1 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:05,080 This is a chance to unbury themselves out of there and find 2 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:06,560 the seats. Good to have brother Eric Ramos 3 00:00:06,560 --> 00:00:07,960 with us. He's an evangelist from Fair 4 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:10,680 Haven Baptist Church. And if you recognize that name, 5 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:12,160 there's a reason. It's because that's where I grew 6 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:16,239 up and Brian grew up there too, along with me, I guess. 7 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:21,440 But I know we grew up there together and, and I mean, he's, 8 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:24,040 I've known him since, since I was born basically. 9 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:28,960 And so, yeah, we, we go back a long way and he's been been at 10 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:31,520 it for a long time and just faithfully serving the Lord and 11 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:33,840 doesn't get this way too, too often. 12 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:35,960 But when he told me he was coming through SMA, I want to, I 13 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:37,600 want him to come and preach for us tonight. 14 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:41,680 So he does a lot of high school chapels and things like that, 15 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:44,440 different schools and, and goes around and preaches and 16 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:46,080 represents the college there as well. 17 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:49,440 And so we got to spend a little bit of time before the service, 18 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:51,880 but he's got to head out of here and go all the way to with field 19 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:56,360 tonight after we finish up for like a 9:00 Chapel in the 20 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:58,880 morning. So it could be a very short 21 00:00:58,880 --> 00:00:59,720 message. We'll see. 22 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:02,160 But depends on how bad he wants to get out of here. 23 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:04,519 But it's good to have him. Brother Ramis, you can preach 24 00:01:04,519 --> 00:01:09,320 for us. Ning, are you awake tonight now? 25 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:11,880 You think it's cold here? My wife texted me right before 26 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:14,000 the service said it's snowing back in Indiana. 27 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:16,680 So I'm glad I'm here and not there. 28 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:19,240 Praise the Lord for that. Take your Bibles if you wouldn't 29 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:22,520 turn to Psalm 27. Psalm 27. 30 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:27,040 Good to see the swongums really is a blessing. 31 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,000 This good to be seen Pastor and misses boots. 32 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,400 I was trying to think I was at the first service of Mount 33 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:36,680 Victory Baptist Church. My dad was with me and I think 34 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:38,200 one or two of my kids was with me. 35 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,760 So, and then we were here when you guys were gutting this 36 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:44,200 building, I was like making up for detention that I got away 37 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:46,800 with back in the day. And so it's like I stopped and 38 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:50,160 like, hey, here's a hammer. I was like, and So what a 39 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:52,440 blessing. And then we sat and shared some 40 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:54,320 things about what the Lord is doing here. 41 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:57,840 So I want to commend you. I want to encourage you to keep 42 00:01:57,840 --> 00:01:59,240 it up. Keep it. 43 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,400 It's hard to believe in June I'll have been at Fair Haven for 44 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:07,280 50 years at our church, and it's all because somebody knocked on 45 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:10,759 a door and just listening to what you have going on 46 00:02:10,759 --> 00:02:14,520 Saturdays, there's people door knocking and writing letters and 47 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:16,800 giving out Bibles. You'll never. 48 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:18,760 Know. What that'll do? 49 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:22,600 But it affected this family. My parents are both saved. 50 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:28,000 My dad is 80 years old now and he's faithful to church. 51 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:31,640 My mom worked in a Sunday school class for 40 some years. 52 00:02:31,640 --> 00:02:34,680 She stepped aside as a teacher, but she's like, I can't leave 53 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:36,280 the class. So she's still helping in the 54 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:38,600 class and that's just a blessing. 55 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:42,640 My dad's cuts the grass at the church and I can go on and on 56 00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:44,320 and on. And so it's been a blessing to 57 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:47,960 just see, I say these guys grow up. 58 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:52,000 The problem, the reason Sarah and Brian and Sarah have issues 59 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,720 because I was their junior high youth pastor and that's why I 60 00:02:54,720 --> 00:03:00,400 have no hair. And but what a blessing to serve 61 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:02,720 the Lord and I'm just glad to be here tonight. 62 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,560 So if you don't like the sermon, I invited myself, so don't hold 63 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:09,040 it against pastor. I'm like, hey, I'm coming 64 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:10,960 through. Can I preach is like, well, let 65 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:14,520 me pray about it. And so, but I'm just glad to be 66 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,880 with you guys tonight and how many you have never heard me 67 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:20,960 preach before. You've been blessed. 68 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:23,200 You're going to be laughter tonight. 69 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:25,040 Like thank the Lord, go learn and preach. 70 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,680 I think that my role is when I come and preach in churches is 71 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:32,480 they're like, wow, we're thankful for our pastor so that 72 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:34,720 if there's anything that I can help a pastors, like let them 73 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:36,160 know they don't have to hear me all the time. 74 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:39,920 You'll be thankful for your pastor, but praise the Lord. 75 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:42,480 Well, let's have a word of prayer and hopefully we can be a 76 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:45,440 blessing to you this evening as we look at God's Word. 77 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:49,880 Lord, we love you and thank you for faithful people that gather 78 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:53,240 on a Wednesday night. I get around to a lot of places 79 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:55,080 and Wednesday nights a lot of times are empty. 80 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:58,160 You brought a good group of people here tonight and I'm 81 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:01,000 thankful for that. And I, I really don't want to 82 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:05,120 hinder their growth in any way. So I pray that even as your word 83 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:06,680 is open that it would be helpful. 