Handling Problems Genesis 43

Sermon Nuggets Monday Dec 17 Handling Problems          

Gen 43

Handling Problems.

            Since I recycle older sermons in my “Nuggets” I made 10 practical points illustrated by the lives Jacob, Judah and Joseph and the different ways they faced problems. Let them serve as examples to us.

I also apologize for two things. First had this devotional ready on Monday but just forgot to it the send button.  Secondly, I admit I have a problem with alliterations. I think there must be help for me, but maybe it is too late. All 10 points begin with the letter P. I promised I would give this up last New Years in my resolutions, but old habits don’t die very well.

            Remember, Joseph was a slave in Egypt, but by God’s work in his life Joseph now became the second ruler in Egypt. He used his God given leadership and organizational skills to save his country from starvation during a famine, as well as reuniting and saving his own family.  When the brothers came from Canaan seeking food Joseph recognized them and because of the accusation of being spies he said they should return with the youngest brother, Benjamin. While in jail they thought about their crime against Joseph many years earlier and wondered if God wasn't punishing them. Simeon was taken into prison.

            After they returned home and told their story to their father, Jacob, there was no way was he going to let Benjamin return with his brothers to Egypt. He was content to eat the food and leave Simeon in jail. But now there was a problem. They were running out of food again and had no place else to turn. Jacob did not want Benjamin to go and Judah could see no other alternative but to obey this Egyptian ruler and bring Benjamin out.

           

1. One way some people handle problems is PROCRASTINATION.

Some people don’t handle problems they just keep putting off facing them. Maybe they will hope it will go away. Jacob’s first response to the problem was to “put it off,” to delay in taking action until the matter had finally reached crisis proportions.                 

Joseph had made an agreement with his brothers that they would take the desperately needed grain home and then return with Benjamin. But Jacob hoped for a better crop. Nothing more is said about going to get Simeon. Judah put his finger on Jacob’s procrastination when he said, “For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice” (Genesis 43:10).

           

I usually put off decisions and facing problems when my actions are uncomfortable. Confronting some people is not fun. Rather than face it squarely I have a tendency to procrastinate and not get around to doing what is uncomfortable to do.

            Many students know they have a paper or test due and keep putting it off until the last minute when they can no longer let it go. I talked to one person who was delaying telling his parents some news because it would cause angry feelings. He said, “Well maybe the Lord will come and solve all our problems.” If you wait long enough the Lord will come, but most of the problems will be solved after as well, but this isn’t the will of God. Procrastinator find not only the problem facing them they also find they have usually made matters worse by letting it go. Sometimes problems with personnel or kids, or neighbors, until things just keep getting worse and you have to face it.

             The brothers purposed to go back to Egypt with Benjamin, pick up Simeon and get for grain, but they were prohibited by Jacob, who refused to let Benjamin leave his side. Not until their grain had virtually run out did Jacob face up to the matter.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Dec 18 Pretending

Gen 43:2b their father said to them. “Go back and buy us a little more food.

    “ But Judah said to him, The man warned us solemnly. “You will not see your face again unless your brother is with you.”

    6 Israel asked, “why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother”

2. Another way of handing problems is PRETENDING.

           

Pretending that the problem doesn't really exist or isn't as important as it really is. Some people like to ignore the problem thinking it would go away.

Jacob minimized this matter of the famine, Simeon’s captivity, and the inevitable fact that all his sons would have to return to Egypt. I find a clue to this in verse 2 where Jacob said, “Go back, buy us a little food.” Why would he possibly tell his sons to buy only a little food? Why would they not buy all the grain they could carry? Naturally, he did not know that the famine was to last another five years, but he was aware that the famine was severe. Rather than face the problem head on, Jacob wanted to dabble with it a piece at a time. More than anything, perhaps he hoped that if only a little grain were sought, perhaps the governor (Joseph) would not hold to his original demand that Benjamin accompany his brothers on their next trip.

Judah, however, was unwilling to accept the minimizing of his father. After all, it was not Jacob who would have to stand before that Egyptian governor and explain Benjamin’s absence. Joseph had insisted that he would not see these men again unless their youngest brother was with them. Judah had to face dear old Dad with reality. They would not return for more grain unless Benjamin accompanied them.

Pretending there isn't a problem is a common occurrence. Psychologists call this denial. Doctors see this a lot in patients who have had a persistent health symptom that they ignored and pretended it didn’t exit until they were finally confronted with it’s severity. It reminds us of the ostrich that sticks it’s head in the sand.

           

One of the tragedies of World War 2 was that many of the Christians in Germany found it easy to ignore the plight of the Jews and pretended they were just in a camp or relocation ghetto instead of facing the obvious problem that required intervention.

            Think about your problems. Have you been tempted just to pretend it isn't there? Sometimes waiting can solve situations. But pretending you don’t have a problem doesn't change the situation. To admit a problem is the first step to resolving a problem. To admit you need help is a solution. To keep pretending everything is okay can make matters worse. Facing situations as soon as possible will often allow us to deal with it while it is still small instead of growing.

            What problem are you ignoring when you can be doing something about it?

3. Some seek to face their problems by PERJURY.

 That is the fancy word for lying.

I know I have a problem and I am unable to control it. Every time I preach a sermon I try hard not to make my points start with the same letter. This outline really must be given to a therapist to show how bad I am. 10 points all starting with the letter P. Sorry about that.

            .  Perjury means lying. If you can’t procrastinate, and can’t pretend it isn’t there, then perjure yourself by making up a story. That’s the way some people handle problems.

Jacob rebukes his sons for telling the truth. In other words, why didn't they lie about having anymore family at home?  It was not just a matter of telling family secrets out of school—it was an issue of being truthful. The information they gave to Joseph was in response to very direct questioning. Of course, Joseph would know they were lying if they didn’t admit to another brother at home. He knew the answers, but was testing them. Good thing they didn’t lie.

Sometimes we are tested as well if we are going to tell the truth or lie. The old ways of deception were still there, and in times of adversity Jacob did not hesitate to employ them. Jacob is saying why did you tell him you had another brother? Why not lie about it for protection?

