North Main Street Church of God Sermons

Full Circle

(Genesis 41:37-57)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Does…”

Series Title:  Hard Knock Life

September 15th, 2019

Something to think about:

Sold into slavery, accused of rape, and thrown into a jail in Egypt, Joseph struggled with some of the most difficult circumstances.  Other than being a brat of a brother at times, and annoying to his older brothers, Joseph had not done anything worth being treated the way he had been treated.  However, as we continue Joseph’s story today, we see the significant difference in Joseph’s countenance versus most people’s countenance when suffering a similar fate.  Joseph remained faithful and hopeful in God in spite of the grief he had suffered.  And this made all the difference in the world.  Let’s take a closer look…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Genesis 41:37-57

Of these 20 verses, what’s the key point this morning?...

Key Point:  “Faithfulness, not bitterness, is always rewarded.”

Here’s what we can learn about Joseph’s faithfulness:

Joseph could have soured and become bitter and resentful not only toward his brothers who started this whole mess in the first place, but also with God who wasn’t bailing him out of his current circumstances.  Instead, Joseph leaned into God and continued to hold fast to his faith and trust in God no matter what happened to him.  The result?  Joseph prospered in all he did because God was with him.

Having interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, Pharaoh does something so amazing; a true rags-to-riches story.  Joseph goes from being a prisoner one moment to second in command over all of Egypt; only Pharaoh would be more powerful than him.  Joseph’s testimony is just like the Psalmist’s:  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because God is with me!  So, I will remain all the more hopeful and all the more faithful to Him.

Finally, Joseph (now second in command in Egypt), takes a wife and has two children.  Joseph’s sons were named Manasseh and Ephraim.  Joseph, now much older than 17, looks back over his life up to this point, and stands amazed that God has made him so fruitful in the land of his grief.  What his brothers had meant for evil, God had truly meant for good. 

Something to take home:

Today, how is your faith?  How is your faithfulness? 

Are you at the breaking point?  Can you relate to the story of Joseph?  Can you relate to continually being knocked down?  Is your hope and faithfulness as strong as Joseph’s?  Is God making you fruitful in the land of your grief?

Don’t give up!  Press on!  Lean into God!  And remember,…

Key Point:  “Faithfulness, not bitterness, is always rewarded.”

The Plot Thickens

(Genesis 39:1-23)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Does…”

Series Title:  Hard Knock Life

September 8th, 2019

Something to think about:

What would you be willing to do if you knew no one would ever find out?  For that matter, who are you when no one else is looking?  Are there things do you do in secret that would be a complete embarrassment for you if others found out?

As we continue our series on Joseph this morning, and the definition of love that, “keeps no record of wrongs,” not only do we learn that love keeps no record of wrongs in Joseph’s case, love also does no wrong.  Joseph had a situation to do something in secret that, under normal circumstances, he would never do.  He could have compromised his integrity and character for a few moments, but he didn’t.  Let’s pick up his continuing saga…

Genesis 39:1-23 (NLT)

     1 When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.

     2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!

     Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

     8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

     10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

     13 When she saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, 14 she called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said. “My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me.”

     16 She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home. 17 Then she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me,” she said. 18 “But when I screamed, he ran outside, leaving his cloak with me!”

     19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Of these 23 verses, what’s the key point this morning?...

Key Point:  “Integrity is hard when the odds are stacked against you.”

True integrity is the result of the consistency of a person’s character in public and in private. 

Here’s what we can learn about Joseph’s integrity from this passage:

     8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.

     19 Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained.

Something to take home:

Who are you when no one’s looking?  What pressures are you tempted to give in to?

Psalms 119:1-3 (NLT), 1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

Key Point:  “Integrity is hard when the odds are stacked against you.”

Dreams, Rivalry, and Slavery

(Genesis 37:1-36)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Does…”

Series Title:  Hard Knock Life

September 1st, 2019

Something to think about:

There’s a story of a man who had some dreams that made his brothers pretty mad.  Though they were real dreams – dreams that would someday come true – this man’s brothers were incensed by the audacity of their brother and his dreams.  This man’s name was Joseph…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Genesis 37:1-36

Of these 36 verses, what’s the key point this morning?...