84 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:10,600 I have some things I, I think can be of encouragement and even 85 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,880 a caution in the mixed midst of this message. 86 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,760 So I just pray that you'd help me say what I should not, say 87 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:19,040 what I shouldn't. And Lord, that we would just 88 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:22,120 leave here tonight, knowing that when your word was opened, it 89 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:25,840 was it was helpful. And we know it's profitable as 90 00:04:25,840 --> 00:04:28,280 the writer of Hebrews says so. So use this. 91 00:04:28,280 --> 00:04:31,440 I ask, ask these things in Christ's name, Amen. 92 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:32,800 You'll have to excuse me. I. 93 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:35,040 I like to preach to. Kids. 94 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:37,520 And so I won't wander around a little bit. 95 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:40,080 I was talking to brother Craig. I'm like, is it OK if I wander? 96 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:40,840 He's like, how far are you going? 97 00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:42,520 To as I have no. Idea how far I'm going to go, 98 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:44,760 but maybe out the door. We'll see. 99 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:48,120 But Psalm 27, we'll get there kind of as a. 100 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:50,960 Springboard for where we're going to go tonight, and I'm 101 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:52,800 going to, I'm going to. Talk about the life. 102 00:04:52,800 --> 00:04:57,240 Of Joseph and just listening to you all do trivia, I think 103 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:00,960 probably the majority of you know the story of Joseph is that 104 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,080 fair Can you say I kind of know what's going on in the life of 105 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:05,440 Joseph so I'm not going to belabor the entire. 106 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:07,160 Story, but there's going. To be some things that we'll. 107 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:11,840 Look at tonight I would say I got serious about. 108 00:05:11,840 --> 00:05:15,120 Serving the Lord. When I was. 16 years old. 109 00:05:15,840 --> 00:05:17,440 Up to that point I was pretty self. 110 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:19,760 Centered, I still have. That problem sometimes, but at 111 00:05:19,760 --> 00:05:21,880 that point I really wasn't concerned about people. 112 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:24,880 I was concerned about myself. But then the Lord stepped in, 113 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:28,240 and that's a wonderful thing. When God steps in and he kind of 114 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,320 just started doing a work in my heart, in my life, I surrendered 115 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:32,720 to the Lord. I didn't know what that meant. 116 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:35,320 It almost sounded like a wussified term to surrender 117 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:37,840 because guys don't do that. But I've learned to understand 118 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:42,200 men of God understand humility and surrender, and God's 119 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:44,040 teaching me that. But but. 120 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:47,200 So about 16 years old. I jumped on a bus route. 121 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:48,760 I began to start seeing the needs. 122 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:51,640 So I've been at this almost 34 years. 123 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:55,520 Hard to believe, and I will say this probably the most 124 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:57,280 discouraging. Thing in the. 125 00:05:57,280 --> 00:06:04,120 Ministry is when people quit. Let me. 126 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,360 I'm going to ramble a little bit about I'm going to be timely 127 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:09,280 because he said I have till about 7:15 and we're already 128 00:06:09,280 --> 00:06:13,960 over that so but. You as a. 129 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:17,200 Church have no. Idea how you can? 130 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:22,480 Encourage preachers that come in I I know we as evangelists or 131 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:25,720 guest speakers will come in and we're supposed to bring 132 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:28,960 encouragement in our suitcases and revival in our backpacks, 133 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:33,960 but for me, as I've. Traveled. 1520 years I go into. 134 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:36,360 Churches, and it's a blessing. To still see the same people 135 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:42,840 just faithfully serving don't underestimate faithfulness, but 136 00:06:42,840 --> 00:06:48,720 it but it does something to people when you quit because 137 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:50,520 it's. Pretty easy to sing. 138 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,640 I have decided to follow. Jesus, but to. 139 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:56,040 Live it is a different. Story. 140 00:06:57,400 --> 00:07:02,240 And I don't think most people intend to quit. 141 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:11,080 May 25, 1999 I stood at an altar at Capital City Baptist Church, 142 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:15,400 Austin, TX and I made some promises to my wife and she made 143 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,120 some promises to me. And we didn't say all right to 144 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:24,520 having to hold for two years. No, we, we had the intent to 145 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:28,000 stay at it. And I think most people, even in 146 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:30,880 the Hollywood world, even on their fourth marriage, when they 147 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:33,520 get married again, they stop and think, all right, this time it's 148 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:36,840 going to work. So don't, don't under don't 149 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:39,920 misunderstand the fact good intentions are good. 150 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:44,240 But there's going to be things that creep up into our lives 151 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:49,320 that are going to try to get it to cause us to quit. 152 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:54,440 When college students quit, this is discouragement. 153 00:07:55,480 --> 00:07:57,800 I work with bus kids. I love the bus ministry. 154 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:02,080 I've got about 34 kids we're discipling right now in our bus 155 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:05,400 ministry on Saturdays. And then they come in and 156 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,400 they're fired up and we've got new books we're working on 157 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:11,320 giving them out and doing someone on one discipleship. 158 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:13,440 And then when you say, where's so and so? 159 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:15,560 How they quit coming out. That hurts. 160 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:21,320 I start losing weight. Sometimes I need to lose weight 161 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,400 and I get on a mission and then guess what happens? 162 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:28,760 Cheesecake shows up. Quitting. 163 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:33,280 We're in football season right now, but years ago I lived near 164 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:35,840 Chicago, and so the Bears were kind of the thing back in the 165 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:37,840 day. Walter Payton, one of my 166 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:40,440 favorite guys to watch. You might not know who it is, 167 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:44,720 but his nickname was Sweetness. Didn't rub off on me but. 168 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:46,520 He was. Playing a Monday Night Football 169 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:47,400 game. The Bears were playing the 170 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:50,960 Giants. And one of the announcers? 