WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.580 Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons podcast. 00:00:12.120 --> 00:00:14.020 We're so glad you chose to listen today. 00:00:14.660 --> 00:00:17.140 Today, we dive into Genesis 46, 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:21.380 where we see God faithfully orchestrating reconciliation and restoration 00:00:21.380 --> 00:00:23.680 in the story of Jacob and Joseph. 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:26.260 As Jacob moves forward in faith, 00:00:26.260 --> 00:00:30.020 we're reminded of God's steady hand, turning chaos into purpose. 00:00:30.700 --> 00:00:33.680 Join us as we explore what it means to trust God's timing 00:00:33.680 --> 00:00:35.600 and step confidently into his promises. 00:00:36.360 --> 00:00:37.080 Thanks for listening. 00:00:48.360 --> 00:00:49.380 Well, good morning. 00:00:50.220 --> 00:00:52.000 If you have your Bibles, and I hope you do, 00:00:52.080 --> 00:00:55.380 I want to invite you to join us in Genesis chapter 46. 00:00:55.620 --> 00:00:59.380 If you are a first-time guest, I want you to do everything that Berger just asked for you to do. 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:01.740 I want you to scan the QR code, fill all that out. 00:01:01.820 --> 00:01:06.500 But then at the end of the service today, my wife and I will be right back here. 00:01:06.740 --> 00:01:10.060 Would love for you just to stop by, introduce yourself to us, 00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:12.960 so that we can thank you for being here, for worshiping with us. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:15.420 And then if you have any questions about our church, 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:21.740 it's a wonderful, wonderful opportunity for you guys to get those questions answered. 00:01:22.040 --> 00:01:23.240 I do want to say this. 00:01:23.320 --> 00:01:27.040 I hope you all enjoyed the snow this week. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:27.260 All right? 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:29.660 We got some snow fans that were happy about it. 00:01:29.720 --> 00:01:32.160 And I know, and like some of you, like you couldn't stand it. 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:32.480 All right? 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:34.700 Now, here's what I want you to explain. 00:01:34.800 --> 00:01:37.080 If you are new to the South, 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:43.020 And this is the first time that it's snowed since you've been in the South. 00:01:43.500 --> 00:01:45.180 Let me explain some things. 00:01:46.220 --> 00:01:48.060 We don't know what to do with it. 00:01:48.160 --> 00:01:48.600 All right? 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:55.800 And we're going to buy all the milk and bread and Doritos and Rocky Road ice cream as survival food 00:01:55.800 --> 00:01:58.240 to get through the snowstorm that we can. 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:00.040 And we are going to shut down. 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:01.840 And we are just going to have fun. 00:02:02.160 --> 00:02:05.140 And we know that you had six feet of snow growing up. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:10.900 And we just need you to let us have our quarter inch of snow that we get once every five to six years. 00:02:11.140 --> 00:02:12.400 But it was just good. 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:12.820 It was good. 00:02:12.880 --> 00:02:14.660 I do remember thinking driving around, like, 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:17.340 it feels like every time we got snow growing up, 00:02:17.420 --> 00:02:19.700 it was like snow and then 80 degrees. 00:02:19.880 --> 00:02:24.840 And so it was kind of cool for a couple days afterwards seeing the snow and the things that are out there. 00:02:24.940 --> 00:02:26.940 But it is good to be back here with you guys. 00:02:27.200 --> 00:02:30.200 It is good to be back opening up God's word with you this morning. 00:02:30.380 --> 00:02:32.700 And we're going to continue on in Genesis. 00:02:33.460 --> 00:02:35.840 Now, we're coming to the end. 00:02:35.920 --> 00:02:38.440 We've been walking through this for about two years now. 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:41.080 We're coming to the end of our time in Genesis. 00:02:41.620 --> 00:02:49.860 And today's story is the exciting part of a transition of one of the stories that we've been reading and navigating. 00:02:49.880 --> 00:02:54.340 As we've been reading through, as we've been looking at Abraham and his lineage, 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:59.180 as we've been walking and seeing of God fulfilling all the promises that God said that God was going to do. 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:00.280 God is working. 00:03:00.760 --> 00:03:01.700 God is moving. 00:03:01.920 --> 00:03:07.360 But we see the dysfunction that mankind brings into the plan that is there. 00:03:07.480 --> 00:03:11.400 But God continuing to work and move in a way that only God can work and move. 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:14.480 So that it's very evident of what we see in the goodness of it, 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:17.380 that it's out of the hands of the man and it's in the hands of God. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:19.220 And so we celebrate him for it. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:22.960 But we see a family preparing to be reunited. 00:03:24.380 --> 00:03:31.620 As we look at Genesis 46, we see a family where repentance has happened and praise God, forgiveness has taken place. 00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:37.260 We see a family where reconciliation is in the works. 00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:39.480 Hearts are changing. 00:03:40.820 --> 00:03:41.720 And this is good. 00:03:43.160 --> 00:03:47.840 And we're reminded while we don't always get it right, God does. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:49.220 God does. 00:03:50.340 --> 00:04:00.760 And when we get it wrong, God is gracious in us and through us to do what God's going to do. 00:04:01.760 --> 00:04:07.740 I want to read you a verse that we'll close with at the end of the message that's not in Genesis 46. 00:04:07.880 --> 00:04:09.500 It's found in 2 Timothy 4. 00:04:10.320 --> 00:04:14.420 As we look at the exciting work of what God's going to do. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:16.760 Paul writes to Timothy. 00:04:17.900 --> 00:04:18.940 And he says this to him. 00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:22.600 For I'm already being poured out as a drink offering. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:25.660 And the time of my departure has come. 00:04:26.880 --> 00:04:28.260 I've fought the good fight. 00:04:29.080 --> 00:04:30.240 I've finished the race. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:32.000 I've kept the faith. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:35.960 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:40.800 Which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day. 00:04:41.900 --> 00:04:48.220 And not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. 00:04:48.940 --> 00:04:49.460 Would you pray with me? 00:04:50.580 --> 00:04:52.940 God, we thank you for the truth of your word. 00:04:54.120 --> 00:04:57.260 God, we thank you for the wonderful gift of worship that you give us. 00:04:58.220 --> 00:05:00.680 That we can come and sing praises to you. 00:05:01.540 --> 00:05:04.300 God, as we study your word. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:06.680 Lord, may you speak truth. 00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:09.140 Powerful truth. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:11.480 To transform us. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:12.440 To change us. 00:05:13.760 --> 00:05:17.500 To make us more in love with Jesus. 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:22.900 And God, if there is anyone here who does not know him as his Lord and Savior. 00:05:23.900 --> 00:05:27.720 Lord, today, may today be the day of their salvation. 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:30.380 And it's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:31.780 Amen. 00:05:33.440 --> 00:05:36.800 You and I are called to faith. 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:43.320 We talk about a lot past tense faith. 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:46.740 What does it mean to be a Christian? 