Genesis 39:20-21 - It's Not My Plan

Genesis 39:20-21:

Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

His life was not exactly going as he had envisioned it… Amid his dreams, Joseph saw himself at the center. Now, he was forgotten, in a cold dark place…

With turn after turn, everything seemed to constantly spiral downward -- seemingly getting worse with each turn. First his brothers had shunned and mocked him -- later, they sold him as a slave, after first toying with the idea of killing him. Then, after the indignity of being merchandise for slave traders, he was sold to the captain of Pharaoh's guard.

With concentration and discipline, Joseph finally felt himself begin to rise out of his plight. He had made a good impression on his master, and had begun to reap the rewards of keeping his nose clean!

But then -- the master’s randy wife got him into deep trouble -- and he was innocent!

As we read of Joseph here, he was in prison, and yet, he was again bubbling to the surface -- getting noticed by the warden -- being trusted with responsibilities not entrusted to other inmates. If we followed his story, we would see he eventually became second-in-command to all of Egypt!

How is this possible? Remember -- as Joseph’s life will attest to -- God was with him the whole time!

When his brothers assaulted him and threw him into the empty cistern, he surely had moments when he felt God had left him.  In prison, he might have thought, “Where is God?”  -- But, through it all, Joseph held on to his faith in God.

There are times in our own lives we have felt God has left us. Maybe you have even asked yourself the question, “Where is God?” when you felt like you were forgotten, and in a cold, dark place...

For Joseph, the prison was still prison -- the floor was just as cold -- the conditions were just as miserable -- but, after seeing the bigger picture of God’s plan, they were small concerns in comparison to the great things God accomplished.

A songwriter once wrote, “I never promised you a rose garden…,” and neither did God. But -- God has promised you much more that that -- He has promised eternal life to those who believe and obey Him.

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.

Romans 8:28:  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Acts 11:26c - What Is a Name?

Acts 11:26c:
" . . . The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

What do the words, “Galinha,” “Huhn,” “Kip,” “Poulet,” and “Pollo” have in common?

They are the Portuguese, German, Dutch, French and Spanish words for what the English-speaking world calls a chicken.

They are the simple descriptive words each language uses to describe the tasty staple of many dinner tables.

“Rhode Island Reds,” “Mahrans,” “Leghorns,” “Jersey Giants,” and “Silkies” -- are names used to describe particular types of chickens.

Knowing the right name for the right kind of chicken is important, because each type of chicken has certain qualities -- each has certain characteristics -- each is bred to be different!

How about “Christen,” “Chrétien,” “Cristiano,” “Cristão,” and -- “Christian?” Do these words describe different people?

When the people of Antioch looked at those who believed and followed Christ, they saw a group of people who were trying to live like Christ. They started calling them "Christians." They saw a group trying to head in the same direction -- a biblical concept desired by Christ, even as He was facing His own death...

John 17:20-23: ". . . I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

 If you place a term before or after "Christian" to describe the kind of Christian you are, ask yourself -- why?

Are you consciously trying to be united to that for which God gave His Son -- or are you unconsciously being lead in a slightly different direction?

There is only one body -- one church. And, it has only one head -- Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 4:4-6:  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Colossians 1:15-20:  The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Acts 9:26-28 - Are You A Barnabas?

Acts 9:26-28
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

Have you ever had a poisonous snake as a pet? How about an adult crocodile -- or an un-altered skunk?

No? Probably because you were afraid of them, or not sure you could completely trust them.

What would you do if a known murderer sat next to you in church? Would get up and move . . . to the next city?

We have a natural aversion to dangerous things, and once we know something is dangerous, it is hard for us to accept them as anything else but dangerous!

Imagine what it was like for those in the church in Jerusalem who gathered for prayer only to recognize the "new guy" as being none other than -- Saul of Tarsus, "Persecutor of Christians!"

It would not have been easy to sit there and not be worried about being in the middle of an anti-Christian sting operation.