171 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:54,520 Made a comment, he said. Walter Payton has accumulated 172 00:08:54,840 --> 00:09:00,880 over 9 miles in career rushing yardage and the other announcer 173 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,400 said this yes and that's what somebody knocking him down 174 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:09,520 every. 4.6 yards. You stop and think like, wow, 175 00:09:09,680 --> 00:09:12,120 it's amazing what he did. I don't think he's the record 176 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:13,600 holder, maybe. Second or third now? 177 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:17,480 But all the yards that he ran all along, he was getting 178 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:21,360 knocked down by some big boys. And I guess what I want to 179 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:25,320 encourage you, church tonight is, as you say, I want to get on 180 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:27,960 the path of serving the Lord Jesus. 181 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:30,360 That's noble. That's a wonderful thing. 182 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:34,800 But along the way, you're going to get knocked down, and some of 183 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:38,120 those things that knock you and I down are called. 184 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:43,280 Circumstances, and I think sometimes they get a little 185 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,640 overwhelming. Look at Psalm 27. 186 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:52,680 It says this in verse. 10. David is writing this and he 187 00:09:52,680 --> 00:09:55,240 says when my. Father and my mother. 188 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:58,280 Forsake me and don't we live in a world like that? 189 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:02,720 I've got about 12 or 13 teenage boys I was teaching on how to 190 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,680 have a relationship with their Heavenly Father and I'm in the 191 00:10:05,680 --> 00:10:06,800 middle of. This and I was just. 192 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:10,160 Waxing eloquent and they're looking at me with this blank 193 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:13,040 look. And it was as if the Holy Spirit 194 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:15,680 says you need to ask them if. They have a relationship with 195 00:10:15,680 --> 00:10:18,320 their earthly father. So I stopped. 196 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:20,920 I kind of rained it in and said. How many guys have a 197 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:23,200 relationship with your earthly father? 198 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:27,200 And only one, the other twelve said we really don't even know 199 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:30,280 who our dad is. I hate. 200 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:31,720 To say it, but that's kind of the world we. 201 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:35,200 Live in today. And so the psalmist says this, 202 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:40,000 When my father and mother forsake me, I love this, then 203 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,760 the Lord will. Take me up. 204 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,080 Amen, Verse 11. Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and 205 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:48,800 lead me in a plain path, because here it is mine enemies. 206 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,200 Verse 12. Deliver me not over unto the 207 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:54,320 will of mine enemies for false witnesses. 208 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:56,280 And I want you to hold that thought because we're going to 209 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:57,320 talk about that in just a little bit. 210 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:01,080 For false witnesses are risen up against me and such as breathe 211 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:02,920 out cruelty. Here's verse 13. 212 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:06,440 I had fainted. I think we understand. 213 00:11:06,560 --> 00:11:10,560 I'd have given up. I I'd I'd have quit quit unless 214 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:14,520 I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord. 215 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,800 In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good 216 00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:19,840 courage, and he shall strengthen. 217 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:21,680 Thine heart. Wait, I say. 218 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:24,320 On the Lord you don't need to turn there, but Hebrews chapter 219 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:25,320 12 says this. What? 220 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:29,360 Talks about the Lord Jesus. Christ consider him that endured 221 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:32,240 such contradiction of sinners against himself. 222 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:39,400 Here it is, lest ye be wearied. And faint in your minds. 223 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:44,120 I I don't know over the 10 years how many people have started 224 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:47,120 coming to mount. Victory Baptist Church, I think 225 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,520 you mentioned you had some. 80 visitors this. 226 00:11:50,560 --> 00:11:55,240 Year, maybe more. I don't. 160 I'm the evangelist. 227 00:11:55,240 --> 00:12:00,120 I'm supposed to say 3000. And, and, and some people come 228 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,920 and go for good reason, But truth of the matter is people 229 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:05,040 come and say, oh man, look at all the young people. 230 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:07,280 Look at the music program. They got a kids ministry. 231 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:08,720 They have all these things like, wow. 232 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:11,720 And then when you get into and you realize, oh, there's tithing 233 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:15,160 and giving and there's some expectations for service and 234 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:16,600 there's this. And they're not whoa, whoa, 235 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:18,640 whoa. We just wanted to show up on 236 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,640 Sunday morning, waltz in, waltz up. 237 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:25,760 This is a cult. They want us to come to Sunday 238 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,400 school Sunday morning. Sunday night, maybe. 239 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:30,840 What's wrong with those people? I get it. 240 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:32,920 You're cold. But I'm involved. 241 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:37,040 In one too, but people come and they go and you stop and say, 242 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,640 why is it that it's so difficult for people to just stay at it? 243 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:44,680 I'm so thankful to tell you tonight that the Bible does not 244 00:12:44,680 --> 00:12:48,600 require us to be successful. But it. 245 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:54,360 Does require us, brother Johnny? To be faithful and the beauty. 246 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:59,400 Is from the youngest to the. Oldest we can all do that, so 247 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:02,800 I'm going to give. You 2 words this. 248 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:04,800 Wednesday night you're tired, not going to give you. 249 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:07,480 I have an outline. Forget the outline, but remember 250 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:09,160 2 words. But we're going. 