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:55.500 Well, I remember that day when I placed my faith, I put my hope, I placed my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:58.800 We talk about salvation in a past tense. 00:05:58.880 --> 00:06:01.800 And we can begin to think about faith as a past tense. 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:10.460 And I think the danger of that when we think of faith in the past tense, it's not only in the obedience of what God has for us, what God is calling us to, what God wants to do in us. 00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:22.760 But it's that day-to-day decision or surrender of what we make when we take that step forward. 00:06:22.760 --> 00:06:39.040 And what God does in our life all too often is he takes the chaos, he takes the dysfunction, he takes the misery, he takes the sadness, he takes the suffering. 00:06:39.280 --> 00:06:43.620 And he says, watch this, I'm going to use this to catapult your faith. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:46.160 I'm going to use this to strengthen your faith. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:55.660 I'm going to use this to work in you in only a biblical way that can happen so that your faith can grow, so that your faith can strengthen. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:07:05.540 And when people hear the story of your faith, it's so powerful that they give praise to God who's in heaven and not to us. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:26.000 I was thinking in my office this morning about these moments time and time again where God has activated this type of faith, coming out of long seasons of suffering, coming into long seasons of doubt, to come to long seasons of pain, and God using them to activate faith. 00:07:27.280 --> 00:07:56.320 We've been in season of struggle, slavery, imprisonment, lies, deceit, and we come into 46, what we saw in 45 last week, and there's this picture of hope, as we've seen where a family's going to be reunited, repentance has happened. 00:07:57.280 --> 00:08:00.680 True forgiveness is taken place. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:04.040 Reconciliation is in the works. 00:08:05.820 --> 00:08:08.480 God taking what was a mess and making it right. 00:08:10.080 --> 00:08:23.360 I remember about 17 years ago, my wife and I were sitting in a hospital room, both believers and followers of Jesus Christ. 00:08:24.640 --> 00:08:27.260 Both, I'm in ministry, I'm a youth pastor. 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:33.780 She, a loving partner in that life of ministry. 00:08:34.880 --> 00:08:54.640 And without getting into all of the details of what was happening or what was taking place, but I remember sitting in a hospital room 17 years ago and beginning to feel the chaos, begin to feel the darkness, beginning to feel the gloom of all that was surrounding us in that moment. 00:08:57.240 --> 00:09:03.980 And the beauty of God in this moment was this. 00:09:05.780 --> 00:09:07.860 We couldn't figure out a plan. 00:09:09.160 --> 00:09:11.380 We didn't know what to do next. 00:09:13.300 --> 00:09:14.600 All we could do was trust Him. 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:16.660 All we could do was trust Him. 00:09:21.040 --> 00:09:22.100 And take a step. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:24.620 And take a step. 00:09:25.780 --> 00:09:26.800 And take a step. 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:49.420 Today, as we look at this family, as we look at this family that's going to be reunited, as we look at this family, I want us to see the greater picture of what God is doing as He's taking all of the events of what's there to move them forward, to mature their faith and the confidence in who He is and what He is capable of. 00:09:49.520 --> 00:09:53.780 So we'll look at Genesis 46 and read verses 1 through 4. 00:09:58.060 --> 00:10:09.300 Israel took his journey with all that he had, and he came to Beersheba and offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac. 00:10:10.640 --> 00:10:15.820 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, Jacob, Jacob. 00:10:16.300 --> 00:10:18.080 And he said, here I am. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:23.520 Then he said, I am God, the God of your father. 00:10:24.260 --> 00:10:28.400 Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt. 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:33.660 For there I will make you into a great nation. 00:10:35.020 --> 00:10:39.000 I myself will go down with you to Egypt. 00:10:39.760 --> 00:10:42.360 And I will also bring you up again. 00:10:43.560 --> 00:10:49.880 And Joseph's hand shall close your eyes. 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:59.020 Israel, also known as Jacob, prior to this chapter that we just read, gets the wonderful news. 00:10:59.900 --> 00:11:02.360 Joseph, his favorite son. 00:11:03.560 --> 00:11:08.060 Joseph, who he thought was dead, is alive. 00:11:09.300 --> 00:11:17.380 And Joseph is called for his dad and his brothers and his families to return. 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:21.720 Or not to return, to come to him in Egypt. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:24.480 A journey that they'll take. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:31.180 When we look at Israel's life, I wrote this question in my notes. 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:31.920 What about his heart? 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:37.220 Where's his heart been on this journey that he's been on? 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:42.920 Physically, at this time, this man is 130 years old. 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:53.120 Preparing for this journey that will take weeks into months to make from Canaan to Egypt. 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:58.960 But I have to imagine, emotionally, he's much older than that. 00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:02.780 Emotionally, he's gone through the dysfunction of his family. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:05.520 He's gone through the lies and the betrayal of his kids. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:13.360 All throughout, while Joseph's been gone, he's wrestled with this feeling within his bones that something is not quite right. 00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:14.920 There's distrust that is there. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:22.120 When his other son has to go with the other brothers so that he can hold them, he's concerned that they won't bring him back. 00:12:22.280 --> 00:12:23.740 You can see the concern. 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:25.160 You can see the worry. 00:12:25.160 --> 00:12:30.300 Much older emotionally, even than physically speaking, at 130 years old. 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.900 And what will he choose? 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.580 What will this journey be? 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:38.600 What will mark this man as he goes forward? 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:40.780 Will it be bitterness? 00:12:41.900 --> 00:12:42.920 Will it be anger? 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:45.380 Will it be disbelief? 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:51.060 Well, I want to talk to you and look and see the beauty of what it means in moving forward. 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:55.660 The beauty of what it means in moving forward with faith. 00:12:55.660 --> 00:13:06.160 The beauty of what it means of trusting that the God who is ahead of you is working ahead of you as God works in you. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:18.920 When you and I, and we've been doing this for a long time, when we're reading through Genesis, you and I see the pieces of the puzzle that God has taken and that God is putting together. 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:26.940 We see the story of the pieces that come even long before this encounter with this family today. 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:34.780 We've been seeing it from the flood, to the fleeing, to the famine, over and over again in Genesis. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:42.680 And what we see is that in the chaos of our sin, in the chaos of our lives, in the chaos of the world around us, 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:52.500 we see the steady hand of God working and bringing his purpose to our chaos. 