It couldn't have been easy for Saul either. There he was with his world turned upside down. Knowing what he knew about Christ, he couldn't go back to his old life . . . and yet, his new "brothers" wanted nothing to do with him.

Were it not for the bravery of Barnabas . . .

Sometimes it takes someone to step in and bring us together. The reformed convict -- the publicly exposed sinner -- the rehabilitated drug user -- even the new guy in town -- can all be left out in the cold by the unfounded fear of others. Any and all can have a difficult time finding a way to fit in among us.

Can you be a Barnabas?

Step back a few paces and look around you . . . Who do you see out on the edge of your fellowship? Who is the "spiritual" wall flower that you can help bring in to the fold?

It took guts for Barnabas to approach Saul. You know he had to wonder if Saul was truly converted. Yet, he could see the benefit of helping Saul get acquainted with the brethren . . .

Thirteen letters of the New Testament, all written by the same Saul of Tarsus (Paul), show us that Barnabas was right!

Genesis 22:7-9 - Where Is the Lamb?

Genesis 22:7-9:
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

As far as he knew, Abraham was following the command of God. He was to take his son, Isaac -- his only son -- and sacrifice him on the mountain. He hadn’t told his son all of the details -- but, Isaac was a bright boy…

Can you imagine what had gone through Isaac’s mind?  He knew he and his father were on a hike to build an altar for a burnt offering. And, he knew what was involved. They had the bundle of wood -- the lit torch for the fire -- and a knife -- but, where was the lamb? All his father said was, “God will provide the lamb.”

What went through Abraham’s mind? This son that God had given him in his old age, and out of season -- his only son -- was now to be taken from him -- and by his own hands!

Abraham’s faith had to fight against his paternal desires;  it was not natural for a man to take the life of his own son.  But -- God, Himself had required it.

And then, there they were -- the wood was arranged, Isaac was bound up, and laid on the alter. Abraham fought his every desire to stop, and forced himself to hold the knife . . .

As he drew back his arm, he heard . . . . “Abraham! Abraham!"

Abraham’s heart raced as he looked for the source of the voice, and he heard the angel say, “Do not lay a hand on the boy.” -- It had been a test!

“Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Then, Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.

We might find ourselves asking how could God have asked a father to willingly allow his son -- his only son --to be killed?

It wasn’t easy -- but at least with Abraham, He could provide a substitute.

But for God? His Son -- was the Lamb!

1 Peter 1:17-18:  For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

John 3:16:  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Acts 6:2 - Wear the Right Hats

Acts 6:2:
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”

How many hats do you wear? Most of us have more than one task -- job -- responsibility. We refer to this as wearing many hats -- one for each type of function we perform.

Occasionally, we are asked to wear a “hat” that doesn’t fit us well. When that happens, the efficiency of the task we perform suffers. We may not have the right skills -- the right ability -- the right discipline -- to do the job properly.

And, sometimes we just wear too many hats!

Wearing too many hats can be devastating to the work you want to accomplish.

In the early days of the Church, the Greek-speaking believers and the Hebrew-speaking believers began to have disputes and issues over how their respective widows were being served. We don’t know the full details, but we have all witnessed how, even today, we have similar issues when we start looking only to our own interests.

In their wisdom, the Twelve knew that they were not able to continue spreading the word of God effectively if they had to also conduct a food program!

They charged the disciples to put forth seven men, all able to meet the Apostles’ criteria of having wisdom and being full of the Spirit. Then, once the responsibilities of serving the widows were given over to these seven men, things were much smoother for all. And, the lack of disputes allowed the work of the Apostles flourish:

Acts 6:7:  So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

If you are a spiritual leader, what hats are you wearing? Do they all fit you well? Or -- are you trying to wear a hat that would better fit another’s head?

Trying to hold on to all the hats -- trying to do it all yourself -- can actually hinder the work you want to do! Sure, there is some satisfaction in knowing “you did it yourself,” and your hat rack might look good with a hat on every peg -- but was the work done as well as it could have been? Did something else you should have been doing get neglected?