           

Kids are very good at that? Something it broken, what happened? I don’t know what happened.  Or, “I found it that way when I came into the room.” (That is perjury- that’s an outright lie). Folks tell some very interesting stories to try to get out of trouble only to find they have to keep telling bigger lies to cover up the previous lies. It’s easy to remember the truth, it’s much harder to keep straight stories that aren't true. 

            The Bible says be sure your sins will find you out and lying about something doesn't do any good. It is letting you solve the problem your own way vs. God’s way.

           

            Is there something you are covering up or lying about so that you will not have to face a problem?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Dec 19 Passing Blame and Priorities

Gen 43: ⁶ Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?”

⁷ They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’ he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’ We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”

4. PASSING Blame is another way many will seek to solve problems.

           

Hoping to alter the course of history, Jacob sought to change the minds of his sons by placing the responsibility for their circumstances solely on them. In effect, Jacob said to his sons, “It’s your entire fault. None of this would have happened if you hadn't told the Egyptian about your youngest brother.” If it were their entire fault, then why should they be belligerent about trying to solve the matter on their own without jeopardizing the life of Benjamin and the happiness of their father?

They will come up with all kinds of excuses as to why it isn’t their fault and really someone else’s fault.

           

I really get upset in our society when all the problems are someone else’s fault no one will admit they were wrong. No one will take ownership of the problem. I like the fact that Waddle commander of the ship is taking some responsibility for the sinking of the sub, but even there he was blaming some inexperienced personnel and one of the admirals said, “But that is your ship. If he didn't want an inexperienced person running it then get someone else.”

            We are a society that is especially skilled at rationalizing and blaming. When someone is caught in wrong you might hear, “I come from a dysfunctional home (I'm not responsible . . .blame my upbringing); This is just the way I am (I'm not responsible . . . blame my genes . . . or God!); They started it (I'm not responsible . . they are)

I didn't know that was against the law (I'm not responsible . . . you didn't tell me);

I have been oppressed (I'm not responsible . . . society is) ;

There is an old story about the time Emperor Frederick the Great visited Potsdam Prison. He spoke with the prisoners, and each man claimed to be innocent, a victim of the system. One man, however, sat silently in the corner.

The ruler asked him, "And you, sir, who do you blame for your sentence?"

His response was, "Your majesty, I am guilty and richly deserve my punishment." Surprised, the emperor shouted for the prison warden: "Come and get this man out of here before he corrupts all these innocent people.”

           

We are experts at passing the blame and not facing problems that need to be faced 

5. A good way to solve problems is to Sort out the PRIORITIES.

            Judah looks at the options open to them. One you can ignore the problem and die, or you can pretend it isn't serious and die; You can pass the blame but that isn’t going to solve the problem. Lying isn’t going to do any good.

           

When you have a problem a very important place to begin is to think about the priorities and ask yourselves the probably consequences of each option you can think of. What is the worse thing that can happen and what is the best thing that can happen. Is it really a priority matter or not?

            Judah presents the problem with the priority in the right place. If the boy doesn't go back with us all our children will die, including Benjamin, so let’s take emotions out of this and look at the facts. The most important thing is getting food and the way to get food is to obey the ruler. So as far as he was concerned the matter had to be broken down to the simplest solution. Life or death. He’s going to die this way, but he won’t die with that option, so now we eliminate plan A.

           

Now let’s look at alternatives as to what might happen and make a proposal. I will guarantee his safety. I will personally see to it that nothing happens to him. Reuben made a similar claim in 42:37 put both my sons to death if I don’t bring Ben back. Now it seems Reuben isn't in the picture as the leader of the brothers, but Judah is.

            When you are trying to decide on problems to the best of your abilities based on the information that you have write down all the possibilities and make priorities as to which is the best plan second best and back up plans and evaluate them  That helps you prioritize your plan.

As they discuss the priorities of the plan Jacob finally is confronted with the situation and must do something. He suggests the option of giving gifts. That worked for him when he met his brother Esau a number of years earlier when he feared for his life. He made retribution and gave him many fine presents to show his desire for peace and for reconciliation. Jacob instructs his sons to bring a few of the choicest products of the land of Canaan. Certainly these delicacies would not offend the governor of Egypt and might even win his favor.

If the family had faulted Joseph in any way he know it would be wise to give the ruler gifts and double portion of the silver so he knows they didn‘t try stealing anything.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Dec 20 Plan Proceed and Perspective

Gen 23: ¹¹ Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.¹² Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. ¹³ Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. ¹⁴ And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

¹⁵ So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. ¹⁶ When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon.”

¹⁷ The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house. ¹⁸ Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.”

¹⁹ So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. ²⁰ “Please, sir,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. ²¹ But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. ²² We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

²³ “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

6. Pray about the PLAN. V. 14

           

Now you might call the blessing, but it is a reminder that God is in charge. Turn your plans over to the Lord. We do that by a commitment of prayer, or dedication of humility. Lord this is what we have planned. Change it. Demonstrate your glory or mercy or love, or discipline. What is it that God has in mind?  How does the Lord want to use it?

            Proverb 3:5,6 says it clearly and plainly. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”

            After Jacob had a chance to think through all his options and confrontation by his sons and the matter before his was to turn his family over to the Lord. The daughters-in-law and the children stayed behind with Jacob, but now the desire was the God go with them to the land that everything goes well.

            Jacob had been in this place before in his own life. He wrestled with an angel before he met Esau again. He had a dream with angels up and down ladders before he went into a foreign land. He had meetings with God and God had given to him a promise of offspring greater than sand and stars in the heavens. So this idea of all being killed was not going to happen if he had faith in the prophecies of God to Abraham, Isaac and to himself. They generation wasn’t going to end there. They would continue in ways that only God knows.

            When you are faced with a problem put your confidence in God and let him lead you. Pray about all the matters and if he directs you clearly and directly, praise God, obey him. If however you do not get any direct leading by the Holy Spirit  through the word or prayer objective or subjective then go to the next point, Proceed with the plan.

7. PROCEED with the plan.

           

Plan the work, and work the plan. They proceeded to do what they planned to do and put feet and action to their plans.

