Podcasts about like elijah

There Is Still Good Ahead1 Kings 19:3-9 ““Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once, an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”  He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.”I heard an episode of the Big Life Podcast last week, and it reminded me of the story about the prophet Elijah that I just read to you. As soon as I heard it, I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me to share it with all of you this week.What came to mind when I heard this verse is that it might be helpful to know that Elijah wanted to give up. In case you don't know who Elijah is, let me summarize who he was. Elijah was a prophet of God in the Old Testament, known for his bold faith, miraculous acts, and deep emotional struggles. He lived during the reign of King Ahab in 9th century B.C. Israel, a time when the nation had turned away from God to worship false gods like Baal. Here are some Key Highlights of Elijah's Life:Confronted King Ahab and JezebelElijah boldly declared a drought as God's judgment (1 Kings 17:1) and later challenged the corrupt leadership promoting idolatry.Miracles by God's PowerMultiplied flour and oil for a widow (1 Kings 17:14–16)Raised her son from the dead (1 Kings 17:22)Called down fire from heaven to prove God's power on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36–38)Ran for His Life and Struggled with DespairAfter his great victory, Queen Jezebel threatened his life. Elijah fled, became discouraged, and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4).God met him in a gentle whisper, showing that God's presence isn't always dramatic—it's personal and close (1 Kings 19:11–13).Taken to HeavenElijah never died—God took him to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11), making him one of only two people in the Bible (with Enoch) who didn't experience death.Symbol of the ProphetsElijah later appears with Moses during Jesus' Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3), representing the prophets alongside the law (Moses).Elijah did a lot for the Lord. He was close to the Lord, and the Lord used him to do amazing things! He knew how mighty the Lord was, yet he felt he wanted to die. He felt like what the Lord asked him to do was too great. Sometimes, when we feel like giving up, we feel weak. We feel like we have failed or let the Lord down because He trusted us, yet we feel we can't go on anymore. If you feel this, I want you to know that you are not alone. There are several people in the Bible—deeply faithful, even heroic people—who reached a breaking point and felt like they couldn't go on. Some even asked God to take their lives. These moments show that God isn't afraid of our despair—He meets us in it, and He restores. Here are some of those people and where you can find their stories in the Bible in case you want to look them up and read more about them.Throughout Scripture, we see that even God's most faithful servants reached moments where they felt like they couldn't go on. Elijah,1 Kings 19:4 “He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,' he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.'” Elijah, after boldly confronting false prophets, fled in fear and isolation, collapsing under a tree and begging God to take his life. He felt completely alone—yet God met him not with punishment, but with rest, nourishment, and a quiet whisper of presence. Like Elijah, when we are drained and overwhelmed, God offers compassion, not condemnation.Moses, Numbers 11:14–15 “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me…” Moses, exhausted by the emotional and logistical burden of leading a complaining people through the wilderness, cried out to God, saying he'd rather die than continue carrying the weight alone. God didn't take his life—He sent help. For us, this reminds us that we don't have to carry everything ourselves; God provides support in community.Job, Job 3:11 “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?”Job, who lost everything—his children, health, and livelihood—wished he'd never been born. He poured out bitter questions and deep grief. And yet, God patiently listened, answered with presence and power, and ultimately restored him. Like Job, our suffering doesn't disqualify us from God's love.Jeremiah 20:14, 18 “Cursed be the day I was born! … Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?”Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, was mocked, beaten, and ignored. He cursed the day of his birth, feeling like his life was wasted. But God never revoked his calling—He reassured Jeremiah that his voice still mattered. When we feel like our lives have no impact, God sees eternal value in our faithfulness.Jonah, Jonah 4:3 “Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah, bitter that God showed mercy to his enemies, sulked under a plant and asked to die. God responded not with wrath, but with a question, inviting Jonah to see the world through a lens of compassion. This shows us that God works with us even when our attitudes fall short.Finally, Paul, 2 Corinthians 1:8 “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.” Paul confessed that he and his companions were burdened beyond their ability to endure—so much so that they "despaired of life itself." And yet, this deep despair drove Paul to deeper reliance on God. His story reminds us that feeling overwhelmed is not the end—it can be the beginning of a deeper trust. In every story, God meets brokenness not with rejection, but with grace, purpose, and presence, offering the same to us today.The point of the Big Life podcast that I listened to is that there is life after this hard season that you are going through. None of the people listed above stayed in the difficult season forever, even thought it might have felt like they were going to. They had moments when they called out to the Lord saying they couldn't make it any longer, and yet they all made it through the hard time. God showed up for each one of them and showed them how loved they are. He will do the same for you.After their breaking points, each of these men went on to live with renewed purpose, proving that God can bring beauty out of despair. Elijah, after begging God to take his life, was gently restored by God's presence and went on to train Elisha, his prophetic successor, leaving a lasting legacy. He even became one of only two people in Scripture who never died—he was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire.Moses, after pleading for death under the burden of leadership, received help through 70 elders and continued to lead Israel toward the Promised Land. He experienced God's presence in deeper ways, even speaking to Him “face to face,” and was honored at the end of his life for his faithfulness.Job, after cursing his birth, encountered God in a deeply personal way. God didn't just restore what Job had lost—He blessed him with double what he had before and gave him a new chapter of joy, family, and peace.Jeremiah, though weary and rejected, faithfully kept speaking God's truth. His words endured, and we still read his laments and prophecies today—proof that even painful obedience has eternal value.Jonah, despite his anger and desire to give up, still completed his mission. The entire city of Nineveh repented and turned to God, one of the greatest mass revivals in Scripture, even if Jonah struggled to celebrate it. God still used him, flaws and all.Paul, after saying he “despaired of life itself,” continued his missionary journeys, wrote most of the New Testament, and encouraged countless believers, many while in chains. His despair didn't disqualify him—it became the soil on which deeper trust and greater impact grew.These stories remind us that our lowest moments are not the end of the story. God doesn't discard us when we're weak. Instead, He draws near, strengthens us, and leads us into a future still full of purpose, impact, and hope. There is life after the breaking point—and with God, it can be more meaningful than before.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless everyone listening. Lord, I ask you to come in a special way to all those who feel like they can't go on. To all those who feel like life is too hard, or what you are calling them to do is too hard. We ask you to send the Holy Spirit to strengthen them and renew their hope. Show them that there is life after this challenging season. Please show them you are there with them and that they can do everything through you. Lift them, Lord, and help them persevere through whatever they are going through until they get to the other side. Help them climb this mountain they are facing. We love you and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen!!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. It is that time of year again when I start to mention the retreat I will be holding in October. It is not open for registration yet, but I would like to mention it early so people can start thinking about it. It is always the second weekend in October. This year's theme will be Identity: Who does God say you are? It will be great, and I hope you can join me! More details to follow. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in October 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Give yourself to me always. I will renew you each day. You are mine and I love you.”  www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Send us a textHow God Provides in Unlikely WaysEpisode Description (Buzzsprout-Compliant – 500 words):Have you ever found yourself in a situation so desperate that only a miracle could save you? In this episode, we explore the incredible story of Elijah at the brook Cherith, found in 1 Kings 17:1–6. Elijah was a prophet who boldly declared a drought over the land, but he didn't expect to suffer the consequences of that very prophecy. Stranded in the wilderness, with no food and a drying brook, he experienced one of the most radical displays of God's provision.God used ravens—unclean birds by Jewish law—to deliver bread and meat to Elijah twice daily. This act not only sustained Elijah physically but also revealed something deeper about God's nature: He often provides in ways that challenge our expectations and traditions. The brook Cherith became a place of testing, isolation, and miraculous provision.In today's spiritual climate, many believers are experiencing their own “brook moments.” Churches may be going through the motions, yet Bible sales are increasing, showing a growing hunger for a personal, authentic connection with God. Like Elijah, many of us are in seasons of drought, both physically and spiritually, waiting on God to show up.This episode is a timely reminder that God's provision often comes through unconventional means. Whether it's a surprising relationship, an unexpected opportunity, or strength from a hidden place, God knows how to meet your need—even when the method doesn't make sense.If you're standing by your own shrinking brook, wondering how you'll make it through, this message will remind you that you're not forgotten. You're being positioned for a miracle.Key Takeaways:God allows testing seasons to grow our dependence on Him.Divine provision doesn't always look “clean” or expected.Elijah received water (refreshment), bread (God's Word), and meat (strength) exactly when he needed it.God often meets us at our lowest point with His highest power.Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:1–6 — “And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”Resources & Mentions:Full passage on BibleGateway: 1 Kings 17:1–6For more episodes: [YourWebsiteHere.com]Follow us on Instagram: [@YourPodcastHandle]Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Buzzsprout | Google Podcasts | Amazon MusicCall to Action: If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone going through a tough season. Don't forget to subscribe for more faith-filled content that inspires and equips you for life's journey.Elijah at the brook, God's provision, 1 Kings 17, Christian podcast, trusting God, spiritual drought, Bible teaching, Elijah and the ravens, wilderness provision, faith in hard timesThe BibleSupport the showhttps://www.pastorbencooper.co.uk/https://www.rbchristianradio.net/ buymeacoffee.com/reverendbencooper

Identified by God as a “mighty warrior,” Gideon now begins the process of spiritual preparation. Like Elijah in coming days, Gideon must become in private what he will finally display in public. God develops leaders by strengthening individual character in believers and then expanding influence.

James 5:16-18Confess your faults one to another, and pray one foranother, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteousman avails much. Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and heprayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by thespace of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gaverain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. In Luke 11:1-13, the Lord is teaching His disciples topray. Over the past few days, we have been talking about the importance of prayerin our lives, and for the world around us! If there is anything we need tolearn to do, it is to pray. We go to school for twelve years to get aneducation so we can get out and get a job to make money. We might go for four ormore years so we can make more money. We might go to Bible College to learn howto preach and teach the Bible, learn to be a pastor or church leader, and thatis all well and fine. But we rarely take classes or spend the time to learn howto pray.  We must realize by now that an education, job skills, moneyand a good economy, is not what it going to take to save your marriage, to bringyour children back to God, to heal your broken heart, to give you mental,emotional, and spiritual peace. They will not save our country either. I know Isound like a broken record, but the answer to the divisions, the economy, the socialand cultural issues in America, are not going to be found in the White House,the Congress, the State Legislators, but in our own houses where righteous believersknow how to pray “effectual fervent” prayers.  When I think of prayer, I can't help but think of James 5and the prayer of Elijah. He was a man just like us; “subject to likepassions”. He had the same type of problems, challenges, emotions, andissues. His country Israel was in a mess under the heathen pagan leadership ofAhab and Jezebel. The whole nation was following the religion of Baal worship.Today, for the most part, America is following the religion of humanism. Theworship of self! We live to please ourselves. That's humanism! The last verse in Judges 21:25 says, “Everyone is doingwhat is right in their own eyes”. The land was filled with chaos,confusion, anarchy, and violence. What is the answer. Like Elijah, we can getright with God and pray! The promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 is still in theBible and available for us today! “If My people who are called by My namewill humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wickedways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal theirland. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in thisplace.” The Lord's model prayer reminds us of our need for ourFather's presence in our lives and families. Of the need of ourFather'sguidance in joining Him in His kingdom work so His will is done on earth asit is in heaven. Of the need of our Father's provision every day both physicallyand spiritually. And of our daily need for our Father's pardon for oursins. In order for us to pray effectual fervent prayers thatavail much, we must have pure hearts and clean hands (James 4:7-10). As wesubmit our lives to the Lord, the devil must flee. As we confess our sins, ourhearts are purified. As we join the Father in His kingdom work, our hands arecleansed.  Amazing and wonderful, miraculous things can happen when wereally learn to pray! In my Bible, Jeremiah 33:3 still says: 'Call to Me,and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do notknow.' And we can never forget the promise of Ephesians 3:20: “Now toHim who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,according to the power that works in us”. By God's grace we should seek to learn to pray “effectualfervent prayers that avail much”! God bless!

Ever feel like your prayers don't matter? James reminds us that they do—big time. Whether you're suffering, celebrating, or struggling, prayer unleashes God's extraordinary power. Just think: if an ordinary man like Elijah could pray and the skies obeyed, imagine what God could do through your prayers. Welcome to the Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day. Our text today is James 5:13-18. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. — James 5:13-18 In a quick study of this text, you will see: The suffering are called to pray. The cheerful are called to praise. The sick are called to seek leaders to pray for them. The sinful are called to confess and be prayed for to be healed. And then you will also see pray or prayer is mentioned seven times: "Let him pray." (v. 13) "Let them pray over him." (v. 14) "The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick." (v. 15) "Pray for one another." (v. 16) "The prayer of a righteous person has great power." (v. 16) "He prayed fervently that it might not rain." (v. 17) "Then he prayed again." (v. 18) Seven times, James emphasizes it in these six verses, weaving it into every situation of life. Whether you're suffering, celebrating, sick, or struggling with sin, the response is consistent: prayer connects you to the One who holds the power to heal, restore, and provide. But James isn't simply urging prayer as a ritual; he's highlighting its transformational power. Prayer aligns the human heart with God's will. Notice how James references Elijah, reminding us that this prophet, though an extraordinary figure, was a man "with a nature like ours." His fervent prayers stopped and started rain! The key wasn't Elijah's superhuman nature but his reliance on a supernatural God. Thus, we should see prayer not as a passive act but as a dynamic engagement with God's power. The takeaway is simple but profound: pray like it matters. In suffering, let prayer be your first recourse, not your last resort. When joyful, let prayer overflow as praise, expressing your gratitude to God. If you're sick or struggling with sin, don't go it alone—invite others into your situation. The act of confessing and praying together builds spiritual unity and fosters healing. James reminds us that prayer isn't limited by human weakness; it's magnified by faith. Like Elijah, you might feel ordinary, but your prayers can yield extraordinary results. So pray ordinary prayers and experience extraordinary power. Take time to share your prayer in the comments below. #PrayerPower, #James5Devotional, #FaithInAction ASK THIS: When was the last time you turned to prayer as your first response? How does your view of prayer align with James' description of its power? What can you do today to invite others to pray with you or for you? In what ways can you pray with greater faith and boldness, like Elijah? DO THIS: Pray intentionally today for one specific need, trusting God's extraordinary power to work through your faith. PRAY THIS: Father, thank You for the gift of prayer and the privilege to connect with Your power. Teach me to pray with faith and boldness, trusting You in every situation. Amen. PLAY THIS: Don't Stop Praying.