Key Point:  “All wrongs derive from selfish motives.”

Let’s take a closer look at the sequence of events that led to Joseph’s demise:

Joseph’s dreams (though true) cost him greatly.  They were the “straw” that brought contempt from his brothers.

As with Joseph’s brothers, selfish motives can lead us to plot and scheme in order to get rid of that which is causing us frustration.  When this happens, all rational thought is kicked to the curb, and something very sinister begins to control us and forces us to come to illogical and irrational conclusions. 

Selfish motives put to action are always dependent upon lies and deception to keep up appearances of innocence. 

Something to take home:

The one thing that ultimately lacks when selfish motives take over in our hearts, minds, and lives is:  LOVE.  Paul reminds us that…

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT), 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

“Do you know who is the most difficult person to love? It is easy to love friends and not too difficult to love those less fortunate than ourselves. It certainly isn't easy loving enemies, but sometimes the person most difficult to love is the one who is MORE fortunate than we are. The one who receives the promotion we deserved. The one who gets the recognition we desired, the honor we sought or the affections of the lover we had hoped to win. It is easy to resent those who seem to be more fortunate.”[1]

Do you struggle with selfish ambition and motives?  Do you desire to have what others who are more “successful” than you have?  Do you desire the recognition and accolades that others close to you receive?  How do you respond to the dreams and promotion of others?

Take time to look inward this week and evaluate what frustrates and angers you.  Is your frustration and anger rooted in Righteousness or Selfishness?  Never react out of selfishness.  The child of God only reacts out of righteousness.

Key Point:  “All wrongs derive from selfish motives.”

[1] Steve Goodier, Life Support, http://www.LifeSupportSystem.com

Get Rid of Bitterness, Rage, and Anger
(Ephesians 4:28-32)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Is…”

Series Title:  Don’t Push My Buttons

August 25th, 2019

Turn in your Bibles to:  Ephesians 4:28-32

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Key Point:  “bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander come from an unforgiving heart, but followers of Christ are ruled by love, they forgive and show kindness to others the way Christ has  forgiven and shown kindness to them.”

Key Point:  “Bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander come from an unforgiving heart, but followers of Christ are ruled by love, they forgive and show kindness to others the way Christ has  forgiven and shown kindness to them.”

Don’t Let Anger Control You

(Ephesians 4:17-32)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Is…”

Series Title:  Don’t Push My Buttons

August 11th, 2019

Something to think about:

Have you ever been irritable or angry?  What is it that really gets under your skin?  Do the ones you love the most irritate you at times?  How do you deal with your feelings of irritability and anger?  Have you ever been in a fight with someone and your words were pretty heated and the telephone rings?  Notice how quickly you can manage your anger!  You've got a lot more control over your anger than you think you do.

This month, we continue on in our theme of LOVE, and the definition of love found in 1 Corinthians 13; specifically the verse that says that love, “is not irritable,” or as some versions of scripture declare, “easily provoked.”  We turn today to Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus in the New Testament to learn more about how love is not irritable…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Ephesians 4:17-32

It’s important to note where Ephesians pops up in other New Testament writings in order to get a bigger picture of the Church at Ephesus.  It’s considered by most Biblical scholars that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written sometime in the early 60s AD (and Paul was the founder of the Church there).  If we flash-forward to John’s reference of the Church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation in the New Testament, nearly 25-30 years have passed.  In John’s writing, Jesus speaks directly to the Ephesian Church, saying…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Revelation 2:1-7

The Ephesian church was known for its love early on.  In his letter to them Paul mentions the word “love” more times than he does in any of this other letters or writings.  However, in just a few decades after Paul writes his letter to the church at Ephesus, we see the strengths of the Ephesian Church becoming their weakness.  Their love for God and one another that drew them together in the first place, had been replaced by a heavy-handedness that was destructive.  In essence, their love had been replaced with irritability and anger.

Key Point:  “When we allow irritability and anger control us, we give a foothold to the devil.”