            Joseph’s brothers came with a plan of action previously outlined by their father. Now it was important to do what they planned to do. Some people have great plans, but never do anything about it. I usually set up goals and then steps to achieve those goals and find that some I work at and a lot I don’t. When I was at study break I came up with some priorities and set for a vision and a plan and then wrote down some steps to accomplish some of those plans. I dare say some of those things are working and some of them aren't  Some had to be changed because of circumstances that one didn't know at the time, so you change them.

Whenever you proceed with a plan let me add that you are making decisions based on the information that you have at the present. Only God knows the future. We are going to talk about Gods’ will in a minute, but after you pray and think and plan, then don’t second guess yourself. Proceed. Move on. If it is a mistake then corrected, but do something. There are some plans that are sitting there. I read them on my goals for the year and say, “Well that is not my number one priority at this time so I’ll have to let that one go for now.” Some are a priority and need the discipline to address it, not ignore it..

As I read on in the chapter I think Joseph also had a plan. His plan was to reunite his family and allow the brothers to repent of their sin. He had a plan and worked out steps of mercy as well as allow for conviction of their own spirits. Joseph instructed his servant to take these men into his house and to prepare a meal for them in a way that parallels the reception of the prodigal son in the New Testament (Luke 15:11-32).

8. Another way to handle problems is to gain PERSPECTIVE from others.

The brothers were afraid for their lives when they were taken to Joseph’s house. The dungeons were also part of the house of the rulers and this is no doubt where Simeon was being kept, and now they feared that was what would happen to them.

They talked to Joseph’s steward and got another perspective. They plead their case to the servant who told them they were not in trouble. He saw things they didn't see. He saw what was going on to some extent and was able to calm their fears.

In our lives it is good to get the perspective of others in advice, counsel or prayer.

           

The steward sought to calm their fears by assuring them that he had received the money for their grain. Indeed he had, but he did not mention to them that it was he, under Joseph’s orders, who also returned it. The steward informed these men that it was their God and the God of their father who had provided this money. To further assure them, he brought out Simeon and returned him to them.

            It is good to talk with other people and get different perspectives for best solutions

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Dec 21 Perseverance and Providence.

Gen 43 ²⁶ When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. ²⁷ He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”

²⁸ They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed low to pay him honor.

²⁹ As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” ³⁰ Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

³¹ After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.”

³² They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. ³³ The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. ³⁴ When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

9. PERSEVERANCE 

            Someone sent me an email. On the bottom it read, “If at first you don’t succeed, don’t try sky diving.”

           

I look at the extent of Joseph’s plan as it is played out. He made a deal out of sitting a different table so as to keep his disguise to bring them to repentance, to found out as much as he can about his family. He demonstrated love to his brother.

            Joseph’s whole life in looking at problems is characterized by perseverance. One poem Cork and the Whale

A little brown cork

Fell in the path of a whale

Who lashed it down

With his angry tail.

But, in spite of the blows,

It quickly arose,

And floated serenely

Before his nose.

Said the cork to the whale,

"You may flap and sputter and frown,

But you never, never can keep me down:

For I'm made of the stuff

That is buoyant enough

To float instead of to drown."

            Joseph was made of the stuff that would continue and not drown. 

10. PROVIDENCE -God’s good grace.

I don’t know how many have seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor coat with Donnie Osman. Weber and Rice took Joseph’s story and turned into a musical but missed the whole point of the story. Through entertaining and upbeat music they present the story line that if you dream dreams and pursue them they will come true.

Joseph had nothing to do with his dreams, God did. Joseph had nothing to do with becoming the leader of Egypt God did. Joseph was the tool God used to bring about Gods’ will and for God’s glory. God is taken completely out of the picture of Broadway And unfortunately God is taken out of the picture for many who seek to solve their problems man’s way.

Interestingly the providence of God is reminded by an Egyptian servant. Has he been around Joseph so long that he now too believes in God. He reminds these Hebrews that it is their God who has provided. They are under the care of the Lord.

The predominant theme exemplified by Josephs brothers were “fear” and “works.” The brothers’ fears, like their father’s, are completely unfounded. They sought by the works of their hands to win Joseph’s acceptance and favor. When Joseph brought them to his house for a feast, they feared that it was designed to be an opportunity to take them as slaves. Joseph, however, wished only to shower them with blessings.

Joseph brought them into his home and gave them a magnificent meal. If Jacob and his sons were filled with fears, Joseph’s eyes were filled with tears, tears of love and compassion. His only desire was to see a change of heart in his brothers and to once again see his father.

To Joseph’s brothers nothing was more important than those pistachio nuts and almonds. These nuts, along with the other products of the land of Canaan, were expected to win Joseph’s favor. He never gave them a glance. He did not ask how they were grown or what year they were produced. He didn’t care. Joseph was only concerned with people, not pistachio nuts; he cared about his brother Benjamin, his father Jacob, and the rest of his brethren. His first utterance sought information on the health of his aged father. Next he turned his attention to Benjamin, who he had not seen for over twenty years. Joseph pronounced upon Benjamin a blessing which should have sounded strange coming from an Egyptian. Seeing his full brother, the only other son of his mother was too much for Joseph to contain. Quickly he left the presence of his brothers to weep and to regain control of his emotions. He saw the providence of God demonstrated in that his family was before him bowing just like God said would happen. He was not filled with revenge, but mercy and grace.

What a beautiful picture this chapter provides us of the discipline which God exercises in the lives of His children. Only Joseph fully recognized all of these things as coming from the hand of a loving and caring God which he speaks of later.

When some did realize that their trials were from God, it would appear that they perceived an angry God who was only seeking vengeance. This is just the way they viewed Joseph, as a harsh and angry man  But whatever discipline which comes from God is from a heart filled with grief and injured love. Its desired end is not revenge, but restoration. It seeks to bring us to the place where His blessings may once again flow freely into our lives.

Joseph’s brothers provide us with an excellent illustration of salvation. In their current spiritual state they faced Joseph with the greatest fear. They perceived their only “salvation” to be in their “works” of returning the money they found in their sacks and in the pistachio nuts and other presents they brought from Canaan. The first was refused by the steward, and the second was ignored by Joseph. It was not their works that endeared these brothers to Joseph; it was their relationship to him. That is what they did not yet realize.

