Christ Church of Mt Airy Sermons

The glory of God is the manifestation of His holiness. The more the church understands the great power of God’s love, the redemptive power of Jesus’s resurrection, and the explosive power of the Holy Spirit within us, the more we will be fueled to grow and go. Then the world will see the glory of God.

As we conclude the end of our two-year journey through Genesis, three themes are highlighted: (1) God at the center of creation, (2) God revealing Himself and His plan, (3) God working through man's sin. Ultimately the good news contained within the chapters of Genesis is to point us forward to the source of our redemptive salvation, Jesus.

Following the death of Jacob, his sons and all in Egypt mourned. Through this account we see God’s plan to bring about His redemptive purposes. His invitation to us to grieve the loss and pain of death, His promises fulfilled that death will be swallowed up in victory, and a vision of an eternal future in which we are forgiven and reconciled to Him.

Before his death, Jacob gathered his 12 sons to give each a prophetic blessing. Although, Jacob's blessing highlight the sins of his decendants, their offenses can not stop God's grace. God overcomes the consequences of their failings to fulfill His promise to make a nation.

After His resurrection, Jesus seeks out the disciples' knowing their need for assurance as they continue to follow His purpose for their lives. Jesus gives three specific assurances that are applicable to His followers today. First, Jesus is alive and is on His throne. Second, He is powerful and graciously provides all things and wants to bless us. Lastly, He remains ever faithful and will never forsake His chosen, so we can follow Him without fear.

God does not withhold blessing--God is the blessing. He is our shepherd, and it is through blessings that He guides His children to what they really desire. He is near, He redeems, and He satisfies.

God is the Creator and maker of all things. He is self sufficient, not needing anything, yet He gives us life and breath and all we have because He is good and generous. He wants us to prepare for the Day of Judgement through our repentance, and acceptance of salvation throughJesus, whose death and resurrection conquered sin on our behalf.

Jacob faces many fears and anxieties about his future. God speaks to Jacob, and to us, as He drives away fear with these realities: 1) Remember God is God, (2) God knows you by name, (3) God keeps his promises, (4) God himself will go with you, and (5) God will bring you up again.

The revelation of Joseph to his brothers is the climax of the story and a vibrant parallel of Jesus' revelation of himself to his disciples after his death. Joseph's story of redemption, reconciliation and the saving of his people foreshadows Jesus as a greater Joseph. Jesus being alive is enough--everything--to revive our hearts.

Humans seem unable to change, but God changes hearts--often through less than desirable circumstances. Marks of a changed heart include: brokenness for others, bodily demonstration of humility, and an identification as a servant of Jesus.