00:13:53.340 --> 00:14:02.520 Bringing his purpose to our chaos and creating order in the chaos. 00:14:03.520 --> 00:14:19.160 So Israel, Jacob, who's had his own spiritual ups and downs, makes the decision that while he doesn't fully know what is ahead, he moves forward. 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:29.340 When we see in the beginning of 46, we see that the first landmark that scripture points us to is that he comes to a place known as Beersheba, 00:14:29.880 --> 00:14:33.820 the southernmost point of Canaan on the way to Egypt. 00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:37.160 And it's very interesting what he does there. 00:14:37.160 --> 00:14:43.920 He comes to this place, he comes to this place and he offers sacrifices to God. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:48.380 He comes to Beersheba and he offers sacrifices to God. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:50.920 Well, if you've been journeying with us, you've seen this before. 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:55.440 In Genesis 21, this is where Abraham comes to and he called upon the name of the Lord. 00:14:56.180 --> 00:15:02.780 We see in Genesis 26, this is where Isaac received a promise from God and there he made a sacrifice to God. 00:15:02.780 --> 00:15:09.860 And now we see Israel here, Jacob, he comes here and he does the exact same thing. 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:13.280 And here God speaks to him. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:24.800 I do not think it's coincidence that Israel finds himself at the place of Abraham, at the place of Isaac. 00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:28.840 And he says, I don't think it's coincidence. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:31.940 He says, in here I make my sacrifice. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:35.940 In here I call upon the name of the Lord. 00:15:37.380 --> 00:15:54.760 You see, because following God, moving forward, means trusting him for what tomorrow will hold, but it also means listening to him for what he has to say today and remembering what he's done in our past. 00:15:55.960 --> 00:16:02.020 Sometimes we think that moving forward is just the forward action of what tomorrow, what next week, what next month holds. 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:09.980 But what God gives us in his kindness and his mercy is what he's speaking to us today and what he has spoken to us in the past. 00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:20.700 To follow God is to trust God, yes, for what you do not yet know, but praise God for holding on to what you already do know. 00:16:21.760 --> 00:16:27.860 God in his goodness and his kindness and his mercy, he's given you a testimony of the work and the evidence and the fruit of him in your life. 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:35.520 He's walked through, he's carried you through, he's empowered you through the difficulties of your life and he's been faithful all the way through it. 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:47.920 God in his goodness and his kindness and his mercy has given you the truth of his word that you can hold on to, that you can cling to, that has never failed, that has always been right and stands upon the truth of what we know. 00:16:48.620 --> 00:17:00.240 And so while faith is looking forward to what we don't know, faith in moving forward is also clinging to, praise God, what he has given us and what we do know. 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:09.040 And what we can cling to in the uncertainty of some days to come. 00:17:11.280 --> 00:17:16.900 Here's what you and I, here's what we can know, and here's what we can know for today. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:23.220 We can know that can never be taken away from us, that you and I, that I am a child of God. 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:31.000 We can know that in who he is and how he works and how he moves, that he desires to bless us and to bless us greatly. 00:17:31.300 --> 00:17:38.940 We can know that he will never leave us and no one, no one, nothing can take us from his hand. 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:54.040 And we can know that he has a way for you and I, in the power and the truth of his word to call us to obedience in our life. 00:17:55.060 --> 00:18:02.460 And that while I may not be able to control the situation, I can control my response. 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:09.940 And I can choose to trust and to follow and to obey him. 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.960 He's afraid. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:19.700 Israel doesn't know what will happen. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:25.440 When God appeared to him, he said, don't be afraid. 00:18:26.800 --> 00:18:27.760 Fear not. 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:33.500 But he takes the step in moving forward. 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:36.160 Think about faith this way. 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:40.520 I know that I can trust. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:44.560 I know that I can trust. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:48.580 I know that I can trust. 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:52.440 So let's pick back up verses five through seven. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:58.000 Then Jacob set out from Besherba. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:08.480 The sons of Israel carried Jacob, their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:29.880 They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons and his sons with him, his daughters and his sons' daughters, and all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt. 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.500 Now, pause right there. 00:19:32.260 --> 00:19:34.680 Verse eight through verse 25, a whole lot of names. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.740 Jump down to verse 26. 00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:39.200 Why y'all laughing? 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:53.740 All the persons belonging to Jacob, who came into Egypt, who were his own descendants, not including Jacob's wives, sons, were 66 persons in all. 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:58.440 And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two. 00:19:59.100 --> 00:20:04.460 All the persons of the house of Jacob, who came into Egypt, were 60. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:13.480 What we see here is Jacob moves forward. 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:16.700 And what I want to talk to you about is this. 00:20:17.340 --> 00:20:26.040 When it comes to looking to moving forward, that we have to be careful as we keep our eyes on God that there's no looking back. 00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:29.120 That there's no looking back. 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:33.020 Why are there a list of names? 00:20:33.020 --> 00:20:39.620 Why is there, over and over again, in verse 46, a list? 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:42.660 And here are the sons of Judah. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:45.480 And here are the sons of Zebulun. 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:47.940 And here are the sons of Gad. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:21:01.540 Here's the sons of Jacob is moving forward in faith, trusting in who God is and what God has done, but not looking back. 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:05.000 There's no backup plan. 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.720 There's no backup plan. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.840 Who does he take? 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.800 Everybody. 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:14.120 Everybody. 00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:25.660 Trusting God is not squirreling away what we want to hold for ourself, spiritually speaking, and saying, but I'm going partially in with this. 00:21:26.280 --> 00:21:29.280 Trusting God means I'm trusting him. 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.560 I'm trusting his plan. 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.700 I'm trusting his time. 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.880 I'm trusting his ways. 00:21:33.020 --> 00:21:34.020 I'm trusting his means. 