In the same way today sinful men dread the thought of standing before a righteous and holy God. The future must be faced with great fear. Frantically men and women seek to gain God’s favor and acceptance by their “pistachio nuts” of good works. Such things as trying to live by the Golden Rule or the Sermon on the Mount, joining the church, and being baptized, are unacceptable to God as a basis for salvation. What saves a man or a woman is a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. When we stand before the throne of God, the only thing God will be interested in is our relationship to His Son, Jesus Christ. If you stand today as one who does not have the assurance of going to heaven you have a big problem. It is provided for by the grace of God giving given to us Jesus to be your savior. Will you deal first with that problem?

What can we learn about problems.

1. Procrastination- Face them soon so they don’t turn into bigger Problems.

2. Pretending-  Be realistic and objective.

3. Perjury- Be honest with yourself and others.

4. Passing blame- Be responsible for your issues (not others)

5. Priorities- What needs to be done first what is most important how do you get there?

6. Pray- Lay it out before God for wisdom and direction.

7. Proceed- Work the Plan to the best of your ability.

8. Perspective- Get advice from others who know, or have wisdom.

9. Preserve- Don’t quit

10. Providence- Realize that in all things God is ultimately in charge and can change your plans for his purposes.

Matthew 6:33 puts everything else in a nice package. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well.”

Pastor Dale

Handling Guilt Genesis 42

 Sermon Nuggets Mon Dec 10 Handling Guilt

Gen 42:1-5  When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” ² He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

³ Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. ⁴ But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. ⁵ So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

Handling Guilt

            Have you ever gone to a twenty year reunion in school or a twenty five year? There are some people who you don’t recognize, or whose names you don’t remember. Joseph is about to have a surprise 20 year reunion with his family.

The problem that caused the separation for this length of time was that fact that his brothers took him and put him in a well only to be sold to slave traders. They had committed sin against Joseph, against Jacob and against God. As we had looked before the plan was to tear up his multicolored coat and take blood from an animal and lie to dad that they found it this way and believe a lion must have attacked and killed him and eaten him.

This action was prompted by jealousy. He and Benjamin were their half brothers. Rachel had died and so they were all more loved by their father, Jacob. Favoritism does cause jealous when each of us desires either preferred or at least equal treatment. Yet most kids will look at other siblings and often feel as if they are in competition for love or special treatment.

Now they also got some money for the sale of Joseph. That was probably quickly gone divided 10 days.

But what remained for those 20 days was the cover up of sin, lying, and pretense.

I heard recently of an owner of the company telling his staff that it was always better to tell the trust, even if you think you are going to get in more trouble, because sooner or later truth will come out. It is always better to be honest for sooner or later dishonesty will be revealed.

It is easier to remember the truth than it is to remember lies and the details that surround them. After awhile you forget what you say to other people.

20 years of covering up their sin allowed for them to often think about it and continue the cover up and lies as Jacob continued to mourn the loss of his beloved son. Every time the name of Joseph was raise their conscious would prick them of their sin. 

You will remember from last week that just as God had told Joseph there was 7 years of bounty and now they face 7 years of famine. As I looked at the 42^nd chapter of Genesis and the story of Joseph’s brothers coming to Egypt to seek food, I noticed some interesting parallels with the truths God has for us as believers in typological form; Joseph is serving as the savior of the Jewish nation, represented in his family. The story of redemption and salvation finds itself woven throughout many of the Old Testament stories.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Dec 11 

Gen 42:6-13 ⁶ Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. ⁷ As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked.

“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”

⁸ Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. ⁹ Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”

¹⁰ “No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. ¹¹ We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”

¹² “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”

¹³ But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

Recognizing Need.

The word began to spread among some of the other nations and people that food and grain was available in Egypt for a price. Jacob with his 11 sons and their families thought it best, rather than sit back and do nothing, go there and buy some grain so they could live. He did not allow Benjamin, the youngest, to leave because of what had happened to Joseph. They had a need. They couldn’t be self reliant.

There are circumstances and situations in our lives that often bring us to recognize our needs. It is easy to avoid God when we feel self-sufficient. It is easy to feel that you have no need of God's touch when everything is running smoothly. These men were comfortable in their denial and their deceptions. As long as the status quo remained they would never change. So God provokes a crisis. This crisis would either harden them further or wake them up.

When they got to Egypt they needed to present their request to none other than Joseph. Who would have thought he was now the second in command in the nation? Who would have thought these men who sold him into slavery would now be bowing down before their brother in honor and respect. Yet just like God revealed over 20 years ago this is exactly what happened. They saw him dressed before in a multi colored robe, now he was finely dressed in robes of rulership, speaking a different language, not letting on he recognized them nor understood their vocabulary did everything he could to find out all about his father and Benjamin his full brother.

           

Their need was to bring them to their knees in realization they could do nothing about it. When Jesus came to the world he taught it is the sick that need a doctor, not those who are well. This was an important lesson that when you think you don’t have any need for a doctor there is no reason to go and get help. When you realize you are sick and need help you go and seek the help you need. There are lots of needs in our lives and many people will never admit it. It isn’t until we face our needs that we learn lessons of  humbleness. We are needy people, mostly in need of God.

            The need of hunger brought these brothers to the feet of Joseph. I think again the type is the forerunner of the father of the savior of the people just like Joseph was the savior of the people in a physical way and preserving the nation. For a time the people went Egypt and there was the prophecy of Jesus needing to go to Egypt when Herod’s forces went around killing the babies. God provided a way of escape.

           

What needs do you come with this morning? For some it may be physical, for others emotional. For some the need might be in relationships, or some spiritual need, a beguiling sin or out of fellowship with the Lord, or need for salvation. We humble ourselves before God and surrender our wills to him. We must recognize our need for God’s help and lay ourselves before him and ask for his filling.

Are you going through tough times? Is life a struggle right now? Could it be that God is trying to get your attention? Is it possible that God is trying to move you from a profession of faith to a possession of faith? We come each week as needy people.

           

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Dec 12 

Gen 42: ¹⁴ Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! ¹⁵ And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives,you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. ¹⁶ Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” ¹⁷ And he put them all in custody for three days.

¹⁸ On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: ¹⁹ If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. ²⁰ But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

²¹ They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”

²² Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” ²³ They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.

