In Genesis 42, Joseph’s brothers come face-to-face with the consequences of their past, though they still have no idea that the brother they sold into slavery is standing before them. As they struggle with guilt, fear, and uncertainty, we begin to see signs that God may be changing their hearts.

But while the brothers may be beginning to change, Jacob is losing hope. From his perspective, Joseph is dead, Simeon is now missing, and Benjamin is being threatened with the same fate. He can only see loss after loss.

We, as the readers, have an advantage Jacob doesn't have. We know where the story is going. We can see that God is working behind the scenes, even when Jacob can't see it.

Genesis 42 reminds us that faith isn't always about knowing how the story will turn out. Sometimes it's trusting God when, from where we are standing, His work is impossible to see.

Joseph’s story reminds us that God is in control—not only of the big moments, but also of the timing and details that bring His purposes about. After years of waiting, Joseph is suddenly brought before Pharaoh and placed exactly where God wanted him to be.

But Joseph’s faithfulness didn’t begin when his circumstances changed. God had been preparing him through every difficult and seemingly insignificant part of his story.

Genesis 41 challenges us to remain faithful to do what is right, no matter how long we have to wait and no matter what the details of our story look like. We may not understand God’s timing, but we can trust that He is working through it all.

Joseph’s life is not going according to plan. He has been betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. Yet Joseph doesn’t become consumed with himself or abandon his commitment to God. When he sees two fellow prisoners who are troubled, he notices, asks questions, listens, and genuinely cares about what they are going through.

Genesis 40 gives us a picture of faithfulness in the middle of disappointment. Joseph doesn’t know when—or even if—his circumstances will change. But he continues to serve God by serving the people around him. His circumstances may not be what he expected, but his commitment to God remains. Sometimes faithfulness means continuing to trust God, care for others, and do what is right even when our own story isn’t unfolding the way we hoped.

In Genesis 38 and 39, we see two very different stories unfolding side by side. Judah falls into sexual sin and compromises his integrity, while Joseph is faced with the same kind of temptation and refuses to give in. The contrast between Judah and Joseph shows us the difference between giving in to temptation and faithfully trusting God, even when obedience comes at a cost.

Genesis 39 also reveals one of the central truths of Joseph’s story: “The LORD was with Joseph.” Even when Joseph is falsely accused, imprisoned, and seemingly forgotten, God is at work. And ultimately, the failure of Judah and the faithfulness of Joseph both point us toward the surprising way God works through broken people and difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes.

As we look at Joseph and Judah, we are reminded that God’s presence and purposes are bigger than our circumstances—and that faithfulness to God matters even when no one else sees it.

Genesis 38 is one of the messiest chapters in the story of Genesis. Judah makes devastating choices, Tamar is caught in a complicated and broken situation, and the whole story seems like an interruption to the story of Joseph. But God is not absent from the mess.

In this sermon, we look at Judah, Tamar, and the surprising way God continues His purposes through human failure, sin, and brokenness. And when we turn to Matthew 1, we discover that Tamar is actually named in the genealogy of Jesus—reminding us that God was working even here, bringing the promised Messiah through an unlikely and messy family story.

Genesis 38 shows us that our failures do not derail God's purposes. Even in the mess, God is at work.

Genesis 37 introduces one of the Bible's most remarkable accounts—the life of Joseph. This chapter lays the foundation for everything that follows, introducing Joseph's dreams, the growing jealousy of his brothers, and the events that ultimately lead him to Egypt. What appears to be a story of betrayal and hardship is, in reality, the opening chapter of God's sovereign plan to preserve His covenant people.

In this sermon, we examine how Genesis 37 sets the stage for the rest of Joseph's life and reveals that God is faithfully working through both human sin and suffering to accomplish His perfect purposes.

Genesis 35 marks a turning point in Jacob's life. Before returning to Bethel, Jacob calls his household to put away their foreign gods, purify themselves, and renew their commitment to the Lord. It's a powerful reminder that worshiping God wholeheartedly often requires us to leave behind the idols and distractions that compete for our hearts.

At Bethel, God reaffirms His covenant and reminds Jacob of the new name He has given him: Israel. Though Jacob's past was marked by deception and living up to the name "heel-grabber," God declares a new identity over him. This chapter reminds us that while our past may shape us, it does not have to define us. God is in the business of giving His people a new identity rooted in His grace and His promises.

Genesis 35 is also marked by three significant deaths—Deborah, Rachel, and Isaac. These losses frame the chapter with both sorrow and hope, reminding us that God's covenant purposes continue even through seasons of grief. While people pass away, God's promises never die.

Join us as we explore what it means to put away our idols, live in the identity God has given us, and trust His faithfulness even in the midst of life's deepest losses.

Genesis 34 is one of the most difficult and disturbing chapters in the Bible. It tells the tragic story of Dinah, the sinful actions of Shechem, the deceptive revenge of Simeon and Levi, and Jacob's troubling silence. Rather than hiding the brokenness of God's people, Scripture confronts it head-on.

In this message, we explore what Genesis 34 teaches about sin, vengeance, leadership, and the devastating consequences of taking justice into our own hands. Even in a chapter where God is never mentioned, His truth is evident as we see the destructive effects of human rebellion and our deep need for a Savior who brings true justice, healing, and redemption.

Jacob has spent his entire life running—running from consequences, running from conflict, and trying to secure God's blessings through his own strength. But everything changes in Genesis 32–33.

On the night before facing Esau, Jacob wrestles with God and walks away changed. He receives a new name, a permanent reminder of his encounter with God, and a renewed confidence that God's promises don't depend on Jacob's schemes. The next day, the relationship with Esau is unexpectedly restored, displaying God's power to reconcile what seemed beyond repair.

For the first time in Jacob's story, he speaks of the Lord as his God—not merely the God of Abraham and Isaac. And instead of continuing to run, Jacob purchases land and settles, marking a new chapter of faith and stability.

Join us as we explore how an encounter with God transforms our identity, restores broken relationships, and gives us the courage to stop running and trust Him with our lives.

Deacon Daniel Kopp preaches from 2 Peter chapter 1.