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:36.740 I'm trusting how God wants to work and what God wants to do. 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:47.060 In the midst of your chaos that you feel like is spinning out of control and out of control, trusting God means trusting God. 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.240 Genesis chapter 12. 00:21:54.080 --> 00:21:54.840 Trusting God. 00:21:56.280 --> 00:21:57.380 Genesis chapter 12. 00:21:58.560 --> 00:22:00.860 God comes to Abraham. 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:03.180 Do you remember his promise? 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:10.360 I'm going to make you a great nation. 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:13.320 Genesis chapter 12. 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.200 Where are we at? 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:16.640 We're 46. 00:22:18.060 --> 00:22:20.060 Has this nation appeared yet? 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:21.280 No, it hasn't. 00:22:22.020 --> 00:22:23.340 It's not appeared. 00:22:23.580 --> 00:22:25.460 Right now what we see is a family. 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:32.880 From the time God called Abraham, it's been 26 years, it was 25 years until Isaac was born. 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:34.440 Isaac, not a nation. 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:41.000 It took 60 years to add, it took Isaac 60 years to add another son. 00:22:41.280 --> 00:22:43.040 Jacob, still not a nation. 00:22:43.280 --> 00:22:47.220 It took 60 years from Jacob to add 12 sons and one daughter. 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.520 A lot of kids. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.940 But not a nation. 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:56.380 But that would be what would be what would head to Egypt. 00:22:57.160 --> 00:23:05.340 These sons and daughters and their family, still not a nation. 00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:08.740 But there is no backup plan. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:11.240 There is no contingency. 00:23:12.020 --> 00:23:13.500 There is no what if. 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:21.260 If God, if this is where you are going to call us to go, then this is where we'll go. 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:31.660 And 430 years later, because God is a God who keeps his promises. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:40.440 God is going to choose and call for himself another man, a man named Moses. 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:48.960 And he will lead between two and three million Israelites out of Egypt. 00:23:50.300 --> 00:23:51.720 And what's God doing? 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.660 What's God doing? 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.380 God's creating. 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.960 God's working. 00:23:57.760 --> 00:23:58.460 God's moving. 00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:04.100 Jacob, Israel, goes all in with God. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:08.920 And God is faithful every time. 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:14.780 With where you're at, with the journey of the life that you find yourself on, 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:16.760 what I want to challenge you with this morning, 00:24:17.760 --> 00:24:21.120 is your faith a leave behind what if? 00:24:22.780 --> 00:24:26.840 Is your faith, I'm going to trust God, but hold aside some? 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:31.540 Or is your faith the faith that says, 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:34.160 God's called us to go, every single one of you. 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.380 Come on, come on, come on, come on. 00:24:35.580 --> 00:24:38.480 But we've got land, but we've got places, but we've got things that are, 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:40.660 I know, I know, I know, but God's calling us and said, 00:24:40.760 --> 00:24:43.100 this is what we're going to go, and this is what we're going to do, 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.940 and these are the steps that we're going to take. 00:24:45.280 --> 00:24:49.260 And God is faithful every single time. 00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:55.340 So we just ran out 46 through verse 28. 00:24:57.960 --> 00:25:06.100 So he had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen. 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:10.360 And they came into the land of Goshen. 00:25:11.760 --> 00:25:19.240 Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel, his father in Goshen. 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:25.320 He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:34.680 Israel said to Joseph, now let me die since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive. 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:39.140 And Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's household, 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:43.560 I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:49.940 my brothers and my father's household who were in the land in Canaan have come to me. 00:25:50.820 --> 00:25:58.420 And the men are shepherds for they have been keepers of livestock and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:03.020 And when Pharaoh calls you, say and says, what is your occupation? 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:07.480 You shall say, your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth until now. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:15.320 But we and our fathers, in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:19.700 So there's this wonderful reunion of what's there. 00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:27.040 There's this embrace and the reconciliation and the power of what we see within this. 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:33.360 And what we begin to see here is the story of who Jesus is. 00:26:34.300 --> 00:26:36.660 The story of what Jesus has done. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:41.860 And we begin to understand that Jesus is the greater Joseph. 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:47.500 Joseph here, he reunites with his father and it is beautiful. 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.680 But Joseph isn't the focus. 00:26:51.780 --> 00:26:55.160 Joseph will not just welcome his family into the land, 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:58.320 but Joseph will become an advocate for his family. 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:04.060 Joseph will prepare and obtain a home and a land for his family. 00:27:05.260 --> 00:27:10.640 And Joseph will ensure that his family will be received. 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:18.020 You know, there's a time where in the life of Jesus, with those in his earthly family, 00:27:18.020 --> 00:27:23.400 those that are closest to him have an emotional time with him as well. 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:28.760 Instead of a time of them coming together and being reunited, 00:27:28.760 --> 00:27:33.660 it is a time where to their fear, Jesus is going to depart. 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:43.720 And there's concern about what will happen, much similar to the concerns that Jacob had as they approached Egypt. 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:45.300 How will we be received? 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:47.060 How will we be taken care of? 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.620 How will we be welcomed in? 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:54.780 And as Joseph stepped in and became the way and the means and the advocate for his family, 00:27:55.840 --> 00:28:01.920 Jesus looks at those in his life and assures them who he is and what he is doing. 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.920 In John chapter 14, he says this. 00:28:06.520 --> 00:28:09.880 Jesus says, let your hearts, let not your hearts be troubled. 00:28:10.800 --> 00:28:11.900 Believe in God. 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.900 Believe also in me. 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:19.300 In my father's house are many rooms. 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:26.640 If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:32.760 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself. 