251 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:12,560 To look at the life of Joseph, just quickly so turn to Genesis 252 00:13:12,560 --> 00:13:14,040 chapter 50. Genesis. 253 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:20,320 Chapter 50. What type of stories inspire you 254 00:13:21,040 --> 00:13:22,560 now? Back in the day, I would. 255 00:13:22,560 --> 00:13:26,400 Get the Reader's Digest. And there were some. 256 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:31,000 Pages of jokes. All in a day's work, humor in 257 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,680 uniform. I, I forget and, and I would 258 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:36,040 find myself drifting to those because I'm a goofball 259 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:39,080 sometimes. But but generally I would find 260 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:42,840 myself first thing I would grab was the story drama in real 261 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:45,720 life. And I'd go there and I'd read 262 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:53,240 these dramatic, traumatic stories and be drawn in and they 263 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:56,920 inspired. Me, I like sports. 264 00:13:56,920 --> 00:14:00,760 I grew up in the. Sport of wrestling and to this 265 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:03,320 day, if there's a match going on, I'm all in. 266 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:04,800 I'm engaged, I want to see what's going on. 267 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:06,920 I start yelling I don't even know the people and I start. 268 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:08,280 Coaching and yelling, it's just in me. 269 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,520 And so there's wrestling going on all over the country. 270 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,200 I like the college world Division One. 271 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:17,280 And I've. Watched it but there's one. 272 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,240 Story in particular that intrigues me, and it's about a 273 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:26,160 guy named Anthony Robles. He was a national champion for 274 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:31,760 Arizona State and he had one leg and you. 275 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:39,640 Stop and say wow he here it is. He overcame circumstances to get 276 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:41,960 to that level. There's people that I just 277 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:44,680 listened to a book called Endurance about Ernest. 278 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:47,920 Shackleton crossing the Antarctic and you know, I, I, 279 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:50,800 I've read books on mountain. Climbing etcetera, etcetera. 280 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:55,000 But when you read about the the man that was hike climbing a 281 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:58,440 mountain and got his arm lodged in the boulder and he's like, if 282 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:01,000 I don't do something, I'm going to die. 283 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:10,160 And he takes a pocket knife, saws off his arm, lives and 284 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:16,640 still climbs today. Like, OK, I mean, I like hiking 285 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,680 things and climbing things, but that's not going to take me to 286 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:22,120 the levels. Like, let's just hack off the 287 00:15:22,120 --> 00:15:23,600 arm and let's go. I'm not into that. 288 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:25,840 But it's inspiring. And I guess all I say all of 289 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:29,840 that because it's nice to have the kid that grows up and 290 00:15:29,840 --> 00:15:32,920 everything's nice and special all the way up. 291 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:36,600 But there's something inspiring when you read about somebody or 292 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:41,480 follow the story of someone that overcomes circumstances. 293 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:46,280 So can we look at Genesis? 50 and we look. 294 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:48,320 At the life of Joseph, we're not going to go all the way back. 295 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:51,040 We'll, we'll just allude. To a few things. 296 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:56,160 But look at verse #15 and when Joseph's brethren. 297 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:58,560 How many did he have? Bible trivia. 298 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:03,120 How many? All right, we've got it all. 299 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:05,240 Right, so he had eleven brothers. 300 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:07,920 All right. When he saw that their father 301 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:11,800 was dead, they said Joseph will peradventure hate us and will 302 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:13,680 certainly requite us all the evil. 303 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:16,680 Which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto 304 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:19,840 Joseph, saying, Thy father did. Command before he died. 305 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:21,960 Saying it's amazing when the. Dad's gone. 306 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:23,840 They get really concerned about obeying him. 307 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,000 Just a thought there. And when their life potentially. 308 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:27,880 Is on the line verse 17. So shall. 309 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:30,240 He say unto Joseph. Forgive, I pray thee now the 310 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:32,440 trespass of thy brethren. And their sin for. 311 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:35,720 They did unto thee evil. And now we pray thee, forgive 312 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:38,000 the trespass of the servants. Of the God of thy. 313 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,920 Father and Joseph wept. When they spake unto him. 314 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:44,400 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face, and 315 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:46,840 they said. Behold, we be thy servants. 316 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:49,240 Verse 19. And Joseph said unto them. 317 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:53,800 Fear not, for am I in the place of God now this. 318 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:57,320 Is our text verse 20. But As for you? 319 00:16:57,640 --> 00:16:59,760 I can just see him. Pointing his fingers. 320 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:01,000 His finger. At his brothers. 321 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:05,319 As for you, you thought evil. Against me. 322 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:08,440 But this is where the whole dynamic changes. 323 00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:14,720 But God meant it unto good. To bring to pass. 324 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:18,040 As it is this day to save much people alive. 325 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:23,160 So 2 words tonight, in the midst of circumstances, in the midst 326 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:26,000 of difficulties. In the midst of trials, you 327 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,200 might say, Brother Ramis, I'm going through a family 328 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:30,280 situation, if some. Of you might be here going 329 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:32,000 through a physical. Situation. 330 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:34,000 Some may be dealing with financial stress. 