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Text:  Genesis 50:15-26 God is Sovereign Over Suffering and Evil (Gen. 50:15-21) Joseph's brothers fear retribution for the evil they caused him. Joseph acknowledges God's authority and power over his life. We need to recognize and rest in God's sovereignty over suffering and evil. God is Faithful to Keep His Promises (Gen. 50:22-26) As Joseph dies, he clings to God's promise of returning to the land of promise. As Joseph dies, he makes his family promise that they will carry his bones to the land of promise. We can rest our lives on God's faithful character to keep His word. Main Idea: ""Because God is sovereign and faithful, we can trust Him to bring good out of evil and fulfill His purpose."

Text:  Genesis 50:1-14 God's Promises Can Be Trusted in Sorrow (Gen. 50:1-6) Joseph and his family wept over Jacob's death. Joseph prepares to bury Jacob in the land of promise according to his father's dying words of faith. We must look to God's promises to carry us through times of sorrow. God's Promises Cannot Be Threatened by Death (Gen. 50:7-14) Joseph leads a grand procession for Jacob's burial by faith in God's promises. Jacob was greatly mourned by his family and the Egyptians. We must believe that nothing can stop God from keeping His promises. Main Idea: "We can trust in God's promises through sorrow and death, knowing He will be faithful."

Text:  Genesis 49:13-33 God's Sovereignty in Predicting the Future of His People (Gen. 49:13-21,27) Zebulun's inheritance would be marked by economic stability. Issachar's inheritance was marked by strength, but also bondage. Dan's inheritance would be marked by courageous leadership, but end with a legacy of idolatry. Jacob's hope: "I will wait for Your salvation, O Lord." (v. 18) Gad's inheritance would be marked by a readiness for battle. Asher's inheritance would be marked by abundant provision. Naphtali's inheritance would be marked by beauty and fruitfulness. Benjamin's inheritance would be marked by fierce boldness.   God's Sovereignty in Sending a Savior for His People (Gen. 49:22-27 Joseph's inheritance is marked by fruitfulness and strength that is rooted in God's mighty character. Joseph's prophecy foreshadows Christ, the Suffering Savior and Shepherd of our souls. God's Sovereignty in the Death of His People (Gen. 49:28-33 As Jacob dies, he pleads for his body to be buried in the land of promise. Jacob's request signifies his faith in God's word of promise. Main Idea: God's covenant promises find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ our Salvation

God's Sovereignty in Predicting Future Generations (Gen. 49:1-7) Jacob assembles all his sons for a time of future blessing and foreshadowing. Reuben's inheritance would be tarnished due to his lack of self-control. Simeon and Levi's inheritance would be scattered due to their violent vengeance. We must consider how our sins can lead to lasting consequences. God's Sovereignty in Establishing His Eternal Reign (Gen. 49:8-12) Judah's inheritance would be marked by prosperity and messianic promise. Through the royal line of Judah, Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins and reign forever as King (Rev. 5:1-14). Main Idea: "God sovereignly works through imperfect people as He establishes His eternal kingdom in Christ."

Text:  Genesis 48 God's Sovereign Blessing Extended (Gen. 48:1-13) In His providence, God extends His covenant blessing to Joseph's sons as Jacob nears the end of his life. This is seen in God's sovereign election and adoption of His people in salvation (Eph. 1:3-6; 2 Thess. 2:13-14). God's Sovereign Care Reflected (Gen. 48:14-20) Jacob recounts the faithfulness of God as his Shepherd through all of his life as he blesses Joseph's sons. We must be intentional to pass down the legacy of trusting in God's faithful providence to our children.  God's Sovereign Plan Anticipated (Gen. 48:20-22) Through God's providence, Jacob promises his grandsons that God will be with them and they will return to inherit the promised land.  As Christians, our promised inheritance will be to dwell with Christ for all eternity (1 Peter 1:3-7). Main Idea: "God sovereignly governs the future legacy of His people according to His saving promise."