²⁴ He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

 Recognizing Sin

            Joseph’s brothers had more of a need than just for food. Joseph put them into a place where they could do some thinking and confronting with their own consciences. Joseph proposes a test. They were accused of being spies and brought into prison for 3 days. One of the men is to be selected to go home and return with Benjamin before the others will be set free! So, Joseph throws them all in prison for three days. What is going on?

I found Alistair Begg writings on Joseph is helpful. “Do you recall what three things had annoyed the brothers about Joseph? There were his special coat and his dream, but he had also brought a bad report about the men to their father. In other words, the brothers had seen Joseph as Jacob's spy, sent to get information and then run back to Daddy with it. . .

            So Joseph decided to accuse his brothers of the very thing they had held against him. Now the brothers were protesting their innocence, and Joseph responded with harsh words and imprisonment and enslaved in Egypt. He kept them in prison as long as he was in the pit for 3 days. Jesus was kept in the tomb for three days and Jonah in the belly of a whale for 3 days. This all relates to the way God designs stories to ultimately point to the greatest story of salvation of them all.

I wonder if the main reason for doing this is in the hope that his brothers will wake up to their actions. He is hoping this treatment will make them "come clean."

We do not understand the affect our sin has on God and destroys others unless we experience some consequences ourselves. You can't treat a disease until you know what disease you are dealing with. A person can't be saved until he realizes he is lost. The brothers needed to see, to feel, to understand their own wickedness

Joseph gave his testimony as one who also feared God. He said he would let them go if one would stay as hostage and they come back with their youngest brother. Joseph wanted to see his family and his full brother whom he loved and hadn’t seen.

But this also triggered the sin in their lives that they tried to forget and cover up. God used this to bring to their minds the consequences of what they did which was wrong because of their jealousy and hard feelings.

God will bring us into situations where our thoughts also ask, what have I done to deserve this? Most tragedies bring us to that point because we want to somehow make sense out of tragedies. We want to have purpose of suffering and if we can find out why we can correct the situation or set up to judge God who we might think is unfair.

Well, you know that there may not have been anything we have done to deserve this. Job did nothing wrong to deserve his treatment, Jesus did nothing wrong to deserve his crucifixion and mocking. The man born blind was not caused by a sin of he or his parents and Jesus told his disciples so, it is that the glory of God might be seen.

But as a chaplain I have also discovered that this is an opportunity to look at our lives and do some re evaluation. A time set apart sometimes forced and some times planned is a way to do some spiritual housecleaning. It is a time to be confronted with sin and giving an opportunity to confess it and ask God for forgives and seek his pardon and our freedom from the bondage Satan lays upon us. If we say we do not sin we are a liar and Gods’ truth is not in us. He is saying this in John to Christians not to none Christians. Yes, we have been forgiven when we have accepted Jesus as our savior, but we need to turn from sinful ways and make things right which is one of the tasks of spiritually coming at communion.

Joseph wanted to see if the brothers were willing to desert one of their own again. Will they abandon Simeon as they did Joseph? The brothers had an interesting conversation in front of Joseph not realizing he could understand them. They thought it was a private conversation they didn't know that the Egyptian leader who sat before them knew Hebrew and knew very well the situation they were talking about.

They had sinned. The Bible says "...all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Some are in a state of denial, in which we think that our sins will never be exposed. We think we can get away with it.

I was reminded this is the 10^th anniversary of when Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped and never heard from again. How unbelievably frustrating that must be for the family and for friends and law enforcement agencies that can’t solve that case. But whoever it was cannot think time will erase this sin from the mind of God. Even if he is never caught he will have to give an account to God. Time does not erase sin.

We can even pretend among good Christian folks when God knows our heart may be lying to family and friends all around us. I went to a seminar this past Friday of a Christian counselor and seminary graduate who lived 11 years as a sex addict having both prostitutes as well as affairs with at least 10 women he counseled before he was caught. Here was an member of the CIA who was a master at cover up when he sold state secrets to Russia. And if he never got caught he could  never run from the Lord.

We should recognize from this account that people will frequently say they are sorry for what they have done, but only when they are faced with the consequences of their sin. The consequences, not the sin, cause the tears to flow. Joseph's brothers were facing, they believed, a tough Egyptian taskmaster who didn't believe their story. To convince them of his seriousness he threw them in prison for three days--a softening process­ and then demanded that they bring their youngest brother before him to prove their words. Was this the reason they suddenly began to express their remorse for how they had treated Joseph 20 years earlier? Had the consequences finally caught up with them? If so, then theirs was not true repentance.

Maybe some of you are reminded of how you had hurt others, taken advantage of family members, lied to bosses, or spouses. Slowly sin eats away at our joy and our heart. Looking squarely at our sin is painful, embarrassing, and at times, makes us sick. But without recognition of sin there can be no forgiveness. Without seeing our need, we will never need a Savior.

           

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Dec 13 Mercy

Gen 42:²⁴ He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

²⁵ Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, ²⁶ they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.

²⁷ At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. ²⁸ “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.”

Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”

Recognizing Mercy

Joseph has no interest in taking revenge on his brothers for their past misdeeds. He longs instead, for evidence of change in their lives. He was hoping for repentance and restoration, not revenge. As he overheard their recriminations about their treatment of him, he realizes that some of them, at least, are sorry for what they did to him. This brings a gush of tears to his eyes.

        

We see in this story the mercy that also points to the story of salvation and the mercy of the savior toward sinners all. There was no reason why Joseph needed to release his brothers from jail. They had made it clear they didn’t want anything to do with him and no longer wanted to be his family.

At this point it seems there is no need for further examination of the brothers' reason for coming to Egypt. Joseph has overheard their conversation. We could well ask, therefore, why not skip ahead to Genesis 45 and read about their joyful reunion, when Joseph at last reveals his true identity to his brothers? Why does Joseph insist on a further examination of their motives?

 There is a very good reason for it, as we will see. Repentance is more than mere words. It is changing our thinking, our way of life. It shows in results in keeping with change.  Joseph determines to test his brothers: to see if they had indeed had a change of heart for their past actions.

Joseph sends his brothers away from his presence except Simon who is held hostage. How would they respond when they opened their grain sacks and found their money inside? What story would they tell their father this time? That is what Joseph intended to discover when he posed this dilemma for his brothers. Had they changed their minds?