331 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,280 I don't know. It's not my business, but in the 332 00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:41,200 midst of circumstances. But God, we'll look at a couple 333 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:45,440 things about that tonight. I would say probably the first 334 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,360 ten years. Of Joseph's lives, life was 335 00:17:48,360 --> 00:17:50,720 pretty. Normal, I would say when he hit 336 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:57,320 the junior high age till about what we'll say 12 till about 337 00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:01,600 3015, eighteen years I would say would be would have been pretty 338 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:04,320 rough. And let me say this, that's 339 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,800 generally where we go. When we stop and think about 340 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:12,520 Joseph. Probably from the time he was 30 341 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:16,040 till the time that he was 110 were good years. 342 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:19,520 That's a long time. So you got 80 years of 343 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:25,160 awesomeness. You've got. 10-15 years of 344 00:18:25,360 --> 00:18:30,640 normalness and you've got about 15 years where all of us zone in 345 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:34,760 and say and what it. Is is bad circumstances? 346 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:39,240 But that's just kind of the general way that we think if we 347 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:42,040 can find something negative. We will. 348 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:48,400 It's amazing how negative we can get about something. 349 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:51,720 It's cold outside and. Guess what's going to happen in 350 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:54,120 a few months? It's hot outside. 351 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:57,240 That's just the way it. Is I've got 4 kids getting some 352 00:18:57,240 --> 00:18:58,520 people say. What's your problem? 353 00:18:58,520 --> 00:19:00,680 Well, my 2 oldest. Boys are named Gideon Titus. 354 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:02,120 All right, So sounds like a disease. 355 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:04,600 It's like, what's your problem? I have Gideon Titus. 356 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:10,440 But but, but sometimes I find myself, as it's easy to quote 357 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:13,920 the verse, children are a heritage from the Lord. 358 00:19:14,560 --> 00:19:17,280 That's a nice verse. But you know, sometimes I find 359 00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:19,960 myself in the midst of that. Complaining about the gifts that 360 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:23,960 God gave to me. Well, they're bad, yeah. 361 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:30,360 So was their dad, and they're never thankful enough and 362 00:19:30,360 --> 00:19:33,160 they're never kind enough. And the list goes on. 363 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:36,960 And here I am talking about the blessings of God in a negative 364 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:39,280 way. Church, can I caution you? 365 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:42,280 I know you. I know you've been hoodwinked. 366 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:45,640 Your pastor and missus pastor probably are not perfect. 367 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:56,040 Close, but understand they have difficulties and they have 368 00:19:56,040 --> 00:19:59,200 trials and they have circumstances and there's 369 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:02,560 probably been times I'm not going to ask him publicly, but 370 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:04,600 he's probably thought these people don't listen. 371 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:07,800 Well, apparently that's the case. 372 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:13,280 And I've been frustrated, Brother Trey, when I get up and 373 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:15,840 I preach to young people like and and you're preaching your 374 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:18,600 guts out and you're sweating and spitting and they're like. 375 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:21,760 What did you get out of that message? 376 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:25,520 A great nap. Somebody thought it was funny 377 00:20:29,720 --> 00:20:32,360 circumstances. Let me give you #1 When it comes 378 00:20:32,360 --> 00:20:36,040 to the life of Joseph, sometimes we forget this Joseph was from a 379 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:40,000 dysfunctional family. You ever heard that term before? 380 00:20:40,360 --> 00:20:42,440 It's a family that doesn't. Function well. 381 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:46,080 I'm. I listened to about 10 chapters 382 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:48,880 of Genesis on the way down here today, and I was listening to 383 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:50,920 Joseph's life and I'm stopping to think about. 384 00:20:51,360 --> 00:20:53,000 Let's stop and think about Joseph's dad. 385 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:57,160 For a second. His name, Jacob, is it brother 386 00:20:57,160 --> 00:21:01,200 Paul? When when you think of Jacob, do 387 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:03,000 you think thumbs up or thumbs down? 388 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:06,120 He thinks, thumbs up. OK, I don't think that way. 389 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:07,840 I'm just. That's fine. 390 00:21:08,120 --> 00:21:10,080 That's fine, so. Levi. 391 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:12,080 Thumbs up or thumbs down, he says. 392 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:13,760 Thumbs up, all right, We're not going a good direction right 393 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:15,720 now. I'm losing the battle. 394 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:18,680 All right, there you go. I got Doctor Swang to the 395 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:19,360 rescue. Thank you. 396 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:21,800 OK. At least the beginning of his 397 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:26,400 life, we're going to say he was known for being a cheater, A 398 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:30,120 trickster. The Bible word is supplanter. 399 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:34,760 He was not a good guy. He connived and he cheated to 400 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:38,480 get his way. So you stop and think about his 401 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:43,520 dad and then you got this Rachel Leah situation that gets ugly 402 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,920 and and Rachel's upset because Leah's having kids. 403 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:49,960 I can't figure all this out. And then they're like, well, 404 00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:51,840 here's my concubine, which I used to think was. 405 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:55,760 Porcupine back in the day. And so you got Zilpud and you 406 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:58,960 got all the and there's all these kids and then and then 407 00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:01,440 Dinah and his sister, she's a mess. 408 00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:06,000 And I'm sitting there thinking, holy cow, Joseph didn't have the 409 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,800 perfect home. And praise the Lord, if you got 410 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:13,240 a good home, kids, you better thank the Lord for it, because I 411 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:16,520 walk into, you probably know this, those houses and Gary's 412 00:22:16,520 --> 00:22:19,720 sometimes. Yeah. 413 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:23,480 You walk in and there's marijuana floating through the 414 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:27,640 house and vodka all over, and some of the houses don't have 415 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:30,800 furniture in it because they're absolutely train wrecks. 416 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:33,360 There's a young. Man that, Lord willing, will. 417 00:22:33,360 --> 00:22:35,040 Graduate from our Christian School this year. 418 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:37,160 His name is Lavelle. Remember Lavelle? 419 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:39,600 Lavelle Wilson, I call him love, too. 420 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:45,800 He's got a tough home, but he's made some decisions. 