Family night Devotion

Introduction

Thank you all for coming out tonight.

What a fun night it’s been. It’s been great to sing together and enjoy each others company. To laugh and celebrate the victors.

Right now I’d like to transition us into a time where I can talk with you. I have a short devotion that will help establish my heart for this ministry and lead us into a discussion about the previous 5 months, current state of things, and the next 6 months of ministry here at Liberty.

First I’d like for you to notice the verses on the screen with me please.

Genesis 37:12–16 KJV 1900

And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

Genesis 37:15–16 KJV 1900

And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

In this text we find Joseph, son of Jacob (aka Israel), after he has been instructed by his father to go and check on his brothers.

There are a couple things I want to point out about this short passage of scripture and then I will get into our discussion.

First I want you to notice the call.

I. The Call

Israel specifically identified Joseph in verses 12-13

Genesis 37:12–13 KJV 1900

And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem. And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

Israel called Joseph to go to a specific place to do a specific thing. I believe based upon prayer, fasting, counsel, and events that have taken place over the last year that my calling to be serve as the pastor of Liberty Baptist is of God. Does that make me some super saint or more holy person? No. But I do believe God has called me to be the servant leader of this body of believers.

When you voted to bring me here, you confirmed that for me. When Eddie got saved after his wife had been praying for 10 years for him, then got baptized, and is now going through discipleship, confirmed that for me.

The growth of other individuals, the private testimony of so many about how God has been working in their hearts over the last 5 months has confirmed that for me.

Now, I don’t want you to think I’m getting a big head or being bragadocious. Glory to God for all He has done at Liberty and I’m thankful He’s allowed me to be apart of it but I do believe it to be God’s will for me to be serving in this position.

Notice secondly the question.

II. The Question

In verse 16 you’ll see Joseph ask a question of the man that he ran into

Genesis 37:16 KJV 1900

And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

Joseph was called to do a task by his father. While on that journey he encounters a man and instead of trying to go it alone…he asks a question.

This is important. Joseph was a young man called to do a task and instead of trying to go it alone, he asks for help.

That’s part of the reason I wanted this gathering tonight. I’m here to ask you a question. I’m here to let you know what I believe God has called me to do and I need to ask you for your help.

Joseph could have spent a lot of time trying to find his brothers on his own. He could have come up with great plans or schemes and ideas and went at it by himself but I believe he would not have been effective, I believe he would have gotten burnt out and given up, I believe it wasn’t what God wanted him to do.

Notice lastly, the response.

III. The Response

Genesis 37:17 KJV 1900

And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.

Here is this man that barely knows Joseph get asked to help him and he does. Resulting in Jospeh being able to complete the task his father had for him.

I believe God sent Joseph after his brothers and allowed for this man to cross his path. I believe through their work as a team they were able to accomplish something that God used to work out His will. Now I pray I don’t end up getting sold into slavery like Joseph did but I do hope we can work together to see God do something amazing.

Why do I bring this up?

First, I believe that as God’s people we are a team.

IV. The Team

1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV 1900

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.