While on their journey one opened his sack of grain and found the money. Joseph hid it there on purpose He doesn’t need it and doesn’t want it. It is a gift of grace to give them food and more. When they got home to Jacob their father they told him the whole story and as they opened up their bags of grain to their surprise found all their money returned. They couldn’t buy the grain since it was a gift. They didn’t know it was a gift at this point. They thought they would just get into more trouble and be accused for stealing the grain.

Do you think that when you accept the gift from God that you will be more in a prison than you are now?  Many see Jesus as their enemy instead of their friend.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Dec 14 Faith

Gen 42: 27 At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. 28 “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.”

Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”

29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. They said, 30 “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us and treated us as though we were spying on the land. 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. 32 We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’

33 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. 34 But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”

35 As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. 36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!”

37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.”

38 But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”

The need for Faith

It is a curious thing to live by faith. The fact of the matter is faith is trusting God when the future is uncertain, or even a risk. It is not doing so much what we want as it is putting ourselves at his disposal and regardless of the outcome believe that God will be in charge and work things out for good or glory.

Challenges most certainly come into our lives. There are things we think we can control and other things over which we know we have very little control. Trust is not easy. It is sometimes believing when we are expected to receive the worst. I think of the Hebrews who refused to bow down to the idol of Nebuchadnezzar. They were willing to die. But trust God whether he was going to deliver them or not.  I think of Daniel who continued is commitment to prayer even if it meant the Lion’s den.

But where does faith come in for those who are not standing strong on the Lord. There is no indication that these brothers were trusting God as much as they were hoping against hope that Joseph’s demands of having Benjamin come would result in good things. They needed to trust Joseph. They felt they had no alternative. Jacob was unwilling to let his younger and now favorite son go.

The sons of Jacob have still covered up their sin from their father. They haven’t completely confessed, but mercy is granted to them anyway out of love.  God himself is acting sovereignty in their lives to accomplish His will. That is what set Joseph free. It wasn't his brothers acting upon him--they were only the secondary cause. It was God who was working in his life to accomplish constructive, redemptive, purifying things, to prepare for his own people, and to do something in his own life. That principle is found throughout the Scriptures.
           

Joseph could have held on to his bitterness, but chose to make it an act of mercy. Robert Moeller says that letting go of past hurts can be difficult: "After the Civil War, a woman entertained the distinguished Robert E. Lee in her home. She pointed out a once-beautiful oak tree that had been burned and disfigured by invading armies. "`What should I do?' she asked with bitterness in her voice. "`Cut it down and forget it,' the general replied. "That same advice applies to letting go of past pain. Don't allow yourself to live in the past. Surrender your painful memories and experiences, and with a decisive act of your will, get on with your life."
 

            Because Joseph understood this principle, he was able to act in love toward those who had wronged him.

As a pastor I have learned not believe everything people tell me. When I first entered the ministry I believed when people said to me, "I've quit drinking," or, "I've really changed," I believed them. But I have learned through the years to wait and see have they indeed changed; to see if they are truly expressing the desires of their hearts when they say they want to change. I have seen too many families suffer misery because of sinful behavior, and listened to their tearful promises that things would change in the future, only to see the cycle repeated again and again. Joseph likewise remained to be convinced of his brothers' true repentance. That is why he acted as he did toward them. Time would tell the tale.

We know how this ends, the family is together as they go to Egypt. They had to put their faith that Joseph would do what is right. They were tested.  God was teaching them a lesson to trust even when it might not turn out well for them. That step of faith became for them the results of seeing the grace and goodness of God.

Where might your struggle of faith be this day? How hard is it to make a decision to trust when you are given that opportunity? Do you believe God will work it out for your good ultimately and for his glory always? It may not be the way we want it, but it results in seeing Him do the work which in the end is better.

Pastor Dale

Handling Disappointments Genesis 41:1-40

Sermon Nuggets Mon Dec 3- Handling Disappointments.                                       

Gen 41:1-40

            We have the privilege of doing services in the Rush City prison. We hear stories as some men will give us their prayer requests. One of the delights is to worship together. Not all men have had that privilege in the past.

Let me tell you the story of a prisoner whose name is Joe. Joe was arrested and convicted of rape, which he said he didn’t do. He lost contact with any family for many years. He had no visitors while in prison. He had not been a church goer, and there were no chapel service offered where he served his time. But while in his cell he thought a lot about God. He believed God was going to do something important in his life.

What happens to many prisoners is that a soon as they get out, all the promises and commitments they made are quickly forgotten, but not so with Joe. When he got out of prison he didn’t give up his faith. He was a witness for the Lord; He got a responsible job and made a name for himself. Perhaps you know him better known to us as Joseph son of Jacob. It is his biography that we are studying these days.

Today I want to talk about his prison release. Even when we face many discouragements God can use them to bring out something good. While in prison, Joseph made the best of his situation and earned the respect of many. People could see that he was a man of integrity and that God blessed everything that he did.

But don’t think being in prison was any fun,  40:23 says. The chief cup bearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. 41:1 When two full years had passed" This is where I dwell this morning because I want to think about the disappointment Joseph must have experienced. For several days after the cup bearer was returned to his job. I don’t doubt Joe is waiting to be released based on the cupbearers testimony but nothing happens.

It’s easy to be discouraged with nagging illness. It is normal to be discouraged when you lose your job, or flunk a test, or get picked on in school, or go through financial loss. Life is often filled with disappointment.

You can read through any book of the Bible and you will find the saints dealing with disappointment, frustration, and all kinds of hardships. And let's not forget, that our Lord was despised and rejected of men and was mercilessly crucified. Disappointment comes into our life.

Joseph illustrates the options in facing such difficulties in life. That will be the subject of this week’s devotions. What are some of your recent disappointments? How have you handled them in this past? Where have you seen the work of God? Where has God appeared to be silent? Be patient. God is still at work and not finished yet.

Pastor Dale

Keep the FAITH

Joseph remained in prison for two more years before the  cupbearer thought about him. Those two years were not good times. There are many people that pray and wait on God and he doesn’t answer them and they conclude therefore there must not be a God, or if there is, he is not a God of love to let this happen to me or my loved one.

