Good News of Great Joy
11.26.23
David Schenone
Part of New Life Novato Sermons—Just fill in, and email to yourself!
November 26, 2023

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Good News of Great Joy

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:11

God is the God of

Starting with Abraham:

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” —Genesis 22:18

– Abraham
– Isaac
– Jacob
– Joseph

God’s doesn’t cancel our dysfunction

Abraham

Abraham was called to be the father of a nation, God’s chosen people

He began a pattern of dysfunction that became generational

Abraham married Sarah and then lied about it:

  • Gen 12 – Denied Sarah as his wife to the Pharoah out of fear of being killed
  • Gen 20 – Did the same to King Abimelech of the Philistines

Isaac

-Gen 26 - Isaac denies Rebekah as his wife to King Abimelech of the Philistines

He found himself in the same place doing the same behavior as the generation before him.

Jacob

The generational cycle of deceit that started with Abraham and Isaac became Jacob’s identity.

Jacob’s name meant to supplant, or


-Tricked his father and stole Esau’s birthright

Joseph

Grew up with favoritism and being pitted against his brothers

Sold by his brothers into slavery

Forgiveness Generational Cycles

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” —Matthew 6:14

Joseph lived out his faith and God elevated and blessed him.

Went from a slave to the right hand of Pharaoh

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” —Joshua 24:15

Joseph continued to live out his faith by

his brothers:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for

—Genesis 50:20

News of Great Joy

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will be on His shoulders; and his name will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6

Good news: Jesus is the perfect answer that breaks every generational cycle