Spiritual Misconceptions

Genesis 42.1-38

v.36 Everything is against me!

Back in the 1980's James Dobson wrote a book entitled, Emotions: Can You Trust Them? His conclusion was, "No." A recent book written by another author, chronicles the way people think in the 21st Century. He tells us how court cases are won, not on the basis of factual evidence, but rather on which attorney can present the most emotional appeal to the jury. This is probably the reason Judge Judy is so popular today- she represents the old way of thinking.

Sometimes the appraisal of a situation we find ourselves in can lead to some incorrect conclusions. Jacob was in the midst of a huge misconception when he uttered those words, "Everything is against me!" He was very down. He didn't realize that wonderful things were about to happen in his life.

Several examples of this are in God's Word. One stands out:

II Kings 6.8-17 v.15 "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" The servant of Elisha misconceived the predicament. As we Jacob it was quite opposite of what his mind and heart were telling him.

1. Things looked bleak for Joseph's brothers. vs.1-25

vs.21-23

They were conscious of their guilt. They may have sat down and ate lunch afterwards (when they threw him into the pit v37.25) but they never forgot now over 20 years later how their brother pleaded with them.

They thought they were going to get rid of him, instead the memory of him and that day haunted them. They couldn't get away from it. No doubt probably every time their father Jacob would say something about Joseph's "death", their eyes would meet and the guilt would piled up.

v.22 Reuben wasn't helping their guilt.

v.23 There were many things they didn't realize:

*That this was Joseph standing there before them

*That he understood their words and their thinking

*That he wasn't going to harm them, rather he was going to help them

*That he forgave them.

Guilt has a way of casting a shadow on everything but Jesus came to deliver us from it.

2. Things "looked" worse for Jacob. -v.36

He certainly wasn't using the language of faith, but grief and pain can sometimes make us feel like this.

The outlook was very dark. Many times we are not able to detect God's Sovereign Hand. We search for it. Remember Spurgeon's words: "When we cannot trace His Hand we can trust His Heart." Jacob wasn't doing that. He was very down.

This can and does happen to God's people:

Elijah I Kings 19.4 I have had enough, LORD. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.

Paul, the apostle II Corinthians 1.9 "... in our hearts we felt the sentence of death..."

By the way Neither one of these men died at that point! Their feelings were one thing but God has the final word.

Jacob, Paul, you and I...

3. All Things were not against him; rather all things work together for good for those who love the LORD. Romans 8.28

"In all things God works for the good of those who love Him."

Therefore:

*It is not wise to measure the facts of any hour by the limit of our own vision.

*Even what seems to be a nightmare, God can bring good out for us.

*A whole family can be in dire straits and in distress and the LORD can do things- amazing things for them 45.25-28 Joseph is still alive!

*God's workings in this family were astounding. They thought the worst, God had the best waiting for them.

*God was in the process of using Joseph to save the world from starvation. Jacob thought his son was dead. He was being used by the LORD to give life to the world.

God is working in you today! He is working through your influence, through your prayers, through seeds you planted years ago. You may not be able to see it but His Word supersedes our perceptions. Trust in Him with all your heart!

Doing Right and Suffering For It

Genesis 39.1-23

The issue of human pain and suffering is such a difficult one to face in life. As we see with Job, would be comforters and counselors and advice givers and philosophers abound when a soul suffers.

Suffering in the life of the believer is addressed throughout the scriptures. Abel was murdered his brother Cain because of jealousy. Adam and Eve certainly suffered over this tragedy for years.

Suffering for doing what is right, making the right choice or decision as Joseph did, then being persecuted doesn't seem right. This is why we often edit it out of our thinking the possibility (until it happens to us).

Jesus told us we would suffer for righteousness sake. Matthew 5.10 He even pronounced a blessing on it! We are on to something here... just think of what suffering has done for your prayer life, your ability to have compassion, your inner being.

We know of Jeremiah, Daniel, Jesus and the apostles, who all went through this. The Bible and Church History would confirm that sometimes God's people suffer for doing right. Even in some situations as Joseph, he suffered as a direct result of doing what was right.

We are following our LORD and Master, in His Steps, He who suffered the greatest for doing what was right, the Righteous One, Jesus Christ.

1. Joseph was a Stellar Employee vs.2-6a
He prospered. - v.2
Joseph worked hard. He had integrity and honesty.

The LORD gave him success in everything he did. -v.3
God was working through Joseph and was the blessing the work of his hands.

His master, Potiphar, benefited because Joseph's real Master was God.