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In this episode, the speaker shares a message of faith and encouragement using the story of Elijah and the widow from 1 Kings 17. The speaker emphasizes stepping up in faith rather than giving in to fear. He narrates how Elijah trusted God's instructions and encourages listeners to do the same, believing that God will provide and take care of them, just as He did for Elijah and the widow. The episode also references other biblical stories and verses to strengthen the message of trusting in God's word and having faith. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 01:09 Faith Over Fear: The Story of Elijah and the Widow 02:37 God's Provision and Obedience 03:53 Lessons from Elijah's Faith 05:26 Trusting God's Word in Difficult Times 06:16 Miracles Through Faith: The Widow's Oil 07:56 Abraham's Example of Faith 08:49 Conclusion and Call to Action

Bucky discusses his most recent sermon, Winning Over Weariness. Like Elijah, we've all had moments when our faith faltered. So, how does God respond to us when we're in a deep valley of fear or fatigue? And what thought processes help or hinder getting back to a healthy place?

In life, we are consistently met with shifting seasons. We see peaks and pits, hills and valleys, blessing and depression. We experience provision in the drought, mountain-top moments of God proving Himself once again, and then times of questioning whether God is speaking at all. In the highs and lows, His still, small voice is leading us to a new reality: He is with us. Join us as we look at 1 Kings in our new series "More and Better."

This message will carefully examine what is told us in the scriptures about the man Elijah and the effectual prayers that moved heaven and shook a nation. The base foundation of our message is found in the book of James where we find out; that Elijah was no different than us in his makeup and or opportunities.... only difference is that HE PRAYED

Join Kenny Russell for a live update from Israel.Today, our focus is on building the body of Messiahreading today from James 5v 13-20 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.http://member.bulldozerfaith.com/givepaypal.me/bulldozerfaith https://cash.app/$bulldozerfaith https://member.bulldozerfaith.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Bulldozerfaith-Monthly-Magazine-October-2023.pdfDaily Devotional and teaching with Kenny Russell - Get connected with our Podcast Channelshttps://feeds.captivate.fm/what-then-shall-we-sayEmail kenny@bulldozerfaith.comNews Magazine - https://member.bulldozerfaith.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BulldozerFaith-Monthly-Magazine-March-2024.pdf

If we preach a watered-down Gospel, and people respond that half-of-a-Gospel message, are they really responding to the truth? The whole truth? The truth presented clearly in Scripture? That's an important question, and Pastor Greg Laurie tackles that today on A NEW BEGINNING. We're studying the life of the prophet Elijah—a man who stepped out in courageous boldness and made a difference in his time. Let's found out today how we can do the same in our time. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If we preach a watered-down Gospel, and people respond that half-of-a-Gospel message, are they really responding to the truth? The whole truth? The truth presented clearly in Scripture? That's an important question, and Pastor Greg Laurie tackles that today on A NEW BEGINNING. We're studying the life of the prophet Elijah—a man who stepped out in courageous boldness and made a difference in his time. Let's found out today how we can do the same in our time. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week we heard about our spiritual hunger - the desire to be satisfied.  But this week the reading takes hunger to the extreme - when we are starving and can't go on. Like Elijah who comes off a spiritual high to crash to the lows of fear and despair, the Lord wants to feed us with food that will make us truly live: Jesus, the Bread of Life.

Throughout the Gospels, the prophet Elijah is a constant in the background. Who was this prophet? Why did he hold such a prominent place in the memory and culture in first-century Israel? And why did people compare Jesus to him?

Learn how to fight the passive spirit of Ahab and the aggressive spirit of Jezebel to embody the assertive spirit of Elijah. 

Sometimes the place that God puts us in isn't forever. Like Elijah, sometimes our brook of provision dries up. But God never leaves us to live in lack. He's our provider and He has a place of provision for us. The question is, are we following where He's leading us? Are we taking time to hear His voice? Support the show

John Baptist Prophet Like Elijah

James 5:16 Some years ago I contracted whooping cough. To be honest I thought that it was something only children got so was amazed when my GP told me that I had caught it. From time to time over a number of weeks I struggled to breathe. The worst episodes were in the middle of the night; I will never forget those desperate attempts to breathe, which ended in the “whoop” as air finally, slowly and painfully returned to my lungs. Breathing is essential to life, and I now have a new respect for the process – and a deep gratitude that I can breathe without a struggle. The Bible makes it clear that prayer is the way in which we ‘breathe' as Christians. Everything depends on prayer. It has been wisely said that we are as strong as our prayer lives and no stronger. It would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of prayer – just as it would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of breathing for ongoing life. James encourages his readers to pray because it can have incredible results. In the next verse, he points to Elijah who was one of the most popular figures in the Old Testament. When the people started looking for a Messiah to come it was believed that a second Elijah would come to prepare the way. In the course of time, John the Baptist fulfilled that role. Elijah was an amazing prophet of God but James stresses that he was human just like us. He had his ups and downs but when he prayed God worked in amazing ways. Key to Elijah's life was the fact that he was a righteous man, which simply means that he lived his life in step with God. That's how God wants us to live our lives too, and it will only happen as we breathe in the life of God in prayer. Like Elijah, we will have our ups and downs, but as we pray we can confidently expect that our prayers will have great power and produce wonderful results. Question What steps do you need to take to ensure that prayer has a more central place in your life? Prayer Thank you Lord for the incredible privilege of prayer. Help me never to take it for granted. Amen

Dive into an engaging episode of the Salty Pastor Podcast where we unpack the potent story of Elijah, a prophet who encountered the pinnacle of triumph yet faced the depths of burnout. This episode provides a unique Biblical perspective on stress, exhaustion, and finding renewal through faith, drawing parallels to our modern struggles.Witness how Elijah's intense experience at Mount Carmel spirals into fear and exhaustion, revealing that heroes of faith are not immune to mental health battles. Discover the divine intervention that offers Elijah—and us—a path to recovery and spiritual sustenance.Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, supporting someone through tough times, or simply intrigued by Elijah's story, this episode offers valuable insights and hope. Learn how to identify burnout symptoms and lean on your faith for resilience and strength.Join Dr. Douglas Peake for this transformative discussion, and remember, reaching out for help is a sign of courage, not defeat. Your journey to understanding and healing begins here with the Salty Pastor Podcast.For anyone struggling, connect with the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Like Elijah, you can find your strength and continue your journey, fortified by faith and community.Subscribe, share, and find solace and strength in the story of Elijah. Let's explore together how faith can guide us through life's fiery trials.1 SeenLikeReply

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Like Elijah and John the Baptist, we are called to be messengers proclaiming the King is coming, understanding that this often leads to opposition and suffering for the messenger. Mark 9:9-13 For more resources on this teaching, please visit https://www.brcc.church/the-ministry-of-the-messenger

Did you ever notice how, when it comes to prayer, some people "have it," and some people "don't have it?" Elijah was a prayer warrior. Let's see what we can learn from him to kick our prayer life up to the next level.

Sunday evening message from Tyler Thornton, Director, Deaf Camp, Bill Rice Ranch. November 26, 2023 https://billriceranch.org/

Like Elijah in 1 Kings 19, we need to be reminded that God is in the big and small moments, we are not alone, and He has a purpose for us—invest in the next. Watch the Message Listen to the Message: Download the sermon notes

Let's talk about Elijah's prayer and why God answered it instantly. Elijah was bold and direct with his prayers and he was a man just like us. So why doesn't God seem to answer us like Elijah? Join us as we talk it out.Xo Enna & LolaYou can now find FULL video episodes on our YouTube channel. Visit https://www.youtube.com/c/EnnaAmedome to watch. We hope to see you there. Don't forget to like and subscribe while you are there!We would love to hear your input on this episode! So please email us with questions, comments, and/or topic ideas: info@unravelinghiddentreasures.comVisit our website https://www.unravelinghiddentreasures.com/ for faith-filled, power packed blog posts that will empower, encourage, and edify you!Thanks for watching! Follow us on our social media platforms for more!