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:36.300 That where I am, you may also be. 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:41.800 And you know the way to where I am going. 00:28:43.800 --> 00:28:48.120 And wonderful, dense Thomas said to him, 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:51.280 Lord, we do not know where you are going. 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.580 How can we know the way? 00:28:53.760 --> 00:29:00.000 And Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:29:01.020 --> 00:29:05.100 No one comes to the father except through me. 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:11.980 If you had known me, you would have known my father also. 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:17.900 From now on, you do know him and have seen him. 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:24.360 And this description, it explains the work of Christ. 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:30.080 It explains of who he is and the work that he's done for us. 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:33.720 That on the journey that we find ourselves on, 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:40.420 that he is active of what he has done and what he has prepared for us. 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:44.160 Jesus is the greater Joseph. 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:50.420 While Joseph made a way for his father and his brothers and his sister and their family, 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:55.840 Jesus describes a place of the reunion, not for a singular family, 00:29:56.020 --> 00:29:59.380 but for all who have put their faith, their hope, their trust in him. 00:30:00.280 --> 00:30:06.120 Jesus says that in this place that you are not an advocate for yourself because I am your advocate. 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:10.780 I speak for you, I stand for you, I work for you, this is who I am. 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:15.380 And that this place for you, it waits for you. 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:22.640 You don't have to do anything to prepare because Jesus has done it for you. 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:33.400 And when you get there, when you get there, you will be received because you know Jesus and Jesus knows you. 00:30:36.340 --> 00:30:38.040 I'm going to ask you a question this morning. 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:42.260 Not do you do religious things. 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:49.580 Not do you desire goodness within yourself. 00:30:51.080 --> 00:30:53.340 But when it comes down to your heart, 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:56.680 the truth of the gospel, 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:59.800 the question to ask 00:30:59.800 --> 00:31:02.120 that transcends all time, 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:04.300 that transcends all cultures, 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:06.460 that transcends all language is this. 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:08.080 Do you know Jesus? 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.980 Do you know Jesus? 00:31:10.820 --> 00:31:12.700 Not do you know about Jesus. 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:14.040 Do you know him? 00:31:14.520 --> 00:31:17.440 Have you put your faith, your hope, and your trust in him? 00:31:17.580 --> 00:31:19.300 Do you have a relationship with him? 00:31:19.300 --> 00:31:22.060 Do you hear the power of his words? 00:31:22.340 --> 00:31:24.260 And with confidence in you, say, 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:28.600 I am a child of God. 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:33.960 Do you know Jesus? 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.220 Jesus. 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:50.620 Imagine there was some nervousness on the journey. 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:55.220 And then there was some confidence when they saw. 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:59.240 In order to take the step forward, 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:02.080 in order to not look back, 00:32:02.620 --> 00:32:04.640 we can't keep our eyes on ourselves. 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:07.960 We must keep our eyes on him. 00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:10.420 So let's look at what Joseph does. 00:32:11.300 --> 00:32:14.000 Chapter 47, verses 1 through 12. 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:20.060 So Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:27.240 my father and my brothers with their flocks and herds 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:31.000 and all they possess have come from the land of Canaan. 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:33.780 They are now in the land of Goshen. 00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:35.940 And from among his brothers, 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:38.700 he took five men and presented them to Pharaoh. 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:40.840 And Pharaoh said to his brothers, 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:42.400 what is your occupation? 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.920 And they said to Pharaoh, 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:47.380 your servants are shepherds as our fathers were. 00:32:48.080 --> 00:32:48.980 And they said to Pharaoh, 00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:51.240 we have come to sojourn in the land, 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:54.120 for there is no pasture for your servants' flocks, 00:32:54.280 --> 00:32:56.660 for the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. 00:32:57.100 --> 00:33:00.420 And now please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen. 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:02.520 And then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:04.960 your father and your brothers have come to you. 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:06.960 The land of Egypt is before you. 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:09.100 Settle your father and your brothers 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.560 in the best of the land. 00:33:11.520 --> 00:33:13.520 Let them settle in the land of Goshen. 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:17.000 And if you know any able men among them, 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:19.360 put them in charge of my livestock. 00:33:20.580 --> 00:33:22.120 So Joseph did what he said he would do. 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:26.020 His family welcomed in. 00:33:28.560 --> 00:33:29.400 There's Jacob. 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:34.120 And a man who came in fear, 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:37.420 but is growing in confidence, 00:33:38.520 --> 00:33:39.140 comes in. 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.860 Look at verse seven. 00:33:42.580 --> 00:33:46.780 Then Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.840 and stood him before Pharaoh. 00:33:53.280 --> 00:33:57.720 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 00:33:59.340 --> 00:34:02.220 And Pharaoh said to Jacob, 00:34:03.060 --> 00:34:07.640 how many are the days of the years of your life? 00:34:08.520 --> 00:34:10.480 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, 00:34:11.580 --> 00:34:16.300 the days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:22.820 Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life. 00:34:23.660 --> 00:34:27.640 And they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers 00:34:27.640 --> 00:34:29.700 and the days of their sojourning. 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:32.620 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh 00:34:32.620 --> 00:34:35.840 and went out from the presence of Pharaoh. 00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:39.940 Then Joseph settled his father and his brother 00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:42.380 and gave them a possession in the land, 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:44.360 in the best of the land, 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:46.220 in the land of Ramses, 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:48.120 as Pharaoh had commanded. 