Employers should benefit from our employ. Neighbors should benefit by having us next door or across the street. Waitresses should be glad to get our table. Follow in Joseph's example.

2. Joseph refused a momentary pleasure and saw it as a great wickedness.
vs. 6b-20
See things as Joseph saw them.

When faced with temptation- How can I a child of God do such a great wickedness and sin against God?! He has taken care of me. He has blessed me.

Think of the people depending on you- those who trust you, those who believe in you and your faith.

If you are in a situation where the temptation is so strong- do what Joseph did- flee! Don't however look for the world to applaud your efforts- rather remember:

3. Joseph was lied about and put into prison for doing what was right. vs.13-23

Today around the world there are people in prison because of Christ and the Gospel.

Mai, a Chinese Christian, in the Flushing Nazarene Church, was imprisoned in mainland China for the Gospel.

In all these things Joseph saw to it that he was faithful to God and himself. Although concerned about his plight he didn't let that effect his performance as a worked or a person.

I Peter 3.14 If you should suffer for what is right you are blessed.
Philippians 3.10 The fellowship of sharing in His sufferings.
I Peter 4.9 Those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Joseph's Journey

Genesis 37

As believers we must face the fact of what Jesus told us John 15.18 If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated Me first. Something we don't like to think of but that is none the less true.

No one enjoys being the object of hatred. Joseph knew what that was like. Bad enough one person hates you, he had 10 brothers who hated him so much that could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph was, even at this point, being called to be alone with the LORD. When God is preparing to use someone He calls them to be alone many times. There is something that happens in solitude that cannot happen when other people are around.

It appears that after Joseph told his brother his dreams that they were waiting for an opportunity to act out on that hatred. Hatred is a work of the flesh, an act of the sinful nature. The remedy for hatred is forgiveness through Christ's power. It is dangerous to nurse hatred in your heart as Joseph and his brethren were soon to find out.

Look what happened to Joseph (on his journey to become what God had promised):

1. He was thrown into a pit. vs.19-25
By his brothers- the children of Israel! David wrote about this in Psalm 55.11-13

Most of us have never been literally thrown into a pit but we have known darkness and isolation in being downcast in

1. The Pit of Despair- "Its all over" The world is coming crashing down- feelings of doom can be a sign of clinical depression. Despair severely handicaps a soul. It is a sense of dread.

2. The Pit of Discouragement I can't do anything right. Nothing good ever happens to me. My world is crashing down. Sleep is an escape. What is the use?

3. The Pit of Depression The end of myself. Darkness, exhaustion, inability to pray. When a person is depressed they look on the dark side of everything. Not seeing the blessings- seeing the burdens and feeling them. Cling to the LORD!
David Psalm 43.5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Cure - not always immediate: Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.

Not only was Joseph thrown into a pit but...

2. He was sold as a slave. vs.26-30

Some of us know what it is like to be taken captive against our will.

In other parts of the world there is slavery going on, people arrested for their faith in Christ. In Pakistan this week a wife and children of a Christian man was killed by Islamic extremists.

Joseph being sold was a result of hatred and jealousy.

Joseph was treated horribly- sold out by his brothers. He knew family rejection. Perhaps that has happened to you. You have been betrayed or rejected by someone or a group of people close to you.

Look at Genesis 50.20 Joseph forgave his brothers. He saw the purposes of God. In all these things we become more like Christ if we submit to them.

Finally after all this...

3. He was lied about as to his situation. vs.31-36

He's dead! They even had his funeral!

If you have ever been lied about you know how vulnerable and helpless you feel.

Jesus literally went through all of these things and on a much deeper and broader level than Joseph- much much.

Yet God had His Hand upon the whole thing. God got Joseph down to Egypt. God rode His purposes on Joseph's journey, He brought Joseph to a place where he was a great blessing not only to his family but the whole world.

To God be the Glory!

Back To Bethel

Genesis 35.1-5

This direction from the LORD was a call back to Jacob to his first meeting with God. We meet the LORD when He saves us from our sins, when we ask Him into our hearts.

Remember that moment?... that place? The LORD wanted Jacob to return there.

In Revelation 2.1-7 Jesus speaks to the Church at Ephesus along these very lines. Return to your first love.

There are paradoxes in the Christian Life. We are to be mature children of God. Not mature (that loses its punch) by itself or childish.

verse one

1. GO UP TO BETHEL

The direction was up. Closer to LORD. This is the direction for the child of God- inwardly and outwardly.