No man in history submitted so perfectly to authority as Jesus Christ. And no man in history had as much authority given by God the Father as Jesus Christ. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - Turn in your Bibles to Mark 11:27-33 as we continue our journey through the incredible Gospel of Mark. In this text today, in today's passage, the religious leaders, the enemies of Jesus, surrounded Him with a challenging question on His authority. In Isaiah 6, the prophet Isaiah had a vision of the pre-incarnate Christ seated on a lofty and glorious throne. Angels known as seraphim, literally in the Hebrew “burning ones,” were constantly surrounding Him and ministering to Him. They had six wings. With two wings, they covered their faces. With two, they covered their feet, and with two they were flying and calling out to one another, "Holy, holy, holy, the Lord almighty.” The Gospel of John tells us that Isaiah saw Jesus's glory and wrote about Him. The glory of the pre-incarnate Christ enthroned. In Ezekiel 1, the prophet Ezekiel had also a vision of the pre-incarnate Christ, seated on a high and lofty throne, a throne of fire. High above an expanse, below that expanse, were mysterious beings called cherubim, barely able to be described with human language, with fire moving back and forth amongst them. With wheels interlocking with wheels and eyes all around the rims of wheels, high and awesome, and when the pre-incarnate Christ seated on His throne spoke, they lowered their wings and stood quietly and listened to His voice. In Revelation, the apostle John had a vision. He was invited to come up off the island of Patmos and in the spirit he was transported through a doorway into the heavenly realms, and he immediately saw a throne with someone seated on it. That throne is the center of the universe. I. The Center of the Universe is a Throne Everything in the universe visible and invisible revolves around that throne, whether it knows it or not. That throne is a throne of the sovereign God. The vision and revelation concerning Jesus and that throne is a little more complex. The one seated on the throne, the Ancient of Days, is Almighty God. God, the Father. Jesus in that vision is portrayed as the lion of the tribe of Judah, awesome and powerful, but also a lamb looking as if it had been slain. There is a scroll in the right hand of the one seated on the throne, almighty God. A call went out into the universe, “Who is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals?” Only Jesus in the universe was worthy and had the right to take that scroll. He's pictured mysteriously as standing in the center of the throne, surrounding that throne are other thrones. Twenty-four elders are seated on their thrones, subordinate power; subordinate authority in a concentric circle around the throne of God. But none of them have the right to take the scroll, only Jesus. None of them has the right to stand in the center of that throne, only Jesus. There are beings that we can scarcely understand seraphim, and burning ones, cherubim, hard to describe. Archangels we’re told means “ruler angels." It's what the Greek prefix ‘“arch'" means, they’re ruler angels. Hence, there is this language of thrones and principalities and powers in the spiritual realm, authorities. Man was created in the image of God and placed on the earth to rule over it, to subdue it, and rule over it. God reigns over all of these lesser authorities with absolute total authority on a throne of glory. Psalm 103:19, "The Lord has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all." So at the center of the universe is the throne of Almighty God, the glorious throne of God. The seraphim can't even look at it, so great is its glory. Therefore, at the center of our sin is rebellion against that authority, rebellion against the authority of almighty God. Therefore also at the center of our salvation must be submission, glad submission to that authority. II. Jesus’ Enemies Questioned His Authority Jesus’ enemies gather around Him to ask Him about His authority. What a moment that was. Imagine if the seraphim could have been summoned that moment, and they were asked, "What could you tell us of the authority of this one?" What would they say? "We can't even look at His glory. We'll do anything He tells us to do." If Ezekiel's cherubim were summoned and asked the same question, “Tell us about the authority of the one seated on that throne of fire,” what would they say? “When He speaks, we lower our wings, we lower our heads, we listen, we do whatever He tells us to do.” But these human beings, with utter disrespect, challenge Jesus and ask Him by what authority He is doing in these things. It's only possible because in the wisdom of God, God sent His son in the likeness of a servant and the likeness of a man. “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.” [Isaiah 53] So they saw Him as just a man. “How dare you do these things.” This sermon's bigger than just a quick conversation between Jesus and His enemies. It really goes to the core of everything that God sent His son into the world to do. These chief priests, teachers of the law and elders of the people put their finger on the question of Jesus's authority. They're challenging Him. They were the religious leaders of the Jewish nation. Their authority was established in the human realm by the laws of Moses. Jesus said that in Matthew 23, "They sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. “ It was also upheld by Roman law in its wisdom. The Roman Empire did not seek to interfere with local religions and local government. They wanted them to rule. They just wanted tax money and peace, commerce. So by law, it was established there. The chief priest, teachers of the law, and the elders had authority. Yet despite their authority, they were indeed blind leaders. Jesus calls them blind guides in Matthew 15:14, “If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Their central blindness was vertical. They didn't see their sin before Almighty God. They thought they were righteous in His sight. They sought to establish their own righteousness by their own good works. They were utterly convinced of this, and anyone that sought to point out their sin, they hated with a deep passion. Jesus says in John 7:7, "The reason the world hates me is that I testify that what it does is evil." These religious leaders were steeped in pride, spiritual pride, but they also had pride of their position and their power and all of the prestige that flowed in because of that position of power. Anyone who challenged that, including their money, their flow of revenue, anyone that challenged that was their enemy. But Jesus openly challenged it, their authority, and He openly challenged their righteousness, so they were Jesus's most violent foes. Their hatred of Him went marrow deep. They're constantly opposing Him, debating Him, laying traps for Him, scheming against Him, plotting to take His life. Here they try this frontal assault method. Look at verse 27:28, "They arrived again in Jerusalem. And while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priest, the teacher's law, and the elders came to Him. 'By what authority are you doing these things?' They asked, and who gave you authority to do this?" What do they mean by these things? What are they upset about? Jesus' recent actions were offensive to them, shocking even. Think back to the triumphal entry, Jesus is acclaimed as the Son of David. They're all cheering for Him. “Hosanna” calling out, “save.” Jesus accepted this worship, even defended it. On the second day, He cleansed the temple. Look at verses 15-17, "Jesus began driving out those who are buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts." And as He taught them, He said, "Is it not written? My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. But you have made it a den of robbers." Look specifically at that statement in verse 16. He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. I mean, these are caravans that are just making the temple a thoroughfare. It was just easier to get from point A to point B right across the holy ground. Jesus said, "Absolutely not. Not today. You're not doing that." He stopped them. Who is He to do that? To forbid them from coming across. Those buying and selling in the temple worked directly for Annas, the high priest, the real high priest, and for Caiaphas, his son-in-law who is the puppet high priest. He worked directly for that wicked family. So Jesus' authority to do that was specifically in their minds because they had charge of the temple area in that whole system. So here the chief priest and the elders assume that they were operating from position of strength. By this they could, they thought, humiliate Jesus. They were the religious authorities in Jerusalem. They ruled the temple and everything to do with it. They had absolutely not given Jesus the right to overturn those tables. They'd absolutely not given Him the right to stop the commerce going across. They had absolutely not given Him permission to walk around teaching the people there in the temple area. They knew that. Even the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate upheld their authority on pain of law. If any Roman soldier went in the temple area, the Romans themselves would see to it that they would be executed. They upheld the authority of these Jewish leaders. These men truly were in charge of the temple and they're demanding from Jesus, "Show us your credentials. What right do you have to do this?” The Jewish leaders thought they had trapped Jesus. They figured they had Him either way, either He had to acknowledge that He had no authority to do what He had been doing, in which case He would be humiliated before them or He would claim to be operating directly under God's authority, in which case they would've grounds to execute Him for blasphemy. Either way, they had Him, so they thought. Tragically, really tragically, they never stopped to consider, is it true? Could Jesus really be who He claimed to be, the son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world? These are not truly religious men, they’re not truly religious seekers. They don't want the truth. They were hardened hypocrites. They were whitewashed tombs seeking to protect their own power and authority and self-righteousness. That's who they were. Let's try to understand this issue of authority. What is it? A definition could be this: authority is the God-given right to command, thought and or behavior in a certain area or realm. Authority is the God-given right to command. Keep it simple. The God-given right to command, command behavior in a certain prescribed realm. That's what authority is. The Bible teaches us that all genuine authority comes from God, from that throne that I began the sermon, all authority flows from that throne, genuine authority. Romans 13:1 "Everyone must submit Himself to the governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has established." The authorities that exist have been established by God. That's the truth. The biblical truth about authority. It's a God-given right to command in a certain realm. It comes from God. That's what “God-given" means, and everyone must submit Himself to those governing authorities. I'm going to make two assertions that are going to kind of dominate the next part of the sermon. Two assertions about Jesus. Number one, no man in history so perfectly submitted to authority as Jesus Christ. No man in history so perfectly submitted to authority as Jesus Christ. Number two, no man in history has as much authority as Jesus Christ. No man is as perfectly submissive to authority and no man wields so much authority. "Two assertions about Jesus, number one, no man in history so perfectly submitted to authority as Jesus Christ. Number two, no man in history has as much authority as Jesus Christ. No man is as perfectly submissive to authority, and no man wields so much authority." Let's look at the first. No man in history so perfectly submitted to authority as Jesus Christ. Why do I say this? Let's keep it simple. Because Jesus never sinned, because Jesus never sinned. All sin is an abrogation of God's authority, a rejection of God's authority. Jesus was born, we're told under the law, and He lived His whole life until the moment of His death under the law of Moses. He perfectly fulfilled it. He never violated one of its precepts, not one of its major or minor precepts, not once. He was perfectly submissive to His parents, imperfect as they were. They were good people, but they were still sinners, yet He submitted to His parents. The Bible tells us that openly, He was submissive to them. He was the only perfectly obedient child in history. Some of you may have a claim, but I'm not going to believe it. The only perfectly obedient child that's ever grown up in any family is Jesus. I've often wondered about His younger brothers and what a burden that was hearing from Mary. "Why can't you be like your brother Jesus? He never gives us any trouble." Jesus was even perfectly submissive to the wicked authorities that killed Him. “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before its shearers was silent, He did not open His mouth.” He was submissive to them, but supremely, He was submissive vertically to His father. In every respect, He submitted to His father, every moment. Jesus's fundamental submissiveness to God was predicted in many places in scripture, but especially Psalm 40:7-8. There, the Psalm prophetically says of Jesus, "Here I am, I have come. It is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God, your law is written within my heart." Think about that. That's Jesus. The author of Hebrews says that's Jesus saying that to His father. “Your law is written in my heart. I'm here, Father, to do your will.” Philippians 2 says, "Jesus made Himself nothing. Taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross." Perfectly submissive to His father. John's Gospel testifies about this over and over and over and over again. So many verses I could have chosen, but here's a few. John 6:38, Jesus said, "For I've come down from heaven not to do my own will, but to do the will of Him who sent me." John 5:30, "I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me." John 8:28, "I do nothing on my own, but I speak just what the Father has taught me to say." I don't even say a word except what the father's told me to say. Then in the very next verse, John 8:29, "I always do what pleases Him." It’s an incredible statement. Ultimately, this comes fulfilled in Gethsemane, when God the Father reveals, supernaturally, reveals the cup that He's going to have to drink to save our souls, the cup of His wrath, the infinite wrath of God. Jesus is literally knocked to the ground and He's asked a question by the Father, "Will you drink it?" He said, "Abba, father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done even if it costs me my life." Hence my assertion that no one in history has been as submissive to authority as Jesus Christ. But the real issue here that His enemies are bringing is Jesus' wielding of authority. Did He have the right to cleanse the temple? Did He have the right to walk through the temple and teach the people? Did He have the right to do all of the amazing things He was doing? By what authority was He acting like this? And who gave Him that authority? Now here I make this assertion, no man in history had or has as much authority as Jesus Christ. His authority was displayed in many ways. First, in His teachings. Jesus taught like no man anyone had ever heard. No one spoke like this man. The Jewish teachers frequently cited other rabbis or other authorities based on their assertions. This rabbi said this, commenting on this thing that was said by this other rabbi, Jesus didn't do any of that ever. Seventy-five times in the Gospels, He said, "Truly, truly, I say to you." You see it very plainly in the Sermon of the Mount. "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, do not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with His brother will be subject to judgment." Again, “You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in His heart." “You have heard, but I say to you.” Doesn't that beg the question? Who are you? At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, it was said, "When the people heard Him, they were astonished because He taught them as one who had authority and not as their teachers of the law." Jesus authority was also displayed in His miracles like authority over demons. Again and again in Mark's Gospel, have we not seen how the demons instantly obeyed Him? They were clearly terrified of Him. No doubt about it. Even Legion was terrified of Jesus. Jesus had authority over every disease and sickness, He rebuked a fever and it fled like it was some living thing. When Jesus came around, sickness ran away from Him. There was no disease or sickness He couldn't heal, absolute authority over it. He had authority over fish. He made fish swim into nets. “All right, all you fish take a strong left-hand turn,” and they all go into the nets, or one single fish with a coin in mouth found its way to Peter's hook. He had authority over matter, material. He created loaves and fishes out of nothing. He created Malchus' ear out of nothing. He had authority over weather, over the wind and the waves. He stretched out His hands over the storm and said, "Peace be still,” and it instantly obeyed Him. The weather obeyed His voice. He had authority over death. He spoke to Lazarus and said, “Lazarus, come forth,” and He came out. He had authority, claimed authority that only God has. He dispensed with the traditions of the elders, the hand washing and all of that, as manmade rules, he dispensed with them. He declared all foods clean, ending the old covenant dietary laws.He had the right to declare all foods clean. He claimed absolute authority over the Sabbath. Imagine this statement, the Son of Man, “I am Lord even of the Sabbath.” I'm in charge of the Sabbath. It’s an amazing statement made to the Jews. Only God could have said that. He sent out His apostles with authority. He delegated authority of them. They could drive out demons and heal people and preach the gospel. But especially, and this is where the rubber meets the road with us, He has the authority to forgive sins. How good is that news, dear friends? If Jesus tells you that your sins are forgiven, they are. In Mark 2, He healed a man to prove that the Son of Man had authority on earth to forgive sins. He ultimately has the authority to judge the world. He will be the judge of all the earth. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the nations, all the peoples of the earth into two categories, believers and unbelievers, sheep and goats. He has that power. He has that authority. He has the authority over His own life, death and resurrection. He said in John 10:18, "No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and I have the authority to take it back up again. This command I receive from my father.” “I can die whenever I choose and I can come alive again whenever I choose. God gave me that right." He is the authority to give eternal life to whoever He chooses to give it. John 17:2, "He prayed to His father. You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those you have given Him." “Him” being Jesus in that sentence. He has the right to give you and me eternal life. On trial, before Pontius Pilate, just like Jesus's enemies, Pilate did not know who He was dealing with. Pontius Pilate was frustrated that Jesus wouldn't answer him at one point. "Do you refuse to answer me? Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" And Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given you from above." After His resurrection, He made this supreme claim, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Think about that claim. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. The Bible makes it plain in Psalm 1:10, "God, the Father said to the son after His resurrection, sit at my right hand until I make all your enemies a footstool for your feet." Right hand of what? Of the throne of power, throne of God. In Ephesians 1:20-22, "God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way." That's amazing. Ephesians 1 says, Jesus is not just above authority but far above, infinitely, above all authority. The gap between Jesus and whatever's in second place behind Him in authority is infinite, far above all rule and authority, all authority in heaven and earth. That's the true answer to their question: “Who gave you this authority? His answer is, "Almighty God gave me my authority." So I say, no man in history has as much authority as Jesus Christ. III. Jesus Challenges His Enemies Let's look at the conversation here between Jesus and His enemies, now that we've set it up. Jesus knew that they could never accept this truth about His authority. He doesn't try in this conversation to say all these things. They're all true. But He doesn't try to do that. They would consider His claims to be blasphemous. When He said to the paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven,” they thought He was blaspheming saying, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" When He defended His healing on the Sabbath by saying, "My father is always working and I too am working,” they picked up stones to stone Him. They're not going to listen to Him, He knows that. So instead He asked them a question. Look at verse 29-30. Jesus' counter question, “Jesus replied, ‘I'll also ask you one question. Answer me and I'll tell you about what authority I'm doing these things. John's baptism, was it from heaven or from men? Answer me.’" Jesus seizes control here. Do you see that? He's taking charge of this conversation. He's never reacting to them. They have to now react to Him. Notice that they thought to trap Him, yet actually the shoe’s on the other foot. He ends up trapping them in their own cowardice. Jesus sets them a condition. If they meet it, He'll answer their question. If they don't, He won't. Jesus's question is not a diversion or attack. It actually goes to the heart of the issue. Are they able to recognize God ordained spiritual authority or not? Wouldn't you say consistently the problem of Israel is that they hated the messengers God sent to them and sought to kill them? It happens over and over. That's a fundamental blindness the Jewish nation had. So Jesus goes into this, the origin of John's baptism. Let's talk about that. John's baptism is a symbol of His entire ministry. In John the Baptist’s ministry, baptism was at the center of it. Now, baptism, John's baptism, was a new thing in the history of Israel. There's no command or example or anything of it in the 39 books of the Old Testament. It's not an Old Testament ordinance or anything. It's a new thing. Scholars tell us that in the intertestamental period when the Jews had been scattered throughout the Gentile world because of the Diaspora, because of the Assyrian invasion and the Babylonian invasion and the Jews were everywhere, many Gentiles wanted to become Jews. They learned about monotheism. They wanted to follow the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They wanted to become Jews. The men had to be circumcised, but both men and women converts to Judaism, had to have a bath, to cleanse them of their nasty Gentile paganism. So it wasn't commanded, but that's just what they did. Now, along comes John. Who is he baptizing? Jews. “So you're saying we're as dirty and filthy as Gentiles.” “Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying.” He came and preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. “And do not think you can say, we have Abraham as our father. I tell you, out of these stones, God can raise up children for Abraham.” Don't bank on that. So the question is, where did all that come from? The baptism, John's baptism. Who gave John the authority to do this ministry? Who sent him to baptize? John the Baptist was an enigmatic, divisive, shocking figure. He appeared in the foreboding spirit of Elijah, dwelling out in the desert, wearing camel's hair and a leather belt around His waist just like Elijah did. He ate locusts and wild honey, like Elijah. He was utterly devoid of love for worldly comforts and luxuries. He had no interest in them. Like Elijah, John was utterly fearless, a preacher of the truth, no matter what. Like Elijah, John's words were fiery. They called on his hearers to repent. Like Jesus, John the Baptist singled out these specific men and opposed them publicly. When John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, He said, "You brooded of vipers who warned you to flee from the coming wrath, produce fruit in keeping with repentance." So they are questioned by Jesus. "Where did John's baptism come from? Who gave Him the authority to do it?" The Pharisees and Sadducees pull off into an unholy huddle. They pull off and they're just talking among themselves. Look at verse 31:32, "They discuss it among themselves and said, if we say from heaven, He will ask them, why didn't you believe him? But if we say from men, they feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet." Rather than trapping Jesus, it was Jesus who trapped them. They hated John as much as they hated Jesus for the same reasons. But the crowds loved John, especially now that Herod had martyred him. There was no doubt in the crowd's mind that John was a prophet sent from God. That's done. Everybody knew that. These wicked men were afraid of the crowd's reaction. So what is the truth about John the Baptist? God sent Him. In the Gospel of John 1:6-7, it addresses John the Baptist. It says, "There came a man sent from God whose name was John." Well, that settles it. Don't you think that settles it? I think it does. He was sent from God. God sent him. Later that same chapter, John 1:32 and following, John gave this testimony when he saw Jesus and he identified Him and said, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John gave this testimony. "I saw the spirit descend from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. I would not have known him except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, the man on whom you see the spirit descending or remaining is the one. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and I testify that this man is the son of God." But within that answer, listen to what he said, “The one who sent me to baptize with water.” Who's that? God. God sent him to baptize in water. The fact is this is a regular pattern. It's a tragic pattern in Israel's history of hating the messengers God sends and not recognizing their authority. It happened over and over. A very good example of this is Amos the prophet to the wicked northern kingdom of Israel. Amos was from the southern kingdom and he was sent by God up to the wicked idolatrous northern kingdom of Israel to prophesy. A priest named Amaziah confronted him and said to Amos, "Get out, you seer. Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. Don't prophesy any more here at Bethel because this is the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom." That's an authority issue. "I'm warning you keep doing this, we will kill you." Then Amos answered the priest Amaziah, "I was neither a prophet or a prophet son. I was a shepherd and I also took care of sycamore fig trees." I love that line, “I was particularly good at sycamore fig trees.” But anyway, "The Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, go prophesy to my people Israel. That's why I'm here." IV. Jesus’ Enemies: Unbelieving, Lying Cowards So enemies of Jesus, do you believe in that whole thing? Do you believe that God can raise up someone and anoint him with the Holy Spirit and send him to the people? Do you believe in that? No, they didn't. They didn't. Let me just tell you right now, we're all sinners. We've all violated God's laws. We will be saved only if we believe the prophets. It's the only way we're going to be saved. This is the Word of God sent through people, and you'll be saved if you believe it. Well, they didn't. They told us this. Jesus told us what they thought about John, “John came neither eating nor drinking and they said He has a demon.” They thought He was demon possessed. They thought Jesus was demon possessed and therefore none of these religious leaders of Israel had submitted to John's baptism. Luke 7:30, "The Pharisees and experts of the law rejected God's purpose for themselves because they had not been baptized by John." They did not receive the baptism. They did not believe he was a true prophet sent from God. They did not believe his message that the kingdom of God was near and they certainly didn't believe the one who came after him, the thongs of whose sandals John was not worthy to untie, the one who had baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. They didn't believe Him either. To believe in John was to believe in Jesus. They were linked together. It was John that testified that "Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the worlds. And I have seen and I testify, that He is the son of God." They had unbelief, but they also had cowardice. Why didn't they just say we think He was a false prophet? We think John was a quack, he was demon possessed and a bad man. Why didn't they say that? The text tells us they were afraid that they were going to get killed. They were afraid of the people. They didn't have the courage of their convictions. In Luke 20:6 it says, "But if we say from men, all the people will stone us because they're persuaded that John was a prophet." So they lied and said, "We don't know." And just understand who they are. They are the spiritual leaders of the nation of Israel. Along comes a massive figure like John the Baptist, and they're not sure about him. It's like, well then, what is your function here? You don't have any role at all. You don't know one way or the other. Jesus judges them with a profound judgment. Silence. The silence of the Word of God. Do you understand what a privilege it is to hear God's Word? It is a privilege. It is a privilege to have God speak to you by His Word. Jesus says, "All right then I'm not going to tell you by what authority I'm doing these things." Amos, that same prophet, said that he would judge Israel by sending a famine because they did not hear the word of the Lord. There is a window of opportunity for all of us sinners, and it all has to do with what you do with the prophetic word, apostolic word. Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call on Him while He's near. You have an opportunity now to believe the preached word. "Recognize the heavenly origin of Jesus' authority… And what authority? Well, first and foremost relevant to you and me is the authority to tell us that our sins are forgiven through faith in His name." V. Lessons What are the lessons from this? First of all, recognize the heavenly origin of Jesus' authority. Jesus' authority was established by His miracles, by His teachings, by His fulfillment of prophecy. It was all there. His credentials were absolutely in place. And what authority? Well, first and foremost relevant to you and me is the authority to tell us that our sins are forgiven through faith in His name. How beautiful is that? To have the judge who's going to sit on your case tell you ahead of time before your trial, on judgment day, "You will be acquitted, you will be forgiven, you'll be welcomed into heaven." How beautiful is that? On what basis? All you need to do is do what He said, what John the Baptist said, repent and believe the good news of the kingdom of God. Repent and believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood for your sins and you'll be forgiven. In order to do that though, you have to be willing to submit to Jesus' yoke. We sang about that in the “Come to Me” song. What a beautiful song that is. In some of the most beautiful words Jesus ever spoke [Matthew 11:28 -30], "Come to me all you who are weary and burden and I will give you rest." What does He say next? "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I'm gentle and humble and heart, and you'll find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy, my burden is light." The yoke, dear friends, is His kingly authority. It is His right to command you as your king. That's what the kingdom of heaven is. You're entering into glad submission to God as your king. You're done with your rebellion. His yoke is His right to tell you what to do. You're like, well, wait a minute, about what? Everything. He has the right to tell you how to spend your money. He has the right to tell you how to spend your time. He has the right to tell you what to do with your relationships. He has the right to tell you to listen to His apostles, like Paul and Peter and others. He has the right to tell you to do things. As a matter of fact, your love will be measured by your obedience, “If you love me, you'll obey me.” What that means is, “Submit to my authority, you'll do what I tell you to do.” The beautiful thing of the gospel is He enables you, empowers you to do it by His Holy Spirit. He doesn't leave you like an orphan. If you submit to Him as your savior and recognize that means yielding to Him as your Lord, He will, by His spirit, enable you comprehensively to obey Him. Guess what? You're going to spend eternity with redeemed brothers and sisters in heaven, perfectly submissive to God, the King. You're going to enjoy every moment of it. So come to Christ, trust in Him. Make certain your sins are forgiven through faith in His name. And then, dear brothers and sisters, obey Him. Close with me in prayer. Father, thank you for this sermon today, this chance that we've had to look at the authority of Jesus, which is infinitely greater than we can possibly imagine. Help us, O Lord, willingly, gladly to submit to His authority. Help us willingly, gladly to bring every area of rebellion in our lives under the authority of His word. Help us to realize it's not thereby that we'll be forgiven of our earlier sins, but by faith in His blood. But just because you are setting us free from sin, we're finding that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Help us so Lord, in Jesus name. Amen.