How do we notice this playing out in the Church at Ephesus?  Let’s take a look…

Ephesians 4:17-19 (NLT), 17  With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18  Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19  They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

Ephesians 4:20-24 (NLT), 20  But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Ephesians 4:25-27 (NLT), 25  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26  And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27  for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Something to take home:

Like the church at Ephesus, we can come to Christ in complete surrender in love for Him and others completely, but slowly allow anger and irritability creep in and take over our souls.  When we do this, our first love becomes our last thought.

How often have you allowed anger and irritability to control you?  What do you do when someone irritates you?  What is your first response?  How do you handle issues that cause you to become angry?  Does your anger and irritability stamp out the love you have for others; even your enemies?  If so, this type of anger is sinful, and shouldn’t be in your life.  Be careful that when you are tempted to irritability that you are not overtaken with sinful behavior.  Take time to pray; seek God’s face in the midst of anger.  Don’t allow the devil to have a foothold in your life through your emotions.

Key Point:  “When we allow irritability and anger control us, we give a foothold to the devil.”

Samson and Humility

(Judges 16:23-31)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Is…”

Series Title:  Kind of a “BIG” Deal

July 28th, 2019

Something to think about:

“Phillip Brooks made an apt comment when he said, ‘The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is.’”[1]

We come to the end of our series today on Samson.  Samson’s pride throughout the course of his life as a Judge over Israel, finally got the best of him.  His strength became his weakness, and pride became his downfall.  The love of his life, Delilah, would be his demise, and in a moment of weakness Samson would be betrayed into the hands of his enemies:  The Philistines.  While he slept in Delilah’s lap, his hair would be shorn off like a sheep’s wool.  He would away to a surprise attack only to find out that the LORD had left him, and so had his strength. 

Now, with his eyes gouged out and imprisoned by the Philistines as their slave, Samson was brought to his lowest point ever.  But, as we remember from last week’s message, Samson’s hair began to grow back (16:22).

Today, we come to the last moments of Samson’s life, and the redemption of God on Samson’s life as he would finally become victorious over the enemies of God:  The Philistines.  Because of Samson’s humiliation, he would be humbled enough to be used of God.  Let’s take a look…

Turn in your Bible to:  Judges 16:23-31

What we learn in these few verses is, Samson had to learn the hard way that…

Key Point:  “Humility leads to victory.”

How does this play out in Samson’s final hours?  Let’s take a closer look:

Judges 16:23-24 (NLT),  23  The Philistine rulers held a great festival, offering sacrifices and praising their god, Dagon. They said, “Our god has given us victory over our enemy Samson!” 24  When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy to us! The one who killed so many of us is now in our power!”

Judges 16:28 (NLT), Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me again.  O God, please strengthen me just one more time.  With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.

Judges 16:30 (NLT), [Samson] prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.”  And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people.  So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.

Something to take home:

Samson would have to be humbled in order to have the strength to overcome his enemies, and the Philistines would die in their pride believing they were victorious over Samson.  Sometimes our enemies may seem to have bested us, but if we are humble, and focused on Christ, no enemy can ever truly overcome us.  God is our refuge and strength; He is an ever-present help in times of trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, thought its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.[2] 

Humility requires repentance and complete reliance on God.  It requires complete submission to Christ and waiting upon the Lord to renew our strength.  The truth is, humility brings greater action and victory than any amount of human strength or fame ever could.  Humility is the currency of God’s kingdom.  Humility is the only way anyone can enter heaven.

Key Point:  “Humility leads to victory.”

[1] E. Skouglund, Burning Out for God, p. 11.

[2] Psalm 46:1-3.

Samson and Delilah

(Judges 16:1-22)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Is…”

Series Title:  Kind of a “BIG” Deal

July 21st, 2019

Something to think about:

As we continue Samson’s story today, what we’ll see is that his pride in his strength would become his greatest weakness that would ultimately lead to his downfall.  Samson’s lust would become the opening through which his demise would come.

Let’s take a look at the ongoing story of Samson…

Follow along in your Bibles:  Judges 16:1-22

Here’s the key point this morning…

Key Point:  “Pride leads to weakness.”