One young lady talked to me. She was so angry at God for causing her grandfather to die. He had cancer and was in his early 80s when he passed away, but as far as she was concerned she wasn’t going to have anything to do with God because he caused her Grandfather to die and therefore he must not be a good and gracious God.

All people die sooner or later, but the first recorded death in the Bible is a murder. Able was loved of the Lord right from the beginning and his sacrifice was acceptable to God whereas Cain’s was not. Religious hatred and jealousy was the cause behind that murder. Good people do suffer at the hands of the ungodly. Bad things do happen to good people. But don’t give up the faith.

In chapter 41 Pharoah told Joseph the dream and Joseph was finally remembered by the butler so when no one else could interpret the dream he suggested Joseph he had this amazing God given ability. So Pharaoh has him bathed and shaved and groomed and comes before him.

Now interpreting dreams hasn’t gone really very good for Joseph so far.  The last time he interpreted a dream the cupbearer is freed while Joseph is forgotten. The first time he interpreted a dream for his brothers they threw him into a cistern and left him for dead. Interesting, every time Joseph used his God given gift he got burned. He used it anyway because he deeply trusted his God in every situation. The world takes note when they see that kind of trust.

            Joseph had faith and still believed God walked with him step by step. So when Pharoah shared his dream and sought an interpretation, Joseph responded, "I can not do it, but God can”.

 I like that response because it is so different than I would respond. In Joseph’s shoes and knowing his success at interpreting dreams and desiring to be free from prison I might be tempted to say, "I can."

 Joseph interpreted the dream as 7 good years and 7 bad years. He gave all the honor and glory for what he did to God. This is a clear and important reference point in this text. Notice Joseph’s reference point. In verses 16, 25, 28, 32, 38 he gave the credit to God.  God clearly made a difference in his life. In slavery, prosperity, prison, the king’s palace Joseph trusted God.

Keeping the faith is keeping your eyes focused on God and his truth regardless of the different situations in your life, because one thing is sure, situations always change. God doesn’t. What doesn’t make any sense right now, some day will be revealed. For Joseph he kept the Faith.  It was not prosperity that heightens his trust in God. It is not slavery that caused him to distrust God. In slavery Joseph came into contact with Potiphar. God used the slave to enrich Potiphar’s life. In prison God used Joseph to meet the need of the cupbearer. In the palace God used Joseph to meet the needs unique to a famine. What would we do in these situations? 

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Nov 5 Past

Gen 41:

Face the PAST

When Joseph was wronged he could have sustained himself with thoughts of getting even. He could have rehearsed the hurts that he received from his oppressors.  He could have imagined scenarios where he would be proved innocent to the shame and disgrace of those who wronged him.

The Bible says, vengeance is mine says the Lord. When we act in revenge we take God’s place and He doesn’t like that.  Romans 12:17-19 “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath.” If you take matters into your hands you are doing God’s job.

So how does Joseph face his past? If you look ahead a little in the chapter it shows that Joseph was able to put the past behind him. Many people cannot do that. They find the healing of emotions very difficult because they don’t want to give up old hurts and old memories that should be forgotten or forgiven. Notice in  (vs 51,52). Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

The scars were deep but God's healing was deeper. It's amazing isn't it? Did Joseph literally not remember the events anymore? Of course not! But what did happen was that God got him past the hurt. He was no longer haunted by the betrayal, rejection and sense of failure. These memories no longer haunted, controlled or possessed him. God had helped him to "move on".

I suggest today that many of you need to move on as well. The hurts have been severe and deep but God can and will help you face the past by realizing there is nothing you can do but let God bring healing to it and use it for His glory. Acknowledge and identify the painful memories Commit them in prayer to the Lord. Ask Him to help you to forget.  Can you accept the fact that God was working even in those times which placed scars upon your soul. Then throw yourself into the present with the resolve that you are not going to dig up a past that you have buried in the grace of God. Every time Satan brings those memories back (and he will), remind yourself that you have been delivered, or forgiven, or healed (depending on the memories that haunt.)

The past is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of the Devil. He uses it to haunt us, to paralyze us, to make us fearful, and to rob us of His peace in the present. The Devil can use the past to make us distant to others. He can use it to drive a wedge into our relationships. He can use it to drive us from God.

But we must understand that the past can hurt us only if we give it permission to hurt us. Joseph let the past go free. He found that God helped him to forget the hurts of the past and he began to live in the fullness and joy of the present. He moved from one who was despised and rejected to one who was "twice blessed".

Remember the great words of the Apostle Paul, "This one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13,14).

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Dec 6 Present

Gen 41

 Move in the PRESENT

Now Joseph he is standing the throne room of the man most powerful in that time and region of the world. He outlined for the king a plan to raise taxes for the next seven years, taking 20% of the land's production into royal granaries. Then in the following seven years, the people could be sustained.

Pharaoh realized this job would take a great administrator and someone who needed authority and resources to carry it out. He chose Joseph to do the job. Now I don’t think Pharaoh changed his religion, even though he did notice God was with Joseph. I believe he gave Joseph this most important job primarily because he was a faithful hard worker who gained a great reputation in his tasks. He was only concerned with finding a man who could do the job which needed to be done.

Many Christians think that God is obligated to bless or that His people are bound to patronize people simply because they are Christians. Many Christians are not very good at what we do, either because they are lazy, or think that God is obliged to bless them only because they give testimony to our faith. Joseph’s testimony would have had little impact if he had proven to be wrong or had failed miserably to administrate the collection of grain. Let us enhance our testimony by doing well what we do. As the writer of the proverb puts it:

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men (Proverbs 22:29).

Joseph did nothing different in Pharaoh’s palace than he did in Potiphar’s penthouse or in his prison. In every instance Joseph exercised his God-given ability to administrate. While the features of each job may have differed, the functions were the same. Joseph, I am certain, did well in the palace because he had done his work diligently and faithfully wherever he had been previously.

How often we are like the unfaithful steward who had only one talent and who hid it because he thought it was too insignificant to bother with. How much more others had to offer, he rationalized. But his master called him wicked and lazy (Matthew 25:26). Only those who are faithful with present opportunities and duties have any basis for expectation of greater responsibilities and privileges.

