Sermon Reflections based on from Cosmic Interpretations, Galactic Forgiveness | Alex Hardt | January 28, 2024
What a wonderful way to end our series on Joseph and God’s goodness. Redemption and Forgiveness are at the heart of the gospel and were so well demonstrated in the story of Joseph. Our memory verse, Genesis 50:20 shouted out to us each week the truth of God’s sovereignty, goodness and omniscience. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Pastor Alex began with Genesis 45:1-4 where the story of Joseph’s revelation of himself to his brothers shows his great humility and love for his ‘lost’ brothers. During a great famine in the whole land, Joseph’s brothers had journeyed to Egypt to buy grain. (Joseph had interpreted a dream Pharaoh had concerning 7 good years and 7 lean years. Pharaoh believed Joseph and put him in charge of the plan to keep them all alive during the 7 lean years. Genesis 41.) In chapter 42, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain but did not allow his youngest Benjamin to go with them. While buying grain they encountered Joseph but did not recognize him. He required that they leave one of their brothers there and bring their youngest brother to him to verify their story, he had accused them of being spies. Then Joseph had his servants put the silver they had paid for the grain with back in their sacks. When the brothers discovered this, they were terrified and decided not to go back. Well, the famine continued and they eventually needed to return. The fact that Jacob’s youngest, Joseph’s brother, was required to go troubled Jacob immensely. All he could think about was how he had lost Joseph and feared losing Benjamin too. Judah promised that he would bring Benjamin back or die trying. When they appeared before Joseph this second time, they were very afraid of his retribution for the ‘stolen’ silver. Joseph as overcome with emotion at their meeting and said in Chapter 45:4-5 “ Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” After all that had transpired, Joseph had seen God’s hand in all that God had allowed to happen. He did not have hatred or revenge in his heart but overwhelming love. Joseph had seen God’s provision from the pit to the palace. He knew from experience God is sovereign and omniscient! He tried to relay this to his brothers, but they had not made the journey from pit to palace and did not understand Joseph’s love and compassion. Our life’s journey gives us opportunities to see God in action, experience His love, compassion and forgiveness first hand. If we allow Him to work in our lives we are enriched in both faith and character. Joseph is a wonderful example to us of God’s power of sanctification and how He grows and matures us in our faith. Joseph wanted restoration of his family and reconciliation with them not revenge. Joseph is an example to us of the power of forgiveness. His life was transformed from possible bitterness and hatred to love, acceptance and longing for his brothers and father. Forgiveness is transformative to each of us on the inside. It works it wonders by making us better in Christ. We can accept hurts, betrayal, wrongs and hatred and let them go. Christ will take those and replace them with love and kindness. Letting go frees us and gives us a new pathway in Him. Joseph certainly had a new pathway with his brothers and father and whole family who come to be cared for and settled in the land of Goshen. Where are your pathways leading you? Are you moving forward with forgiveness by embracing Christ? God promises forgiveness in Christ, Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Through forgives we are free to serve Him, Psalm 130:4 “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Our memory verse from our study of 1 John was 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” Forgiveness in Christ brings us into God’s light and the darkness is dispelled! Praise God! 1 Timothy 6:17 wisely speaks to us and I see Joseph lived by these principles. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Joseph kept his focus on God. May we do likewise and experience His providential care, forgives of sins and love. 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.
Pastor Alex used the text in Acts 16:9-15 to show us how encompassing God’s love is. Last week we saw how Cornelius was let to faith in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. God meant for Gentiles to be included in His family. This week, we see Paul extending the love of Christ to Lydia, a gentile woman, who readily embraced Christ and then led her whole family to faith. Both Cornelius and Lydia wanted their loved ones to come to the saving knowledge of Christ. They wanted them to know the joy of being filled with the Holy Spirit and having a purpose greater than themselves. We see the God has not put limitations on His love and it cannot be contained.