Ever feel lost in your purpose and question your abilities? Trace the footsteps of biblical prophet Elijah and cinematic superhero, Miles Morales from Spider-Man as we weave an extraordinary tale of faith and purpose. Our guest, Pastor Josh Miller, joins us as we unravel the mysteries of our callings, and the strength to overcome doubt. As we journey through the pages of First Kings 19 and the web-slinging adventures of Spider-Man, we invite you to discover the profound lessons each holds. Reflect on God's understanding of our human limitations, mirrored through the healing power of rest, as seen in Elijah's story. Like Elijah, we often grapple with feelings of isolation, but let's unravel this lie of the enemy together and bask in the truth that we are never alone.Finally, be inspired by Elijah's steadfastness in the face of adversity, and Paul's emulation of Jesus as outlined in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Personal narratives take center stage as we recount moments of blind faith, when we answered God's call despite it seeming illogical. Through the ups and downs of Elijah's journey and the trials of Miles Morales, we learn to trust God, even in the most trying of times. This conversation promises to resonate, inspire and light the path on your personal faith journey.Support the show

This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston or donate to this ministry, please visit MosaicBoston.com.Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are the supreme Father. You show us what it means to be a father, to not just give life, but to sustain it, to provide for it, to care, to love, to sacrifice, to teach, to lead, to protect. I pray for all the fathers in the house. Lord, it is a supernatural calling and it's a great responsibility. You entrust to us eternal souls to disciple and usher into your kingdom and then one day to usher into heaven by your grace. So Lord, fill all the fathers with the Holy Spirit. Teach us where we need to be taught. Strengthen us. Give us a greater vision for being even better fathers in the coming year. For those who have a desire for fatherhood, Lord, I pray. Make that a reality as you lead the young men. Lord, bless us in the holy scriptures today, we're reminded of the words of Christ in the desert to Satan.When Satan came to tempt him, and Jesus, you were in fasted state physically, and yet you rejected the temptation of the evil. And you said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." So Lord, we humble ourselves before your word and we come to your word as nourishment for our souls. We are famished and we live in a land of a famine of your words. So we pray, nourish us. And as you do, help us take this bread to others who are famished in their souls as well. And Lord, satisfy us with your love today, with your grace and with your presence. We pray for your Holy Spirit to guide us through the sermon and speak to our hearts in a way that only you can. And we pray all this in Christ's holy name. Amen.We continue today our sermon series called Graduate Level Grace, a study in the life of Joseph where in Genesis 41 today, and the context that we find ourselves in is that Joseph has been sold into captivity by his brothers. He's been in Egypt coming up on 13 years now. First it started in Potiphar's house and he rose in Potiphar's house to the point where he became second in the household. And then he was tempted by Mrs. Potiphar. She wanted him, she was in a position of authority over him. She wanted him to do something that was against God's law. So he refused. He refused an authority figure speaking over him, calling him to do something that was against God's law. Then we find him in prison. In prison he's going through the ranks as well to the point where everything was entrusted to him.Then last week he interpreted the dreams of the cup bearer, and the baker. The baker was then hanged and then the cup bearer is in the presence of Pharaoh, although he did not say a word about Joseph for two years. So that's the context we find ourselves in. These final events of Joseph's imprisonment the last two years were arranged by God, first of all to continue to hone Joseph, continue to strengthen him, temper him, deepen his faith and trust in the Lord. But then also its sovereign timing in that God waited for Joseph to come to the mind of the cup bear at the precise moment that Pharaoh needed him, which allowed Joseph to be elevated. Joseph we see is a radically God-centered man who believed that God had given him dreams and those dreams were from God and they were going to come to pass.And despite the serpentine twists and turns of the road, the circuitous road, Joseph's trusting God to get him to the promised destination. And this is really the lesson before us today. Will we trust God in the dark days of our life? Will we be able to say, "God, thank you for seasons that we don't want to live through."? 1 Thessalonians 5:8 tells us, "Give thanks in everything. This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." And this is before God elevates Joseph to second in command in all of Egypt. He first teaches Joseph how to submit to authority and how to submit to ultimate authority, which is God's Proverbs 3, five through six, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make straight your path."What is the purpose of God in your life? What is God's will in your life? Well today God's will is for you to be thankful to him for bringing you to the season that you are in, to submit to him. And as we submit to his authority, he continues to work. Five sections that we're going to walk through, it's a very long text, so there'll be a lot of reading, but five sections as we work through the text, Pharaoh's nightmares. Then we'll look at Pharaoh calls Joseph, then Pharaoh recalls the nightmares, and then Joseph interprets the dreams. And finally, Joseph is elevated to prime minister. First of all, Pharaoh's nightmares, and this is verse one."After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile. And behold there came up out of the Nile, seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin came up out of the Nile after him and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly thin cows ate up the seven attractive plump cows, and Pharaoh awoke and he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears thin and blighted by the east wind and the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump full ears. And Pharaoh awoke and behold it was a dream. So in the morning his spirit was troubled and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh."So God's timing in Joseph's life comes 13 years after he had been sold into captivity. Two years here, he's in prison until this night. So nearly half his dream, half his life, Joseph has spent in captivity. He's about 30 years old at this time when Pharaoh has this set of bizarre dreams, nightmares even. In the sacred world, the number seven is important. So we see the number seven twice here, the cow was a symbol of Egypt and it was even one of their gods. And if I weren't a Christian, I could really understand that cows are really miraculous. Praise be to God. Thank God he made them out of steak. So they were a society where they were agrarian in that they had grain and also they used that grain to feed their cattle. What we see here is that the dreams violate nature and that's what shocks him. The plump cows, that's tremendous. He sees them, they're attractive, but what scares him is that they begin to cannibalize the skinny cows.The same thing happens with the grain. In Egyptian Pharaohs, they considered themselves to be God. So when they dreamed, they thought they were being connected to the spiritual realm. And he thought this is clearly something from the divine, two dreams. The duality is important, signaling their certitude. So he dreams and the word behold is used here six times to show just how shocking this is. He wakes up. Although he thinks he's God, he doesn't have the interpretation of this message that was sent from the supernatural realm. He brings in all his wizards and pagan priests and they can't interpret the dream or they will not interpret the dream because they know what it signifies. It signifies that danger is coming. And perhaps they don't want to share bad news with Pharaoh because they know how Pharaoh would react. So what does Pharaoh do? And this is the second subheading.Pharaoh calls Joseph. It wasn't a good state for a king to be in. So the people around the king, his confidants, including his cup bearer, want to do something. So the cup bearer, here delicately, volunteers information that he should have shared a long time ago had he cared more about Joseph than himself, but he didn't care about Joseph more than himself until this moment. In this moment, he only shares the information because he most likely thinks it might help him. So Genesis 41, 9 through 14, "Then the chief cup bearer said to Pharaoh, 'I remember my offenses today. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard. We dreamed on the same night he and I each having a dream with its own interpretation. A young Hebrew was there with us, the servant of the captain of the guard. And when we told him, he interpreted our dreams for us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. And as he interpreted to us. So it came about. I was restored to my office and the baker was hanged.' Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh."And as I was studying this text, I can't but think about the fact that everything can change in a second. If we believe in a God who is sovereign, a God who works miracles, everything can change in a second. What do you think Joseph had been praying about for 13 years? He was praying for his freedom, for his liberty. And now he has an opportunity to free him himself. He was a Hebrew man. In contrast to the Egyptians, they wore beards. So he is forced here to be shaved, sanitized, Egyptianized and presented to Pharaoh. He goes from prison, from the pit of prison to the pinnacle of power in the palace in a second.Their Joseph, handsome, well-built stands before Pharaoh, but he does not stand alone. And I find this fascinating. A lot of young people move to Boston from faithful families, from faith backgrounds. They come here, nobody knows them. No one knows you. There's no accountability structure. No one's going to call you out about any decisions that you make. That's where Joseph was. Age 17, he's in this brand new context. No one knows him. He can refashion his character, his identity, his destiny, any way that he wants, but he doesn't. He continues to submit his life to Yahweh despite the challenges. Joseph, no, he wasn't alone here. He knew he was never alone.He always knew that he was with Yahweh. Even in prison they said that he succeeded in everything that he did because Yahweh was with him. His God was with him. His God here convenes this meeting, orchestrates it with exquisite timing and brings him to the presence of Pharaoh. So this is title three that Pharaoh recalls the nightmares. Joseph's situation was to say the least intimidating. Here's a young guy. He most likely had to learn Egyptian in prison or in Potiphar's house. He's absolutely a nobody, and now he's going to be in the presence of the most powerful person alive. This person needs Joseph's help, needs his divine wisdom. So Joseph has been lifted from the filth of the prison, and now he's in the powerful court of Pharaoh. He's 30 years old. The temptation here would be to humbly moderate his views.Pharaoh, let me tell you a part of the dream, not all of it. No, no, no. He knows if I'm going to do this job and if I'm going to speak the truth and the spirit of God is in me, I'm going to speak all of it. And on top of that, he has the temptation to attribute honor to himself. Yes, Pharaoh, I'm the great interpreter of dreams. I can do this thing for you. What will you do for me? Will you free me? No. He understands that he's been put here from by God and he has a message to speak from God. He doesn't melt under the pomp and the circumstance. He doesn't melt under the flattery. He resolutely stands true to who he is, his identity and what God has called him to do is duty and destiny. So this is verse 15."And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I've had a dream and there is no one who can interpret it. I've heard it said of you that when you hear a dream, you can interpret it.' And Joseph answered, Pharaoh, 'It's not in me.' God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." Observe carefully the humility. It's not in me. The very first words that we hear from the mouth of Joseph as he's in the presence of the greatest man alive, so to speak. He says, "It's not me. It's not me, it's God." Observe carefully his faith. He believes in God. I can't give you the answer, but I believe even at this moment that God will speak and observe carefully that Pharaoh who called himself God, he thought he was God, all of a sudden has met with this young guy who just came out of prison. And this young guy, he appeals to an authority greater than Pharaoh himself. Who is this young man? Who is his God?Joseph, all of his life, this has been the lesson from the very beginning that his brother sold him. He was a young man under authority of his father. His father tells him to do something risky. He does do it. And then he's a man that's under the authority of God. My father's not in the picture, but I will submit to God the Father. So Joseph before he's positioned number two in Egypt, number two behind Pharaoh, he's been submitting his whole life to God. He's been his whole life practicing to be number two to God. God is first, I'm second in every aspect of life. And that, friends, is the key to discipleship. How do you grow in the faith? You grow in the faith by on a daily basis saying, "Lord, Lord, I need you. I'm dependent on you. I trust you. Now help me submit this day to you. Help me submit all of my abilities, talents, opportunities, everything to you, every aspect of my life."And that's what Joseph does here. He appeals to God, Elohim, a God superior over the gods of Egypt. And this is what's happening. God loves to do this. What's happening is the idolatrous, the demons behind the idols of Egypt are right now going toe to toe with the God of Joseph. And God loves flexing at these moments to glorify his name. What we see is that Joseph hasn't changed a bit from his time in the pit to the palace. He wants to glorify God and he understands that the wisdom that is within him is not his own. It is God's. It's from the spirit of God.1 Corinthians : 11 through 16 says, "For who knows a person's thoughts accept the spirit of that person which is in him. So also, no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit who is from God that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the spirit interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."Verse 14, "The natural person does not accept the things of the spirit of God for they folly to him. And he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things but is himself to be judged by no one, for who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."And I bring that in here. And most of us, we will not stand before the number one most powerful person in the world. Most of us won't have that opportunity, but most of us will be placed in a position where we do have to speak. At that moment, the spirit of God will speak to you and say, "Speak my words. This is what Jesus said to the disciples. "When you stand before the authorities, don't worry about what you're going to say." At that moment you're channel for the Holy Spirit. Lord, speak for me. Lord, give me the words, Lord, give me the wisdom. Give me them temperament to speak, not just to minds but to hearts. And that power is accessible to us if we humbly ask.Genesis 41, 17 through 24, "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. Seven cows, plump and attractive came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. Seven other cows came up before them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the thin ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows. But when they had eaten them, no one would have known that they had eaten them for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk full and good, seven ears withered thin and blighted by the east winds sprouted after them and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."So here, obviously Pharaoh was very proud of the cows in Egypt. Multiple times he's like, "No, no, these aren't our cows. These are some kind of demonic cows. These are completely out of the realm of reality." He doesn't know what to do. He turns to Joseph. And this is setting, this is... Title four is Joseph, subtitle. Joseph interprets the dreams. So as Joseph listens to Pharaoh's dreams, what is he doing? The whole time he's listening, but he's also listening to the spirit. He's listening to what God is speaking to him. Remember Joseph had already declared that it's God. God is a source of interpretations. Every time he's been met with dreams, with the cup bearer, with the bake, he says it's God. Invokes the name of God and that's the key to his success here.Verse 25. "And then Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'The dreams of Pharaoh are one. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years. The dreams are one. The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years. And the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. It is, as I told Pharaoh, God has shown to Pharaoh what he's about to do. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them there will arise seven years of famine and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow for it will be very severe."One interpreter says that Joseph here interprets the dream with deft skill and a sure touch. He promises that there is a famine that's coming. It's a cyclical famine and it will be a time of severe adversity and even death if we don't do something about it.Here Joseph's language is that of a prophet. He's speaking the truth. And what's fascinating here is he predicts the truth no matter what. He says later in the text that this thing is fixed, everything that we see that's about to happen, it's fixed. And Pharaoh, your only decision is will you submit to the will of God. So this is Genesis 41, 31, "And the doubling of Pharaoh's dreams means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. Now therefore, let Pharaoh select the discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years, and let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities and let them keep it. That food shall be reserved for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt so that the land may not perish through the famine."This thing is fixed by God, he says. This thing is controlled by God. This thing is ordained by God. The reason why God can foretell the future is because God ordains the future. The reason why Joe has access to the wisdom of God and predicting the future is because God has already ordained it. Pharaoh, no matter what, God is going to do, what God is going to do through you. And this is fascinating because Pharaoh was not a God worshiper. He wanted nothing to do with God. He thought he was God himself. And we have many kings and rulers and presidents today who do think that there's no one above them, that there's no one in authority over them, that no one will hold them accountable.This is a lie. The truth from this text that we see is, no, kings do not make history. Pharaohs do not make history. Presidents do not make history. No. God uses them to affect history. Holy scripture says that the heart of the king is like water in the hands of God. So as we look at our nation, or if you're from another nation and your nation is worse than our nation or better than our nation, it's all a mess everywhere. You just need to know that no matter what, no matter what evil regime, thumbs its nose at justice, no matter how much violence and corruption they do with impunity, we must know that God will use all of this for his purposes. Joseph here, very wise. I'm not sure if he was thinking of himself when he was like, "Pharaoh, and by the way, you should nominate someone to do this job and I recommend myself."Most likely, it wasn't that. Most likely all of his plans of ambition and prospering in a worldly sense, most of that was probably vanquished already. Here, the Lord is just speaking through him. He proposes a plan. For seven years we're going to farm as best as we can and we are going to take 20% from everybody, a flat 20% income tax. Joseph, I can get behind that. I'm not for taxes, but if we had 20% flat tax that includes income, real estate, sales, et cetera, et cetera, that would be great. But his plan here is based on the spirit moving him. And what's fascinating is though he knows the future, God is sovereign, this is what God is going to do, he does not say, "Pharaoh, God knows the future, period. Okay, let me free and hopefully I'll never see you again." He doesn't do that.He knows that God has revealed the future to him, but the fact that he knows what God is going to do does not nullify his action. Actually he says, "Based on what I know God is going to do, I propose a plan of aggressive action for us to thrive." He says, "Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man." Discerning, you have insight. You have a capacity to constructively attack a problem and you are wise in that you have the ability to take information and you know exactly what to do with it. It's not just knowing what to do and knowing the right thing to do, but actually how to do it. And this brings us to heading five, and Joseph is elevated to Prime Minister and this is verse 37."This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find a man like this in whom is the spirit of God?' Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has shown you all this, there's none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house and all my people shall order themselves as you command, only as regards to the throne, will I be greater than you." And this is absolutely fascinating that God would move the heart of Pharaoh like this. Why? What did Pharaoh see in Joseph?I think first of all, he saw the authenticity, the integrity of the man, but he also saw the spirit of God. Obviously, how would you know this information? How would you know? How would you have a plan all set in place? You of all people, this prisoner from Canaan? What's fascinating is whenever you read in the Old Testament about the Holy Spirit or the spirit of God, it does not mean the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we see in the New Testament because several times Jesus Christ said, "Don't do anything disciples, apostles, until I send the Holy Spirit," the indwelling of the spirit that came at Pentecost.And that comes whenever anyone repents and believes in Christ. No, this spirit in the Old Testament was given for a certain task. Like we see when the builders of the tabernacle went to work, God's spirit came upon them and gave them this wisdom to conduct the work. But it is the spirit, the Holy Spirit working through him. And here Pharaoh says, "There's no one in the land who has the spirit of God like this man." And unwittingly, what is Pharaoh doing? He's raising up God, the God, Elohim, God, Yahweh above the gods of the Nile. What he's saying is our gods were powerless to give us this information, but the God of the universe, Elohim, he's the one that sent Joseph to. So Pharaoh here, however ignorantly, he's praising God. He's giving glory to God. He's extolling the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.In one day everything changes for Joseph. In the morning he awoke an imprisoned slave. And now he's second only to Pharaoh. George Lawson in the 19th century, he wrote this book on Joseph, called The History of Joseph, and he summarizes this exquisitely this transition.And he says, "The life of different men presents not greater varieties to our observation than the life of the same man sometimes is done. How different is a king's grandson, a shepherd, a lawgiver from one another? And yet Moses sustained all these characters in different periods of the same life. Joseph was in his early days, the favorite son of a venerable father. He was in the next period of his life, a slave, and then a prisoner held in long confinement under the imputation of one of the worst of crimes. But in the best and longest period of his eventful life, he was the Lord of all the land of Egypt, trusted with all the power of the king and honored by the people as their savior from destruction. Let us not be greatly dejected by adversity. Let us not trust in prosperity. It is a storm in tempest today. It may be sunshine tomorrow. If it should, storms may again disturb our tranquility. Nothing is permanent in this world of changes. Nothing is more foolish than the presumption that tomorrow shall be as today."And then so it is with Joseph. He didn't let adversity break his heart. He kept going. He didn't let it wound his spirit. He doesn't let prosperity go to his head. And here in an instant, he doesn't just become the second most powerful person in Egypt. He becomes the second most powerful man in the world. And this is a lesson that I think perhaps the modern church is afraid to teach because of the abuse of the prosperity gospel, et cetera. But it is a teaching of holy scripture, a precept, a principle in life that God wants to bless those who are obedient.God loves to bless those who delight in him. God loves to bless those who are faithful to him. God said, "For those who love me, I will bless you not to just the first and second, third generation, but for a thousand." Psalm 84, 11 through 12, "For the Lord God is a son and shield the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Oh Lord of hosts blesses the one who trusts in you."We don't walk uprightly to get things from God just like we don't earn our salvation. We don't become Christians or believers or children of God, we don't get into heaven because of anything we've done, not through our law keeping or doing good works. No, salvation is all by grace through faith, you repent, you believe in Jesus Christ, you're saved. You're saved. All your sins are forgiven, past, present, and future. Now begins the Christian walk. Now begins the process of sanctification. And in this process God loves to bless those who are obedient.Psalm 37, 4 through 6, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as delight and your justice as the noonday." Yes, God expects his children to be faithful to him and he delights when we are, but he also delights to bless us when we're walking in paths of righteousness. The story of Joseph inspires us, not only because it's a demonstration of how perfect and certain the providence of God is to the detail, but also that God does lavishly reward those who love and serve him in thick and thin. Joseph, was he perfect? Of course not. Like Elijah, centuries later he was a man like us.He had his stumbles, he had his doubts. He had his fears. He had his even sins. He wasn't sinless, but he was faithful. He was loyal to the Lord. He submitted to the Lord in every aspect of his life by God's grace, and look what God does for him. And we should aspire to obedience. We should aspire to loyalty in faithfulness knowing that we will receive a reward, if not in this life, then in the next. Genesis, 41, 41, "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I've set you over all the land of Egypt.' Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in the second chariot and they called out before him, bow the knee. Thus, he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I am Pharaoh, and without your consent, no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."On the spot, Joseph here is knighted in the sense ceremonies, bestowed all of the paraphernalia of power. First the king takes off a signet ring, which he used to sign documents. Therefore, here Pharaoh is giving Joseph his seal and seal of Pharaoh like authority. He also gives him garments of fine linen, the designer clothing of Egypt. And this is fascinating. First wardrobe he had, his father gave him the colored jacket. That didn't work out. And then the second clothing linen that he had from Potiphar's house, that didn't work out. And here finally, he's given not just the robe, he's given the finest robe that was created in that day. It was created for Pharaoh. Here he is elevated and given the status symbols.And then finally the gold chain that hung around his neck was a gift and symbol of the highest distinction. And now with all of the signs of power, we see a parade that Pharaoh has for Joseph, taking him through the lands so that everyone knows who's second in command. In the morning wakes up just in a dirty stinking pit. Although he had a beard, unfortunately he lost that. And then all of a sudden everything changes for him. I think of him sitting in Pharaoh's house, having someone feed him clusters of grapes. That's Joseph. The finest menu of that day was offered to him and he's got people basically worshiping him. Incredible. And then in verse 45 it says, "Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zephenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.So here Pharaoh gives Joseph a wife. She's Egyptian. And he gives him an Egyptian name, which means abundance of life. And not only, this woman that he gives him into marriage, not only is she Egyptian, but she's the daughter of Potiphera priest, not Potiphar, but similar name, Potiphera Rah, but also has to do with the Rah, which is the son God, God gives. So this is a priest who is elevated as high as possible that we know of in this cultic religion of the sun god. The city of On was a place where they worshiped the sun god. So what is Pharaoh doing? Pharaoh is trying to get Joseph's commitment for life. Okay, I see your power. Now you're going to become like one of us. He Egyptianizes his name. He gives him an Egyptian wife, Egyptian father-in-law, and now he's connected in the network of this false religion.And here Potiphar is trying to get control of Joseph's soul. That's what's happening. And what's fascinating is that Joseph's soul, if you think about it in many ways is in greater danger now that he's in the court of Pharaoh than his soul was when he was in prison. Because when you are as low as you can possibly go, when you're at the bottom of the pit, there's only one way to look, and that's up. You look up to God. So learning, reliance and dependence and trust in God, in a position where you have no power, you have no one else to rely on, well that makes all the sense in the world. But now Joseph, at age 30, is in the position where his pride can kill his soul, right? He does have wisdom that's matchless. He does have looks that are matchless. He does have power that is matchless, connections that are matchless.Does he need God? And I think that's important because many of you will be in a position in life if you're not already, where your life will look more like Joseph's life now than Joseph's life in prison. I was just thinking about it. If you can afford to go to one of those resorts, all-inclusive resorts where they just feed you whatever you want and it's just... That's basically Pharaoh's court. Pharaoh's like, "This is my life." And you're like, yeah, "Well your palace doesn't have indoor plumbing. My all-inclusive resort does." In many ways we live more comfortable lives than if Pharaoh would've ever dreamed to live. In many ways in our lives, on a daily basis, you don't need God. All your needs are met, physically. And here Joseph shows us that even though he's at the very top, he understands the dangers before him and his soul is connected to God like never before.Why? Because God had prepared him for this moment. God had taught him to trust no matter what. In Genesis 41, 46, "Joseph was 30 years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through the land of Egypt. During the seven plentiful years, the earth produced abundantly. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which occurred in land of Egypt and put the food in the cities. And he put in every city the food from the fields around it. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea until he ceased to measure it for it could not be measured."So we see everything that Joseph said came to pass and they worked strategically both to harvest the grain and then also to store the grain. And by the end, they have immeasurable cash of grain in every strategic city. So Joseph, we see his reliance on God in that he went to work. He realized, God put me in this position. God gave me this plan. God gave me the interpretation. Now he goes to work and we see his work ethic and his administrative skills all on display.And then verse 50, "Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, Asenath. The daughter of Potiphera priest of On bore them to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. For he said, 'God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.' The name of the second he called Ephraim, for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." Despite his public success, so this is five, six years after his elevation to the number two spot, there's a pain that has not gone away. And we see a glimpse into the personal pain of Joseph here with the birth of his firstborn son.What does he remember? My hardship. What does he remember? The hardship of my father's house. He's never forgotten his childhood. He's never forgotten what his brother's did to him. He's never forgotten the flaws of even his father. And he thought, "Well God, thank you for sending me the son." And he names him, God made me forget. God sent me a spiritual amnesia and he says that this is a gift. God, thank you for making me forget something that was indelibly written on my soul. God, thank you for making me forget this. Some of us, we need to learn this lesson of spiritual amnesia. I drive a Suburban, a black Suburban because I like looking like a fed. And it was raining yesterday, I was on the highway, I was driving New Hampshire. I live in New Hampshire.And I'm driving and it's pouring. And I realized I haven't looked back into my rear view mirror in probably, I don't know, 30 miles. I just don't care. I'm just driving. And then I tried to look back through my window and I can't see a thing because I didn't even have the wipers on. So it was just water, just like you're in a car wash. And then I put the windshield wipers on and I'm like, "Oh, that's so much better. I like looking back." Like, I should actually know what's going. And I think in many ways like through difficult times in our life through suffering, through pain, through seasons like Joseph experienced, we don't even want to look in the back. Lord, I don't want to look there. But there were so many lessons there. There were so many blessings there, there was so much provision of God back there.So we need the windshield wiper of God's grace to remove the tears so that we can look back and say, "You know what? I choose, like God chooses to forget my sins, I choose to forget the sins of the people against me. By God's grace I choose..." God, the omniscient God of the universe, does not forget a thing. He chooses to forget our sins and he casts them as far from us as the east is from the west. And that's what's happening with Joseph here. God thank you for the spiritual amnesia that comes as medicine upon his soul. So that's his first son. And his second son is Ephraim, which means abundance. That God, you have blessed us with fruitfulness even in the land of affliction. What's fascinating here is that we do see that Joseph has not forgotten his God. We see that. His Egyptian wife couldn't do anything here.Lord willing, he discipled her and told her about Yahweh, she becomes a Christian. Because what kind of names does he give him? What kind of names does he give his son as he's in Egypt, as he's number two to Pharaoh, as his father-in-law is a priest in the idol religion? He gives them Hebrew names. And the Hebrew names here signify that God is with them, that he's continuing to honor God and he humbles himself before God. Even in the midst of his prosperity, Joseph remains a man under God, interested in the will of God and God continues to use him powerfully.F.B. Meyer here comments and he says, "It was a wonderful ascension and a single bound from the dungeon to the steps of the throne. His father had rebuked him. Now, Pharaoh, the greatest monarch of his time, welcomes him. His brethren despised him. Now the proudest priesthood of the world opens its ranks to receive him by marriage into their midst, considering it's wiser to conciliate a man who was from that moment to be the greatest force in Egyptian politics in life. The hands that were hard with the toils of a slave are adorned with the signet ring. The feet are no longer tormented by fetters. A chain of gold is linked around his neck. The coat of many colors torn from him by violence and defiled by blood, and the garment left in the hand of the adulterous are exchanged for vestures of fine linen drawn from the royal wardrobe. He was the ones trampled upon as the ox carrying of all things. Now all Egypt is commanded to bow down before him as he rides in the second chariot, Prime Minister of Egypt and second only to the king."The text ends with verse 53 through 57. Verse 53, "The seven years of plenty that occurred in land of Egypt came to an end. And the seven years of famine began to come as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands. But in the land of Egypt there was bread. When all the land of Egypt was famished and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, go to Joseph what he says to you, do. So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Moreover, the earth, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain because the famine was severe over all the earth."So the monstrous seven cows and the seven years of grain who had been cannibalizing the seven plump cows in the ears of grain. And Joseph and Egypt were ready for it and ready to provide for their own people and also capitalized and take the wealth of the other nations in exchange for grain. So the money readily poured into Egypt's coffers. But Joseph does not bow to other idols. Prosperity does not kill his faith. Joseph goes from humiliation to exaltation. It's a remarkable story. He goes from absolutely nothing from being a slave to becoming second in command. He didn't do it willingly. He didn't choose this. That's a remarkable story. But there is a greater story. And Joseph points us to a greater Joseph, a man who was raised by a man named Joseph. And that's Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity name. Jesus Christ willingly goes from exaltation to humiliation. He goes from the presence of God. He goes from perfection and bliss and he comes down into our filth, into humanity, into this world. Notice the kiss of honor here that's talked about. Everyone bows, everyone pays homage to Joseph. Scripture teaches us about the fact that there's another king and we have to give honor to him. Psalm two verse 12, "Kiss the son lest he be angry and you perish in the way for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him."So the king can get angry if I dishonor him? Yes, of course. That's how honor and authority works. In our culture we have a hard time understanding that because we don't really... We're egalitarian and we don't really believe in honor and hierarchy and authority. Joseph knew it. This is what made Joseph, Joseph. He understood authority. He understood that there's God and then God places people over us and there is a way to serve in order to grow, but he does learn it from God.So the king can get angry if I don't pay homage. So what am I to do? I'm to take refuge in him. What kind of king is this that welcomes those who dishonor him, those who did not worship him? What kind of king would take us in so that we find in him? We, rebels, of all people? Well, this is King Jesus. He came to us when we were still rebels. He came to us not when we were honoring him or glorifying him. He came to us when we wanted nothing to do with him. In Philippians 2, 5 through 11 says, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is lord to the glory of God the Father."Jesus Christ likens himself to bread. He said, "I'm the bread of life." He is the only one who can satisfy to the depths of our soul. If anyone's been on a regular diet and then all of a sudden, sudden you're like, "I need to lose weight," and then you go keto. For the first two weeks, you miss above all else, what do you miss? You miss bread. You just miss it. You miss it. And in a sense, there is a part of our soul where only the bread of life can fill.You might try to fill it with prosperity, with comfort, with prestige from people around you, with honor, with degrees, with wealth. And you realize as you acquire, as you experience that, that gnawing is still there. Jesus Christ alone is our bread. And how does he become our bread? We remember this on every single time we celebrate the Lord's supper, his body on the cross is broken for us. The king of kings is on a cross. The second person of the Trinity is on a cross, bearing the curse that we deserve for our lawbreaking. That's the bread being broken for us. And this blood pours down. That's symbolized by the cup. So how is that a tribute? How can I have that? How can I get the satisfaction of the bread and the cup of Jesus' body and his blood? By grace through faith. At communion, we eat the bread and we drink the cup.It's a sign of internalizing. I internalize what Jesus did and he did that for me. If you're here this morning, if you've never believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, if you've never submitted your life to him, we today urge and plead with you. We ask today, receive God's grace. What makes us Christians? We have found bread, bread of life in Jesus Christ and we now want to share it with a famished world. And may God help you recognize your lost condition. There is a famine of the spirit that apart from God and apart from God's grace will continue to grow. Scripture teaches. Blessed are the poor in spirit. What does that mean? It means, Lord, I'm spiritually bankrupt. I need more of your spirit. Lord, I need the blessing of more of your spirit. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.Friends, do you hunger and thirst for righteousness above all else? Well, scripture says you shall be satisfied. So come to Christ today, come to our greater Joseph, come to our greater Prime Minister of the affairs of God, the eternal second person of the Trinity, and he will welcome you with arms wide open.Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for a blessed text. We thank you for a blessed time in the Spirit, in the Word, as your people and we pray. Minister to us Holy Spirit, and help us trust in you no matter what. Help us submit to you no matter what. Make us a people who are useful to you, ready to be of service to you in the same way that you blessed Joseph for his faithfulness and loyalty and obedience to you. Lord bless each one of us. And for those who are far from you, draw them to yourself. Make them your own. Take off their rags of sin. And instead, Lord, robe us with your righteousness. And we pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston or donate to this ministry, please visit MosaicBoston.com.Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are the supreme Father. You show us what it means to be a father, to not just give life, but to sustain it, to provide for it, to care, to love, to sacrifice, to teach, to lead, to protect. I pray for all the fathers in the house. Lord, it is a supernatural calling and it's a great responsibility. You entrust to us eternal souls to disciple and usher into your kingdom and then one day to usher into heaven by your grace. So Lord, fill all the fathers with the Holy Spirit. Teach us where we need to be taught. Strengthen us. Give us a greater vision for being even better fathers in the coming year. For those who have a desire for fatherhood, Lord, I pray. Make that a reality as you lead the young men. Lord, bless us in the holy scriptures today, we're reminded of the words of Christ in the desert to Satan.When Satan came to tempt him, and Jesus, you were in fasted state physically, and yet you rejected the temptation of the evil. And you said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." So Lord, we humble ourselves before your word and we come to your word as nourishment for our souls. We are famished and we live in a land of a famine of your words. So we pray, nourish us. And as you do, help us take this bread to others who are famished in their souls as well. And Lord, satisfy us with your love today, with your grace and with your presence. We pray for your Holy Spirit to guide us through the sermon and speak to our hearts in a way that only you can. And we pray all this in Christ's holy name. Amen.We continue today our sermon series called Graduate Level Grace, a study in the life of Joseph where in Genesis 41 today, and the context that we find ourselves in is that Joseph has been sold into captivity by his brothers. He's been in Egypt coming up on 13 years now. First it started in Potiphar's house and he rose in Potiphar's house to the point where he became second in the household. And then he was tempted by Mrs. Potiphar. She wanted him, she was in a position of authority over him. She wanted him to do something that was against God's law. So he refused. He refused an authority figure speaking over him, calling him to do something that was against God's law. Then we find him in prison. In prison he's going through the ranks as well to the point where everything was entrusted to him.Then last week he interpreted the dreams of the cup bearer, and the baker. The baker was then hanged and then the cup bearer is in the presence of Pharaoh, although he did not say a word about Joseph for two years. So that's the context we find ourselves in. These final events of Joseph's imprisonment the last two years were arranged by God, first of all to continue to hone Joseph, continue to strengthen him, temper him, deepen his faith and trust in the Lord. But then also its sovereign timing in that God waited for Joseph to come to the mind of the cup bear at the precise moment that Pharaoh needed him, which allowed Joseph to be elevated. Joseph we see is a radically God-centered man who believed that God had given him dreams and those dreams were from God and they were going to come to pass.And despite the serpentine twists and turns of the road, the circuitous road, Joseph's trusting God to get him to the promised destination. And this is really the lesson before us today. Will we trust God in the dark days of our life? Will we be able to say, "God, thank you for seasons that we don't want to live through."? 1 Thessalonians 5:8 tells us, "Give thanks in everything. This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." And this is before God elevates Joseph to second in command in all of Egypt. He first teaches Joseph how to submit to authority and how to submit to ultimate authority, which is God's Proverbs 3, five through six, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make straight your path."What is the purpose of God in your life? What is God's will in your life? Well today God's will is for you to be thankful to him for bringing you to the season that you are in, to submit to him. And as we submit to his authority, he continues to work. Five sections that we're going to walk through, it's a very long text, so there'll be a lot of reading, but five sections as we work through the text, Pharaoh's nightmares. Then we'll look at Pharaoh calls Joseph, then Pharaoh recalls the nightmares, and then Joseph interprets the dreams. And finally, Joseph is elevated to prime minister. First of all, Pharaoh's nightmares, and this is verse one."After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile. And behold there came up out of the Nile, seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin came up out of the Nile after him and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. And the ugly thin cows ate up the seven attractive plump cows, and Pharaoh awoke and he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears thin and blighted by the east wind and the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump full ears. And Pharaoh awoke and behold it was a dream. So in the morning his spirit was troubled and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh."So God's timing in Joseph's life comes 13 years after he had been sold into captivity. Two years here, he's in prison until this night. So nearly half his dream, half his life, Joseph has spent in captivity. He's about 30 years old at this time when Pharaoh has this set of bizarre dreams, nightmares even. In the sacred world, the number seven is important. So we see the number seven twice here, the cow was a symbol of Egypt and it was even one of their gods. And if I weren't a Christian, I could really understand that cows are really miraculous. Praise be to God. Thank God he made them out of steak. So they were a society where they were agrarian in that they had grain and also they used that grain to feed their cattle. What we see here is that the dreams violate nature and that's what shocks him. The plump cows, that's tremendous. He sees them, they're attractive, but what scares him is that they begin to cannibalize the skinny cows.The same thing happens with the grain. In Egyptian Pharaohs, they considered themselves to be God. So when they dreamed, they thought they were being connected to the spiritual realm. And he thought this is clearly something from the divine, two dreams. The duality is important, signaling their certitude. So he dreams and the word behold is used here six times to show just how shocking this is. He wakes up. Although he thinks he's God, he doesn't have the interpretation of this message that was sent from the supernatural realm. He brings in all his wizards and pagan priests and they can't interpret the dream or they will not interpret the dream because they know what it signifies. It signifies that danger is coming. And perhaps they don't want to share bad news with Pharaoh because they know how Pharaoh would react. So what does Pharaoh do? And this is the second subheading.Pharaoh calls Joseph. It wasn't a good state for a king to be in. So the people around the king, his confidants, including his cup bearer, want to do something. So the cup bearer, here delicately, volunteers information that he should have shared a long time ago had he cared more about Joseph than himself, but he didn't care about Joseph more than himself until this moment. In this moment, he only shares the information because he most likely thinks it might help him. So Genesis 41, 9 through 14, "Then the chief cup bearer said to Pharaoh, 'I remember my offenses today. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard. We dreamed on the same night he and I each having a dream with its own interpretation. A young Hebrew was there with us, the servant of the captain of the guard. And when we told him, he interpreted our dreams for us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. And as he interpreted to us. So it came about. I was restored to my office and the baker was hanged.' Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh."And as I was studying this text, I can't but think about the fact that everything can change in a second. If we believe in a God who is sovereign, a God who works miracles, everything can change in a second. What do you think Joseph had been praying about for 13 years? He was praying for his freedom, for his liberty. And now he has an opportunity to free him himself. He was a Hebrew man. In contrast to the Egyptians, they wore beards. So he is forced here to be shaved, sanitized, Egyptianized and presented to Pharaoh. He goes from prison, from the pit of prison to the pinnacle of power in the palace in a second.Their Joseph, handsome, well-built stands before Pharaoh, but he does not stand alone. And I find this fascinating. A lot of young people move to Boston from faithful families, from faith backgrounds. They come here, nobody knows them. No one knows you. There's no accountability structure. No one's going to call you out about any decisions that you make. That's where Joseph was. Age 17, he's in this brand new context. No one knows him. He can refashion his character, his identity, his destiny, any way that he wants, but he doesn't. He continues to submit his life to Yahweh despite the challenges. Joseph, no, he wasn't alone here. He knew he was never alone.He always knew that he was with Yahweh. Even in prison they said that he succeeded in everything that he did because Yahweh was with him. His God was with him. His God here convenes this meeting, orchestrates it with exquisite timing and brings him to the presence of Pharaoh. So this is title three that Pharaoh recalls the nightmares. Joseph's situation was to say the least intimidating. Here's a young guy. He most likely had to learn Egyptian in prison or in Potiphar's house. He's absolutely a nobody, and now he's going to be in the presence of the most powerful person alive. This person needs Joseph's help, needs his divine wisdom. So Joseph has been lifted from the filth of the prison, and now he's in the powerful court of Pharaoh. He's 30 years old. The temptation here would be to humbly moderate his views.Pharaoh, let me tell you a part of the dream, not all of it. No, no, no. He knows if I'm going to do this job and if I'm going to speak the truth and the spirit of God is in me, I'm going to speak all of it. And on top of that, he has the temptation to attribute honor to himself. Yes, Pharaoh, I'm the great interpreter of dreams. I can do this thing for you. What will you do for me? Will you free me? No. He understands that he's been put here from by God and he has a message to speak from God. He doesn't melt under the pomp and the circumstance. He doesn't melt under the flattery. He resolutely stands true to who he is, his identity and what God has called him to do is duty and destiny. So this is verse 15."And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I've had a dream and there is no one who can interpret it. I've heard it said of you that when you hear a dream, you can interpret it.' And Joseph answered, Pharaoh, 'It's not in me.' God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." Observe carefully the humility. It's not in me. The very first words that we hear from the mouth of Joseph as he's in the presence of the greatest man alive, so to speak. He says, "It's not me. It's not me, it's God." Observe carefully his faith. He believes in God. I can't give you the answer, but I believe even at this moment that God will speak and observe carefully that Pharaoh who called himself God, he thought he was God, all of a sudden has met with this young guy who just came out of prison. And this young guy, he appeals to an authority greater than Pharaoh himself. Who is this young man? Who is his God?Joseph, all of his life, this has been the lesson from the very beginning that his brother sold him. He was a young man under authority of his father. His father tells him to do something risky. He does do it. And then he's a man that's under the authority of God. My father's not in the picture, but I will submit to God the Father. So Joseph before he's positioned number two in Egypt, number two behind Pharaoh, he's been submitting his whole life to God. He's been his whole life practicing to be number two to God. God is first, I'm second in every aspect of life. And that, friends, is the key to discipleship. How do you grow in the faith? You grow in the faith by on a daily basis saying, "Lord, Lord, I need you. I'm dependent on you. I trust you. Now help me submit this day to you. Help me submit all of my abilities, talents, opportunities, everything to you, every aspect of my life."And that's what Joseph does here. He appeals to God, Elohim, a God superior over the gods of Egypt. And this is what's happening. God loves to do this. What's happening is the idolatrous, the demons behind the idols of Egypt are right now going toe to toe with the God of Joseph. And God loves flexing at these moments to glorify his name. What we see is that Joseph hasn't changed a bit from his time in the pit to the palace. He wants to glorify God and he understands that the wisdom that is within him is not his own. It is God's. It's from the spirit of God.1 Corinthians : 11 through 16 says, "For who knows a person's thoughts accept the spirit of that person which is in him. So also, no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit who is from God that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the spirit interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."Verse 14, "The natural person does not accept the things of the spirit of God for they folly to him. And he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things but is himself to be judged by no one, for who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."And I bring that in here. And most of us, we will not stand before the number one most powerful person in the world. Most of us won't have that opportunity, but most of us will be placed in a position where we do have to speak. At that moment, the spirit of God will speak to you and say, "Speak my words. This is what Jesus said to the disciples. "When you stand before the authorities, don't worry about what you're going to say." At that moment you're channel for the Holy Spirit. Lord, speak for me. Lord, give me the words, Lord, give me the wisdom. Give me them temperament to speak, not just to minds but to hearts. And that power is accessible to us if we humbly ask.Genesis 41, 17 through 24, "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. Seven cows, plump and attractive came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. Seven other cows came up before them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the thin ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows. But when they had eaten them, no one would have known that they had eaten them for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk full and good, seven ears withered thin and blighted by the east winds sprouted after them and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me."So here, obviously Pharaoh was very proud of the cows in Egypt. Multiple times he's like, "No, no, these aren't our cows. These are some kind of demonic cows. These are completely out of the realm of reality." He doesn't know what to do. He turns to Joseph. And this is setting, this is... Title four is Joseph, subtitle. Joseph interprets the dreams. So as Joseph listens to Pharaoh's dreams, what is he doing? The whole time he's listening, but he's also listening to the spirit. He's listening to what God is speaking to him. Remember Joseph had already declared that it's God. God is a source of interpretations. Every time he's been met with dreams, with the cup bearer, with the bake, he says it's God. Invokes the name of God and that's the key to his success here.Verse 25. "And then Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'The dreams of Pharaoh are one. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years. The dreams are one. The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years. And the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. It is, as I told Pharaoh, God has shown to Pharaoh what he's about to do. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them there will arise seven years of famine and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow for it will be very severe."One interpreter says that Joseph here interprets the dream with deft skill and a sure touch. He promises that there is a famine that's coming. It's a cyclical famine and it will be a time of severe adversity and even death if we don't do something about it.Here Joseph's language is that of a prophet. He's speaking the truth. And what's fascinating here is he predicts the truth no matter what. He says later in the text that this thing is fixed, everything that we see that's about to happen, it's fixed. And Pharaoh, your only decision is will you submit to the will of God. So this is Genesis 41, 31, "And the doubling of Pharaoh's dreams means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. Now therefore, let Pharaoh select the discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years, and let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities and let them keep it. That food shall be reserved for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt so that the land may not perish through the famine."This thing is fixed by God, he says. This thing is controlled by God. This thing is ordained by God. The reason why God can foretell the future is because God ordains the future. The reason why Joe has access to the wisdom of God and predicting the future is because God has already ordained it. Pharaoh, no matter what, God is going to do, what God is going to do through you. And this is fascinating because Pharaoh was not a God worshiper. He wanted nothing to do with God. He thought he was God himself. And we have many kings and rulers and presidents today who do think that there's no one above them, that there's no one in authority over them, that no one will hold them accountable.This is a lie. The truth from this text that we see is, no, kings do not make history. Pharaohs do not make history. Presidents do not make history. No. God uses them to affect history. Holy scripture says that the heart of the king is like water in the hands of God. So as we look at our nation, or if you're from another nation and your nation is worse than our nation or better than our nation, it's all a mess everywhere. You just need to know that no matter what, no matter what evil regime, thumbs its nose at justice, no matter how much violence and corruption they do with impunity, we must know that God will use all of this for his purposes. Joseph here, very wise. I'm not sure if he was thinking of himself when he was like, "Pharaoh, and by the way, you should nominate someone to do this job and I recommend myself."Most likely, it wasn't that. Most likely all of his plans of ambition and prospering in a worldly sense, most of that was probably vanquished already. Here, the Lord is just speaking through him. He proposes a plan. For seven years we're going to farm as best as we can and we are going to take 20% from everybody, a flat 20% income tax. Joseph, I can get behind that. I'm not for taxes, but if we had 20% flat tax that includes income, real estate, sales, et cetera, et cetera, that would be great. But his plan here is based on the spirit moving him. And what's fascinating is though he knows the future, God is sovereign, this is what God is going to do, he does not say, "Pharaoh, God knows the future, period. Okay, let me free and hopefully I'll never see you again." He doesn't do that.He knows that God has revealed the future to him, but the fact that he knows what God is going to do does not nullify his action. Actually he says, "Based on what I know God is going to do, I propose a plan of aggressive action for us to thrive." He says, "Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man." Discerning, you have insight. You have a capacity to constructively attack a problem and you are wise in that you have the ability to take information and you know exactly what to do with it. It's not just knowing what to do and knowing the right thing to do, but actually how to do it. And this brings us to heading five, and Joseph is elevated to Prime Minister and this is verse 37."This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find a man like this in whom is the spirit of God?' Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has shown you all this, there's none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house and all my people shall order themselves as you command, only as regards to the throne, will I be greater than you." And this is absolutely fascinating that God would move the heart of Pharaoh like this. Why? What did Pharaoh see in Joseph?I think first of all, he saw the authenticity, the integrity of the man, but he also saw the spirit of God. Obviously, how would you know this information? How would you know? How would you have a plan all set in place? You of all people, this prisoner from Canaan? What's fascinating is whenever you read in the Old Testament about the Holy Spirit or the spirit of God, it does not mean the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we see in the New Testament because several times Jesus Christ said, "Don't do anything disciples, apostles, until I send the Holy Spirit," the indwelling of the spirit that came at Pentecost.And that comes whenever anyone repents and believes in Christ. No, this spirit in the Old Testament was given for a certain task. Like we see when the builders of the tabernacle went to work, God's spirit came upon them and gave them this wisdom to conduct the work. But it is the spirit, the Holy Spirit working through him. And here Pharaoh says, "There's no one in the land who has the spirit of God like this man." And unwittingly, what is Pharaoh doing? He's raising up God, the God, Elohim, God, Yahweh above the gods of the Nile. What he's saying is our gods were powerless to give us this information, but the God of the universe, Elohim, he's the one that sent Joseph to. So Pharaoh here, however ignorantly, he's praising God. He's giving glory to God. He's extolling the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.In one day everything changes for Joseph. In the morning he awoke an imprisoned slave. And now he's second only to Pharaoh. George Lawson in the 19th century, he wrote this book on Joseph, called The History of Joseph, and he summarizes this exquisitely this transition.And he says, "The life of different men presents not greater varieties to our observation than the life of the same man sometimes is done. How different is a king's grandson, a shepherd, a lawgiver from one another? And yet Moses sustained all these characters in different periods of the same life. Joseph was in his early days, the favorite son of a venerable father. He was in the next period of his life, a slave, and then a prisoner held in long confinement under the imputation of one of the worst of crimes. But in the best and longest period of his eventful life, he was the Lord of all the land of Egypt, trusted with all the power of the king and honored by the people as their savior from destruction. Let us not be greatly dejected by adversity. Let us not trust in prosperity. It is a storm in tempest today. It may be sunshine tomorrow. If it should, storms may again disturb our tranquility. Nothing is permanent in this world of changes. Nothing is more foolish than the presumption that tomorrow shall be as today."And then so it is with Joseph. He didn't let adversity break his heart. He kept going. He didn't let it wound his spirit. He doesn't let prosperity go to his head. And here in an instant, he doesn't just become the second most powerful person in Egypt. He becomes the second most powerful man in the world. And this is a lesson that I think perhaps the modern church is afraid to teach because of the abuse of the prosperity gospel, et cetera. But it is a teaching of holy scripture, a precept, a principle in life that God wants to bless those who are obedient.God loves to bless those who delight in him. God loves to bless those who are faithful to him. God said, "For those who love me, I will bless you not to just the first and second, third generation, but for a thousand." Psalm 84, 11 through 12, "For the Lord God is a son and shield the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Oh Lord of hosts blesses the one who trusts in you."We don't walk uprightly to get things from God just like we don't earn our salvation. We don't become Christians or believers or children of God, we don't get into heaven because of anything we've done, not through our law keeping or doing good works. No, salvation is all by grace through faith, you repent, you believe in Jesus Christ, you're saved. You're saved. All your sins are forgiven, past, present, and future. Now begins the Christian walk. Now begins the process of sanctification. And in this process God loves to bless those who are obedient.Psalm 37, 4 through 6, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as delight and your justice as the noonday." Yes, God expects his children to be faithful to him and he delights when we are, but he also delights to bless us when we're walking in paths of righteousness. The story of Joseph inspires us, not only because it's a demonstration of how perfect and certain the providence of God is to the detail, but also that God does lavishly reward those who love and serve him in thick and thin. Joseph, was he perfect? Of course not. Like Elijah, centuries later he was a man like us.He had his stumbles, he had his doubts. He had his fears. He had his even sins. He wasn't sinless, but he was faithful. He was loyal to the Lord. He submitted to the Lord in every aspect of his life by God's grace, and look what God does for him. And we should aspire to obedience. We should aspire to loyalty in faithfulness knowing that we will receive a reward, if not in this life, then in the next. Genesis, 41, 41, "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I've set you over all the land of Egypt.' Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in the second chariot and they called out before him, bow the knee. Thus, he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I am Pharaoh, and without your consent, no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."On the spot, Joseph here is knighted in the sense ceremonies, bestowed all of the paraphernalia of power. First the king takes off a signet ring, which he used to sign documents. Therefore, here Pharaoh is giving Joseph his seal and seal of Pharaoh like authority. He also gives him garments of fine linen, the designer clothing of Egypt. And this is fascinating. First wardrobe he had, his father gave him the colored jacket. That didn't work out. And then the second clothing linen that he had from Potiphar's house, that didn't work out. And here finally, he's given not just the robe, he's given the finest robe that was created in that day. It was created for Pharaoh. Here he is elevated and given the status symbols.And then finally the gold chain that hung around his neck was a gift and symbol of the highest distinction. And now with all of the signs of power, we see a parade that Pharaoh has for Joseph, taking him through the lands so that everyone knows who's second in command. In the morning wakes up just in a dirty stinking pit. Although he had a beard, unfortunately he lost that. And then all of a sudden everything changes for him. I think of him sitting in Pharaoh's house, having someone feed him clusters of grapes. That's Joseph. The finest menu of that day was offered to him and he's got people basically worshiping him. Incredible. And then in verse 45 it says, "Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zephenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.So here Pharaoh gives Joseph a wife. She's Egyptian. And he gives him an Egyptian name, which means abundance of life. And not only, this woman that he gives him into marriage, not only is she Egyptian, but she's the daughter of Potiphera priest, not Potiphar, but similar name, Potiphera Rah, but also has to do with the Rah, which is the son God, God gives. So this is a priest who is elevated as high as possible that we know of in this cultic religion of the sun god. The city of On was a place where they worshiped the sun god. So what is Pharaoh doing? Pharaoh is trying to get Joseph's commitment for life. Okay, I see your power. Now you're going to become like one of us. He Egyptianizes his name. He gives him an Egyptian wife, Egyptian father-in-law, and now he's connected in the network of this false religion.And here Potiphar is trying to get control of Joseph's soul. That's what's happening. And what's fascinating is that Joseph's soul, if you think about it in many ways is in greater danger now that he's in the court of Pharaoh than his soul was when he was in prison. Because when you are as low as you can possibly go, when you're at the bottom of the pit, there's only one way to look, and that's up. You look up to God. So learning, reliance and dependence and trust in God, in a position where you have no power, you have no one else to rely on, well that makes all the sense in the world. But now Joseph, at age 30, is in the position where his pride can kill his soul, right? He does have wisdom that's matchless. He does have looks that are matchless. He does have power that is matchless, connections that are matchless.Does he need God? And I think that's important because many of you will be in a position in life if you're not already, where your life will look more like Joseph's life now than Joseph's life in prison. I was just thinking about it. If you can afford to go to one of those resorts, all-inclusive resorts where they just feed you whatever you want and it's just... That's basically Pharaoh's court. Pharaoh's like, "This is my life." And you're like, yeah, "Well your palace doesn't have indoor plumbing. My all-inclusive resort does." In many ways we live more comfortable lives than if Pharaoh would've ever dreamed to live. In many ways in our lives, on a daily basis, you don't need God. All your needs are met, physically. And here Joseph shows us that even though he's at the very top, he understands the dangers before him and his soul is connected to God like never before.Why? Because God had prepared him for this moment. God had taught him to trust no matter what. In Genesis 41, 46, "Joseph was 30 years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through the land of Egypt. During the seven plentiful years, the earth produced abundantly. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which occurred in land of Egypt and put the food in the cities. And he put in every city the food from the fields around it. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea until he ceased to measure it for it could not be measured."So we see everything that Joseph said came to pass and they worked strategically both to harvest the grain and then also to store the grain. And by the end, they have immeasurable cash of grain in every strategic city. So Joseph, we see his reliance on God in that he went to work. He realized, God put me in this position. God gave me this plan. God gave me the interpretation. Now he goes to work and we see his work ethic and his administrative skills all on display.And then verse 50, "Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, Asenath. The daughter of Potiphera priest of On bore them to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. For he said, 'God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.' The name of the second he called Ephraim, for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." Despite his public success, so this is five, six years after his elevation to the number two spot, there's a pain that has not gone away. And we see a glimpse into the personal pain of Joseph here with the birth of his firstborn son.What does he remember? My hardship. What does he remember? The hardship of my father's house. He's never forgotten his childhood. He's never forgotten what his brother's did to him. He's never forgotten the flaws of even his father. And he thought, "Well God, thank you for sending me the son." And he names him, God made me forget. God sent me a spiritual amnesia and he says that this is a gift. God, thank you for making me forget something that was indelibly written on my soul. God, thank you for making me forget this. Some of us, we need to learn this lesson of spiritual amnesia. I drive a Suburban, a black Suburban because I like looking like a fed. And it was raining yesterday, I was on the highway, I was driving New Hampshire. I live in New Hampshire.And I'm driving and it's pouring. And I realized I haven't looked back into my rear view mirror in probably, I don't know, 30 miles. I just don't care. I'm just driving. And then I tried to look back through my window and I can't see a thing because I didn't even have the wipers on. So it was just water, just like you're in a car wash. And then I put the windshield wipers on and I'm like, "Oh, that's so much better. I like looking back." Like, I should actually know what's going. And I think in many ways like through difficult times in our life through suffering, through pain, through seasons like Joseph experienced, we don't even want to look in the back. Lord, I don't want to look there. But there were so many lessons there. There were so many blessings there, there was so much provision of God back there.So we need the windshield wiper of God's grace to remove the tears so that we can look back and say, "You know what? I choose, like God chooses to forget my sins, I choose to forget the sins of the people against me. By God's grace I choose..." God, the omniscient God of the universe, does not forget a thing. He chooses to forget our sins and he casts them as far from us as the east is from the west. And that's what's happening with Joseph here. God thank you for the spiritual amnesia that comes as medicine upon his soul. So that's his first son. And his second son is Ephraim, which means abundance. That God, you have blessed us with fruitfulness even in the land of affliction. What's fascinating here is that we do see that Joseph has not forgotten his God. We see that. His Egyptian wife couldn't do anything here.Lord willing, he discipled her and told her about Yahweh, she becomes a Christian. Because what kind of names does he give him? What kind of names does he give his son as he's in Egypt, as he's number two to Pharaoh, as his father-in-law is a priest in the idol religion? He gives them Hebrew names. And the Hebrew names here signify that God is with them, that he's continuing to honor God and he humbles himself before God. Even in the midst of his prosperity, Joseph remains a man under God, interested in the will of God and God continues to use him powerfully.F.B. Meyer here comments and he says, "It was a wonderful ascension and a single bound from the dungeon to the steps of the throne. His father had rebuked him. Now, Pharaoh, the greatest monarch of his time, welcomes him. His brethren despised him. Now the proudest priesthood of the world opens its ranks to receive him by marriage into their midst, considering it's wiser to conciliate a man who was from that moment to be the greatest force in Egyptian politics in life. The hands that were hard with the toils of a slave are adorned with the signet ring. The feet are no longer tormented by fetters. A chain of gold is linked around his neck. The coat of many colors torn from him by violence and defiled by blood, and the garment left in the hand of the adulterous are exchanged for vestures of fine linen drawn from the royal wardrobe. He was the ones trampled upon as the ox carrying of all things. Now all Egypt is commanded to bow down before him as he rides in the second chariot, Prime Minister of Egypt and second only to the king."The text ends with verse 53 through 57. Verse 53, "The seven years of plenty that occurred in land of Egypt came to an end. And the seven years of famine began to come as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands. But in the land of Egypt there was bread. When all the land of Egypt was famished and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, go to Joseph what he says to you, do. So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Moreover, the earth, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain because the famine was severe over all the earth."So the monstrous seven cows and the seven years of grain who had been cannibalizing the seven plump cows in the ears of grain. And Joseph and Egypt were ready for it and ready to provide for their own people and also capitalized and take the wealth of the other nations in exchange for grain. So the money readily poured into Egypt's coffers. But Joseph does not bow to other idols. Prosperity does not kill his faith. Joseph goes from humiliation to exaltation. It's a remarkable story. He goes from absolutely nothing from being a slave to becoming second in command. He didn't do it willingly. He didn't choose this. That's a remarkable story. But there is a greater story. And Joseph points us to a greater Joseph, a man who was raised by a man named Joseph. And that's Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity name. Jesus Christ willingly goes from exaltation to humiliation. He goes from the presence of God. He goes from perfection and bliss and he comes down into our filth, into humanity, into this world. Notice the kiss of honor here that's talked about. Everyone bows, everyone pays homage to Joseph. Scripture teaches us about the fact that there's another king and we have to give honor to him. Psalm two verse 12, "Kiss the son lest he be angry and you perish in the way for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him."So the king can get angry if I dishonor him? Yes, of course. That's how honor and authority works. In our culture we have a hard time understanding that because we don't really... We're egalitarian and we don't really believe in honor and hierarchy and authority. Joseph knew it. This is what made Joseph, Joseph. He understood authority. He understood that there's God and then God places people over us and there is a way to serve in order to grow, but he does learn it from God.So the king can get angry if I don't pay homage. So what am I to do? I'm to take refuge in him. What kind of king is this that welcomes those who dishonor him, those who did not worship him? What kind of king would take us in so that we find in him? We, rebels, of all people? Well, this is King Jesus. He came to us when we were still rebels. He came to us not when we were honoring him or glorifying him. He came to us when we wanted nothing to do with him. In Philippians 2, 5 through 11 says, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is lord to the glory of God the Father."Jesus Christ likens himself to bread. He said, "I'm the bread of life." He is the only one who can satisfy to the depths of our soul. If anyone's been on a regular diet and then all of a sudden, sudden you're like, "I need to lose weight," and then you go keto. For the first two weeks, you miss above all else, what do you miss? You miss bread. You just miss it. You miss it. And in a sense, there is a part of our soul where only the bread of life can fill.You might try to fill it with prosperity, with comfort, with prestige from people around you, with honor, with degrees, with wealth. And you realize as you acquire, as you experience that, that gnawing is still there. Jesus Christ alone is our bread. And how does he become our bread? We remember this on every single time we celebrate the Lord's supper, his body on the cross is broken for us. The king of kings is on a cross. The second person of the Trinity is on a cross, bearing the curse that we deserve for our lawbreaking. That's the bread being broken for us. And this blood pours down. That's symbolized by the cup. So how is that a tribute? How can I have that? How can I get the satisfaction of the bread and the cup of Jesus' body and his blood? By grace through faith. At communion, we eat the bread and we drink the cup.It's a sign of internalizing. I internalize what Jesus did and he did that for me. If you're here this morning, if you've never believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, if you've never submitted your life to him, we today urge and plead with you. We ask today, receive God's grace. What makes us Christians? We have found bread, bread of life in Jesus Christ and we now want to share it with a famished world. And may God help you recognize your lost condition. There is a famine of the spirit that apart from God and apart from God's grace will continue to grow. Scripture teaches. Blessed are the poor in spirit. What does that mean? It means, Lord, I'm spiritually bankrupt. I need more of your spirit. Lord, I need the blessing of more of your spirit. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.Friends, do you hunger and thirst for righteousness above all else? Well, scripture says you shall be satisfied. So come to Christ today, come to our greater Joseph, come to our greater Prime Minister of the affairs of God, the eternal second person of the Trinity, and he will welcome you with arms wide open.Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for a blessed text. We thank you for a blessed time in the Spirit, in the Word, as your people and we pray. Minister to us Holy Spirit, and help us trust in you no matter what. Help us submit to you no matter what. Make us a people who are useful to you, ready to be of service to you in the same way that you blessed Joseph for his faithfulness and loyalty and obedience to you. Lord bless each one of us. And for those who are far from you, draw them to yourself. Make them your own. Take off their rags of sin. And instead, Lord, robe us with your righteousness. And we pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

