Crossroads Church of God, Lima OH

Scripture used: Psalm 23, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 8:18

Quotes from The Way of Grace by Carney, page 73: "The grace of trust is a firm belief in the truth of God's Word, his ability and his character."

Grace of Trust:

• God Provides for His children
• God comforts His children
• God rejoices over His children
• God promises His children
  • Active Pursuit
  • Eternal Destiny

Scripture Used: Exodus 34:5-6, Matthew 9:36, Hebrews 3:15-16, Romans 5:8, John 3:16

Quotes: Carney, The Way of Grace:

"Compassion is the deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it."

"It is often far easier to extend compassion to others than to admit our own need for it."

Plato: "Be kind… for everyone you m eat is fighting a hard battle."

Notes:

• The God who sees
• Invited to receive God's compassion
• We resist God's compassion
• Channels of God's compassion

Scripture Used: Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Quotes Used from The Way of Grace by Carney:

"Grace enlarges the capacity of our heart. It allows us to be guided into truth. It give us courage to accept and a reason to celebrate and opens our eyes to glimpse wonders from God. The foundation for experiencing this unique call is the knowledge that we are saved by grace, live by grace and are filled with grace if we are in relationship through Jesus." (p. 26)

"Slowly, over time and experience, we become the friend of God. Step by step, we grow accustomed to god's presence. we begin entering a with-God kind of life." (p. 13)

"'Glandion, you don't trust me. You say you do, but you don't. You masquerade and cover up your weaknesses. You hide because you will not accept that I have allowed.'… Without realizing it, I had been blocking grace by refusing to be humbled." (p. 19, 21)

Notes:

• Acceptance
• Submission
• Not Passive
  • Breathing
  • Fasting
  • Prayer of Relinquishment

Scripture Used: Matthew 6:33, Genesis 50:20, 24, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Genesis 50:15-17, 19, 21

Notes: Highlights from the Twilight Years

• Desire to Honor God
• Hopeful Endurance
• Concern for Next Generation
• Priority of Forgiveness

Scripture Used: Genesis 43:1-2, John 15:5, Revelation 3:20, Genesis 43:33-34, Acts 10:34-35, 47-48

Notes: Moving from Fear to Fellowship

• Role of Necessity
• God Sees Our Needs
• Extending Hospitality
• Real Celebration

Genesis 42:21-22, Matthew 5:43-35a, Genesis 42:25-26, Romans 12:21, Ephesians 4:32

Notes:

• Family is messy
• Called to be Peacemakers
  • Takes time
  • Truthfulness/Honesty
  • Pray blessing for one another
  • Overcome evil with good
• We all need a Savior

"Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive." CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

Scripture Used: Genesis 41:15-16, Philippians 2:3b-4, Genesis 41:15-16, Genesis 50:19-20, Genesis 41:55-57

Joseph's Rise to Power - Genesis 41

• Humility
• Clear Conscience
• Prioritize Justice/Mercy

Scripture Used: Luke 16:10, Psalm 139:7-8. Colossians 3:1-4, Philippians 1:6

Notes: Joseph in Prison - Learning to wait on the Lord

• Be faithful
• Be available 
• Be bold
• God is not in a hurry

Quote: "There are things which cannot be learned quickly, and time … must be heavily paid for their acquiring." Hemmingway, Death in the Afternoon

Scripture Used: 1 Peter 1:15-16, Ephesians 4:22-24, Matthew 5:20, Colossians 3:2-4, Genesis 39:20-21, Psalm 32:1-3, 5, 10

Notes: Resisting Temptation

• Temptation
  • Does not go away on it's own
  • Success leads to vulnerability
  • Sin breaks relationship
• Spiritual Maturity: Clarity of Vision
• Dealing with Temptation
  • Mind Discipleship
  • Flee
  • Don't confuse immediate results
• God is rich in forgiveness

Scripture Used: Colossians 4:23-24 NIV, Matthew 6:33 NIV

Notes: Potiphar's House

• Witness in the workplace
• Potiphar recognizes the Lord's blessing
  • Joseph's Demeanor
  • Joseph's Trustworthy
• Motivation for Work
  • Seek First the Kingdom
  • Pray: to God be the glory