Romans 8:37-39

God Meant it for Good Genesis 50 Summary: Have you ever been to a funeral? If you have, you know that there is often sadness, along with lots of memories of the person who died. Today in our last chapter of Genesis both Jacob and Joseph die. But in their death they show us that they trust God’s promises to the very end! Listen today for Joseph showing his faith in God’s plans when he says to his brothers:

Luke 10:25-28

Genesis 48 May God Make You Like Ephraim and Manasseh Summary: Sometimes God works in ways that surprise us. In Genesis he has blessed people who were pretty underserving! But that is really good news for us, because we are unworthy too. Today listen as we talk about two boys: Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons. Listen for God’s surprising grace! Outline: 1. We are unworthy outsiders whom God has made family 2. God’s blessings aren’t always what we expect 3. Pass the blessings down! Verse: Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Discussion questions: 1. Have you ever seen what God was doing and it didn’t look like how it “should” be (a.k.a. how we want him to work)? How do we often react? 2. What did Jacob’s blessing mean for Ephraim and Manasseh? How has Jesus shown even better blessings to you? 3. How can you be a blessing this week by passing the blessings down to others? How can you be an agent of God’s covenant mercy to your kids or fellow Christians?

The Source of True Blessing Genesis 47 Summary: Can you remember what you got for Christmas? Or it is tough to remember already? Did anything you got break already? It is amazing how quickly the things in this life fade, break, or we just lose interest in them. Today, as we look at Jacob’s life again and see how blessed he was, let’s seek Jesus together to find the only place where we can really be blessed. Outline: 1. A blessing to the nations 2. A blessing for God’s people 3. The source of true blessing Verse: Genesis 12:2 (ESV) 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Discussion questions: 1. How has God blessed Jacob and his family, even though they were undeserving? How has God treated you better than you deserved? 2. What are the blessings you enjoy in Christ? Read Ephesians 1:1-14 to spur your thinking. 3. How can meditating on the blessings you have in Christ help you this week?

Facing the Unknown Genesis 46 Summary for Kid’s Bulletin: Are you ever afraid of the future? Expecially if you have to go somewhere you’ve never been before, or do something you know will be hard? Jacob had to pack us family and leave the land of promise and go to Egypt at a very old age. Would he survive the trip? Would he ever come back? Would he be welcomed in this new land? Let’s see how God cares for Jacob, and for us with the “unknowns” of life: 1. To face the unknown, God gives you His promise 2. To face the unknown God gives you His people 3. To face the unknown, God gives you His Provider Kid’s bulletin Verse: John 14:1-2a “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms.” Discussion Questions 1. Why did God meet Jacob before he left for Egypt, and what “unknowns” was he facing? What would God’s promises do for him? What similar promises has God made to you in Christ? 2. What is the significance of the list of all the people who left the promised land with Jacob? How does God work in your life, not just individually through His people? How can you sink your roots more deeply into the life of NCPC? 3. How does Joseph and Jacob’s reunion show us God’s grace in their life? How does Joseph’s provision for his family reflect the rescue Jesus provides for you? How could this Gospel hope change you this week?

Genesis 45 Come To Me Summary: In the story of Joseph today, he finally reveals himself to his brothers. Imagine their shock at this news! Joseph show us an image of the mercy and love of Jesus. As you listen, ask God to fill your heart with love for Him. Today, God invites you to come near: 1. See His providence 2. Receive forgiveness 3. Live under His care 4. Have your hope revived Verse: Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good… Discussion Questions: 1. How does Joseph reveal his faith in this story? How would an understanding of God’s providence help you think about your life differently? 2. How do Joseph’s actions toward his brothers show us glimpses of the character and work of Jesus for you? 3. Is there a need for reconciliation with someone in your life? How can the story of Joseph give you the Gospel strength to forgive? Or perhaps you, like these brothers, need to accept forgiveness form God and others for your failures?

Hebrews 10:19-25

Are You Thirsty? Psalm 63 Summary: Do you know what is like to be true thirsty - even dehydrated? It happened to me once - I got sick (a lot!) and ended up in the hospital. It wasn’t fun! In Psalm 63 King David says his longing for God is like being in a desert with no water! He also says that God’s love is like sitting down to a great feast. So, are you hungry and thirsty to know God? Let’s think about it: Outline: We are thirsty people In the midst of our fainting God offers a feast The wilderness stirs up our spiritual thirst Verse: Psalm 63:1O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Questions: 1. How does the psalm writer describe his longing for God? 2. What are the things in this world that you hunger and thirst for other than God? 3. How does God often use trials and the wilderness to stir up our spiritual thirst (see Ps 63:9-11)? 3. How does Jesus fulfill the spiritual hunger and thirst in all of us? (Read John 4:7-14, 6:35, 7:37-38). How can you drink deeply from this fountain in 2017?