421 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:49,960 Say I want to live for Jesus. But that's not parents say, 422 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:51,840 let's go. Let's read your Bible. 423 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:53,960 And pray every day and you'll grow, grow, grow. 424 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:55,680 Let's get up on Sunday morning, Go to church. 425 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:58,200 No, no, they get up on their own because they want to. 426 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:02,960 And so I would say many of the homes we waltz into on a 427 00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:05,920 Saturday with our nice shirts and ties on and acting like 428 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:07,440 we're we're God's gift to the world. 429 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:10,920 Those kids just want somebody to love them because their moms and 430 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:15,560 dads don't and they're dysfunctional in their homes. 431 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:18,040 Listen to what Winston Churchill. 432 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:22,760 Said he said. We shall fight on the beaches, 433 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:25,560 we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the 434 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:27,680 fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. 435 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:29,840 Somebody said it. Sounds like our family vacation. 436 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:34,520 Then you got the favorite child thing. 437 00:23:35,360 --> 00:23:36,840 That didn't work out so well, did it? 438 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:39,280 Did it? And so. 439 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:42,080 So the list goes on. You study the life of Joseph and 440 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:45,960 you stop and think, man, his brothers got so far as they 441 00:23:45,960 --> 00:23:49,040 wanted to. They didn't just dislike him. 442 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:53,120 Now let's stop and think. Emma, how old are you? 443 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:55,320 12? All right, so let's picture 444 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:59,840 Joseph at 12. Let's just be real here, I could 445 00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:02,760 just picture them. Like I am the favorite. 446 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:07,000 Just so you know, I got a favorite coat. 447 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:10,160 I got a special coat. And then maybe there was a time. 448 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:13,200 He said. I had a dream. 449 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:16,160 I don't know. He was probably annoying junior 450 00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:21,760 high and I'm not saying you are, but most are so so we we have to 451 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:25,640 be real about the life. Of Joseph but his home was 452 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:28,720 dysfunctional and his brother said we want to kill you. 453 00:24:30,320 --> 00:24:33,640 So that's I would say. Heavy circumstances. 454 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:39,720 I know young people that have taken their life at 1516 and 17 455 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:42,640 years old because of the dysfunctions of their home. 456 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:49,040 That's why it's good to pray for the kids in this church. 457 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:52,160 Mountain Victory Baptist Church is on my prayer list. 458 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:55,000 I've met somebody tonight, some of the other kids I have. 459 00:24:55,000 --> 00:25:02,320 I pray for this church because the devil has a target on the 460 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:07,840 young people of this church. Pray, pray and they're in good 461 00:25:07,840 --> 00:25:10,160 homes. Here's the problem. 462 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:13,960 I see a lot of kids in good homes chucking the things of the 463 00:25:13,960 --> 00:25:17,960 Lord, let alone those are in dysfunctional homes that have no 464 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:20,280 hope. We must pray. 465 00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:23,120 Number one. I see a dysfunctional family, 466 00:25:23,120 --> 00:25:26,600 dysfunctional home #2 this one I'd like to caution Mount 467 00:25:26,600 --> 00:25:31,400 Victory Baptist Church on. I call this distorted facts you 468 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:33,160 remember. When Joseph was working. 469 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:38,480 His normal everyday business in Potiphar's house and a lady 470 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:40,080 shows up. We don't. 471 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:41,040 Know her name? We'll call. 472 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:45,800 Her missus? Potiphar and she got interested 473 00:25:45,800 --> 00:25:47,680 in that young man. And he did what? 474 00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:49,520 Was right. Mind you. 475 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:55,960 Paul writes to Timothy flee fornication and Joseph had 476 00:25:55,960 --> 00:26:00,400 opportunity to participate in fornication and before Paul 477 00:26:00,400 --> 00:26:04,240 wrote to Timothy Joseph already. Knew I'm going to flee 478 00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:06,080 fornication. Amen. 479 00:26:07,280 --> 00:26:12,480 And so he does. And did it turn out real well? 480 00:26:12,480 --> 00:26:16,080 For him? Oh, not for a couple years. 481 00:26:17,520 --> 00:26:20,920 But what happened is. He was accused. 482 00:26:20,920 --> 00:26:25,360 I want to help you because. I've been at this a long time 483 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:28,400 and I've seen a lot. Of churches go through things 484 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:30,360 like this. There's a title. 485 00:26:30,360 --> 00:26:35,680 For the Devil, the title. Is the accuser. 486 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:41,560 Can I, can I warn your church that's what I'm going to do 487 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:43,640 tonight? And then I can get on the road 488 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:45,000 and you'll forget about me. That's OK. 489 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:50,120 We are very good. I'll say this. 490 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:58,240 We're exceptional accusers. We always know what people are 491 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:05,640 thinking. The Bible says in Jesus day many 492 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:09,080 turned and went back John chapter 6. 493 00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:11,920 And in our minds, we're like, yeah, I know why? 494 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:16,240 The Bible doesn't tell us why, but we're pretty good at coming 495 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:21,760 to assumptions and saying, well, they left the church because and 496 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:24,000 then we feel like because we know the answer. 497 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:26,760 I'm going to share it with my man right here. 498 00:27:27,840 --> 00:27:31,240 He just has to know why Brother Johnny didn't shine his shoes 499 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:33,600 today. Are you with me? 500 00:27:34,440 --> 00:27:37,680 And what happens is we've become really good at accusing one of 501 00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:40,400 now this, this is husband wife issues. 502 00:27:41,360 --> 00:27:44,440 This is kids to parents issues. And then what? 503 00:27:44,440 --> 00:27:46,440 Happens is it filters into the church. 504 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:54,000 Let me remind you, when Potiphar said negative things about 505 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:57,320 Joseph, it cost. Him two years of his life in 506 00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:00,800 prison. I just want to caution us to be 507 00:28:00,800 --> 00:28:02,800 careful how we accuse one another. 508 00:28:03,080 --> 00:28:05,360 And you say, well, I don't really do it verbally. 509 00:28:05,360 --> 00:28:06,640 I. Do it on social media. 