Welcome to Worship
September 27, 2020
Preparing our Hearts for Worship: Rev. Bill Archer
Worship Song (pre-recorded): Living Hope
Worship Team
Welcome and Prayer: Rev. Peggy Peek
Worship Meditation (pre-recorded): Let There Be Peace on Earth
Cathy Stracener
Scripture: Genesis 37:12-26
Sermon Series: Joseph – Living the Dream
Sermon Title: Faithful in Adversity
Rev. Mark Adams
Sermon Notes:
Last week we began a study of the life of Joseph, which is recorded in Genesis 37-50. And when we ended our study of the first chapter of his life I told you that the jealousy and bitterness that Joseph’s brothers felt for him was like dry grass. All that would be needed for that family to set it ablaze was a tiny spark. This morning we read about the spark that began a “blaze of adversity” that was costly, for it nearly cost our hero his life.
“Joseph, you know that your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” —Genesis 37:13
“Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male. The sons of Jacob looted the city where their sister had been defiled. They seized their flocks and herds and donkeys and everything else of theirs in the city and out in the fields. They carried off all their wealth and all their women and children, taking as plunder everything in the houses.” —Genesis 34:25ff
“Satan stalks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” —1 Peter 5:8
“When he arrived at Shechem,” he couldn’t find his brothers. He asked a local resident if he had seen them. “They have moved on from here,” the man said. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” —Genesis 37:15
“They saw him in the distance and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. ‘Here comes that dreamer!’ they said to each other. ‘Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.’” —Genesis 37:18
“’Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.’ When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. ‘Let’s not take his life,’ he said. ‘Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don’t lay a hand on him.’ Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.” —Genesis 37:20-21
“So, when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.” —Genesis 37:23
“We saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen.” —Genesis 42:21
“They looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. —Genesis 37:25
“The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?” —Genesis 37:30
“Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. —Genesis 37:33
What faith lessons can we learn from this “second chapter” in Joseph’s life?
1.) Good times are
.
“Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.” —Genesis 37:36
2.) Bad times are
.
“Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.” —Job 5:7
“Those that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” —2 Timothy 3:12
“In this world you WILL have trouble.” —John 16:33
3.) Effort is
.
“Do not grow weary in doing good. In due season, we’ll reap a harvest if we don’t give up.” —Galatians 6:9
4.) God is
.
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” —Romans 8:28
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” —Isaiah 43:2
Prayer and Benediction: Rev. Mark Adams