30 years earlier Jacob was in the House of God. He had to get out of there because Esau was going to kill him. There are a whole group of kids now in their 40's and 50's who thirty years ago were in this House of God we are sitting in. Some are across the country and other across town, but too many are no longer in the House of God- they need to return. Join me in this prayer, "LORD, send back the prodigals!"

This return for Jacob meant a fresh start, a new era. He was coming back a different man.

v.2 Rid yourselves of good luck charms, horoscopes and inward superstitions.

Purify yourselves- clean up your act!

Change Clothes Confess your sins/wholesome everyday living

Colossians 3.12-14 Clothe yourselves

Romans 13.14 Clothe yourselves in the LORD Jesus Christ

2. SETTLE THERE

Stop fleeing! Jacob had this "I'm getting out here thinking.

Time to end the running and get back to the House of God.

Remain Psalm 27.14

Ephesians 6.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God... after you have done everything, to STAND.

Be established, Get the roots down, bear fruit

3. BUILD AN ALTAR THERE TO GOD

God appeared to you- Get back to that!

At a time when you were in great need- don't forget those times of difficulty and need- maybe 30 years ago or 60 years ago...

Going back to Bethel is to remind you of God's provisions in times of difficulty and danger. The altar is for worship, sacrifice, thanksgiving, fellowship

July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was signed. We need to get back to Bethel as a nation. Look what has happened to this Day, the LORD's Day in the past 40 years- the world has squeezed the church in the United States into its own mold.

Yesterday coming home from Stony Brook Hospital with our district superintendent, Art Alexander, an Amber Alert came up on the sign above the LIE. An 11 year old girl in a 1991 white Dodge. We began to talk about the crimes against children. Our country needs to get back to Bethel in its protecting the elderly and the children, the most vulnerable of any society.

It is time!

John Adams wrote on July 5, 1776, "Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among men... It ought to be commemorated as a Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty."

God bless America. He has. And this country has and is a blessing

throughout the world. God help America. God mend thine every flaw.

Our Detours, God's Redemption

Genesis 33.1-20

Be careful not to take just part of this message. The whole thing must be grasped or it could be used as an excuse to sin. That would be horrible!

The danger of teaching on God's Grace and God's Sovereignty always carries with it the possibility of some using it as a license for willful disobedience or a lackadaisical attitude toward eternity.

Properly understood a balance will appear. Perhaps out of fear as well as a lack of a grasp of it, the church in certain areas did not talk about these subjects in the past. We sang about it when I was growing up but we didn't go much further than that. There was a lot of condemnation but a scarcity of expounding on the glorious riches we have in Christ- few enjoyed what they had. Thankfully God brought people to me who did.

There are several themes of Grace in chapter 33. The first three words contain it. Jacob had been through some deep struggles. Now he is looking up.

Verse Four is sublime reconciliation. Does there need to be a Jacob-Esau meeting with a member of your family? IS there a brother or sister you are estranged from? Go out there and meet them.

Jacob was on his journey back to where God wanted him, back to the House of God (Bethel).

1. Jacob should have gone directly to Bethel. 35.1
*Where he first met the LORD. 28.10-21
If you have been wandering, get back to the House of God
Get back to where you first met the LORD.
*Where God identified Himself by that place. 31.13
*Where it was safe- Bethel- The House of God, the family of God
The Church- The Safest Place on Earth
Larry Crabb writes in his book by that title, "A few people, I among them, are coming to believe (and a fair amount of psychological research is pointing in the direction we are heading) that someone who relates well (Mature Christians) is more capable of promoting meaningful change than a trained professional who does "therapy" to a patient as a set of clinical techniques based in well thought out theories of pathology, diagnosis and treatment."

Jacob settled within sight of Shechem.-v.18
Called by God Whom he first met Bethel, he detours from a path there and settles in Shechem.

2. Shechem, although a far cry from Sodom, had some similarities.
It was fruitful and had water sources to sustain all of Jacob's flocks
Jacob dug a well there. John 4.1-6, 12 It took care of Israel, his sons their families and his flocks and his herds. It is some well- still there today 4,000 years later.

Like his Uncle Lot (Genesis 13.12, 33.18) Jacob pitched his tent near the city. Where are you pitching your tent these days? Are you near some things that could hurt you spiritually? Are there people you have close relationships with that you know pull you down in your walk with the LORD?

Godless (c.34) God's Name is not mentioned at all in the whole chapter!- not many chapters in His Word like that. Look at Genesis 49.5-7

Steer clear of close relationships with godless people- where His Name is never mentioned... trouble brews in places like that as Jacob found out.

