September 13
Sunday School
Obedient Love – Genesis 41:25-33
Teacher – John Minnich
When studying the story of Joseph we learn several things from previous chapters:
The Lord was with Joseph.
God blessed Potiphar’s house because of Joseph.
Joseph was diligent wherever he was: in the house of Potiphar, in prison or when in second in command in the land.
Joseph lived before any Scriptures were written, but he knew to obey God. He understood sin.
Beware of your spare time.
We cannot be careless in our spare time – because Satan never forgets his goal – which is to destroy us.
I am challenged by the words from 2 Corinthians 10:5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
The Bible is often easy to understand, but can be difficult to apply.
Walk by the Spirit and you will not walk in the flesh.
In the story of Joseph, he literally ran from sin when tempted by Potiphar’s wife – but he still ended up in jail.
Because of the rules at that time, I have a feeling Potiphar knew his wife was lying, or Joseph would have been killed instead of sent to prison.
How do we handle a difficult time – when we do what is right – but still get blamed or punished.
Joseph spent 13 years in prison and continued to care about people. He noticed that the baker and butler were sad and troubled.
Suddenly, Joseph went from prison to being second in command to Pharaoh.
Joseph was neither afraid of Pharaoh nor was he arrogant.
What has God given you?
Are you faithful with what God has placed in your hands?
Joseph waited on God’s Plan
Sermon – Glendon Zook
God’s Laws for the Harvest
Galatians 6:1-10
My sermon is based on Five Laws Regarding Harvest. There are probably many more, but I chose five.
Harvest reminds us of Genesis 8:22: While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.
God’s natural laws like gravity and motion dictate how we go about our lives, because we know the results.
The natural laws also remind us that there are consequences to God’s spiritual laws.
A false teaching today is that we accept Jesus, but must still keep the Jewish laws.
Be not deceived – God is not mocked. You cannot mock or deceive God with false or make-believe obedience.
Five Laws Regarding Harvest
Law #1. You will reap what has been sown
Make it your goal to sow seeds that lead to a bountiful harvest.
Law #2. You reap of the same kind.
Sow to the flesh, you will reap corruption.
Sow to the Spirit, you will reap everlasting life.
Sins of the flesh will not bring blessings.
You cannot sow to the flesh
and reap the blessings of the Spirit.
Law #3. The harvest is always greater than the seed sown.
1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
Law #4. Harvest doesn’t happen on its own.
After planting there must be follow-through because there are insects, weeds and maybe too little water.
Farmers and gardeners must follow through by cultivating, spraying for insects, and possibly watering.
Spiritually we must also invest energy into our spiritual life.
Galatians 6:9. Do not be weary in well-doing.
Law #5. The harvest comes at a later time.
There is always a waiting time.
Galatians 6:9 – in due season.
Example: We were reminded in Sunday school that Joseph waited 13 years.
We are often impatient – wondering “when things will happen.”
God’s part is the increase.
Our part is to plant the seeds of faith and hope.