Sermons on Adversity (Page 7)
Blessing and Rescue
Joseph’s story ends in Genesis 47-50 with his family together, his relationships restored, and the hope of a future for himself and God’s people. Our stories are stories of blessing for us and for others, but find their deepest meaning in the story of God’s blessing intended for all the peoples of earth. Sermon Outline You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Joseph’s words…
Reconciliation
After a series tensions, Joseph is overcome by emotion and reveals himself to his brothers. Joseph and his brothers experience a reconciliation of relationship with one another and their father. How might our suffering lead into life, healing and reconciliation? Text: Genesis 45:1-46:34 Sermon Outline He said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!” (Genesis 45:4) The Story in Summary Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers (45:1-15) The brothers return to Jacob with good news…
Open Wounds
The climax of Joseph’s story in Genesis 42-44 is his encounter with his brothers in their hour of need. Walking into their lost brother’s world, the brothers do not recognize Joseph. It is only after a series of challenges that they realize what is happening. How do we deal with our wounds, particularly when past hurts are opened by those who inflicted them? Sermon Outline “As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be…
Lost and Found
In Genesis 40, we find Joseph languishing in prison, where he is put in charge of the prison because of his diligence. He interprets dreams of Pharaoh’s imprisoned cupbearer and baker. When Pharaoh himself has inexplicable dreams, the cupbearer remembers Joseph’s abilities. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams and suggesting plans for good stewardship, Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of Egypt’s action plan for the season of famine. Sermon Outline “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give…
Caught
In Genesis 39:1-20, Joseph works as a slave in the household of an Egyptian official, Potiphar, whose wife accuses him of misusing her after Joseph rebuffs her entreaties. Joseph is wrongly imprisoned because of the false accusation. How do we respond to temptation? And what do we do with wrongful accusations? Sermon Outline “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:2) Joseph Caught by Potiphar (39:1-6a) From…
Descending
Joseph’s story begins in Genesis 37:1-36 with dreams, parental favoritism, and family tensions. His father’s favorite son, Joseph, quickly finds his disagreements with his brothers boiling over into his faked murder and sale into slavery. What do you do when everyone seems to turn against you? Sermon Outline “But his brothers saw Joseph in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.” (Genesis 37:17-18) God’s Blessing Descends to Humanity (37:1-4) Abraham & Sarah → Isaac &…
Help
In Psalm 121, the psalmist is looking to the hills, and asking where his help comes from? His help comes not from the hills themselves, but from the hill that is God Himself. God helps those that say they need help, this psalm is a form of conversation convincing the reader that looking to God is possible. SERMON OUTLINE “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord,…
Peace
Oftentimes, lies that people tell us hang over our head for years. They cause distress and unrest in our souls, leaving us without any sense of God’s peace. We need to do the soul-work necessary to receive the truth that matters most is in our lives: God and His word. This message from Senior Pastor Matt Erickson kicks off a new sermon series on the Psalms of Ascent, Ascend, beginning with Psalm 120. SERMON OUTLINE I call on the Lord…
God of the Displaced Ones, Part 2
Pastor Matt concludes our second week MissionsFest with a message on the displaced and vulnerable ones in Scripture and in our society and what the church’s response can be. SERMON OUTLINE “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34) What is Holiness, Really? Holiness, Cleanness, and…
God of the Displaced Ones, Part 1
We were honored to have Jenny Yang, Senior VP of World Relief, with us to kick off the first weekend of our 2017 Missions Fest. SERMON OUTLINE ‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34) The Global Refugee Crisis Numbers, Facts and Figures Individual Stories Three…
Rewriting Debts
Maurice Ross brings a message from Luke 16:1-15 as we continue our “Stories Worth Living” sermon series on the parables of Luke’s Gospel. SERMON OUTLINE Key Question: How will you manage your resources? I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9) I. The telling of the story… many times, the lesson is just for us (Luke 14 – The Great Banquet, The…
Dying Again
Pastor Emeritus Marc Erickson continues our series on the parables of Luke’s Gospel account with a message on Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31. SERMON OUTLINE The universe of God is a place for persons…and you belong! the storyteller Jesus is hyper-personal (Joshua = YHWH saves) Luke 3:21-22—Father, Son, Spirit, incarnate, wading and praying Luke 20:27-38—All are alive to Him an unknown rich man a beggar named Lazarus = God helps his transporters to the gate his angelic transporters to Father Abraham’s…