00:34:49.080 --> 00:34:51.760 And Joseph provided his father, 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:53.120 his brothers, 00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:56.340 and all of his father's household with food 00:34:56.340 --> 00:35:00.340 according to the number of their dependents. 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:04.240 In closing, as we look at faith, 00:35:05.100 --> 00:35:06.580 I want to challenge us 00:35:06.580 --> 00:35:08.620 to be a people moving 00:35:08.620 --> 00:35:11.900 from fear to confidence. 00:35:12.840 --> 00:35:15.020 From fear to confidence. 00:35:15.640 --> 00:35:18.540 Look at the work that God had done 00:35:18.540 --> 00:35:20.160 in the life of Jacob. 00:35:21.140 --> 00:35:24.220 Moving Jacob from the fear as he approached 00:35:24.220 --> 00:35:27.180 to the confidence of approaching 00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:29.440 the most powerful, 00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:33.940 the most influential human on earth. 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:36.640 And his posturing is, 00:35:37.140 --> 00:35:39.260 let me bless you. 00:35:40.260 --> 00:35:42.540 We see this confidence 00:35:42.540 --> 00:35:44.220 in who he is in this moment. 00:35:44.540 --> 00:35:45.920 We see this confidence 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:48.680 in his approaching this ruler that is there. 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:50.040 We see his confidence 00:35:50.040 --> 00:35:52.580 in the journey that God has brought him to. 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:55.040 To not be the weak man who hid. 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.640 To not be the weak man 00:35:56.640 --> 00:35:57.920 who chapters early said, 00:35:58.060 --> 00:35:59.040 poor, poor, pitiful me. 00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:00.680 Why is God out against me? 00:36:00.780 --> 00:36:02.160 But we see a man 00:36:02.160 --> 00:36:03.460 who has walked through 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:05.680 and God is developing within him 00:36:05.680 --> 00:36:08.160 the Holy Spirit of confidence 00:36:08.160 --> 00:36:10.140 in who he is in God. 00:36:11.020 --> 00:36:15.160 And my plea for your heart today 00:36:15.160 --> 00:36:19.440 is that when we walk through life, 00:36:20.220 --> 00:36:22.560 when we walk through life 00:36:22.560 --> 00:36:24.280 afraid to walk 00:36:24.280 --> 00:36:26.760 in the boldness and confidence 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:28.180 of who we are 00:36:28.180 --> 00:36:31.000 in our walk with Jesus 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:32.940 and in what he has done 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:35.060 and in what he is doing, 00:36:35.560 --> 00:36:38.420 we may feel like we're approaching God 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.620 in humility 00:36:39.620 --> 00:36:42.740 but we're not approaching God 00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:44.100 with the confidence 00:36:44.100 --> 00:36:45.240 that he's given us. 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:47.920 But I don't get that. 00:36:49.160 --> 00:36:50.580 Confidence doesn't seem like 00:36:50.580 --> 00:36:51.820 it's respectful. 00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:55.940 Confidence seems like it's assuming. 00:36:57.040 --> 00:36:58.380 Confidence feels like 00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:59.700 this is what I owe 00:36:59.700 --> 00:37:01.120 or what I'm owed. 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:03.960 But I would argue with you 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:06.840 that what the Bible calls us to 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:09.960 is humble confidence. 00:37:11.120 --> 00:37:13.940 What the Bible calls us to 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:17.840 is that we approach God 00:37:17.840 --> 00:37:19.100 in humility. 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:21.440 That we are sinners 00:37:21.440 --> 00:37:25.580 and this is what we don't deserve 00:37:25.580 --> 00:37:28.200 but we approach 00:37:28.200 --> 00:37:29.100 in the confidence 00:37:29.100 --> 00:37:31.320 of the goodness 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:33.040 of who he is. 00:37:35.200 --> 00:37:36.900 We started off 00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:37.840 with the passage 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:39.820 from 2 Timothy. 00:37:42.580 --> 00:37:44.000 We find Paul. 00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:46.760 Paul who has been 00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:47.660 walking 00:37:47.660 --> 00:37:49.180 with the Lord. 00:37:50.520 --> 00:37:51.900 Paul who has been 00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:52.920 taking step 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:53.980 moving forward 00:37:53.980 --> 00:37:55.020 moving forward 00:37:55.020 --> 00:37:56.020 moving forward 00:37:56.020 --> 00:37:57.580 and Paul 00:37:57.580 --> 00:37:59.080 who understands 00:37:59.080 --> 00:38:01.700 that his time 00:38:01.700 --> 00:38:02.380 before the king 00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:02.820 is coming. 00:38:05.540 --> 00:38:06.640 And how does Paul 00:38:06.640 --> 00:38:09.120 address that? 00:38:10.120 --> 00:38:11.320 How does Paul 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.740 reveal 00:38:12.740 --> 00:38:13.760 the condition 00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:14.380 of his heart? 00:38:16.320 --> 00:38:17.600 It's with confidence. 00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:20.020 It's with confidence. 00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:22.680 Here's 00:38:22.680 --> 00:38:23.740 look back 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:24.360 at what he said 00:38:24.360 --> 00:38:26.620 for I'm already 00:38:26.620 --> 00:38:27.640 being poured out 00:38:27.640 --> 00:38:29.600 as a drink offering 00:38:29.600 --> 00:38:32.280 and the time 00:38:32.280 --> 00:38:34.220 of my departure 00:38:34.220 --> 00:38:34.920 has come. 00:38:36.780 --> 00:38:37.760 I fought 00:38:37.760 --> 00:38:38.380 the good fight. 00:38:39.700 --> 00:38:40.520 I finished 00:38:40.520 --> 00:38:41.100 the race. 00:38:42.720 --> 00:38:43.140 I've kept 00:38:43.140 --> 00:38:43.640 the faith. 00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:47.660 Henceforth 00:38:47.660 --> 00:38:49.660 there is 00:38:49.660 --> 00:38:50.220 laid 00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:51.340 up 00:38:51.340 --> 00:38:52.660 for me 00:38:52.660 --> 00:38:54.300 the crown 00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:55.100 of righteousness. 00:38:57.740 --> 00:38:58.200 And then 00:38:58.200 --> 00:38:59.520 in humility 00:38:59.520 --> 00:39:01.740 which the Lord 00:39:01.740 --> 00:39:03.500 the Lord 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:05.380 the righteous judge 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:06.860 will award. 00:39:08.100 --> 00:39:08.400 And he 00:39:08.400 --> 00:39:09.580 will award it 00:39:09.580 --> 00:39:10.600 to me 00:39:10.600 --> 00:39:12.060 Paul says 00:39:12.060 --> 00:39:12.900 to me 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:14.600 the confidence 00:39:14.600 --> 00:39:16.660 that on this journey 00:39:16.660 --> 00:39:17.500 on this life 00:39:17.500 --> 00:39:18.380 as this comes 00:39:18.380 --> 00:39:18.860 to the end 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:19.940 I don't have to go 00:39:19.940 --> 00:39:20.460 in fear 00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:23.360 I don't have to go 00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:24.660 in self preservation 00:39:24.660 --> 00:39:25.280 mode 00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:27.020 that I can go 00:39:27.020 --> 00:39:27.980 on this journey 00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:29.340 with great confidence 00:39:29.340 --> 00:39:30.140 because of 00:39:30.140 --> 00:39:30.920 who the Lord 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:31.360 is 00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:32.400 that he is 00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:33.360 the righteous judge 00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:34.240 and that he will 00:39:34.240 --> 00:39:35.040 award that to 00:39:35.040 --> 00:39:35.580 me 00:39:35.580 --> 00:39:36.520 and not only 00:39:36.520 --> 00:39:37.240 to me 00:39:37.240 --> 00:39:39.420 because of the goodness 00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:40.160 of who he is 00:39:40.160 --> 00:39:41.680 but also 00:39:41.680 --> 00:39:43.120 to all 00:39:43.120 --> 00:39:44.600 who have loved 00:39:44.600 --> 00:39:45.700 his 00:39:45.700 --> 00:39:46.760 appearing. 