Stay away from those places that look good and may even contain temporal material and physical blessing but lack the recognition of the LORD.

3. Jesus met the Samaritan Woman at the well Jacob dug. John 4
She had five husbands. - a mess of her life. 6 men John 4.16-18
She was physically thirsty so went to Jacob's well. She did not know she was about to meet God!

God used Jacob's detour (and his son's disaster) to save a whole town!- 1,900 years later, but also for this woman (who remains nameless) to come to meet the Messiah and believe on Him. God is sovereign. He is in control. He can redeem disasters as well as detours.

*Ask forgiveness for your blunders but don't beat yourself up over and over again. He was pierced for our transgressions. Isaiah 53.5
Change direction- move away from the things or people of necessary who are dragging you down.
*Repent! Jacob did.

There is hope. Sometimes the enemy can get us to think it is hopeless. Sometimes we believe it is We must remember he is a liar and the father of lies. When we are losing hope, the LORD comes to us. God shows up.

A few years back Alice gave a gift to the nursery school staff, a disposable camera and a small album entitled "Summer 2004". Lucy and I and our nephews, Mike and Steve and our niece Marlee were at golf course at Robert Moses. We took the camera. Marlee was our caddy (for which we gave her a nice tip) and at one point we took a group shot- If it were a MasterCard commercial it would have gone, "Parking at Robert Moses- $10, round of golf for a 4some- $44, a picture of the group- priceless. When we got back home and unloaded the backpack we could not find the camera anywhere. We looked in the car. We called Robert Moses, We filled out a form at the Lost and Found. We asked every time we went over there if they had found a small disposable camera. After a year we gave up. Then the other night we were heading over with Patrick and Inna. Lucy reached in her bag to get her golf glove and she felt something. She reached down and pulled out the camera! What we thought we lost we had all the time! God's surprises!

Watch Him work in your life today!

The God of My Father

Genesis 31.1-13

Jacob's journey to Haran and back chronicled in Genesis also coincided with his spiritual development. He had some encounters with the LORD. God spoke to him in dreams. Yet the LORD had not become His God at this point. He believed but He had not yet surrendered his will to the LORD.

In verse five he speaks of the LORD as "the God of my father." His relationship with the LORD at this point was largely through his father, Isaac.

God has no grandchildren- only children. You must be born again.
God is not a grandfather. He is a father- Our Father in Heaven.
In the book, The Problem With Pain, C.S. Lewis writes that we would like to think of God as a Grandfather and most people do, but He is a Father, the Father.

Fathers set boundaries, have rules that if broken have consequences. Being a father is 24-7... working to support his family. Fathers are with us, legally responsible for us.

Grandfathers hand out candy and buy ice cream. They have fun with their grandkids and if they are being trained correctly at home seldom if ever have to do anything with discipline with their grandkids. They don't require much. Father's do and that is the way it ought to be.

Jacob looked at the LORD as the God of his father because
1.Jacob had no yet arrived at a place of full surrender. vs.1-5
He was still grasping heels. He was still trying hard to run the show and outwit his relatives who were over him.

The LORD was the God of his father. The major reason he is down there in Haran is because He stole his brother Esau's birthright. He had not yet surrendered.

God will not force us to bow to Him- that day is coming where every knee will bow but it is not yet here. In this present time God calls but we must respond.

Jacob was running out of options, tricks up his sleeve. He is coming to the end of himself. It was distressful for Jacob but God was working out his plan in this man.

2. The God of My Father is My God. 32.24-26

Abram's name was changed to Abraham.
Jacob's name to Israel at Peniel- the Face of God.
The God of my father becomes my God when I surrender to Him.
He changes my nature. He writes my name down in heaven I am born again.

I remember when the God of my father became my God. It was November 22, 1963. The earth was shaken that day. President Kennedy/ C.S. Lewis. In the life of this guy my heart was turned toward heaven. I knelt and asked Christ Jesus to become my Savior.

My father, my dad, has had (and still does) an enormous influence on me. He is a one woman man, sincere, a man of integrity, seeking first God's kingdom. He has a hatred of sin. Much of what I learned about the LORD in my formative years came from my dad. Although he was my Sunday School teacher for a number of years when I was a teen, it was more from being with him that had the greater influence. I worked with him on his WISE Potato Chip Route in Brooklyn. I watched him pray over our deli sandwiches for lunch in the truck. I saw storekeepers just sign bills instead of checking him in (they knew he was honest). I saw him get upset but I never heard my dad use the LORD's Name in vain. I went to him for his last day of work on his 65th birthday, 18 years ago, January 14, 1992.

