“His Word, Our Response” Christ Connect Church (6-Oct-2013)

We set our minds of things above, not on things on earth. For we died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then we also will appear with Him in glory. (1) “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (2) - AMEN (1) Col. 3:1-4 (personalized), (2) Heb. 10:38-39 Our Proclamation

What’s bothering you recently?

Revisiting Joseph’s story 1. Long before Joseph was born, his journey to Egypt (and of his entire family) was foretold by God to his great-grandfather Abraham Genesis 15:13-14 NIV 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.

Revisiting Joseph’s story 2. What happened to Joseph and his family was part of God’s divine plan (God is Sovereign) 3. But Joseph, his brothers and their whole family still have an active part to play in God’s divine plan (Man’s response to God’s will) 4. We will see from this amazing story this principle woven into Joseph’s tale – Obedience to God’s Word leads to many blessings

God’s Word, Man’s Response Genesis 37: When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. GOD’S WORD -> OBEDIENCE -> PROTECTION

God’s Word, Man’s Response Genesis 37: Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 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. GOD’S WORD -> OBEDIENCE -> TESTING OF FAITH

Satan’s Lies, Man’s Response Genesis 39: When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. SATAN’S LIES -> DECEPTION -> SUFFERING/GRIEF

God’s Word, Man’s Response Genesis 40: Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. GOD’S WORD -> OBEDIENCE -> GODLY FRIENDS

God’s Word, Man’s Response Genesis 41:12 12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled. GOD’S WORD -> OBEDIENCE -> WISDOM

God’s Word, Man’s Response Genesis 41: The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. 33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.” 40 “You (Joseph) shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” GOD’S WORD -> OBEDIENCE -> RICH BLESSINGS

God’s Word, Man’s Response Genesis 50: So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

God’s Word, Man’s Response Genesis 50: But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. GOD’S WORD -> OBEDIENCE -> RECONCILIATION -> FORGIVENESS/PEACE

RESPONSIVE TRUST 1.God reveals to us His will by His Word Genesis 41:25, 32 NIV 25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do… 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.”

RESPONSIVE TRUST 2. Man’s response to God’s Word was, is and forever will be responsive trust Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness. a.Romans 4:3 – we are made right (justified) before God by faith alone b.Galatians 3:6 – we receive the promised Holy Spirit (and continue to live under the Holy Spirit’s leading) by faith alone

RESPONSIVE TRUST 2. Man’s response to God’s Word was, is and forever will be responsive trust Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. c.James 2:23 – our faith and our actions work together in harmony, just like in Abraham’s life! GOD’S WORD -> OUR RESPONSIVE TRUST -> LEADS TO RIGHT LIVING

TRUE FAMINE & TRUE BREAD John 6: Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”

TRUE FAMINE & TRUE BREAD John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” 2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.