Pastor Matt's Podcasts

In this introduction to the book of Exodus, we discuss how the gospel of the New Testament is reflected in the story of the Exodus. It is important to understand the Old Testament in terms of Jesus' revelation in the Old Testament. Here is the beginning of the story of our salvation....

At the end of the book of Genesis, we read that Jacob dies and his body is taken to the promised land in a grand procession. We also read that Joseph asked that his body be taken into the promised land as well. However, rather than being taken immediately after his death, Joseph asks that his body go into the promised land when the chilren of Israel go and occupy the land. In the death of the patriarchs, there is tremendous hope for the future.

In ths sermon we study the remaining blessings on the sons of Jacob. These blessings are very different, according to their faithfulness and their character. In this we can see the blessings of the church today as well.

In this sermon, we study Jacob's blessings at the end of his life to Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. It is important to understand why the "blessings" to the first three didn't look like blessings. It is also imporant that we are able to identify with the fourth-born, Judah so that we too are part of the Lion of the tribe of Judah. This is a very important message for today.

In Genesis 48 we study the blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh as well as why Jacob switched the blessings, the first and second born. Many people feel unqualified to speak into their children and their grandchildren. Jacob's faith overcame all of his shortcomings, he boldy spoke to the generations, the church.

The Egyptians gave their money, their cattle, their land, and ultimatey their freedom for grain. As Christians we are strictly forbidden from doing such a thing.

Joseph formed a totalitarian economy in Egypt. Why did a godly man like Joseph do this? Public policy is a reflection of the morality of the people. A Pagan people who don't think generationally will ultimately end up with a messianic State.

Joseph told his brothers to bring Jacob the family and all their posessions down to Egypt in order to escape the famine. God told Jacob that he would be with him and that he would make him a great nation in Egypt. the reason for this was to increase and multiply under to protection of Egypt and without the influence of the Canaanite cultures in Canaan. God places His people in situations in order that God's purposes may be achieved, even though His people may not understand it.

Joseph was chosen by God in order to save his family. In this sermon we discuss the two definitions of grace, unmerited favor and divine enablement. While modern Christians understand unmerited favor, we need truly need to emphasis the responsibility of salvation, that is, through divine enablement. Joseph really exemplified this.

When Joseph completed the pressure and the testing, it had its desired result. Judah, the spokesman for the family at last volunteered to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of his brothers, including the beloved brother Benjamin. The story of Joseph and his brothers is the story of salvation.