In this sermon series, we come to Part 3 of our sermons through the Book of Genesis. Chapters 37-50 form one cohesive story. All the tensions of Genesis come to a head. How will God preserve his chosen family despite betrayal, jealousy, and famine? Where is God in the midst of suffering? And as we look at this story, it will help us process our own emotions and experiences as we wonder -- where is God in the midst of our own suffering?

Genesis: Preservation and Suffering

In this sermon, Pastor Clint looks at Genesis 37. In this chapter, sin and suffering seek to destroy God's chosen family and with it the promises of redemption. Though God seems absent -- He is ever-present ensuring that His promises and purposes prevail. God is not an absentee father -- but an ever-present help, taking us where we never intend to go to achieve what we never could on our own.

32 Where is God in the midst of my suffering?

In this sermon, Pastor Kevin looks at Genesis 38. In this chapter, we see great sin, but beneath the backdrop of darkness there shines an even greater grace. In this shocking account, we see the deep darkness of sin -- what happens when people disdain the word of God and pursue the exhalation of self. But hidden in this story is also the grace of God, continually working out his purposes for his people.

33 Great Failure -- Greater Grace

In this sermon, Pastor Clint looks at Genesis 39. In this chapter, Joseph is sold into slavery and falsely accused. He is a victim of injustice and it's normal to question God's love for him and his faithfulness to his promises. If God has a wonderful plan for our life -- then why do we suffer? Listen and be encouraged to know that God is present, purposeful, and providential in our suffering.

34 Does God Have A Wonderful Plan For My Life?

In this sermon, Pastor Kevin looks at Genesis 40. Two royal officials are imprisoned for offending Pharaoh. With God’s help, Joseph interprets their dreams, predicting that one of them will be reinstated but the other put to death. But Joseph is forgotten by the reinstated official and left in prison. Yet all of these events prepare the way for Joseph to be later summoned from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. This passage gives insight into how God's providence work in our lives.

35 God's Strange Providence

In this sermon, Pastor Clint looks at Genesis 41. God not only redeems us from our affliction, but he also redeems us in our suffering. In other words -- our suffering as Christians is never meaningless, pointless, or purposeless. God uses our affliction for our good and his glory. So, How does he do it? In this sermon, we look at how God redeems our suffering by looking at the life of Joseph in Genesis 41.

36 How God Redeems Our Affliction

In this sermon, Pastor Clint looks at Genesis 42. In this chapter, the pressure and tension are mounting as the famine reaches the promised land and the brothers come face to face with their long-lost-sold-into-slavery brother Joseph. What happens when the pressure builds? In this chapter, we see that God uses situations and circumstances of pressure to form and shape us. He uses pressure to draw to the surface our brokenness and to reveal our fears. He also uses pressure as an opportunity to extend grace. Listen and be challenged to see the pressures of life as purposeful and merciful parts of God's plan.

37 Under Pressure

In this sermon, Pastor Kevin looks at Genesis 43. In this chapter, Jacob and his sons find themselves once again without food in the midst of famine. This prompted a second visit to Egypt, this time with Benjamin in tow. The brothers expect a harsh reaction from Joseph, who is still concealing his identity from them but are instead met with surprising mercy.

38 A Feast In The Famine

In this sermon, Pastor Clint looks at Genesis 44.  Joseph's brothers are back in Egypt for a second time and Joseph implements his final plan to discern if his brothers have changed. This passage gives us three principles into reconciliation that will help us as we navigate the relational conflict in our lives. Listen and be challenged to consider how we can be ministers of reconciliation.

39 Reconciliation 101

In this sermon, Pastor Clint looks at Genesis 45. Here we see Joseph extend radical forgiveness to his brothers. Not only that, but Joseph explains how his faith drives his forgiveness. And then his forgiveness moves beyond the theoretical into the actual. Listen and be challenged to grow in forgiveness.

40 Forgiveness 101

In this sermon, Pastor Kevin walks us through Genesis 46 and 47. Now that Joseph's identity has been revealed, Jacob and his family prepare for a journey out of the promised land to Egypt. God reassures Jacob of His enduring presence with him on the journey. In this passage, we find timeless principles for the journey of the Christian life that we may remain faithful as sojourners in a world that is not our home.

41 A Traveler's Guide to Faithful Living

In this sermon, Pastor Kevin looks at Genesis 48 as Jacob nears the end of his life. When Joseph hears of this, he takes his sons to see him. Jacob blesses Joseph's sons as his own, putting Ephraim ahead of Manasseh, indicating that the special line of promise traced throughout Genesis will continue through his descendants and find ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. Listen and be encouraged by God's word.

42 Blessed To Be A Blessing

In this sermon, Pastor Clint looks at Genesis 49. Our words have direction to them -- they either lead to life or they lead to death. Jacob draws his sons for his final words. In this text, we see words of rebuke, words of restoration, and words of redemption. He said what needed to be said. He pointed his sons to the hope of the gospel. And we need that same direction too. Listen and be encouraged by these final words.

43 Final Words

In this sermon, Pastor Clint looks at Genesis 50 and the end of the beginning. As Moses brings his first book to a close, it reads like an epilogue, tying up loose ends and emphasizing the major themes of the book: Nothing -- not even death -- can stop the promises of God; Everyone needs daily grace to overcome guilt and fear; God's providence is the only way to make sense of life; In the end, God will surely take us home.

Genesis: Preservation and Suffering

Seven Mile Road Waltham