God is the Creator of the Heavens and creation responds to Him (Psalm 96:5, 96:11-12) God is great and to be glorified–The primary Hebrew word for glory is kavod, which literally means "heavy" or "weighty"– it's real, and substantive, carries true worth and importance (Psalm 96:3-6, 96:7-8) Psalm 19 says that the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) Nature declares Him to be God (Psalm 96:11-12) He is unique and separate (holy) and the only true God (Psalm 96:4-6, 96:9) God will come as judge, and all nature rejoices that He comes to judge the world (Psalm 96:11-13)

Thriving Under God's Providence | Dr. Stephen Conley Text:  Genesis 47 God's Providence Over World Leaders (Gen. 47:1-12) God fulfills His promise to His people as He sovereignly uses Joseph and Pharaoh for His purpose. We can trust God to be sovereign over all things – even world leaders. God's Providence Over Catastrophic Circumstances (Gen. 47:13-26) God was at work to save the His people and the Egyptians from death. We can trust God to be faithful to us in all things – even the worst of circumstances.  God's Providence in Keeping His Promises (Gen. 47:27-31) Despite the famine and the economic crisis, God enabled His people to prosper and multiply. Jacob requests to be buried in the land of promise upon his death. We must look to Jesus, the Bread of Life to save us and give us all we need in Himself. Main Idea: God's faithful provision in the present should strengthen our faith in His promises for the future.

This one verse breaks down into three separate phrases: 1-- "Deny Yourself" We must deny ourselves and our desires in order to follow Christ correctly and wisely. We cannot follow Jesus properly if we do not trust Him wholly and solely devote our hearts to His Will, not ours. 2-- "Take Up Your Cross" Second, we must realize the weight and cost of sin. As Jesus carried His cross and bore our sin, so we must identify with Him as we die to self and rise again in newness of life. The willingness to both live AND die for Jesus is sewn into the fibers of this phrase. 3-- "Follow Me" Finally, we must commit to faithful action in the living out of God's Word. Jesus made the way, God the Father calls His children to Himself, and the Holy Spirit leads and convicts as we approach the day of the Lord.

Text: Genesis 46 1.       God's Promise is Reaffirmed (Genesis 46:1-4) ·       Jacob journeys to Beersheba to worship God ·       God renews His covenant promise with Jacob and promises to be with him. ·       We must trust God to be with us and keep His promises in the midst of fear and uncertainty. 2.       Jacob's Faith is Renewed (Genesis 46:5-27) ·       Jacob obeyed the Lord and journeyed to Egypt with his entire family. ·       The list of 70 names highlights the faithfulness of God to keep His covenant promise. ·       We need to regularly rehearse the faithfulness of God. 3.       God's People are Reunited (Genesis 46:28-34) ·       God was faithful to reunite Jacob and Joseph after decades of hardship and loss. God was faithful to provide for and protect His people in Egypt.

Text: Genesis 45 Providential Forgiveness (Gen. 45:1-15) As Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he traces God's providence through the evil his brothers had done to him. We must choose to forgive one another and seek to overcome evil with good, not vengeance. (Romans 12:14-21) Providential Provision (Gen. 45:16-24) God sovereignly provides for His people through Pharaoh's decree and Joseph's generosity.  God's grace is put on display as He sovereignly and abundantly provides for all our needs. Providential Renewal (Gen. 45:25-28) Jacob not only discovers that Joseph is alive, but also that he is both ruler and provider. This news brings new life to Jacob as he journeys to see his son one last time. Christ is the ultimate Provider of salvation and reconciliation to all who believe in Him (Romans 5:8-11). Main Idea: God providentially accomplishes His saving purpose by extending forgiveness to those who deserve judgment.

Text:  Genesis 44 A Revealing Test of Character (Gen. 44:1-13) Joseph applies a final test to see if his brothers have truly changed. God tests our faith to reveal our character and produce steadfastness A Real Confession of Guilt (Gen. 44:14-17) Joseph's confrontational question leads to Judah's genuine confession. God was at work to expose the brothers' sin against Joseph (Gen. 37:18; 42:21-22). God graciously exposes our sin to lead us out of our sin. A Repentant Heart of Self-Sacrifice (Gen. 44:18-34) Judah proves his repentance in pleading for Benjamin and his father and offering up himself. Our repentance is proven in our submission to God and denial of self. Judah's substitution points forward to Christ's greater substitutionary atonement for our sins. Main Idea: True repentance is proven by a transformed heart that submits to God and sacrifices for others.

