Genesis 41:37-57Joseph Rises to Power Pastor Dave asked a thought-provoking question: “As Joseph sat in prison, what was he hoping for? What was he praying for?” Dave looked back to verse 14 of Chapter 40 to hypothesize that Joseph was hoping to get out of prison. Perhaps he was...
Genesis 41:1-36Humble Trust in a God of Sovereign Care Pastor Shannon taught that this account of Pharaoh’s dream and its interpretation shows us something about God, namely that He is a God of sovereign care. God is clearly the one in charge, and He will use Pharaoh and Joseph to bring...
Palm SundayCheers and Praise With No Understanding Praise God for His word to us, the Bible, because it is cohesive. It is not an anthology of miscellaneous ancient writings. The golden thread of God’s redemptive plan begins in the early chapters of Genesis and is woven through the whole...
Genesis 40:1-23What Walking with the Lord Looks Like Joseph, not Pharaoh’s cupbearer or chief baker, is the focus of this passage, and his words and actions illustrate for us what walking with the Lord looks like. First, Joseph is not consumed by his own hard circumstances. He notices that...
Genesis 38:1-30Another Son of Jacob Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, was a failure. He failed as a brother by selling Joseph to Ishmaelite traders. He failed as a son of the covenant by, in disobedience, marrying a Canaanite woman. He evidently failed as a father, since two of his three sons were...
Genesis 37:1-36Joseph Sold by His Brothers The story of Joseph is an incredible example of the providence of God – God’s ability to orchestrate events to bring about His good purposes. But, as Pastor Shannon noted, when we’re in the midst of difficult circumstances, we often...
Genesis 35:16-29 + Genesis 36Turbulence, Transition and Reflection Most of the material for prayer application comes from the “reflection” part of Pastor Dave’s sermon, in which he contrasted the rejected line of self-seeking, rebellious Esau and the elect line of...
Genesis 35:1-15Parallels and Progress Pastor Dave noted that there’s nothing new in this passage. He laid out all the close parallels to earlier passages in Genesis, especially in Chapter 28. But a closer look reveals small differences that indicate spiritual progress in Jacob. Dave asked...
Genesis 33:18 – 34:31Turbulence Ahead Pastor Dave’s sermon was punctuated by an obnoxious buzzer that marked every bad, misguided action in this narrative. The examples of what NOT to do included Dinah seeking out the pagan women of Canaan, Prince Shechem raping Dinah, Jacob...
Genesis 33:1-17A Kumbaya Moment Jacob used to be a conniving cheater who bested his brother twice. Now, by word and action, he takes a humble, submissive position with respect to Esau. Esau used to be a bitter man who hated Jacob and wanted to kill him. Now he is a loving brother who runs to...