Both Cornelius and Lydia brought their families to faith. That required an open heart and a willingness to risk their lives and reputations. The desire to see their loved ones come to know Christ surpassed any fears they may have had. Is that the same with you? Are you willing to ‘risk’ it to see your family come into the family of God? Here we see that Lydia and Cornelius were willing, and through their open hearts they were able to lead generations to come into the knowledge and love of God. Pastor Alex directed us to 2 Corinthians 5:20. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God’. Lydia counted it a privilege to be Christ’s ambassador in her family and in her community. An Ambassador is a spokesperson, an official of the highest rank who is sent on a mission. The mission Lydia and Cornelius were sent on is the same one we are to embrace which, is to spread the good news of Christ, the gospel message. Do you need to hone your ambassador skills? Are you representing Jesus and speaking out for Him? I am reminded of our memory verse for this week from Romans 1:16-17. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Are you willing to proclaim the gospel without being ashamed of it? Do you truly believe it contains the revelation from God, Christ, which allows us to live within His righteousness? If so, it is the best message yet. Hope, redemption, right living with God, what could be better? If so, who do you need to tell this week? You too can have an immeasurable impact for Christ right where you live: in your family, neighborhood, town and country. Linda The ruins at Philippi which are just over the hill from the stream where Paul and Lydia worshipped. Continue reading Acts 16 for further adventures of Paul and Silas at Philippi that landed them in jail and led to the conversion of the jailer and his family coming to know Christ, too. SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon 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. This Sunday’s message was based on 2 precious passages that describe the angel’s encounter with both Mary and Joseph. Both passages show the strength of character possessed by Mary and Joseph and their heart for God.
Brother Damien pointed us to the risks involved for both Mary and Joseph and how they responded. Both were in a position to be ridiculed by their family, friends and community as a pregnancy in their betrothal period was absolutely against God’s law and outside society’s norms. Their reputation was at stake in regard to men but their integrity with God was pure. God knew their hearts and the circumstances, and He sent an angel to speak with them separately to reassure them that what was happening was of God not of man. God knew their thoughts and addressed their fears with soothing words, “Do not be afraid.” Not only did God’s message tell them not to be afraid but gave them reason for hope and commitment as the purpose of Mary’s pregnancy was revealed. They were to be a part of something greater that would affect the world eternally. Yes, there were personal risks to be taken, but the rewards would be for their good, the good of all mankind and for God’s glory! They would also have the privilege of raising God’s son while here on earth. What an awesome responsibility and blessing God placed in their lives. What risks is God asking you to take to live differently for Him? Is He bringing you to a new place, opening new opportunities for you to share about Jesus, giving you a new ministry to be involved in or perhaps it is a new child, job or home? God has a plan for each of us that requires us to step out in faith and trust Him. He knows the way and will lead and provide just as He did for Mary and Joseph. What did Mary and Joseph have to do to accept God’s challenge for their lives? Both of them had to respond in faithful obedience. Mary said yes to the Lord and her response is filled with her faith in and for God. Here are her words from a portion of the scripture known as the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-50 “ And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” What an amazing response of gratitude to the Lord for His work within her. Joseph likewise responded in faith. Matthew 1:20-23 describes the situation and the work the Holy Spirit will do within Mary. He is not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Verse 24-25 tells us what he did after his miraculous dream “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” He immediately acted upon the Lord’s request and took Mary as his wife. He did not stop to question the angel or ask how or why, but he obediently did as the Lord required. Obedience is an expression of love and respect, and God desires us to be obedient. Luke 11:28 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Obedience also will result in our remaining in God’s love and having joy. John 15:10-11”If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Mary and Joseph both expressed their love for God by accepting His call upon their lives. They were obedient to follow His commands. Their obedience led them to have the privilege of having and knowing God’s Son. He would be in their home, with them and with their future children. They knew they were part of something bigger than their own lives. Their child was to save all mankind from their sins. Where is God calling you to live obediently? You can be assured that following what God has called you to do will bring blessing! God keeps His promises. As Damien continued to share, I was riveted by his testimony because it showed over and over how God had plan for Damien’s life, a purpose and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Just as God knew the plans He had for Mary and Joseph, He had/has plans for Damien’s life. He sought to bring Damien face to face with his Savior, Jesus. God protected, loved and guided Damien because He knew what wonderful things He had in store for him, the plans for his life in Christ. When Damien finally got to the place where he accepted Jesus and decided to walk with him in obedience, he has experienced the blessings of obedience just like Mary and Joseph. Loving God, walking with Him brings blessings into our lives. Thank you Jesus! May you experience the love of Jesus and the blessings of following Him in obedience this season. Linda SERMON LINK This Christmas | The Family Perspective Click Here to View the Sermon Sermon series, "This Christmas" Today Damon teaches from Luke 1:30-35 & Matt 1:18-25 If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. |
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