The Promise Given (Genesis 12:1-3) 1- The Sovereign Plan of God is Revealed 2- God calls one man to bless the nations 3- He establishes a covenant that will echo for eternity   The Promise Clarified (Psalm 67) 1- This blessing leads to a knowledge of God and global joy 2- The goal is for the nations to rejoice in God's Saving Power           The Servant Declared--- The Light for the Nations (Isaiah 49:6) 3- The promise becomes clearer and more focused 4- A promised light 5- Each servant carries the covenant outward and forward   The Promise Fulfilled (Matthew 28:18-20) 1- The promised Messiah comes to obey, die, and rise! 2- All authority is His: He gives/repeats the command of His Father 3- The blessing of Abraham is secured   The Promise Proclaimed (Acts 1:8) 1- The risen King sends out witnesses/servants to proclaim - to be light 2- The Holy Spirit empowers the proclamation 3- The Gospel advances to all nations through faithful servants   The Promise Completed (Revelation 7:9-10) 1- A multitude washed in the blood of the Lamb 2- Every nation, tribe, people, and language 3- All worshiping with knowledge "Our weaknesses cannot interupt the sovereign Will of God!"

Text:  Genesis 43   God's Providential Mercy Moves His People to Complete Surrender (Gen. 43:1-14) Jacob is forced to reckon with his fears and put his trust in God. Judah demonstrates sacrificial love for his family. We must respond to God's mercy with a surrendered trust in His providence.   God's Providential Mercy Places His People Under Abundant Grace (Gen. 43:15-34) Joseph's brothers are invited to Joseph's home and receive undeserved generosity at his table. As recipients of God's mercy, we can forgive those who sin against us (Eph. 4:31-32). Jesus invites sinners to repent and be reconciled at His table of grace (Luke 15:11-24).   Main Idea: God prepares the way for reconciliation through His providential mercy.

Text:  Genesis 42 Facing Perilous Circumstances (Gen. 42:1-5) Jacob and his sons face starvation due to a worldwide famine.  Jacob's response proves his lack of trust in God's promises and in his sons' integrity. God's providence can be misunderstood through affliction: God is at work within us, as He uses affliction to draw us into dependance upon Him.   Facing Past Sins (Gen. 42:6-28) As Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy food, Joseph tests them in multiple ways to see if they have changed their ways. Joseph's testing awakens and convicts the brothers' consciences.  God's providence in bringing conviction of our sin can be misunderstood: God is working in us, not against us.  Facing Profound Sorrow (Gen. 42:29-38) Joseph's brothers return to Canaan, but have difficult news for their father. Jacob is overwhelmed with sorrow at the prospect of losing another son. God's providence can be misunderstood through adversity: God is at work in us - not against us - through the adversity. Main Idea: God's providence is often misunderstood during adversity, but it is always working according to His wise and gracious purposes for our good.

Text:  Genesis 41 Providential Preparation (Gen. 41:1-13) In God's providence, Joseph continues to stay in prison for two more years.  In God's providence, Pharaoh has two troubling dreams that cause him great distress. God remains at work to prepare and position Joseph for His purpose. Providential Interpretation (Gen. 41:14-36) In God's providence, Joseph is summoned to appear before Pharaoh and interpret his troubling dreams. In God's providence, Joseph predicts a coming famine and produces a plan to save people from death. God is at work to provide Joseph with the right interpretation and rescue plan for His purpose. Providential Promotion (Gen. 41:37-52) In God's providence, Joseph is promoted from a slave to second in command in all of Egypt. In God's providence, God blesses Joseph and causes him to be fruitful in the midst of his affliction. God is at work to bring His promises to pass and is faithful to bring us through affliction.  Providential Salvation (Gen. 41:53-57) In God's providence, Joseph was used by God to save people from dying in the famine. In God's providence, Jesus was sent by God to save people from dying in their sins. Main Idea: In His providence, God will enable us to remain faithful to Him as He sovereignly prepares and positions us to accomplish His purpose for our lives.