This sermon explores Joseph's journey through hardship, focusing on his imprisonment and eventual rise to power in Egypt, as detailed in Genesis 41. It emphasizes God's perfect timing, shaping Joseph for his future role despite his prolonged suffering and apparent abandonment. The sermon concludes with a reflection on how believers today can trust in God's timing, depend on His presence, and rely on His provision, using Joseph's story as a powerful example of faith and divine faithfulness.

The sermon begins with a story about a boy who trusts a shop owner’s larger hands to give him candy, illustrating trust in a greater power. It then discusses Joseph in Genesis 40, who, while in prison, interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker through God’s guidance, not human wisdom. Despite his accurate interpretations, Joseph remains in prison as the cupbearer forgets him, emphasizing the need to wait on God's timing. The message encourages trusting in God’s perfect timing and greater plan, even when immediate outcomes aren't visible.

The story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife illustrates the theme of temptation and integrity. Joseph, despite being sold into slavery and later falsely accused, remained faithful to God and resisted temptation, showing that doing the right thing doesn't always yield immediate rewards but ultimately aligns with God's plan. This story reminds us that God is faithful and present with us in all circumstances, whether they are favorable or challenging, reinforcing the importance of steadfastness and trust in God's unwavering presence.

God's story turns to Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. Joseph's brothers' jealousy is exacerbated by Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's dreams of ruling over them. This jealousy leads the brothers to plot against Joseph, initially planning to kill him but ultimately selling him into slavery. The sermon highlights themes of familial dysfunction and God's ability to work through flawed individuals and difficult circumstances to bring about His purposes. The message emphasizes trusting in God's providence, even amid personal and familial failures.

The sermon illustrates the story of Jacob and Esau's reconciliation, emphasizing God's role in softening hearts and promoting forgiveness. Jacob, despite his past wrongdoings, humbles himself before Esau, demonstrating a posture of servanthood and repentance, which is met with unexpected grace and forgiveness from Esau. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own need for humility and reconciliation in our relationships, and to recognize the transformative power of God's forgiveness.

Jacob is quite the character. He deceived his brother, gaining a birthright and a blessing. Last week, we saw the tables turned; Jacob was on the other end of deception. This week, we explore a game changing event in Jacob's life. Jacob spends a night wrestling with God. He is forever changed. In the same way, we often struggle to relate to God.

Jacob deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. The narrative emphasizes how, despite their deceitfulness and imperfections, God still works through Jacob and his family, illustrating that God's plans can unfold through flawed individuals. The sermon concludes with a reminder that God's love and choice are not based on human worthiness, but on His grace.

Genesis 24 is the story where Abraham's servant, guided by faith, seeks a wife for Isaac to ensure God's promise to Abraham continues. The sermon highlights the servant's reliance on God for direction, Rebekah's faith in leaving her home, and the divine provision that unfolds. We are encouraged to step out in faith, trust in God's guidance, and continually share stories of His faithfulness.

God called Abraham out of the security of his hometown and promised to make a great nation from his descendants. The only problem was that Abraham was old, and his wife was old and barren. Would God be able to provide a son to this elderly couple? The suggestion was laughable; yet God was faithful to fulfill His promise.

This sermon discusses Abram's journey in Genesis 12:1-8, highlighting faith and obedience. Abram exemplifies trust in God by leaving his homeland and security without knowing the outcome. The sermon underscores that true faith involves following God even in uncertainty.

The sermon, based on Genesis 11:1-8, examines the story of the Tower of Babel as a reflection of humanity's recurring tendency to seek independence from God. It highlights how the people of Babel, motivated by pride and a desire for security, attempted to build a city and a tower to make a name for themselves, contrary to God's command to spread out and fill the earth. The sermon concludes by challenging the congregation to reconsider modern notions of security and pride, urging a return to dependence on God and humility in recognizing His sovereignty.

As we reflect on the story of Noah from Genesis 6:9-9:17, we see Noah as a righteous man in a corrupt world, unwavering in his obedience to God's commands. Despite the widespread wickedness that led God to regret creating humanity, Noah's faith and adherence to God's instructions provided a glimmer of hope. The sermon highlights how Noah's faithful actions led to the salvation of his family and a covenant with God, symbolized by the rainbow as a promise never to destroy the earth with a flood again. We are encouraged to emulate Noah's faithfulness and obedience, trusting in God's promises and redemption through Christ.

The story of Noah is familiar to most of us. We remember the ark, the rainbow and the dove. We remember how God rescued in a world of wickedness. However, we seldom reflect on the wickedness of the world in these days. Genesis 6:1-8 describes the days of Noah. We will consider the pre-flood world and explore implications for our culture today.

The story of Adam and Eve is a fascinating account. Living in the glory of Eden, one could not imagine wanting more. Yet they are tricked into thinking that God is holding back. Their story is our story. The Fall describes the nature of evil in our world; the same forces of temptation, deception, disobedience are present in our culture today.

The second chapter of Genesis provides an extended account of God's creation of humans. As we delve into this story, we learn about God's design for men and women. Verses in this chapter are quoted by both Jesus and Paul as they taught about human sexuality. In a world that offers many versions of human sexuality, Genesis 2 points to God's plan and design.

After creating the world, God fashioned a haven for the first humans—a breathtaking environment that met all their needs. As we delve into this narrative, let us long for a return to this idyllic setting. The story of God holds the promise of a future restoration, where we will once again inhabit a similar paradise, as God renews all of creation.

Last week, we covered the first six days of creation. This week, we dedicate our sermon to the seventh day of creation, which holds profound importance and relevance in our culture. On this day, God rests from His work, setting an example for us to follow. The creation story offers a life pattern of rest that is seldom practiced in today's fast-paced world.

How did our world begin? This question is often asked by small children. We long to know the origin of the world in which we live. Scientists have attempted to explain our beginnings with theories of origin. Pagan religions have developed stories throughout the years that explain how our world came to be. We will engage Genesis 1 together to discover what the Bible says about how it all began.

As we conclude the season of Easter, we consider what happens in Acts 2. A lifeless, pathetic, group of confused people are waiting for God to show up. In Acts 2, it happens; the church is empowered, bold, ready to be all that God intended her to be.

In our final sermon on 1 John, we discuss eternal life, or Zoe life. John wants us to understand that this kind of life is only available through belief in Jesus as the Son of God. Moreover, this life, granted by God’s grace, includes the forgiveness of sins and transforms us into new creations living in Christ.