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

Haggai 2:7-9

Haggai 2:7-9

Luke 18:9-17 Generous Hearts 1. The People 2. The Problem of Contempt 3. The Unlikely Candidates of Generosity 4. The Generous Heart Sermon Summary: Today we are doing something special in the life of our church. We are ordaining and installing 1 Elder (Ko M.) and 2 Deacons (Paul K. and Brian W.), this is a huge day for the church. God has called these men to serve His church and the question they may ask is how generous do we have to be? Wether in the role of Elder, Deacon or as a church member how generous do we have to be? What I hope that we see through this parable is that Jesus has given us everything and when our hearts are filled with love and thankfulness for all that Jesus has given and done for us, we will turn toward each other with generosity. When this happens the question should change from how much do we have to give, to how much of ourselves can we give? Memory Verse: Rom. 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Hymn

Hymn

Psalm 65

Psalm 65

The Cost of Discipleship Luke 14:25-35 Summary: Sometimes Jesus says hard things - like today’s passage. He seems to say that following Him means “hating” our father and mother or sister or brother. Now sometimes we don’t like or love our family as well as we should! But Jesus is not saying that we actually hate them, is He? No, He is telling us what it means to love God more than all other things. Today listen for the words “disciple” and “discipleship.” To be a disciple of Jesus is to love Him, to be willing to give up everything for Him, to learn from Him, and look to Him as Savior and Master. Let’s think about it: What is the Cost of Discipleship? 1. Love Jesus supremely 2. Carry your cross 3. Count the cost 4. Renounce all you hold dear Luke 9:23 ...If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Generous God, Generous People Luke 19:1-10 Summary: You may have heard the story of Zacchaeus (and maybe even sung a song about him!) before. But today we’re going to dig deep into the story of how Jesus invaded a person’s life with grace, and see how Zacchaeus was changed forever! God’s grace can come freely to anyone - no one is being God’s reach! And when He saves lost people like us, changes start to happen. Let’s see it in action: Outline: 1. A lost sinner 2. A seeking Savior 3. A changed life Verse: Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Discussion Questions: 1. Describe the lost condition of Zacchaeus. Why was he so lost? 2. What do you see in this story about the character and saving power of Jesus? 3. Generosity and repentance (with restitution) were the clear evidences of salvation in Zacchaeus’ life. Why would those be such powerful barometers of grace at work? 4. Where might you need to repent and even make restitution for sin? Is radical generosity with your own possessions and money reflecting God’s saving work in your life? Why or why not? What things are keeping you from such generosity and what changes is God calling you to make so you could enjoy this blessing more?

Genesis 39 When Doing Right Lands You in Jail Summary: Have you ever done the right thing and got in trouble anyway? Maybe you told the truth about something, or made a choice to say no to a sin. But even when you did what was right, you suffered. Maybe you’ve asked -

David & Goliath

Jacob build temple for God

Includes the answers to the questions in the textbook for Week 8 Day 1

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house...Acts 10:2

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house...Acts 10:2