The biblical principle which we must practice is rather this: “Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

I am sure that when the king made Joseph his Prime Minister, it wasn't all glory. There was a tremendous amount of work, a load of responsibility that pressed hard on the shoulders of this 30 year man. But becomes a key man in the plan of God for both Egypt and for the preservation of the Jewish people.

And yet in this position he also serves as a witness to the one and true God. This is a great example to all of us. In order to infiltrate our society do good work so that you have a good word to share about your Lord.

As a Christian there may be some cost involved. Perhaps in school you won't be the coolest kid in class. You won't get invited to all the parties. Your teachers may admire your morality, but more than likely they will regard your commitment to Christ as something you need to outgrow. But there is reward you'll be noticed by others for whom your life will make a difference to them and may lead them to faith in Christ.

At your place of employment there may be some who will scoff at your integrity and industry, but there will be others who when life is tough for them will seek you out and ask you what makes you tick. Let's be like Joseph. When the opportunity came he remained faithful to his God, and faced his past and for the present served his king faithfully in the tasks at hand. Thereby, pointing the way to life with hope and meaning.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Dec 7 Future

Gen 41: ²⁸ “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. ²⁹ Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, ³⁰ but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. ³¹ The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 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.

³³ “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. ³⁴ Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. ³⁵ They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. ³⁶ This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

Plan for the FUTURE

Pharaoh needed a man of character. Joseph had proven himself time and time again as that man. Something needed to be done to provide food during the famine. Most people could not be trusted. Joseph presented a plan. It was a wise and discerning plan.        

Consider verses 34-36. There was an administrator and a double tithe during the good years. The world is looking for men and women of character who can get things done in a wise and discerning way. When character slips wisdom and discernment quickly disappear.
           

Joseph had a plan for preparing for the coming famine. I think the plan was probably something that God revealed to him. The wisdom of this plan is great. The government would appoint someone to collect 20% of the year's produce. They needed someone in charge because human nature is such that in the times of prosperity we don't save more we spend more!

Planning ahead is moving with the future according to the tasks at hand but leaving all the possibilities up to God. I don’t believe it is wrong to plan for the future. We live for today, with trust in God, but I know Christians in Russia who asked me if it was wrong to save for the future, because aren’t we suppose to trust in God daily? If God is making provision today it seems prudent not to squander money nor resist giving to needs today but also put something away for tomorrow. I believe in a savings plan. If the market crashes tomorrow and all the retirement investments are destroyed I still have my faith in God. But based as a faithful steward I cannot worry about that.

As a parent I make some plans to assist with college education. As a pastor I must do some planning and preparation for events that are happening in the future. I am planning for my retirement and seeking to plan adjustments of living on less income. If you don't set up a realistic budget you will not have the money to pay your bills

Some people live "by the seat of your pants". But those who have a plan and goals with prayer and persistence are able to achieve those goals as they follow the plan.

But far more important than the future of our life is the future that you know will happen based on God’s word. It appears that we are beginning a time of spiritual famine in our country. How well have you planned for this coming time? We all know that there is coming a day (usually sooner than we think) when we will be called to the judgment seat of Christ. How well have you planned for that day? We know that there will be opportunities to share our faith with others. How well have planned for that time? We know that we will face endless temptations from Satan. Have you prepared for his assault?

Many are unprepared for the time when Christ comes again and it will be too late to face your eternity. Many Christians may debate the details and the order of some of these events, but the reality cannot be ignored. Are you ready to meet God at any moment? That is planning for the future so you will not be left behind.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Sat Dec  8 Sovereignty

Gen 41: ³⁷ The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. ³⁸ So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You 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.”

Rest in God's SOVEREIGNTY

Now there is something else that I want us to think about as we face discouragements and disappointments in this life. Rest in the fact that God is in charge and his greater plan is being carried out even if your individual plan of personal earthly blessing is not realized.  I have remarkable encouragement when I can look back and see how God led in various events. Hindsight allows us to move more confidently in faith.  Joseph’s elevation is not the result of one lucky break, but rather of a chain of divinely purposed events. Had Joseph not said “no” to Potiphar’s wife and been unjustly cast into prison with the cupbearer, he could never have been recommended to the king. And had Joseph not been cruelly treated by his brothers and sold into slavery, he would never have been in Potiphar’s house. What a beautiful illustration of Romans 8:28:

Looking ahead, while there is a sense in which Joseph was blessed because of his faithfulness, there is the even broader perspective that Joseph’s promotion was not for his own prosperity as much as for his brothers’ preservation. Joseph’s position of power and prosperity enabled him to become the “savior” of his brethren. We must be humbled by the fact that while God cares for us as individuals, He often has a broader purpose for what He gives to us. Spiritual gifts, for example, are not given for our own benefit so much as for the up building of others:

           

In the ultimate sense, Joseph does illustrate the truth that suffering comes before glory and, indeed, even prepares us for glory. The Christian life will be marked by suffering, as countless passages of Scripture inform us but we know that we will enter into many of the joys of our salvation and the glory which is our Lord’s at His return. Let us be very careful, however, that we do not view Joseph as a promise that all who are faithful in suffering will be brought to glory and prosperity in this life.

God raises some up, giving them power and prosperity, while He humbles others. We have no right to demand that God treat us just as He did Joseph, for He may choose to deal with us as He did Moses, who never was allowed to go into the promised land in his earthly life. There is no guarantee that faithful obedience will always lead to position, prosperity, and power in this life.

When you rest in the sovereignty of God faithfulness is more important than success. And doing what God has gifted you do to is more important than trying to be like someone else. God did not raise up a preacher nor a priest, but an administrator to deliver His people from extinction. Let us beware of categorizing occupations in such a way as to make some more spiritual than others. One’s job is a matter of both gift and calling, not of spirituality.

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to study the Scriptures. While reading  “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. (Malachi 3:3) One lady proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them on what he said about the subject.

She went and asked the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "But Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

She thought, God sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure. Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "When do you know the process is complete?"

"Why that is quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."

           

While God is carrying out his plan and using you and me in the process there is something else he is doing for our blessing-. refining us in our disappointments that we might reflect the image of Christ. So may it be.

Pastor Dale