In this special episode, Pastor John Bornschein and Dr. Steve Ford pause their study on Israel in Prophecy and examine how Christians should pray in the days of darkness. With a financial crisis upon us and looming changes from the World Economic Forum and World Health Organization, what are Christians to do? Support the showProduced by Calvary Fellowship Fountain Valley church. Learn more at www.CalvaryFountain.com

In the ongoing series on Elijah, Brother Luke Hagler presents the next message. In the coming storm the prophet would face, the Lord was equipping Elijah. Obadiah was one of the encouragers sent by the Lord to strengthen him. In the coming days, Elijah would need to remember this experience. Like Elijah, we often forget …

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April 22, 2023 - Equipped Day 3 3:30PM Auditorium Speaker   Neal Pollard discusses the prayers of Elijah and shows how we can pray with the same conviction and faith.   Slides: Praying Like Elijah - (James 5:17-18) Petitions.... Prayer Motifs in James How Can we pray like Elijah? Elijah raising the widow's son - Be Human (17) Be fervent (17) Colton Be Faithful (18) Developing greater faithfulness in prayer Pray with a pen and paper Build a Prayer closet Be a better bible student Discipline your to Enjoy Prayer "My God is Jehovah"   Duration 39:26

When you are sick, you call the doctor. When your pipes spring a leak, you call the plumber. If your lights don’t work, you call the electrician. Who do you call when you have spiritual needs? In James 5:14 we are told to call “the elders of the church.” We can certainly pray by ourselves when we are facing trouble. This is what verse 13 tells us to do. But sometimes our problems are so great that we need the prayer support of others. The specific example James gives is that of illness. The fact that the elders must be called may indicate that the one who needs prayer is too sick to go to them. Verse 15 shows that prayer can make a difference in such circumstances. We pray for the sick because God is able to “raise them up.” James also says that God will forgive in response to prayer, indicating that sickness is sometimes a consequence of divine discipline. But his conditional language makes it clear that sickness is not always a sign of divine judgment. In addition to prayer, the elders are to anoint with oil. This act symbolizes the role of the Spirit in healing. It is God who saves and raises up. The oil has no inherent healing power. Indeed, James does not even say what kind of oil should be used, nor does he prescribe a particular form of prayer except to say that they should do so “in the name of the Lord” (v. 14). Humility is a prerequisite to effective prayer. Those who pray in the manner James prescribes should confess their sins to each other and pray for one another. Far from being an empty ritual, prayer for others is “powerful and effective” (v. 16). >> Like Elijah, the great prayer warriors in the church’s history have only been ordinary people who believed in the power of prayer. This same power is available to you today.

Everyone loves the story of Elijah's powerful victory at Mt Carmel followed by yet another supernatural feat as he outran the king's horse-drawn chariots, arriving back at the entrance to Jezreel ahead of King Ahab, and his horses! Wow! In the same vein, as New Testament Christians we can believe that God by His Spirit will speak to us when we pray, giving us divine insight for “how to” pray (Romans 8:26). Like Elijah, the hand of the Lord is upon us, connecting us to Him in a divine arrangement for possibilities and outcomes we might not have been able to see before He led our prayer with visions and words of divine insight. “And the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah!” (1Kings 18:46) Join us for this episode to consider examples of how to pray according to visions and divine leading.

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"Book Of Prayers | Pray Like Elijah" Message by David Perkins For more information, visit radiantchurchkc.com. @RadiantChurchKC MusicBed SyncID: MB01SMWFTC7HQ4K