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:50.760 As we come 00:39:50.760 --> 00:39:51.680 to a conclusion 00:39:51.680 --> 00:39:53.600 in the life 00:39:53.600 --> 00:39:54.540 of this family 00:39:54.540 --> 00:39:55.620 that we have 00:39:55.620 --> 00:39:56.040 seen 00:39:56.040 --> 00:39:56.660 in Genesis 00:39:56.660 --> 00:39:59.200 my challenge 00:39:59.200 --> 00:40:00.360 for you 00:40:00.360 --> 00:40:02.180 my challenge 00:40:02.180 --> 00:40:02.700 for me 00:40:02.700 --> 00:40:04.220 as we take 00:40:04.220 --> 00:40:04.820 the truths 00:40:04.820 --> 00:40:05.380 as we look 00:40:05.380 --> 00:40:05.760 at these 00:40:05.760 --> 00:40:06.480 with our life 00:40:06.480 --> 00:40:07.540 is to ask 00:40:07.540 --> 00:40:08.180 the question 00:40:08.180 --> 00:40:11.020 do we just 00:40:11.020 --> 00:40:11.620 stay back 00:40:11.620 --> 00:40:12.160 at where we 00:40:12.160 --> 00:40:12.520 were 00:40:12.520 --> 00:40:14.900 do we just 00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:16.440 too tired 00:40:16.440 --> 00:40:16.860 to go 00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:17.440 forward 00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:20.300 there is 00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:20.900 every day 00:40:20.900 --> 00:40:22.940 a choice 00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:23.200 to take 00:40:23.200 --> 00:40:23.620 one more 00:40:23.620 --> 00:40:24.000 step 00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:25.240 after one 00:40:25.240 --> 00:40:25.840 more step 00:40:25.840 --> 00:40:26.940 after one 00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:27.360 more step 00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:27.820 of faith 00:40:27.820 --> 00:40:29.240 because we 00:40:29.240 --> 00:40:29.660 know 00:40:29.660 --> 00:40:31.080 at what 00:40:31.080 --> 00:40:31.500 he's 00:40:31.500 --> 00:40:32.500 said 00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.720 and we 00:40:33.720 --> 00:40:34.080 know 00:40:34.080 --> 00:40:35.380 the truth 00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:36.060 of his 00:40:36.060 --> 00:40:36.360 word 00:40:36.360 --> 00:40:37.580 and it 00:40:37.580 --> 00:40:38.560 is real 00:40:38.560 --> 00:40:39.420 and it 00:40:39.420 --> 00:40:40.460 is evident 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:41.220 and it 00:40:41.220 --> 00:40:41.920 is true 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:42.700 and how 00:40:42.700 --> 00:40:43.000 do I 00:40:43.000 --> 00:40:43.360 know that 00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:43.920 because I've 00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:44.300 seen it 00:40:44.300 --> 00:40:44.560 in my 00:40:44.560 --> 00:40:45.020 life 00:40:45.020 --> 00:40:45.940 I've 00:40:45.940 --> 00:40:46.640 experienced 00:40:46.640 --> 00:40:46.820 it 00:40:46.820 --> 00:40:47.020 I've 00:40:47.020 --> 00:40:47.460 tasted 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:48.740 that God 00:40:48.740 --> 00:40:49.000 in his 00:40:49.000 --> 00:40:49.360 goodness 00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:50.040 has granted 00:40:50.040 --> 00:40:50.360 this 00:40:50.360 --> 00:40:51.240 to me 00:40:51.240 --> 00:40:53.740 so because 00:40:53.740 --> 00:40:54.380 I know 00:40:54.380 --> 00:40:55.640 because I've 00:40:55.640 --> 00:40:56.240 lived 00:40:56.240 --> 00:40:58.380 I may not 00:40:58.380 --> 00:40:58.660 know what 00:40:58.660 --> 00:40:59.480 tomorrow holds 00:40:59.480 --> 00:41:00.640 but I can 00:41:00.640 --> 00:41:01.240 take a step 00:41:01.240 --> 00:41:02.860 I can take 00:41:02.860 --> 00:41:03.360 a step 00:41:03.360 --> 00:41:05.740 and I don't 00:41:05.740 --> 00:41:06.160 have to do 00:41:06.160 --> 00:41:06.620 it in fear 00:41:06.620 --> 00:41:08.120 I don't 00:41:08.120 --> 00:41:08.700 have to 00:41:08.700 --> 00:41:09.500 be a 00:41:09.500 --> 00:41:09.880 person 00:41:09.880 --> 00:41:11.280 who Satan 00:41:11.280 --> 00:41:12.100 wins 00:41:12.100 --> 00:41:13.140 because I'm 00:41:13.140 --> 00:41:13.740 afraid of 00:41:13.740 --> 00:41:14.300 the tomorrow 00:41:14.300 --> 00:41:16.120 but I can 00:41:16.120 --> 00:41:16.920 take a step 00:41:16.920 --> 00:41:17.420 knowing 00:41:17.420 --> 00:41:19.240 that even 00:41:19.240 --> 00:41:19.680 if my 00:41:19.680 --> 00:41:20.160 life 00:41:20.160 --> 00:41:21.280 is taken 00:41:21.280 --> 00:41:21.800 from me 00:41:21.800 --> 00:41:23.640 what awaits 00:41:23.640 --> 00:41:23.920 for me 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.480 is Jesus 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:26.060 what awaits 00:41:26.060 --> 00:41:26.260 for me 00:41:26.260 --> 00:41:26.700 is Jesus 00:41:26.700 --> 00:41:28.640 I don't 00:41:28.640 --> 00:41:29.060 know 00:41:29.060 --> 00:41:31.400 what has 00:41:31.400 --> 00:41:31.820 you 00:41:31.820 --> 00:41:33.080 stuck 00:41:33.080 --> 00:41:37.240 but my 00:41:37.240 --> 00:41:37.880 prayer is 00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:38.340 today 00:41:38.340 --> 00:41:39.820 you will 00:41:39.820 --> 00:41:40.280 see that 00:41:40.280 --> 00:41:40.880 your release 00:41:40.880 --> 00:41:41.440 from that 00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:43.060 is a step 00:41:43.060 --> 00:41:43.720 toward Christ 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:45.380 would you 00:41:45.380 --> 00:41:45.660 pray with 00:41:45.660 --> 00:41:46.420 me 00:41:46.420 --> 00:41:54.820 God a 00:41:54.820 --> 00:41:55.520 family that 00:41:55.520 --> 00:41:56.120 roams 00:41:56.120 --> 00:41:56.480 and a 00:41:56.480 --> 00:41:57.660 family that 00:41:57.660 --> 00:41:58.240 travels 00:41:58.240 --> 00:41:58.920 a family 00:41:58.920 --> 00:41:59.300 that 00:41:59.300 --> 00:42:00.420 fights 00:42:00.420 --> 00:42:01.620 a family 00:42:01.620 --> 00:42:01.940 that 00:42:01.940 --> 00:42:02.980 reconciles 00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:03.920 a family 00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:04.560 that has 00:42:04.560 --> 00:42:05.320 the highs 00:42:05.320 --> 00:42:06.480 and the lows 00:42:06.480 --> 00:42:07.080 or the 00:42:07.080 --> 00:42:07.520 family 00:42:07.520 --> 00:42:08.240 that has 00:42:08.240 --> 00:42:08.560 everywhere 00:42:08.560 --> 00:42:09.180 in between 00:42:09.180 --> 00:42:11.080 where so 00:42:11.080 --> 00:42:11.700 much of 00:42:11.700 --> 00:42:12.220 this is 00:42:12.220 --> 00:42:12.600 the 00:42:12.600 --> 00:42:14.080 unfortunate 00:42:14.080 --> 00:42:14.780 truth 00:42:14.780 --> 00:42:15.180 of the 00:42:15.180 --> 00:42:15.700 reality 00:42:15.700 --> 00:42:16.080 of our 00:42:16.080 --> 00:42:16.480 life 00:42:16.480 --> 00:42:18.800 that the 00:42:18.800 --> 00:42:19.400 instability 00:42:19.400 --> 00:42:20.720 that we 00:42:20.720 --> 00:42:21.340 cause 00:42:21.340 --> 00:42:21.660 and that 00:42:21.660 --> 00:42:22.560 we create 00:42:22.560 --> 00:42:23.780 in the 00:42:23.780 --> 00:42:24.320 instability 00:42:24.320 --> 00:42:25.080 of this 00:42:25.080 --> 00:42:25.600 world 00:42:25.600 --> 00:42:26.700 or may 00:42:26.700 --> 00:42:27.080 we be 00:42:27.080 --> 00:42:27.560 reminded 00:42:27.560 --> 00:42:27.960 that our 00:42:27.960 --> 00:42:28.320 center 00:42:28.320 --> 00:42:28.840 and what 00:42:28.840 --> 00:42:29.360 holds 00:42:29.360 --> 00:42:29.720 true 00:42:29.720 --> 00:42:30.120 and what 00:42:30.120 --> 00:42:30.420 holds 00:42:30.420 --> 00:42:30.840 stable 00:42:30.840 --> 00:42:31.160 is to 00:42:31.160 --> 00:42:31.580 be found 00:42:31.580 --> 00:42:31.940 in your 00:42:31.940 --> 00:42:32.380 hand 00:42:32.380 --> 00:42:34.240 or that 00:42:34.240 --> 00:42:34.440 you're 00:42:34.440 --> 00:42:34.960 not a 00:42:34.960 --> 00:42:35.340 God 00:42:35.340 --> 00:42:35.760 of 00:42:35.760 --> 00:42:36.160 chaos 00:42:36.160 --> 00:42:36.540 but 00:42:36.540 --> 00:42:36.820 you're 00:42:36.820 --> 00:42:37.200 a 00:42:37.200 --> 00:42:37.420 God 00:42:37.420 --> 00:42:37.580 that 00:42:37.580 --> 00:42:37.840 brings 00:42:37.840 --> 00:42:38.260 calm 00:42:38.260 --> 00:42:38.500 into 00:42:38.500 --> 00:42:38.660 the 00:42:38.660 --> 00:42:39.160 chaos 00:42:39.160 --> 00:42:39.520 brings 00:42:39.520 --> 00:42:39.940 order 00:42:39.940 --> 00:42:40.240 into 00:42:40.240 --> 00:42:40.440 the 00:42:40.440 --> 00:42:40.880 