It started out as a simple overview of the life of Joseph. Pastor Wayne began his sermon, "An Introduction to Joseph" by going over the main events of Joseph's life. After about fifteen minutes of introduction, he finally went back to Genesis 37, and began his sermon. :-)
The main theme of the message was "irritations" and reasons for why they arise. One point that Pr. Wayne brought out and emphasised several times is the fact that irritations don't cause division; rather, it is my response to irritations that cause division. Pastor then continued to list three reasons for irritations, using the life of Joseph to demonstrate them:
I. Rebuke or correction in my life. (Joseph's brothers were doing wrong, and Joseph told on them--Gen. 37:2)
II. An injustice is done to me. (Joseph's brothers keenly felt the favoritism that Jacob showed to Joseph--Gen. 37:3-4)
III. God's sovereign blessing in the life of others. (God chose to bless Joseph with the dreams--Gen 37:5-11.)
I guess the reason I'm writing all this is because I was challenged through this message, and felt like it was just for me! How often haven't I justified my reactions and responses by saying (or thinking!) that it was simply normal that I responded that way as a result of the way he or she acted! But in reality, I am the one responsible to determine whether I am going to allow a little irritation result in rifts and divisions between me and those around me. It is in my hands, or as often said, the ball is in my court. I have two choices: I can choose to respond negatively and simply make matters worse, or I can determine to react in a Christ-like manner, resulting in character that is more like Christ. While at the time the irritation may not be pleasant, I can cling to the promise of Romans 8:28, saying that "all things work together for good...." My prayer is that from now on, with God's strength, I will respond to those many irritations in life as Joseph did--allowing them to make me more like Christ.
How have you responded to the irritations that God allows in your life?
1 comment:
Those are such good thoughts and a great challange for my life! It is so easy to come up with excuses - Oh to respond to irritations as Christ would! Thanks for sharing!
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