The God of my father has become my God, my grandfather and my great grandfather's God as well.

3. Will You God Become Your Children's God? III John 4
He ought to. I'm in church this morning- but that is not enough. It has to be lived out the other 167 days in the week.
Pass the torch: Parents, grandparents, Aunts, Uncles- Lee Milligan- 96 years old Friday went home to be with the LORD.

Jacob saw his father's faith and his grandfather's (He was 15 years old when Abraham died). I am sure he heard his story, the history of this family- Grandpa Mancini- Nana- give your kids a godly heritage!

The LORD became known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Father of many nations, Laughter, and the Heal Grasper who became Governed by God

Being A Source of Blessings

Genesis 30.25-27

Laban, Jacob's uncle, was not someone you would want to do business with. He always had something up his sleeve. He was controlling and manipulative, even or we could say especially with member of his own family. If you have or have had someone like that in your family you know firsthand how difficult it can be.

Laban did not need to use divination to reach the conclusion, "The LORD has blessed me because of you." (v.27) It didn't take a CPA to figure that out. Stay away from fortune tellers, Tarot Card readers, horoscopes and the like. When it comes to decisions and the future, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart..." Seek first His Kingdom. Look to God's Word. His Spirit will guide you. Jesus never fails.

Laban was materially blessed because of Jacob. God was fulfilling His Promise of 28.13-14 to Jacob.

All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.-v.14

The LORD is faithful to all His Promises.

The Jewish people make up 1/2 percent of the world's population but their contributions have been astounding to say the least. The ultimate blessing is Jesus Christ. He is a descendant of Jacob. Salvation is through Jesus Christ and none other. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Nothing/ no one can compare to Him.

However a secondary meaning/fulfillment to this promise of God here is the contribution of the Jews, Jacob's descendants, his offspring, to the human race. In areas of science, literature, music, medicine, finance and many others the Jews have blessed the world.

Let's look at medicine alone:

A Jew:

*created the first polio vaccine

*discovered insulin

*discovered aspirin relieves pain

*discovered chloral hydrate for treating convulsions

*discovered streptomycin

*identified the first cancer virus

just to mention a few

In other areas:

Albert Einstein- Physics

Galileo- discovered the speed of light

Isaac Singer- invented the sewing machine

Levi Strauss the largest manufacturer of blue jeans in the world

Back to Laban's statement: The LORD has blessed me because of you

Jacob's wisdom, which he received from the LORD, enabled him to make money by being successful in raising livestock. God blesses us materially. As long as we keep ourselves free from the love of money and the things it can buy and we are thankful to our Father in Heaven Who gave them to us and ask, "How can I use them for God's glory?", we are safe with the good things.

The LORD has blessed me because of you- from God and for God's glory

Jacob was a source (servant) of blessings to Uncle Laban, materially. How we can we be a source of blessing in all ways to others for thew glory of Our Father In Heaven?

1. Pray For Others James 5.16

pray for each other so that you may be healed

Keep a list, as we do in the bulletin-program each week

Pray privately - in your prayer closet

Pray personally with them- Ken Morrison 32 year old nephew died this week after a 2 year battle with brain cancer.

Pray publicly- Something wonderful happens when I hear my name and my family brought before God's throne by you my people.

2. Encourage Others Hebrews 10.25

lit. "spur each other on" A kind kick

This is cooperating with the Holy Spirit. Part of His ministry is encouragement.

Encouragement is not talking about yourself. It is the godly entering into someone else's' world and blessing them with words that affirm what they are doing for Jesus, or who they are in Him. You guys are good at it with me! Do unto others!

Be a blessing to others by praying for them, and encouraging them... and

3. Listen to Others Psalm 5.1-2

This is an area of godliness we all need to grow in.

Encouragement is words. Listening is silence. Shut your mouth and open your ears and heart. Don't think about what you are going to say. Listen to what they are saying.

I am growing in appreciation these days for the times the LORD shuts my mouth.

4. Giving To Others Philemon 7

I know some people with lots of money with this gift but I know a lot people with little money that have it! My grandmother was one of those. Many of you are like her. It is a spiritual grace. It is unseen. It requires sensitivity and discernment. Properly done it can do much for the receiver and even more for the giver!

When you think of all these things they are all what God is doing for us- do to others this week- on your journey- pray Make Me A Blessing.