The Word in Ten

Ryan Lowery traces Joseph's dramatic rise from condemned prisoner to Egypt's second-in-command after interpreting Pharaoh's dream about famine—a reversal that happened in a single morning after 13 years of suffering. He contrasts Joseph's hidden blessing with Jacob's false perception that "everything is against me" as he mourns Joseph's supposed death while starving in Canaan, unaware that Joseph controls Egypt's food supply and will save them all. Speaker: Ryan Lowery

Ryan Lowery continues Joseph's story as he's sold into slavery in Egypt, rises to manage Potiphar's household, refuses sexual advances from Potiphar's wife, and gets falsely accused of rape—landing in prison for doing the right thing. After interpreting dreams for Pharaoh's cup bearer and asking for help, Joseph is forgotten for two more years, totaling 13 years of slavery and imprisonment despite faithfulness to God. Lowery honestly addresses the gap between God's promises of blessing and Joseph's nightmare circumstances, challenging listeners in long seasons of suffering to hold on and leave the door open for God to come through. Speaker: Ryan Lowery

Ryan Lowery opens a series on Joseph's life, one of scripture's longest individual narratives, examining the paradox of a gifted, blessed son from God's chosen family whose life is marked by tragedy and betrayal. Speaker: Ryan Lowery

John Ross concludes the series in Haggai 2, where God addresses Jews discouraged that their rebuilt temple looks inferior to Solomon's original. God promises future glory when Messiah himself will visit, reminding them that his presence matters more than building materials. Ross explores the contagious nature of uncleanness versus holiness—warning that rituals and proximity to holy things don't sanctify us—and challenges modern believers who expect spiritual growth through osmosis. He encourages "sanctified daydreaming" about eternal fruits of our labor, especially for leaders and parents battling discouragement in the daily grind. Speaker: John Ross

John Ross examines the book of Haggai, where God confronts Jews who stalled temple construction for 16 years while building their own paneled houses. Through the prophet Haggai in 520 BC, God exposes their timing excuses and connects their material struggles—never enough food, clothing, or money—to spiritual disobedience. Ross explores how ignoring God's priorities for material ones brings emptiness even when we have plenty, and how the people's immediate response of fear and obedience demonstrates the power of God's Word to cut through materialism and half-heartedness. Speaker: John Ross

John Ross continues examining Israel's return from exile, focusing on the temple's reconstruction in Ezra 3-6. He explores the mixed emotions at the foundation laying—younger Jews shouting for joy while older priests wept—and the relentless opposition faced across nearly a century. Ross challenges modern believers who feel scandalized by minor pushback, contrasting it with the Jews who kept building despite actual danger, and emphasizes celebrating partial victories while trusting God's sovereignty even when work remains unfinished. Speaker: John Ross

John Ross opens a four-part series on Israel's return from Babylonian exile, examining how God moved pagan king Cyrus to fulfill prophecy spoken 170 years earlier through Isaiah. He explores the 70-year exile as both judgment and grace, tracing how God orchestrated permission, provisions, and wealth for rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple. Ross connects this ancient restoration to modern believers, showing how God's faithfulness to bring Israel home ultimately paved the way for Messiah and demonstrates that nothing stops God from keeping his promises. Speaker: John Ross

Paul's fourth key to joy is intercessory prayer—specifically praying that the Philippians' love would grow in knowledge and discernment, not just sentiment. Risley emphasizes that biblical love involves truth and requires wisdom for each unique situation, comparing spiritual growth to teaching children chores—messy and time-consuming at first, but ultimately fruitful. She addresses the overwhelming nature of loving people well by pointing to the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus repeatedly refilled his disciples' supply, illustrating how we must continually return to God for the love, patience, and wisdom needed to serve others in ways that bring glory to him. Speaker: Chris Risley

Paul's third key to joy is vulnerability—opening his heart to others and expressing affection despite being a driven, Type A personality. Risley challenges the notion of being "not an emotional person," arguing everyone can grow in expressing care, and notes that difficulties in relationships often stem from not being sacrificial enough rather than the other person's failures. She addresses the pain of losing friends through death or spiritual drift, recommending the paper "Cultivating a Tender Heart," and emphasizes that serving difficult people makes them easier to love—not because they change, but because we do when we step into sacrificial love empowered by Christ's affection.To read the essay mentioned, please visit https://www.dwellcc.org/essays/cultivating-tender-heart Speaker: Chris Risley

Paul's second key to joy is focusing on others through gratitude—thanking God for the Philippians and their gospel partnership rather than dwelling on his own suffering. Risley notes that while secular culture recognizes gratitude's benefits, Christians add a crucial dimension by thanking God for every relationship as his gift. She explains how Paul maintained both horizontal perspective (looking at others) and vertical perspective (looking to God), trusting that God is actively transforming every believer until the day they're made perfect. Speaker: Chris Risley