510 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:10,480 I've come to understand social. Media is not real social. 511 00:28:11,720 --> 00:28:13,640 It's pretty unsocial. We should call it on social 512 00:28:13,640 --> 00:28:15,280 media. And if you haven't, I don't, I 513 00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:16,680 don't have it. I don't really mess. 514 00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:18,280 With all that stuff, I got enough to worry about. 515 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:21,520 But all I'm saying is just be careful what you. 516 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:24,920 Type. Be careful what you text. 517 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:32,440 Be careful what you say because. A little bit of truth is good, 518 00:28:32,440 --> 00:28:37,640 but sometimes we like to. Add a little bit to it and this 519 00:28:37,640 --> 00:28:39,280 is not just a lady thing. Sorry. 520 00:28:39,280 --> 00:28:42,080 I used to think the ladies were always the ones, you know, they 521 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:44,680 were the gossipers back and I think man, we. 522 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:47,720 Can get it. Pretty wrong too, so I want to 523 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:50,560 help your church if. There is an issue with. 524 00:28:50,640 --> 00:28:55,440 Brother Brian and there may be lots, just just come and say, 525 00:28:55,440 --> 00:28:56,600 hey, I just want to clear this up. 526 00:28:57,720 --> 00:29:01,480 Don't accuse. Don't think, just come and 527 00:29:01,720 --> 00:29:03,480 probably will be resolved quickly. 528 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:10,000 But Joseph had to overcome circumstances. 529 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:12,400 I've been called a lot of things in my day. 530 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:18,920 Some I cannot even say publicly and maybe some for good reason. 531 00:29:20,520 --> 00:29:25,120 But there's that little slogan. Sticks and stones may break my 532 00:29:25,120 --> 00:29:28,400 bones, but words will never hurt me. 533 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:32,440 That's that's a lie. That's a lie. 534 00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:35,840 People were will remember what you say. 535 00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:40,120 I had somebody come to my office and say, brother Amos, I've been 536 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:46,320 bitter at you for three years. I'm like and you know. 537 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:48,560 The problem was resolved quickly. 538 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:51,320 Because there was a misunderstanding. 539 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:56,760 I said what she said. I said like, yeah, but we got it 540 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:59,120 right. But three years it took. 541 00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:04,080 I didn't know. She sure did, and probably every 542 00:30:04,080 --> 00:30:08,520 time she saw me. All I'm saying is Joseph had to 543 00:30:08,520 --> 00:30:13,120 deal with that. I shudder to think. 544 00:30:15,560 --> 00:30:20,120 What people would say about the man of God and his wife, because 545 00:30:20,120 --> 00:30:24,440 that's dangerous grounds. Don't, don't do it. 546 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:31,880 But churches can be destroyed by gossip. 547 00:30:32,520 --> 00:30:35,120 That's a hard word. Distorted facts. 548 00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:40,280 Joseph had to deal with that. But God, are you with me? 549 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:43,520 All right, so I'm going to keep moving #3 quickly. 550 00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:49,200 Disappointing, forgetful fellows. 551 00:30:50,040 --> 00:30:51,600 Sorry, I'm just sticking with the DS and the FS. 552 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:56,480 That's my grades now. Watch me, Joseph. 553 00:30:56,480 --> 00:30:59,200 While he was in prison. Helped two men. 554 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:02,840 Specifically, the Butler. And the Baker, we know the 555 00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:05,200 story. They had dreams, they were 556 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:07,120 worried, they were nervous, Joseph says. 557 00:31:07,120 --> 00:31:08,920 Something's wrong. He helps them. 558 00:31:09,160 --> 00:31:11,960 And what does he say to the Butler when he heads out the 559 00:31:11,960 --> 00:31:13,360 door? On his way to freedom. 560 00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:17,440 Don't forget me. And guess what happened? 561 00:31:18,320 --> 00:31:20,960 He forgot. Like love you too. 562 00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:25,840 And sometimes I come to understand the very people that 563 00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:30,080 you help and you pour into their lives are the very ones that 564 00:31:30,080 --> 00:31:36,680 will forget about you. So if if you're serving the Lord 565 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:39,680 for people. You're going to. 566 00:31:39,680 --> 00:31:42,440 Quit. But if you're serving the Lord 567 00:31:42,440 --> 00:31:46,880 because you just love Him? You're going to keep on going. 568 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:53,160 Dealt with a lot of bus kids over the years and I love. 569 00:31:53,160 --> 00:31:55,760 Them to death. And sometimes you go up at the 570 00:31:55,760 --> 00:31:58,160 house, you remember those days, you're working with a family, 571 00:31:58,360 --> 00:32:01,520 you show up at the house, it's completely empty, never a word 572 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:06,720 to be heard from again. And you just wonder what? 573 00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:12,560 Happened to that family, but this is when it gets a little 574 00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:14,840 better. I call this and I can't spell 575 00:32:14,840 --> 00:32:16,520 it. Correctly dreaming Pharaoh, 576 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:18,200 we'll. Just spell it with an F so it 577 00:32:18,200 --> 00:32:22,080 fits the outline. This is when God steps in, and 578 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:24,320 this is when we have to stop and think all. 579 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:27,080 Joseph's in this forest, if you will. 580 00:32:27,080 --> 00:32:29,560 He's in the midst of all the trees and he doesn't know what's 581 00:32:29,560 --> 00:32:32,080 going on, but all of a sudden the Pharaoh is. 582 00:32:32,080 --> 00:32:33,720 Sleeping. And he has. 583 00:32:33,720 --> 00:32:37,120 A dream and God uses the dream to stir the Butler to 584 00:32:37,120 --> 00:32:40,640 remembrance. Oh, I remember that guy. 585 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:45,240 He helped me in prison and all of a sudden the tide starts to 586 00:32:45,240 --> 00:32:47,240 change. Turn to Ephesians chapter 2 real 587 00:32:47,240 --> 00:32:51,960 fast. Ephesians chapter 2. 588 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:58,120 This phrase is all throughout the Bible and I love this 589 00:32:59,880 --> 00:33:02,560 because again, this idea. These two words, but God it. 590 00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:06,160 Changes the whole dynamic of the scene. 591 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:08,960 Ephesians Chapter. Two verse #1 says. 592 00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:12,360 This but you an end, You hath he quickened, who were dead in 593 00:33:12,360 --> 00:33:15,480 trespasses and sins. Where in time passed, you walked 594 00:33:15,480 --> 00:33:18,200 according to the course of this world, according to the Prince 595 00:33:18,200 --> 00:33:20,600 of the power of the air, the spirit that thou worketh. 596 00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:23,440 In the children of disobedience, among whom also we all. 597 00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:26,280 Had our conversation in time past in the lust of our. 598 00:33:26,280 --> 00:33:28,200 Flesh. Fulfilling the desires of the 599 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:29,880 flesh and of the mind, and we're by. 600 00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:33,000 Nature, the children of wrath. Even as others next two words 601 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:38,000 verse #4 So here it is. You're on this path of walking 602 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:40,600 in the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and 603 00:33:40,600 --> 00:33:42,720 somewhere along the line, God steps in. 604 00:33:42,800 --> 00:33:45,000 Amen. For that I was a 12. 