St. Stephen Reformed Church

The sermon centers on the final words of Jacob and Joseph, revealing a profound theology of hope rooted in God's faithfulness and sovereignty. Through their deathbed declarations, both men affirm their belief in God's promise to bring His people into the land of Canaan, with Jacob emphasizing burial in the ancestral tomb and Joseph entrusting his bones to future generations as a sign of the coming exodus. Their faith, matured in the midst of exile and hardship, looks beyond present suffering to a future fulfillment in which God will restore paradise. The sermon draws a powerful parallel to Christ's resurrection and return, showing that just as Joseph's coffin in Egypt symbolized waiting for divine deliverance, the empty tomb of Jesus guarantees the ultimate restoration of all things. Ultimately, the message calls believers to live by faith in the present, anchored in the certainty of God's promises, finding strength and comfort in the hope of a new heavens and a new earth where the tree of life will once again be accessible.

The sermon centers on Jacob's final blessings upon Joseph and his sons in Genesis 48, portraying a profound moment of faith and divine sovereignty at the close of Jacob's life. Through the symbolic adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh—favoring the younger over the elder—Jacob exemplifies God's elective grace, echoing the biblical truth that salvation is not based on human merit but on divine choice, as seen in the election of Jacob over Esau and the calling of the weak to shame the strong. The passage reveals how God's redemptive purposes unfold through seemingly ordinary events, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, where God's presence remains constant through life's trials and even beyond death. Jacob's dying words, 'God will be with you,' become a timeless promise for believers, affirming that God's faithfulness endures in suffering, grief, and uncertainty, and culminates in the hope of eternal inheritance in the new heavens and new earth. The narrative calls the church to live with this hope, rejecting prosperity theology and embracing the reality that God is with His people not only in blessing but in every trial, until Christ returns.

This sermon compares Joseph's total control during Egypt's famine to divine salvation, emphasizing that his authority was divinely sanctioned, not tyranny, and highlighting the contrast with Christ's sacrificial redemptive work. Both involve surrender, but Christ's sacrifice is the ultimate gift of grace. The sermon urges believers to embrace suffering and surrender to Christ for true spiritual growth, recognizing God's sovereignty in both prosperity and hardship. It emphasizes the need for faithful loyalty to Jesus, who alone deserves ultimate allegiance, warning against equating human systems with divine purposes.

The sermon unfolds the covenantal trajectory of Scripture, revealing that God's redemptive plan is not merely about past forgiveness or present community, but ultimately about the future consummation of all things in the new heavens and new earth—a reality already inaugurated in Christ but not yet fully realized. Centered on Hebrews 2:5–10, it emphasizes that humanity, created in God's image and destined for glory, failed in Adam, but Jesus, the second Adam, fulfilled the covenant of grace by suffering and dying, thereby securing glory for all who belong to Him. This future hope is not a vague spiritual afterlife, but a renewed creation where death, sorrow, and sin are finally defeated, and God dwells with His people forever. The tension of 'already but not yet' defines the Christian life: we already share in the new creation through faith in Christ, yet we await the full revelation of that glory at His return. Thus, covenant theology is eschatology—pointing us from Eden to glory, and calling believers to live as citizens of the world to come, enduring present trials with confident hope in Christ's ultimate victory. json

The sermon centers on the divine providence of God as revealed in Joseph's reunion with his father Jacob and the subsequent settlement of Israel's family in Egypt, illustrating how God orchestrates even broken human relationships and painful histories into a beautiful, redemptive plan. Through the metaphor of a tapestry, it emphasizes that while life often appears chaotic and painful from a limited human perspective, God is weaving all events—suffering, triumph, and separation—into a coherent and glorious purpose, as affirmed in Romans 8:28. The emotional reunion between Joseph and Jacob, marked by weeping and joy, symbolizes the ultimate hope of Christian faith: the future face-to-face encounter with the risen Christ, who is both Savior and advocate. Joseph's wisdom in securing favor with Pharaoh for his family prefigures Christ's role as our eternal advocate and provider, ensuring that believers, though sojourners in a temporary world, are abundantly sustained and preserved for an eternal inheritance. The passage calls the audience to fix their eyes not on the fleeting, imperfect realities of this life, but on the unseen, eternal glory that God is preparing for those who love Him, trusting in His faithful provision and ultimate redemption.

