This is part 2 of an “Introduction to Biblical Prophecy” series. This sermon defines what a dispensation is, what dispensationalism is, and how dispensationtional premillennialism differs from amillennialism and postmillennialism. Some historical objections to dispensationalism are addressed. A prophetic timelines for the three major prophetic systems are compared.

It was God’s purpose all along for Joseph to be ruler of Egypt. It was predicted in the dreams back in Gen. 37! Twice we are told that Egyptians loathed shepherds. Joseph was a shepherd, a foreigner, a man convicted of try to rape a high official’s wife. There is no way he would ever become ruler of all Egypt. Yet God, through providence, made Joseph ruler of all Egypt!

Every event in Joseph’s life is a link in the chain of God’s providence pulling him to where the all Sovereign God wanted Joseph to be! Believer, God is doing the same thing in your life, every moment of every day! We know it from God’s Word! And we know that God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God, and to those who are called according to His purposes.

Sometimes we get into a situation that tempts us to fear the future. We know, intellectually, that the future is uncertain, but we fear it anyway. We are afraid about our finances, our job, our children, our relationships, our health, and so many other things. The Bible tells us do not to fear, but trust in the Lord, to use biblical wisdom, and think on what is good and right. Jacob, as we will discover, became very much afraid of what he thought might happen. He was so afraid, he made many sinful choices.

From Genesis 28:10-22, I want to draw out of the text three progressions in this historical account of Jacob’s dream, so that we can learn what God wanted to teach Jacob and us about Himself and His character so we can better live for His glory.

Gen. 27 is a critical text for it explains how the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant came to Jacob, not Esau, who born first. Usually the first-born son received a double portion of the inheritance, the greatest blessing. From Gen. 27, I want you to consider seven parts of the story that culminated in Jacob being blessed by God and Esau being bitter, cursed, and vengeful, so we can learn to avoid the sins of Esau and try to apply the virtues of Jacob to God’s glory.

Our text is one of the greatest examples of God’s hatred towards immorality found anywhere in the Bible. Yet, even in the midst of this iconic text on God’s hatred and judgment of immorality, we still see the mercy of God put on display towards unworthy sinners. From Gen. 18:16-19:38 I am going to point out four different lessons you must learn from the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, so that you will heed the warning, avoid wickedness, flee from wrath, and ask God for mercy.