Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 19 November 2023
How Do You Interpret Life?
Scripture References: Genesis 40:1-23, Psalms 44:1-16, Matthew 26:36-43
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CloseIn Genesis 40, the summary statement ‘after this’ (although this section really starts in Genesis 39:21), shows that the LORD’s presence remains. These are important to notice and remember because they raise our eyes from a basic morality tale to the plans and promises and commitment of the LORD to this broken world. In this instance, it is in verse 8: ‘Don’t interpretations belong to God?’ Joseph has come to realise that, as he navigates life (and he has now been enslaved for eleven years!), the only interpretation that works, that makes sense, is that of the LORD committed to him. Isn’t this the truth we are encouraged to return to time and time again – just read of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-42).
Scripture References: Genesis 40:1-23, Psalms 44:1-16, Matthew 26:36-43
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, Genesis | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
His choice says: “My God keeps His promises” | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 18 October 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Eyes on .... | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 11 October 2020 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
A Cunning Plan | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 21 July 2019 | Watch | Listen | |
God's Commitment to All | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 14 July 2019 | Watch | Listen | |
Where do I fit in? | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 7 July 2019 | Watch | Listen | |
God is Committed! | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 30 June 2019 | Watch | Listen | |
The Future Determines the Past | Andrew McClenaghan | Sunday, 23 June 2019 | Watch | Listen | |
God is Grieving | Neil Hunt | Sunday, 16 June 2019 | Watch | Listen | |
Sin Spreads | Ralph Wood | Sunday, 9 June 2019 | Watch | Listen | |
Why is it so? #3 | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 2 June 2019 | Watch | Listen |
The Department of Home Affairs has an Australian Values Statement on its website. Visa applicants for residency/citizenship must sign this. And one of its key principles is that we are a ‘fair-go’ country. We would all agree with that. I suspect, too, that we would summarise our ‘fair go’ culture by stating that ‘you get what you deserve/what you work for’. In fact, many of us have established our relational, social and work ethics on this very principle. But is that what the ‘kingdom of heaven is like’? What is its value statement? What is the hallmark of such a kingdom, and its ruler, even its citizenship? Today, after Jesus has assured his disciples that the dependent will be provided for by their king, he now uses the same ideas to issue with them a warning not to abuse, misuse, ignore or become entitled in the face of the kingdom of heaven hallmark—which is grace.
Jesus deals with the question of ‘Who belongs in the kingdom?’ Is it children? Is it the good? Is it the godly? And, how and what does this look like? This question of ‘belonging’ is one that is constant in our lives – where do I belong, do I belong, what does belonging look like? And Jesus is very clear: the kingdom of heaven is made up of the dependent, the reliant, the weak – just like children.
The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
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