What can we learn about Samson through this particular passage?  How did Samsons strength become his greatest weakness?  How did pride become Samson’s downfall?  Let’s take a look…

Judges 16:1, 4 (NLT),  1  One day Samson went to the Philistine town of Gaza and spent the night with a prostitute. …

… 4  Some time later Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the valley of Sorek.

Judges 16:20b (NLT), … When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the LORD had left him.

Judges 16:21 (NLT), So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison.

Something to take home:

“All of God’s Giants have been weak men.  Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, knew the secret of strength through weakness.  Complimented once by a friend on the impact of the mission, Hudson answered, ‘It seemed to me that God looked over the whole world to find a man who was weak enough to do His work, and when He at last found me, He said, “He is weak enough—he’ll do.”  All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they counted on His being with them.’”[1]

Samson was a giant in the world’s eyes during his day, but he would have to be humbled in order to become a giant in God’s Kingdom.  It wasn’t until Samson was weak, that he became strong.[2]  For not too long after Samson’s humiliation, his hair began to grow.  The once great man who ruled over Israel as a Judge, with physical strength and prowess, would have to be brought low physically in order to become strong in God’s eyes.

Our world and our culture honor pride and arrogance as something to be sought after.  The world holds high those who achieve greatness by the world’s standards.  The world elevates the proud and the wicked as people to emulate.  But, God will have nothing to do with that kind of fame.  In God’s Kingdom, it’s the first who are last and the last who are first.[3]  In God’s Kingdom, the greatest is the one who serves.[4]

Key Point:  “Pride leads to weakness.”

[1] Our Daily Bread, May 13, 1996.

[2] 1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 12:10.

[3] Matthew 20:16.

[4] Luke 22:24-27.

Samson and the Foxes

(Judges 15)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Is…”

Series Title:  Kind of a “BIG” Deal

July 14th, 2019

Something to think about:

As we continue today, in our series on the story of Samson in the book of Judges, we see this scenario played out continually in the Biblical narrative.  Samson is often too busy concerning himself with himself that he doesn’t recognize, or call on, God unless he wants something from him.  Let’s take a look…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Judges 15:1-20

Key Point:  “Pride leads to destruction.”

There are two ways that pride is evidenced in destruction:

Judges 15:3-6 (NLT), 3  Samson said, “This time I cannot be blamed for everything I am going to do to you Philistines.” 4  Then he went out and caught 300 foxes. He tied their tails together in pairs, and he fastened a torch to each pair of tails. 5  Then he lit the torches and let the foxes run through the grain fields of the Philistines. He burned all their grain to the ground, including the sheaves and the uncut grain. He also destroyed their vineyards and olive groves.

6  “Who did this?” the Philistines demanded.

“Samson,” was the reply, “because his father-in-law from Timnah gave Samson’s wife to be married to his best man.” So the Philistines went and got the woman and her father and burned them to death.

Contrasted with…

Romans 12:17-21 (NLT), 17  Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19  Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. 20  Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21  Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

What else can we learn from this passage?  Pride that leads to destruction, and that is sometimes masked in rage, can also lead to…

Judges 15:15-17 (NLT), 15  Then he found the jawbone of a recently killed donkey. He picked it up and killed 1,000 Philistines with it. 16  Then Samson said, “With the jawbone of a donkey, I’ve piled them in heaps! With the jawbone of a donkey, I’ve killed a thousand men!”  17  When he finished his boasting, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was named Jawbone Hill.

Contrasted with…

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT), 23  This is what the LORD says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24  But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Something to take home:

When we measure ourselves by ourselves the measure of ourselves becomes a distorted reality of the truth.  Samson’s reality was based on his own estimation of himself, and because of this He left a wake of destruction wherever he went.  Samson’s pride and boasting blinded Him to the realities of God’s hand on his life.  Samson’s pride lead to many destructive tendencies in uncontrolled behavior and anger.  Samson’s pride masked itself in rage, and impulsivity.  Samson’s pride caused him to act first and then expect God to come through for him.

Have you allowed pride to hold sway over you?  Have you noticed the destructive nature of pride in others?  The only way to overcome pride is through humility, and humility only comes through surrender, and surrender only comes through submission to Christ.

Key Point:  “Pride leads to destruction.”