storm 00:42:40.880 --> 00:42:41.980 brings 00:42:41.980 --> 00:42:42.600 purpose 00:42:42.600 --> 00:42:43.560 into 00:42:43.560 --> 00:42:43.740 the 00:42:43.740 --> 00:42:44.240 darkness 00:42:44.240 --> 00:42:46.500 and 00:42:46.500 --> 00:42:46.600 and I 00:42:46.600 --> 00:42:46.720 pray 00:42:46.720 --> 00:42:46.960 that we 00:42:46.960 --> 00:42:47.080 would 00:42:47.080 --> 00:42:47.280 not 00:42:47.280 --> 00:42:47.840 stay 00:42:47.840 --> 00:42:48.140 where 00:42:48.140 --> 00:42:48.340 we 00:42:48.340 --> 00:42:48.820 are 00:42:48.820 --> 00:42:50.940 because 00:42:50.940 --> 00:42:51.140 it's 00:42:51.140 --> 00:42:51.300 what 00:42:51.300 --> 00:42:51.480 we 00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:51.800 know 00:42:51.800 --> 00:42:51.980 and 00:42:51.980 --> 00:42:52.140 it's 00:42:52.140 --> 00:42:52.280 what 00:42:52.280 --> 00:42:52.740 is 00:42:52.740 --> 00:42:53.160 convenient 00:42:53.160 --> 00:42:55.400 but God 00:42:55.400 --> 00:42:55.840 in faith 00:42:55.840 --> 00:42:56.160 I pray 00:42:56.160 --> 00:42:56.400 that we 00:42:56.400 --> 00:42:56.540 would 00:42:56.540 --> 00:42:56.880 take 00:42:56.880 --> 00:42:57.860 a step 00:42:57.860 --> 00:42:59.740 not just 00:42:59.740 --> 00:43:00.160 today 00:43:00.160 --> 00:43:01.800 but in 00:43:01.800 --> 00:43:02.420 every day 00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:03.480 towards 00:43:03.480 --> 00:43:03.720 you 00:43:03.720 --> 00:43:05.720 a step 00:43:05.720 --> 00:43:06.460 of confidence 00:43:06.460 --> 00:43:07.060 and not in 00:43:07.060 --> 00:43:07.400 what we're 00:43:07.400 --> 00:43:08.040 capable of 00:43:08.040 --> 00:43:08.260 Lord 00:43:08.260 --> 00:43:09.260 but in 00:43:09.260 --> 00:43:09.540 what you're 00:43:09.540 --> 00:43:10.220 capable of 00:43:10.220 --> 00:43:12.920 and that 00:43:12.920 --> 00:43:13.280 we do 00:43:13.280 --> 00:43:13.820 so 00:43:13.820 --> 00:43:18.020 because 00:43:18.020 --> 00:43:18.460 what 00:43:18.460 --> 00:43:22.320 what the 00:43:22.320 --> 00:43:22.700 world 00:43:22.700 --> 00:43:23.160 would look 00:43:23.160 --> 00:43:23.700 like in 00:43:23.700 --> 00:43:24.200 defeat 00:43:24.200 --> 00:43:26.240 Lord 00:43:26.240 --> 00:43:26.800 we see 00:43:26.800 --> 00:43:28.220 in you 00:43:28.220 --> 00:43:28.800 in victory 00:43:28.800 --> 00:43:31.280 that in 00:43:31.280 --> 00:43:31.660 the death 00:43:31.660 --> 00:43:32.360 of Christ 00:43:32.360 --> 00:43:34.420 we find 00:43:34.420 --> 00:43:34.780 victory 00:43:34.780 --> 00:43:35.460 in Christ 00:43:35.460 --> 00:43:37.500 we find 00:43:37.500 --> 00:43:38.020 hope in 00:43:38.020 --> 00:43:38.460 Christ 00:43:38.460 --> 00:43:40.220 find 00:43:40.220 --> 00:43:40.560 joy 00:43:40.560 --> 00:43:40.780 in 00:43:40.780 --> 00:43:41.340 Christ 00:43:41.340 --> 00:43:42.660 because 00:43:42.660 --> 00:43:43.080 even 00:43:43.080 --> 00:43:43.460 death 00:43:43.460 --> 00:43:43.900 could not 00:43:43.900 --> 00:43:44.180 hold 00:43:44.180 --> 00:43:44.300 you 00:43:44.300 --> 00:43:44.600 down 00:43:44.600 --> 00:43:46.620 so 00:43:46.620 --> 00:43:46.840 God 00:43:46.840 --> 00:43:47.040 whether 00:43:47.040 --> 00:43:47.480 today 00:43:47.480 --> 00:43:48.000 is the 00:43:48.000 --> 00:43:48.380 day 00:43:48.380 --> 00:43:49.640 of 00:43:49.640 --> 00:43:49.920 someone 00:43:49.920 --> 00:43:50.160 putting 00:43:50.160 --> 00:43:50.340 their 00:43:50.340 --> 00:43:50.700 faith 00:43:50.700 --> 00:43:50.960 and their 00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:51.260 hope 00:43:51.260 --> 00:43:51.520 and their 00:43:51.520 --> 00:43:51.880 trust 00:43:51.880 --> 00:43:52.100 in 00:43:52.100 --> 00:43:52.400 Jesus 00:43:52.400 --> 00:43:53.120 for the 00:43:53.120 --> 00:43:53.320 very 00:43:53.320 --> 00:43:53.620 first 00:43:53.620 --> 00:43:54.100 time 00:43:54.100 --> 00:43:56.340 God 00:43:56.340 --> 00:43:56.580 I pray 00:43:56.580 --> 00:43:57.020 that today 00:43:57.020 --> 00:43:57.320 they would 00:43:57.320 --> 00:43:57.720 make that 00:43:57.720 --> 00:43:58.160 step 00:43:58.160 --> 00:43:59.760 step 00:43:59.760 --> 00:44:00.240 to trust 00:44:00.240 --> 00:44:00.520 you 00:44:00.520 --> 00:44:00.720 and 00:44:00.720 --> 00:44:01.260 trust 00:44:01.260 --> 00:44:01.420 you 00:44:01.420 --> 00:44:01.820 alone 00:44:01.820 --> 00:44:04.020 to be 00:44:04.020 --> 00:44:04.180 the 00:44:04.180 --> 00:44:04.420 savior 00:44:04.420 --> 00:44:04.760 of their 00:44:04.760 --> 00:44:05.040 soul 00:44:05.040 --> 00:44:06.960 but God 00:44:06.960 --> 00:44:07.300 I also 00:44:07.300 --> 00:44:07.580 pray 00:44:07.580 --> 00:44:08.160 that today 00:44:08.160 --> 00:44:10.140 when you're 00:44:10.140 --> 00:44:10.920 in a 00:44:10.920 --> 00:44:11.380 marriage 00:44:11.380 --> 00:44:12.980 that feels 00:44:12.980 --> 00:44:13.600 loveless 00:44:13.600 --> 00:44:13.960 and without 00:44:13.960 --> 00:44:14.320 hope 00:44:14.320 --> 00:44:16.280 that today 00:44:16.280 --> 00:44:19.040 the people 00:44:19.040 --> 00:44:19.280 in that 00:44:19.280 --> 00:44:19.560 marriage 00:44:19.560 --> 00:44:19.880 will take 00:44:19.880 --> 00:44:20.340 a step 00:44:20.340 --> 00:44:20.760 of faith 00:44:20.760 --> 00:44:21.300 toward you 00:44:21.300 --> 00:44:23.600 that today 00:44:23.600 --> 00:44:23.880 Lord 00:44:23.880 --> 00:44:24.200 if you're 00:44:24.200 --> 00:44:24.600 here 00:44:24.600 --> 00:44:27.140 and you're 00:44:27.140 --> 00:44:27.740 living 00:44:27.740 --> 00:44:29.000 in a 00:44:29.000 --> 00:44:29.480 conflict 00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:29.820 and a 00:44:29.820 --> 00:44:30.200 strife 00:44:30.200 --> 00:44:30.520 with a 00:44:30.520 --> 00:44:30.740 loved 00:44:30.740 --> 00:44:31.140 one 00:44:31.140 --> 00:44:32.380 who's 00:44:32.380 --> 00:44:32.680 running 00:44:32.680 --> 00:44:33.240 from you 00:44:33.240 --> 00:44:33.920 and rebelling 00:44:33.920 --> 00:44:34.580 from God 00:44:34.580 --> 00:44:35.380 that today 00:44:35.380 --> 00:44:35.800 we put a 00:44:35.800 --> 00:44:36.100 step of 00:44:36.100 --> 00:44:36.440 faith 00:44:36.440 --> 00:44:37.620 and trust 00:44:37.620 --> 00:44:37.980 and hope 00:44:37.980 --> 00:44:38.800 in you 00:44:38.800 --> 00:44:39.140 Lord 00:44:39.140 --> 00:44:40.760 that today 00:44:40.760 --> 00:44:41.320 if we feel 00:44:41.320 --> 00:44:41.900 that all 00:44:41.900 --> 00:44:42.460 of the 00:44:42.460 --> 00:44:42.880 world 00:44:42.880 --> 00:44:43.840 is crashing 00:44:43.840 --> 00:44:44.840 and burning 00:44:44.840 --> 00:44:45.900 around us 00:44:45.900 --> 00:44:49.440 we put our 00:44:49.440 --> 00:44:49.760 faith 00:44:49.760 --> 00:44:51.440 our hope 00:44:51.440 --> 00:44:52.860 and our 00:44:52.860 --> 00:44:53.220 trust 00:44:53.220 --> 00:44:53.620 in you 00:44:53.620 --> 00:44:55.260 we thank you 00:44:55.260 --> 00:44:55.900 for the truth 00:44:55.900 --> 00:44:57.100 of your word 00:44:57.100 --> 00:44:58.540 we thank you 00:44:58.540 --> 00:44:59.380 of the evidence 00:44:59.380 --> 00:45:00.640 of our testimony 00:45:00.640 --> 00:45:02.100 and God 00:45:02.100 --> 00:45:02.720 we thank you 00:45:02.720 --> 00:45:03.380 for the 00:45:03.380 --> 00:45:03.740 beautiful 00:45:03.740 --> 00:45:04.520 gift 00:45:04.520 --> 00:45:05.340 of faith 00:45:05.340 --> 00:45:07.200 that while 00:45:07.200 --> 00:45:07.880 we may not 00:45:07.880 --> 00:45:08.240 know 00:45:08.240 --> 00:45:10.160 we can cling 00:45:10.160 --> 00:45:11.300 to the one 00:45:11.300 --> 00:45:11.800 who does 00:45:11.800 --> 00:45:13.860 in Jesus' name 00:45:13.860 --> 00:45:14.220 we pray 00:45:14.220 --> 00:45:15.440 amen 00:45:15.440 --> 00:45:24.540 that's it 00:45:24.540 --> 00:45:24.920 for this 00:45:24.920 --> 00:45:25.240 week's 00:45:25.240 --> 00:45:25.620 message 00:45:25.620 --> 00:45:26.380 be sure 00:45:26.380 --> 00:45:26.720 to check 00:45:26.720 --> 00:45:27.000 back 00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:27.600 next week 00:45:27.600 --> 00:45:28.080 for another 00:45:28.080 --> 00:45:28.540 episode 00:45:28.540 --> 00:45:29.480 in the 00:45:29.480 --> 00:45:29.760 meantime 00:45:29.760 --> 00:45:30.280 you can 00:45:30.280 --> 00:45:30.640 stay up 00:45:30.640 --> 00:45:30.920 to date 00:45:30.920 --> 00:45:31.440 with everything 00:45:31.440 --> 00:45:31.920 happening 00:45:31.920 --> 00:45:32.620 at Willow Ridge 00:45:32.620 --> 00:45:33.140 by visiting 00:45:33.140 --> 00:45:33.860 us on 00:45:33.860 --> 00:45:34.280 Facebook 00:45:34.280 --> 00:45:35.220 Instagram 00:45:35.220 --> 00:45:35.840 YouTube 00:45:35.840 --> 00:45:37.100 and online 00:45:37.100 --> 00:45:37.400 at 00:45:37.400 --> 00:45:38.800 willowridgechurch.org 00:45:38.800 --> 00:45:39.680 thanks again 00:45:39.680 --> 00:45:40.160 for listening 00:45:40.160 --> 00:45:42.220 you