Tag: Discipleship

Reflections on Genesis 45-47

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and reveals his trust in God’s providence.

  • God’s providence – Joseph recognizes that while his brothers sold him, God had sent him to Egypt for a purpose. From slavery to Potiphar to Potiphar’s wife to prison to the cup-bearer to Pharaoh to ruling just below Pharaoh. Any piece of the chain, good or bad, would have led to a different end, but God providentially worked out each situation to bring Joseph to where he was. How have you seen God’s providence in your life?
  • Trusting God – Undoubtedly Joseph struggled at times with the direction his life was going. His brothers note the distress of his soul when they sold him as a slave (42:21). Being cast into prison was not a fun thing. And yet, we see in Joseph a man who walked with God and generally trusted God with his life. “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (45:8). He trusted in God’s providence. Will you trust God with your life? In the darkness of difficult situations, will you trust that God has a good plan for you?

Genesis 45-50: God Is In Control

On By BrianIn OT Studies1 Comment

(12-50) What examples have you seen of God’s sovereignty in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? In Joseph’s life?

(45, 50) Describe the interplay between human actions and God’s sovereignty according to Joseph in 45:5-8 and 50:20. How does that encourage you?

How is the cross the ultimate example of 50:20?

(50) How does Joseph’s belief in God’s sovereignty make it possible for Joseph to forgive his brothers (50:15-21)? How can this belief help you to forgive others?

What else can you learn about forgiveness and reconciliation in this passage?

(48-49) Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons and his own sons based apparently on each son’s character, and yet these blessings are also prophetic. God has a plan for Jacob’s family, and he reveals some of that plan in these blessings. Looking ahead, how do we see God fulfill the following blessings (you may need to consult a study Bible or other Bible resource):

  • Ephraim and Manasseh counted as Jacob’s (48:5) –
  • Ephraim placed before Manasseh (48:17-20) –
  • Ephraim and Manasseh growing into a multitude (48:16) –
  • Reuben and Joseph (49:3-4, 22-26, see I Chronicles 5:1-2) –
  • Simeon and Levi scattered in Israel (49:5-7) –
  • The blessings of Judah (49:8-12) –

(48-49) Jacob twice refers to God as his Shepherd (48:15, 49:24). How does the term “shepherd” convey both God’s care and God’s control? In what circumstances do you need to think of (and turn to) God as your Shepherd this week?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Character of the Christian: Temperate – Tim Challies
The Bible makes it crystal clear—God’s people are to be enslaved only to Jesus Christ. They are to resist any competitors, chief among them alcohol.

Rest in the Prince of Peace– Jon Bloom (DG)
An accurate gauge of our level of faith is how and how much we pray. A growing prayerful dependence on God is evidence of our growing spiritual maturity. And the more we pray in faith in everything, the more we experience the peace of God.

How To Be Conformed to the World – Tim Challies
Worldliness is like gravity, always there, always pushing down on you, always exerting its influence on you. As a Christian you are charged with resisting it day by day.

Beware the Black Hole of Time – Austin Brown (GR)
People get sucked away and lost forever on the second or third or fourth visit immediately following a church service (and especially during any waiting periods- like before a fellowship meal).  This is the black hole of time. Initial hellos have been said. Handshakes have been exchanged. So everything is supposedly good now. The regulars can do their regular things, and the visitors are supposed to feel at home.  But they don’t feel at home. Not even a little…. Let me encourage you to go out of your way to fill the black hole of time with warmth. Stay with the new people. Actively invite them to your table or sit down next to them. Go out of your comfort zone.  Can I say all that again? It is really quite important.  Stay with the new people. Be a good host. Take the time to hear their story and share yours. Ask good questions. Don’t leave them feeling awkward.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping our great God and enjoying fellowship with His people!

Reflections on Genesis 42-44

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Last week we saw Judah’s selfish example as he freely did whatever pleased him, even selling his brother Joseph into slavery. But in today’s passage we see a distinct change in Judah’s character:

  • From hatred to love – Judah hated Joseph enough to sell him into slavery. This action also showed a hatred for his father who would be cruelly hurt by his loss of Joseph. But now Judah shows love for his father as he intercedes for Benjamin. Have you moved from hatred to love? This is a serious question, for John makes clear that if we don’t love, we don’t know God (I John 4:7-8). Is your life characterized by love or hatred?
  • Self-sacrifice – True love means sacrifice. Judah offers to become a servant in Benjamin’s place. In what ways are you sacrificing yourself for others?
  • Christ’s sacrifice – As Judah offered to become a servant for Benjamin, so Judah’s descendant Jesus became a servant for us. He offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Have you accepted his gift of love to you?