605 00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:48,600 Year old boy when? God stepped in and changed my 606 00:33:48,600 --> 00:33:51,200 life four years later. I wouldn't say I was on a really 607 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:54,440 good path, but I was doing my thing, quite selfish. 608 00:33:54,600 --> 00:33:58,400 I was searching for the Lord and God stepped in and changed the 609 00:33:58,400 --> 00:34:01,680 course of my life. It's also Romans chapter 5. 610 00:34:01,680 --> 00:34:02,880 Don't turn. Don't turn there. 611 00:34:03,720 --> 00:34:06,920 Scarcely for a righteous. Man, will one die yet? 612 00:34:06,920 --> 00:34:09,360 Peradventure for a good man, some would even. 613 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:13,360 Dare to die but God? I'm trying to. 614 00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:15,400 Encourage you tonight. This is when God. 615 00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:19,920 Steps in and normally he does it when we're going through tough 616 00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:23,800 times. Circumstances is the big word 617 00:34:25,800 --> 00:34:32,719 dreaming Pharaoh, and it takes us to what I call a delightful 618 00:34:33,719 --> 00:34:38,560 freedom. Imagine that you are a world 619 00:34:38,560 --> 00:34:43,960 class concert piano player at the peak of your career. 620 00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:47,239 Someone who has spent years. Studying and practicing. 621 00:34:47,239 --> 00:34:50,679 Developing the art your fingers respond instantly to your 622 00:34:50,679 --> 00:34:52,560 mental. Commands going along the. 623 00:34:52,560 --> 00:34:54,880 Keyboard with grace. And speed. 624 00:34:54,880 --> 00:34:56,520 I'm hoping my girls come to that point. 625 00:34:58,040 --> 00:35:01,200 Then one day you feel a stiffness in your hands that 626 00:35:01,200 --> 00:35:03,320 wasn't there before. You go to a. 627 00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:06,320 Doctor tests, they're done and. The diagnosis comes back 628 00:35:07,320 --> 00:35:11,360 arthritis, your fingers are destined to become wooden and. 629 00:35:11,360 --> 00:35:13,880 Crippled from the heights of. Success and acclaim you will. 630 00:35:13,880 --> 00:35:16,760 Plunge to oblivion. It happened to a man by the name 631 00:35:16,760 --> 00:35:22,880 of Byron Janis Janis. Within a short time, this man 632 00:35:22,880 --> 00:35:25,800 saw arthritis quickly spread to all his fingers and the joints 633 00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:29,320 of nine of them had to be fused. Some people would have never 634 00:35:29,320 --> 00:35:32,160 recovered from such a blow. But he decided to fight back. 635 00:35:32,680 --> 00:35:36,640 He kept his ailment a secret. From all but his wife and two 636 00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:39,680 close friends. He worked long hours to. 637 00:35:39,680 --> 00:35:42,040 Change his technique. He learned how to use what? 638 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:44,920 Strength he had instead. Of concentrating on his 639 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:47,320 weaknesses. He also used the regimen. 640 00:35:47,320 --> 00:35:51,000 Of medications, acupuncture. Ultrasound etcetera to deal. 641 00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:52,520 With his pain, his wife. Learned how to give him 642 00:35:52,760 --> 00:35:55,120 therapeutic massages to loosen his stiff joints. 643 00:35:55,360 --> 00:35:58,160 Through hard work and sheer determination, he was able to 644 00:35:58,160 --> 00:36:00,840 continue. His career he maintained a full 645 00:36:00,840 --> 00:36:04,640 concert scheduled for 12 years without anyone suspecting. 646 00:36:05,080 --> 00:36:07,960 I want you to listen. To this he told the world. 647 00:36:07,960 --> 00:36:10,960 At a White House concert. These this this story. 648 00:36:12,360 --> 00:36:15,840 He said this and this is what grabbed my attention, he says. 649 00:36:15,840 --> 00:36:23,960 I have arthritis, but arthritis does not have me and what 650 00:36:23,960 --> 00:36:26,640 happens is these circumstances. Are real. 651 00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:31,520 I'm not trying to. Downplay circumstances and 652 00:36:31,520 --> 00:36:33,680 issues that. You may be dealing with. 653 00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:39,000 Now or have in the past. But don't let them own you. 654 00:36:41,000 --> 00:36:46,400 My wife has been a dorm mom for 17 years. 655 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:52,440 Hard to believe girls will come to her and share her, share with 656 00:36:52,440 --> 00:36:55,840 her things that she has had they have dealt with in the past. 657 00:36:56,360 --> 00:37:02,920 And sometimes my mind is blown by what they've had to deal 658 00:37:02,920 --> 00:37:06,360 with. Some have been ill used and the 659 00:37:06,360 --> 00:37:09,400 stories go on. My daughter-in-law was one of 660 00:37:09,400 --> 00:37:20,920 those girls gone through pretty tough stuff, and if you focus on 661 00:37:20,920 --> 00:37:26,000 the circumstances, I promise you'll quit. 662 00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:32,880 But As for you, but As for him? But As for, they meant it for 663 00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:36,800 evil. But God. 664 00:37:39,640 --> 00:37:41,800 We. Love to focus on those bad 15 665 00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:46,280 years. But there was. 80 pretty good 666 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:51,120 years, all because Joseph said God's in the picture. 667 00:37:52,080 --> 00:37:55,160 I'm not going to quit. I'm not going to fall apart 668 00:37:56,760 --> 00:37:59,920 because He's the one that I'm living for and it's all under 669 00:37:59,920 --> 00:38:07,880 His control. But God help us, Lord tonight. 670 00:38:07,880 --> 00:38:11,000 I trust that this could be a blessing and encouragement to 671 00:38:11,000 --> 00:38:12,320 those that have gathered tonight. 672 00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:16,760 I do not stand before these folks as an example of 673 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:20,840 steadfastness and faithfulness. I there have been times I have 674 00:38:21,240 --> 00:38:23,680 been in my pastor's office ready to throw in the towel. 675 00:38:24,680 --> 00:38:27,400 But I'm so thankful that you're gracious and merciful and full 676 00:38:27,400 --> 00:38:30,840 of compassion and willing to just keep us at it in spite of 677 00:38:30,840 --> 00:38:32,680 the times that I'm ready to throw in the towel. 678 00:38:33,640 --> 00:38:36,600 Maybe there's someone here tonight that was encouraged by 679 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:38,800 this, or maybe there's someone that's ready to quit. 680 00:38:38,800 --> 00:38:40,040 I don't know. It's not my business. 681 00:38:40,400 --> 00:38:45,000 For some reason, you urged me, encouraged me to speak along 682 00:38:45,000 --> 00:38:47,880 these lines tonight. So I pray that you might use it 683 00:38:47,880 --> 00:38:50,080 how you see fit. Bless these folks. 684 00:38:50,080 --> 00:38:52,600 Thank you for their attention. I have these things in Christ 685 00:38:52,600 --> 00:38:55,760 name, Pastor, Amen. Let's stand with our heads bowed 686 00:38:55,760 --> 00:38:59,480 and eyes closed. I'm going to give you an 687 00:38:59,480 --> 00:39:01,240 opportunity to respond to the message. 688 00:39:02,920 --> 00:39:05,160 I don't know exactly what you're going through, but God does. 689 00:39:06,080 --> 00:39:08,400 And I do know some of the circumstances that some of you 690 00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:11,680 are going through, and I know it's a helpful message. 691 00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:14,640 Whether you're in the middle of something right now or not, 692 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:16,560 you're probably going to go through something and you've 693 00:39:16,560 --> 00:39:19,520 probably been through something. And we all need that. 694 00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:23,160 We all need to be reminded about the fact that we have somewhere 695 00:39:23,160 --> 00:39:25,960 where we can go and somebody we can go too. 696 00:39:26,760 --> 00:39:29,480 And that's God. And what a great reminder from 697 00:39:29,480 --> 00:39:33,160 the life of Joseph. Sure didn't have a very good 698 00:39:33,160 --> 00:39:34,400 start. It seemed like everything was 699 00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:37,640 against him. But God came and changed 700 00:39:37,640 --> 00:39:40,160 everything for him. And it's only after Joseph threw 701 00:39:40,160 --> 00:39:42,920 everything on him. Joseph made decisions that got 702 00:39:42,920 --> 00:39:46,040 him to that spot. So as the piano plays, if the 703 00:39:46,040 --> 00:39:48,200 invitations open, you come, if God's worked you hard.