Isaiah 9:1-7 After Darkness, Light Summary: Merry Christmas! Today is such a privilege to get to worship together on the day we celebrate His birth! Let’s look at an ancient prophecy from Isaiah 9 that tells of Jesus’ being born to us. His birth brings light to our darkness, and peace to our war with our Creator. Let’s think about it: Outline: 1. Darkness is over 2. A Son is given Verse: Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Discussion Questions: 1. Isaiah describes our condition before Jesus as gloom, darkness, and war. This was very true for Israel as they faced exile from their homes, but how is that true for us all spiritually? 2. How are each of these names of the Son in verse 6 fulfilled in Jesus? 3. Part of the point of Isaiah’s words is to show us that our response should be joy after gloom (v.3). What darkness in your own life needs the light of Jesus today?

Parables

One Shepherd Among Many Imposters John 10: 1-21 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)

CMA Holiday word Search

CMA Holiday word Search

Genesis 44 Take Me Instead Summary: Today’s sermon is titled “Take Me Instead.” There are many amazing stories that tell of someone who is willing to trade their life to save the life of someone else. Today listen for Judah, one of Jacob’s sons, willingly offering to become a slave for life in place of his brother Benjamin. Why would he do this? We could also ask, why would Jesus be willing to suffer God’s punishment in OUR place? Judah’s sacrifice shows the work of God in His life, AND he shows us what Jesus came to do for YOU and ME. Let’s think about it: Outline: 1. The test: will I save my own skin? 2. The confession: I am guilty 3. The substitute: greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend Verse: Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Discussion questions: 1. How does this last test in Genesis 44 bring up the same temptations that led Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery? Why is Joseph bringing this all about? How might you be tempted to “save yourself” in situations you also face? 2. What is the response of the brothers when they are caught by Joseph? How did Judah respond? How does Judah show us what Jesus would come to do for us? 4. How might God want you to own personal guilt like these brothers did? How should this story help Jesus’ sacrifice shine more brightly to you?

Genesis 43 Shalom Summary: Are you finding it hard to trust God in some area of life? Today, listen to the story of Jacob, Joseph and his brothers as God is bringing them back together after many years. Jacob can’t yet see what God is doing, and he struggles between fear and faith. Let’s learn together to walk in faith as we study God’s Word today: 1. The struggle between fear and faith 2. The kindness of our Savior brings peace in our fear Verse: Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Discussion Questions: 1. In what ways do you see the brokenness in Jacob’s family? Where is peace and harmony broken in your own life or family? 2. How does Jacob wrestle between fear and faith? What evidence do you see of such wrestling in your own life? What things or people might be idols to you like Benjamin was to Jacob? 3. How does Joseph’s kindness toward his brothers show us the love and compassion of Jesus? How can the power of the Gospel (Jesus’ dying and rising for your salvation) help you live in faith instead of fear in your life? Your relationships?

God told Joseph the meaning of a dream that He had given Pharaoh. You can read this story in Genesis 41:33-57. These hidden words were taken from that story.

Genesis 41 The Rise to Power Summary: Today in our sermon we get to see Joseph finally experience relief in his struggle. He goes from being in jail to seeing the fulfillment of God’s original promise that he would have a position of great authority. God’s plan took thirteen years to unfold! Listen today as we see Joseph’s life show us a picture of Jesus’ suffering and glory. Outline: 1. Suffering and glory 2. Forgetfulness and fruitfulness 3. Famine and feasting Verse: John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Questions: 1. How do you see Joseph’s faith remain firm throughout this story? How does he express it? In your own struggles, do you trust in God’s plan, or are you experiencing frustration and hopelessness? 2. In what ways do you see Joseph’s life foreshadow Jesus in his humiliation and exaltation? 3. Joseph’s time of suffering prepared him to be a blessing to others. How might this be happening in your own life?

Sermon Text: Revelation 5 Sermon Title: The Silent Conqueror Outline 1. The Search for the Conqueror 2. The Silent Conqueror 3. The Celebration of the Conqueror Summary: The Church has, is, and will always undergo much suffering. Sometimes we question why need to suffer so much. However, Christian obedience requires it. This scene in Revelation 5 gives us hope. Jesus Christ the King suffered as a lamb led to the slaughter in order to earn eternal life for us. It is because of this that allows us to suffer not because we want something, but to thank God for what he has done for us. Memory Verse: Revelation 5:9 (From