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 2:20-22

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

Together we are God’s temple
Set apart to the Lord
The place in which our God now dwells
Established by His Word

We stand on the gospel knowing
Christ is our cornerstone
Built together ever growing
In Christ and Christ alone

So come ready your God to meet
Your Lord to now worship
Before the feast of His Word eat
And love the fellowship

(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past)

Reflections on Genesis 40-41

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

In our passage today, Joseph is able to interpret several dreams. Note:

  • I can’t but God can – Joseph tells the baker and cup-bearer that interpretations belong to God. Joseph can’t interpret the dreams on his own, but he can with God’s help. Later, Pharaoh summons Joseph to interpret his dreams and Joseph tells him, “It is not in me.” Joseph can’t do it, but God can. In both cases it is God that helps Joseph interpret the dreams. Joseph not only recognizes this, he credits God with his ability. What abilities do you have? Have you recognized that these abilities come from God? Do you give God the credit?
  • God’s sovereignty – Joseph makes clear in his interpretation that God is the one who will bring seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. God is in control. The future is not mere chance or fate, but is determined by the merciful God who prepared Egypt for the famine with an advanced warning. No matter what you are facing, God is in control, and he will help you. Will you trust him?

Genesis 40-44: Tale of 3 Men

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(40-41) Joseph’s exaltation: Chapter 39 ended with the idea that God was with Joseph. How do you see that in chapters 40-41?

What part did Joseph’s trials (slavery, prison) play in his eventual exaltation? Can you think of a time when this happened in your life?

Go back to chapter 37. In what ways might Joseph have been tempted with pride?

What part might Joseph’s trials have played in addressing this temptation?

Who does Joseph credit with his ability to interpret dreams? What does that tell you about Joseph?

Describe how Joseph’s life demonstrates the principle found in I Peter 5:6. How do you need to apply this principle in your own life?

(42-44) Jacob’s Reaction: Describe Jacob’s reaction to the idea of sending Benjamin to Egypt (42:36 & 38, 43:6 & 14). What does that tell you about Jacob?

When are you tempted to act like Jacob?

(42-44) Judah’s Transformation: Describe Judah’s part in the brothers selling Joseph into slavery (37:25-28). What do you learn about Judah?

Now compare his past behavior with his actions in 43:8-9 and 44:14-34. What transformation do you see?

In what small ways in your daily life do you need to follow Judah’s transformed example in chapter 44?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

How to Commune with Christ on a Crazy Day – David Mathis (Crossway)
Whatever the circumstances that throw a wrench into your routine, your crazy mornings raise the question, How should you think about, and engage in (if at all), the “spiritual disciplines”—or better yet, “the means of grace”—of Bible meditation and prayer when God’s good, but often inconvenient, sovereignty has you reeling without your routine?

The Character of the Christian: Hospitable – Tim Challies
An open home displays Christian love but it also enables it. Hospitality creates opportunities for relationship, for discipleship, and for evangelism. It creates a natural context for modeling marriage, parenting, and a host of Christian virtues. While we are to teach others what the Bible says, we are also to demonstrate what it says, and we do that by inviting people into our homes and into our lives.

The Character of the Christian: Gentle – Tim Challies
To be gentle is to be tender, humble, and fair, to know what posture and response is fitting for any occasion. It indicates a graciousness, a desire to extend mercy to others, and a desire to yield to both the will of God and the preferences of other people. Such gentleness will be expressed first in the home and only subsequently in the church. It is a rare trait, but one we know and love when we see and experience it.

Don’t Be Embarrassed by Your Ordinary Church – Erik Raymond
Is your church ordinary? Small? Well, my Christian friend, if it is preaching the gospel and endeavoring to help others to know and follow Jesus then it is not insignificant. It is powerfully important and surpassingly glorious. And, you should praise God for it–even as you get to work in it!

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day ready to worship and fellowship with your ordinary local church!