The sermon explores the significance of baptism within the context of the new covenant, drawing from Peter's Pentecost sermon in Acts 2 to illuminate its profound meaning beyond a mere ritual. It argues that baptism functions as a visible sign and seal of covenant grace, representing engrafting into Christ, participation in the benefits of salvation—forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit—and engagement in a life dedicated to Christ. Ultimately, the message emphasizes that baptism is a lifelong reminder of God's promise and a call to live in light of one's identity as a member of the Christian community, united to Christ and empowered by His Spirit.

The sermon centers on the assurance of faith, arguing that confidence in Jesus Christ stems from the threefold testimony of God: water (Christ's baptism), blood (His sacrifice), and the Spirit. It emphasizes that these divine witnesses converge on the truth of Jesus as the Son of God, offering eternal life to those who believe, while warning against the consequence of rejecting this testimony. Ultimately, the message provides comfort and hope, particularly for those grappling with questions of faith and the eternal destiny of loved ones, grounding assurance in God's sovereign power and unwavering truth.

The sermon explores Jacob's journey to Egypt, highlighting his conditioned expectation of hardship and doubt stemming from past experiences with deception and loss. Despite these anxieties, Jacob demonstrates remarkable faith in responding to God's assurance, ultimately relinquishing his desires and trusting in divine providence to guide him and his family. The message underscores that true peace and contentment are found not in worldly pursuits but in surrendering to God's will, trusting in His faithfulness, and recognizing that He is present even amidst challenging circumstances, ultimately promising a future restoration and eternal blessing.

The sermon explores the profound significance of the Lord's Supper as the central act of the new covenant, tracing its roots through the covenants of the Old Testament and culminating in Christ's institution of the meal during the Passover. It emphasizes the Supper not merely as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, but as a tangible participation in His body and blood, a renewal of covenant bonds, and a foretaste of the ultimate marriage supper of the Lamb, calling believers to examine their faith and eagerly anticipate Christ's return while highlighting the invitation to all who seek belonging through Him.

The sermon explores themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and divine providence through the narrative of Joseph's reunion with his brothers and father. It highlights God's sovereign plan, demonstrated by Joseph's ability to forgive and the subsequent invitation from Pharaoh, ultimately leading to the family's relocation to Egypt. Drawing parallels with Jesus' ministry after the resurrection, the message emphasizes the church's role in extending grace and sharing the gospel, urging believers to actively proclaim the good news and offer assurance to those grappling with doubt and fear, mirroring Joseph's compassionate and discerning approach to his family's needs.

The sermon traces the biblical narrative of covenant, highlighting how God's plan from eternity culminated in Christ and now shapes the life of the church. It emphasizes that the church is not a product of human effort but a community created by God's grace, united to Christ, and defined by faithful preaching, disciplined care, and mutual responsibility. Drawing from passages like 1 Peter 1:9 and Exodus 19, the message underscores the church's identity as a chosen race, royal priesthood, and holy nation, called to proclaim God's excellencies and live in loving, covenantal relationships.

The sermon centers on the assurance of faith and its transformative power, emphasizing that genuine belief in Jesus Christ is not merely an initial decision but an ongoing source of strength, obedience, and victory. Drawing from 1 John, the message explores the interconnectedness of faith, love for God and fellow believers, and joyful obedience to His commands, all rooted in the miracle of the new birth. It highlights that this new birth is a gift from God, uniting believers to Christ and producing a life characterized by overcoming the world through faith, ultimately affirming that true faith is evidence of God's work within and a pathway to eternal life.

The sermon explores the concept of the covenant of redemption, emphasizing that God's plan for salvation predates all creation, unfolding from eternity past through the ages. It traces this plan through Old Testament covenants, culminating in the New Covenant established through Christ, who fulfilled every promise and unveiled a mystery previously veiled in shadows. The sermon highlights the triune God's eternal agreement – the Father's choice, the Son's sacrifice, and the Spirit's application – ultimately designed to secure redemption and guarantee believers' inheritance, all to the praise of God's glorious grace and sovereign purpose.

