No.16 - Steadfast love

God's love, Christ's power and a joy given by the Spirit.

Verse of the Week

'But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.'

Genesis 39:21

The number of times the idea that God is with Joseph or that God blessed Joseph appears in Genesis chapter 39 is incredible. It was beautiful to see more clearly the love God has for his covenant people, especially when Joseph was going through devastating circumstances. What a blessing to know in Christ, we are part of God's covenant people. We have the unrivalled blessing of God's love as his people. Praise the Lord

Encouragements

The big idea of a children's talk I have been preparing this week is 'King Jesus has power over our biggest fears; trust him'. It has been such a comfort this week to meditate on God's power and the peace we will have in the new creation under Christ's rule.

I have also really enjoyed starting to prepare for my first sermon on Psalm 2. It has helped deepen my love for God's word. I am very grateful for the many godly preachers who have studied this passage beforehand. It has been such a wonderful blessing to get to learn from them.

I also had the joy of meeting up with a friend who helped me to see more of God's great plan to keep his promises in Genesis. (Have you ever considered why God wanted his people to go to Egypt for 400ish years?)

A Little Update

Here are a few of the things we've been up to and some of what we've got coming up.

The Past Week

The Next Few Weeks

Prayer Requests

We would love prayer that:

• God would help us to remember his great power and trust him when we are tempted to worry or overthink.

• God would help us to joyfully serve him with the energy we have and not slip into valuing ourselves based on how much we can do.

• God would sustain my joy for God's word as I work to understand more deeply the passages I am trying to teach.

We are so grateful for all your prayers and support. May you know the peace of God and the joy of his mercy and grace more and more every day.

Love and prayers to you all,

Joshua & Luci :)

P.S. - Bonus present - I have created another video sharing some of the ways I have been delighted by Christ over the last week or two. I'm still fairly new to creating videos / speaking on camera so you may not find it that helpful. However, I found it very encouraging to make. So I thought I'd share it here with you :)

TEAM Notes - Click arrow to view

Session 11: United Monarchy - David

David’s rise to kingship

• God chose David as king because of his heart

• David was a worshiper and a warrior

• David had to wait for 10 years to be king

• David respected Saul as god’s chosen King

• God defeats David’s enemies and gives him the throne

David’s reign over Isreal

David’s reign as a picture of perfection

• David was God’s ruler, defender,

• David was a faithful merciful king who brought blessings to the nations

• God’s presence was central

God’s covenant with David

• God promises to build David an everlasting house

• We’re looking for an offspring of David to be an everlasting King

David’s failure as a King

• David doesn’t defend his people

• David commits adultery and murder

• Unlike Saul, David recognises his sin and repents

• So God spares Him

• But there are severe consequences of His sin

• We see our need for a greater King

The Doctrine of the Trinity

God is one God and three persons

We tend to think of God as

• Mainly one but also three or

• Mainly three but also one

A) Focusing on 1

• Position held by - Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Spurgeon

• Pro - Hold up His unchanging nature

• Con - In danger of projecting philosophy onto God

B) Focusing on 3

• Position held by - Zizioulas, Gunton, Mike Reeves, Glen Scrivener

• Pro - Hold up His relational nature

• Con - In danger of projecting our ideals onto God

  
  

(I currently side with position A)

We want to uphold the one and three when we teach

Biblical Counselling

Biblical counselling - bringing God’s wisdom from the bible to a particular person’s life

6 key ideas

1. Someone in your church had a problem this week

2. We have everything we need in the gospel to help that person

3. People seek help from friends, family members and pastors before they consult professionals - Opportunity

4. That person either got no help, superficial (or even bad) help or biblical gospel-centred help

5. If they don’t get meaningful help they will go elsewhere

6. Whatever help they received they will now use to help others

Counselling - root work ‘wise advice’

From Ephesians 4

God’s Goal for the Church

• Become like Christ

• United in the faith

• Not derailed by false teaching

God’s plan

• Give the leaders to teach

• Congregation build each other up

• By speaking the truth in love

Lots of hard things about speaking the truth in love

Helpful guards against over-dependence

• Having clear boundaries - not 24/7, clear availability

• Have an end in view (for meetings)

• Draw in others - don’t do it alone

• Examine your relationship - are you able to love them / God

Isn't it wonderful that we can be a part of God's mission to build the church by sharing God's word with each other!

Love and prayers,

Joshua