, or their own father Jacob who had dreamed of a ladder to heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it and his own wrestling with an angel. Joseph would have known all this as well as his brothers. Unfortunately, Joseph’s telling his brothers and father about his dreams that showed him lording it over them and their bowing down to him did not go over well. They attributed this to him as arrogance and just another example of how he was ‘better’ than they were. What do we learn about dreams, God’s ways and God in this story? God has unlimited ways He can get our attention. He can use dreams, prayer, other believers, His Word or He can speak to us himself. When we do hear from God, we need to take it in, reflect, pray, and consider those we share it with. Joseph’s audience was not receptive to the message. It would set in motion a chain of events that God would use to bring glory to himself and accomplish his plan. God could have accomplished his divine purpose another way but man’s human desires of envy, jealousy, favoritism and hatred intervened. God did indeed accomplish His plan and Joseph reflected on God’s truth of this in Genesis 50:20, our memory verse for this month. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” God is sovereign over all events and as Job 42:2 reminds us “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers and father and we know it increased his brothers’ jealousy but his father stored it away in his mind. “ His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.” Genesis 37:11 God used this too in the years to come when they discovered Joseph was a powerful ruler in Egypt and indeed ruled over them just as God had shown in the dreams. God’s power was confirmed and his guidance and trustworthiness was fully seen by them and by us as we read the stories in Genesis. Ask yourself as you begin this New Year, how big is your God? Can you possibly dream a dream too big for Him to accomplish? Pray, seek His guidance, and let Him show you what He has for your New Year. Open your heart and mind to Him. Linda MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. Sermon Reflections based on Dream Higher | Alex Hardt | December 31, 2023
Happy New Year!?! I'm wondering if you are like me and at some point, you thought why even bother making plans, or doing a new years resolution, or looking to the future? Everything around me looks dismal, broken, and new years resolutions never work anyway. What I am going through won't change and anything I do won't make a difference. It will be the same today, tomorrow, and the next day. In a world often shadowed by uncertainties and limitations, the scriptures in Isaiah, Revelation, and Philippians shine forth as beacons of hope, inviting us to dream higher and embrace a future anchored in God's promises. These passages, although diverse, weave together a profound narrative that resonates with the core essence of faith—trusting in God's redemptive plan, pursuing spiritual maturity, and adopting a forward-looking perspective. Our past and our present doesn't define our future. In fact, the only thing that holds weight on our future is God. Isaiah 43:1-13: Isaiah's words echo through the ages, offering assurance in times of tribulation. As the Israelites faced exile and uncertainty, God reassured them of His abiding presence. His promise of redemption isn't just a distant hope but a present reality—a reminder that the Creator of the world is actively working on behalf of His people. If you thought you were alone in this world, then you would be wrong. We have a God who is always with you and always for you, working on your behalf for Good. Revelation 21:1-8: John's apocalyptic vision paints a picture of a new heaven and earth. It's a breathtaking glimpse of a future where pain, sorrow, and suffering cease to exist. This vision isn't merely an allegory but a tangible promise of God's ultimate restoration. Just because we have failures, brokenness, pain, suffering, death now doesn't mean that's how it will always be. God paints a future where every tear is wiped away and where death no longer exists. Philippians 3:12-14: Paul's words exhort believers toward spiritual maturity. He encourages a relentless pursuit of Christlikeness, urging us not to dwell on past successes or failures but to press on toward the upward call of God—a call that beckons us toward a higher purpose and a deeper communion with Christ. We can hold on to the past all we want but it won't change the future. If we dwell in the past and the present then we will never move toward the future that God has for us. God has something much greater for us, but we have to let go of our fears and failures. We have to surrender today and yesterday, to discover tomorrow. Discussion Questions: How do you navigate between living in the reality of present circumstances and holding onto the hope of God's promises for the future? In what ways can we encourage one another to pursue Jesus? What steps can we take to cultivate a forward-looking perspective amidst life's challenges and uncertainties? Practical Application: Let's engage in a practice of daily reflection and prayer. Allocate time each day to meditate on a specific promise from Scripture. Journal about how that promise speaks to your current situation and future hopes. Share these reflections with a trusted friend or within a faith community to encourage one another in holding onto God's promises amidst life's ebb and flow. As we journey in faith, may we hold firm to these timeless truths, envisioning and pursuing a future anchored in God's unwavering hope. Embracing a future of hope involves actively participating in God's redemptive narrative, seeking spiritual maturity, and fixing our gaze on the promises that transcend our present circumstances. Blessings, Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. |
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