The sermon traces the unfolding of God's covenantal plan throughout Scripture, culminating in the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that the new covenant isn't a departure from previous covenants, but rather their fulfillment, offering a superior mediator, better promises, and ultimately, a transformed relationship with God characterized by internal law, direct access, and complete forgiveness. The message urges listeners to embrace this covenant through faith, resisting the temptation to return to the old ways and instead living with confidence, intimacy, and hope in the promises secured by Christ's finished work.

The sermon explores the pivotal moment in Joseph's life when he reveals himself to his brothers, offering a powerful illustration of forgiveness and reconciliation. Drawing from Genesis 45, the message highlights Joseph's ability to transcend bitterness and offer grace, even in the face of past betrayal, emphasizing that God orchestrated these events for the preservation of life and the ultimate good. The narrative underscores the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and providence, encouraging listeners to emulate Joseph's ability to extend forgiveness and embrace a God-centered perspective, mirroring the transformative love and grace offered through Jesus Christ.

The sermon traces the unfolding of God's covenant with David, demonstrating how it ultimately finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Beginning with the covenant of works and progressing through the covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Moses, the message highlights that God's plan was always centered on a Redeemer, culminating in the promise of a king from David's line. Through the resurrection, this promise is realized, offering forgiveness of sins and freedom from the law's condemnation to all who believe, establishing Jesus as the reigning king whose kingdom extends eternally.

The sermon explores the transformative power of divine love through the story of Judah's impassioned plea to Joseph, highlighting his willingness to substitute himself for his brother Benjamin to protect his father. Drawing parallels between Judah's actions and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the message emphasizes that genuine repentance involves not only confession of guilt but also a profound change of heart, mirroring Christ's substitutionary love and ultimately conforming believers into the image of God, demonstrating that God's grace can reshape even the most flawed individuals into vessels of love and devotion.

The sermon explores the Mosaic covenant at Sinai, clarifying that it was not a replacement for grace but a revelation of God's holiness and a means of exposing humanity's sin, ultimately pointing towards the need for a mediator. It emphasizes that the law, while authoritative, functioned as a guardian leading to Christ, not as a path to righteousness, and highlights the ongoing covenant faithfulness of God, fulfilled in Jesus, who offers freedom from the law's condemnation and establishes a new covenant of grace for all who believe.

The sermon explores the nature of testing and the importance of confession through the narrative of Joseph and his brothers. It highlights how Joseph, having experienced favoritism, tests his brothers to see if they have changed, ultimately revealing their willingness to confess their past wrongs and stand with their brother Benjamin. The message emphasizes that concealing sin leads to failure, while honest confession and forsaking of sin bring mercy and reconciliation, ultimately demonstrating God's use of unexpected circumstances, like a silver cup, to penetrate hearts and bring about forgiveness and covenant purposes.

The sermon explores the Abrahamic covenant as a foundational element of God's redemptive plan, tracing its significance from Genesis to the New Testament and highlighting its enduring relevance for believers today. Drawing from Galatians 3, the message emphasizes that justification comes not through works or adherence to the law, but through faith in God's promise, mirroring Abraham's unwavering trust. Ultimately, the sermon asserts that all who believe in Christ are heirs to Abraham's blessing, united with him as part of a global community defined by grace and faith, demonstrating that the gospel was present in the Old Testament as a promise of salvation through Christ.

The sermon explores Jacob's desperate situation and his eventual willingness to send Benjamin to Egypt, driven by the famine and Judah's persuasive leadership. It highlights Joseph's strategic manipulation of his brothers, designed to awaken their guilt and ultimately lead to reconciliation, demonstrating God's providential hand guiding events. The narrative underscores the themes of forgiveness, grace, and the recognition of God's sovereignty, illustrating how even in moments of apparent hardship, God's kindness and mercy are at work, offering a path toward repentance and a deeper understanding of divine purpose.

The sermon explores the theological framework of covenant, tracing a line from Adam's broken covenant of works to Noah's preservation through the flood and ultimately to Christ's redemptive work. Drawing parallels between the ark and Christ, the message emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness and grace, demonstrating how He preserves the world, not merely for comfort, but to create space for repentance and the fulfillment of His promise to crush the serpent. The scoffers' doubt regarding Christ's return is challenged by recalling God's covenant with Noah, highlighting that while judgment is certain, God's patience offers an ongoing invitation to faith and salvation through Jesus.

The wonder of our God who initiates, and binds himself to us though, covenants.