Pastor Ryan McKee gives an overview of Spiritual Gifts at our November 6th Membership Gathering.

The first in a two-Sunday emphasis on how God has gifted us to worship and serve, we open with the question, "Who Can God Use?" Focusing on 1 Peter 2, we will see that the entire Bible answers this question with themes emerging from its first pages. We often think that there are certain parts of life, certain behaviors, even certain people that God deploys while others are not important. Maybe that's not the whole story.

We begin our final lap in Genesis, and a final scene before the Book of Exodus. In this final scene, it is time for final blessings. Jacob is almost home. Not almost dead, but almost home! He calls Joseph and his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. In a spiral of Gospel twists, he blesses Joseph as firstborn by adopting the two boys, so they can share the firstborn status with Joseph and thus be fellow brothers who receive land and heritage... and ultimately God himself. Do you see Him? Who? Jesus. Jesus is all over this, as always; the cross-purpose, cross-armed blessing of the gospel.

The Joseph story is nearing the conclusion. In Genesis 47, we now see the re-creating power of God at work as Joseph is reunited with his family and brings his family into Egypt so they can take possession of fruitful land. In fact, the text even says that in that place they are fruitful and multiply, as if this is an echo of Eden! The climax of this scene is when Jacob is presented before Pharaoh. I did not see that coming - rather than begging or demurring, Jacob blesses Pharaoh. The little guy blesses the king! Of course he does, because by this point, Jacob has a heavenly identity even though he lives within the world. Jacob knows that he and this little nation are children of God and the world and the authority of God belong to them. So in exile, Jacob lives and will die as a prince. Perhaps you are in a difficult season. Perhaps you need to be reminded that God is for you, with you, and has bestowed on you authority to bless not beg.

It is a family reunion for Jacob and Joseph! We finally arrive at a crescendo in our story as we see God's promises reinforced, as we see God protect His people, and as He provides to sustain them. We will journey together from Canaan to Egypt as the story whets our appetites for the One who is our ultimate Promise, Protection, and Provision!

In Genesis 45, the brutal journey towards reconciliation finally hits the crescendo. The wall of self protection, distance, and shame comes crumbling down. And, the new foundation of grace is starting to be built. Brutal, yes. Possible... inevitable, as we stand on Jesus, the One who was sent in God's eternal providence, to suffer at our hands, so that he could go before us, preserve us, give us salvation. Please read this chapter in advance, if you can, and come ready to let the Spirit bring walls down in our lives.

In Genesis 44, Joseph sets up a clear ruse. Isn't that a bit dodgy... even sinful? He seems to be entrapping his poor brothers. Well, remember that not every test is a trap. Some tests are all of love, designed to purify. This one is the latter. Yes, there is a ruse, but that ruse is leading to redemption and reconciliation by repentance and a clear testimony of the gospel. Benjamin and Judah in particular are going to demonstrate the guts of guilt, innocence, the need for a substitute, the power to change, and the glory of forgiveness. This is a brutal test within a brutal journey toward reconciliation. And, it's a glorious test and journey, too.

How can men like Joseph's brothers enter into God's blessing? In part 2 of "The Brutal Journey Towards Reconciliation", we will see together how God's love and kindness can awaken even the hardest of hearts. Joseph's brothers did not deserve to be loved and yet they were loved by Joseph. Similarly, in Jesus Christ, despite our failures and sin, we are known, loved and forgiven through Him, who is the only begotten Son of God.

Forgiving someone or people who have sinned against us deeply is one of the hardest human actions. Are you there? Is there someone or a list of people that you cannot imagine being able to forgive? And, do you struggle with guilt because of something you did? Repenting without knowing the outcome is also a really huge test of faith. This passage is the first step in a long and brutal journey of reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. The story has a good ending, but know this - this story is not just about a family coming back together, but also the formation of a nation, the continued faithfulness of God to keep his promises, and the gospel in the key of Genesis 42!

One of my mentors once said that patience is trusting God's work in other people's lives. So true! Every time I am tempted to be the Holy Spirit, I remember that truth. This principle is also true for patience in hard situations. When in tests, I need to believe that God is at work in each and every circumstance and that even my tests are part of His good and perfect will.

Joseph is going to find restoration in Genesis 41. And yet, while Pharaoh grants him pardon and power, it is God and God alone who is actually restoring Joseph. Egypt and the court of Pharaoh are the wrappings, but Joseph's story is ultimately about the Kingdom of God and the King of that Kingdom. Joseph is honored, so that he can serve the nations in the future and so that he can use his power to give glory to God. May we be transformed by that truth.