Are you treating the Holy Spirit as a debate- a dividing point- or are you pressing in to this invitation to the most beautiful relationship available to mankind?

This message is the first of several that serve as a transition from the series in Genesis that we just finished to the series from Galatians that we will start soon. This message raises a serious question, what is the difference between the way God through the Holy Spirit interacted with men like Jacob and John the Baptist and how He interacts with people like the Apostles Peter and John? How does He want to interact with us?

How do good works fit into a Believer's life? Paul tells Titus that 'those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works'. This message provides some practical instructions for maintaining good works that bring glory to God.

This sermon closes the series on Genesis by examining some of the overarching themes of Genesis- that are repeated throughout the Scriptures. One of those constant themes is the longsuffering patience of God in His dealings with the wickedness of the nations. Another consistent theme is the invitation that God has sent out to mankind from the beginning of creation until now- inviting them to walk with Him and to know and be known by Him.

Seeing how God interacts with Reuben and his brothers gives us a vivid picture of how He wants to interact with us. Throughout the years since Creation, God has been inviting each individual into a life walk with Him. This saga between God and man culminates with a scene in the throne room of heaven where the proclamation rings out, "Salvation belongs to our God!"

Looking at the life of Jacob and contemplating the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year, Pastor Joseph states, "As I look at the world around me, at any given moment I am only a step away from disaster, despair, and death.

Yet, my heart swells with hope, because in Christ at any given moment I am only a Word away from glorious deliverance, transformation and complete redemption."

If you want the Power Point presentation that was used in this message click on the Power Point icon by the sermon player to download the notes.

Considering Joseph's work in Egypt, and the fact that he instituted a twenty percent tax on the Egyptians, in the light of Christ's teaching. "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's," with this simple statement Jesus turned the world upside down for religious people everywhere.

If you want to see the notes for this sermon click on the Powerpoint link right above the audio player to download the slide show for the sermon.

Has anyone ever offered you a cup of something- coffee, kombucha, etc- that you really didn't want to drink? Perhaps you poured it yourself but then it was too much and you didn't want to finish it.

How about God's cup of salvation? Did you gingerly take one sip and then set it aside? Or are you daily drinking it fully?

Make sure to watch the video clips below at the right times in the message- the audio is embedded in the message so you know when they were played.

What does it mean to be subject to the governing authorities? Who is responsible when the governing authorities are wrong? This message considers the implications of obeying God by obeying authorities.

When Jacob hears that Joseph is still alive his heart stands still. But then he revives and seeks the Lord. The Lord reaffirms the calling and the blessing on Jacob's life and confirms that Egypt is part of His plan for His people.

This message ends with a time of Communion.