BCS Deaf Church March 6, 2015

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JOSEPH  Born to a dysfunctional Jewish family  Betrayed and sold as a slave  Suffered with integrity  Understood God’s plan in his suffering  Lived for many to be saved JESUS  Born out of wedlock to a Jewish family  Betrayed and sold as a slave  Suffered with integrity  Understood God’s plan in his suffering  Lived and died for many to be saved

 Sing to Jesus Robbie Seay Band  Us for Them Gungor

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The Life of Joseph Week 7 Genesis 50:19-20 19But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

 Q: How does Genesis 50 (and so the whole book of Genesis) end?  Q: Why is that important? And how does that tie-in to Joseph acknowledging that what his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good?

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 Who is the author in the story?  God!  Is that good or bad?  What is the theological concept called that God is in charge and makes things happen for good in our lives?  ”Providence” of God

Definition of Providence: “God’s works of providence are, His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.”

Genesis 22 - Abraham and Isaac 7“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

Luke 12 (Jesus speaking) 4“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more…. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Ephesians 1:11 “In Christ we were chosen to be God’s people. God had already planned for us to be his people, because that is what he wanted. And he is the one who makes everything agree with what he decides and wants.”

…in the Life of Joseph! Genesis 50:20 (Joseph speaking) “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Yes! Why is it a good thing?  Because God is a good God!  He is a God we can trust even when we cannot understand what is happening and why.  ”Faith is being able to trust that what is happening now, in the future we will be able to look back and understand why it happened.”

“That we may be patient in suffering; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may happen to us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from his love; because all things are in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move.” - Heidelberg Catechism

“28We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. 29God knew them before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. 30God planned for them to be like his Son. He chose them and made them right with him. And after he made them right, he gave them his glory.”

Q: How do you counsel someone who just lost her young husband? • A common response: God did not want this horrible thing to happen… bad things just happen! What would this suggest about God? • That he is weak or not able to know our suffering or help us. Is that comforting – that God is weak, distant, or unable to help us?

Q. What is our only comfort in life and in death? “That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.” - Heidelberg Catechism

Providence allows us to:  Forgive and move on.  Rest easy knowing that we are not in charge… God is!  Be free to risk and create and live! (Like a care-free kid knowing your parents will provide)

Q So if God uses bad things – even our sins for his plans – are we still guilty!? Q If God knows beforehand what will happen, then why should we even bother or try? Q If God knows what is going to happen – then why should we even pray?

Q: What about free will? Do we have free will and is it important? Be careful of elevating man and decreasing God.

 Trust the Author of the story of the Bible.  Trust the Author of the story of our lives.  Trust the Author of the story of all of history.

 Neal and Liz are an aunt and uncle! Baby “Ben” has a small kidney and enlarged bladder.  Jena‘s myelogram didn‘t find the source of her pain, though it did show some improvements in other areas. Pray for her pain to go away.  The father of a family at Jena’s former church committed suicide.  Alissa is pregnant and dealing with a lot of nausea.

 Next Week (March 13th) we will meet with Comm Church (hearing) in the Fellowship Hall near the front entrance. Certified Interpreters will provide access to the full service.  Second Sunday Supper has been moved to March 20th. We will have a free meal together after church.  Dinner before Breakaway on Tuesday at Jason‘s Deli, 7pm.  Breakaway is Tuesday at 9:00pm in Reed Arena. Certified Interpreters are provided in Section 109.