Look around you. Others are ready and willing to help. Sure, they might not perform the task you give them the way you would do it -- they may even do it better!

By giving others a part in the work, you allow them to learn how to stretch, gain strength, and grow in their own usefulness for the Lord. Don’t underestimate the abilities of those around you -- you might just be giving a young David the courage he needs to pick up a few rocks...

1 Cor. 12:18-19:  But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?

Acts 5:35 - Gamaliel's Challenge

Acts 5:35:
Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.”

Have you ever been jealous of someone else? Maybe you wanted something they had? Maybe you wanted to look or be like them? Or -- maybe you wanted to have their power or ability to influence others? Whatever its reason, jealousy can lead you to do some strange and mean things if you don't control it soon enough.

Being Sadducees themselves, the High Priest and his close friends were not so keen on the resurrection story Peter and the other apostles -- the followers of Jesus -- had been spreading. Their jealousy led to Peter and the others being thrown in jail overnight. The next morning, they had hoped to settle the matter once and for all.

During the night, though, even with a full compliment of guards and locked gates, the apostles had been freed by an angel. He told them to go back to “telling the people all about this new life."

Learning where they were, the High Priest had them re-arrested and brought before the full council, where he gave them a good tongue lashing . . .

Acts 5:28: "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said, "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."

Undaunted by the authority of the council, Peter knew where his allegiance stood -- God’s Will trumped everything else. "We must obey God rather than human beings!"

Peter and the others knew what they had seen, heard, witnessed, and were told to do . . . and no one on earth could make them stop . . . and said so to the council.

Jealousy flamed to anger, and the council started to come unglued! They were furious! They wanted Peter and the others put to death for their insolence -- and would have except for the cool head of one member.

Gamaliel, an honored teacher of the law, ordered the room cleared for a while -- called an impromptu executive session.

Once it was just them -- he and the council alone -- he urged them to carefully consider how they handled themselves. He reminded them of a few recent failed uprisings by others -- and suggested how this one surrounding Jesus seemed different.

Acts 5:38-39: "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave them alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

So -- remember this as we face strong, jealous opposition to our following God -- our opposition is not fighting against us . . . but against God!

Romans 8:31-34: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Acts 2:36-38 - What Shall We Do?

Acts 2:36-38:“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Have you ever followed a group of people into action, and later wonder what it was that possessed you? Being in a crowd can lead to your doing things that you would never do otherwise. It's called, "peer pressure" or "mob thinking" -- and it can be intoxicating!

During riots, for instance, looting is done by many people who would never dream of stealing in normal circumstances. But, "Everyone else is doing it," can be an empowering concept.

But, when the dust clears . . . when it is time to account for your actions? -- That is another story.

That is the case here, when we read of the people gathered around Peter and the other apostles on the Day of Pentecost. Everyone heard the commotion, and had come to see it for themselves -- another crowd gathered. This time, though, they weren't being stirred to action, but were being brought to an accounting.

The sudden realization came with the finality of a jury foreman's proclamation of "guilty!"

To the honest listener, it was like being splashed with cold water -- being rudely awakened -- being stabbed in the heart! "We did what? We killed the one we were waiting for?"

The only thing the crowd could do was ask, "What shall we do?"

Peter's answer to them may seem odd to "contemporary Christians" of today, who tend to want to make following Christ more a matter of convenience, than obedience. Their answer is to pray -- utter a sort of "sinner's prayer."

Prayer is definitely called for in the heart of a repentant believer, but Peter had asked the crowd to do more than that -- to also be baptized.

That is something you don't hear much about today -- but -- if it was what Peter said was required then, why would it not be required by repentant believers today? -- A simple search through Scripture makes it hard to miss the importance of baptism to the believer.

1 Peter 3:20-22: "...to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also -- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand -- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him."