‭‭‭‭‭‭Genesis 39:20 (ESV) And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.

• 13 years from being sold into slavery until he steps out onto the platform of leading a notation

• 2 years of prison

• You will experience seasons of the unexpected, where you are wronged, where things feel unfair, where you cry out to God, “WHY?”

• These seasons are “outside the will of God,” outside the will of God, and yet God redeems these seasons and prepares us during them for our platform.

Run To GOD, Not From GOD

• Bitterness:

• Blame the devil, not God or people

• Unforgiveness for others drives people from God

• Unforgiveness toward God drives people from God

• 2 Samuel 22:2–4 (ESV) He said, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,  my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.  I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Be Confident God Is With You & Working For You

• Philippians 1:6 (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

• Isaiah 43:1–3 (ESV) But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 

Get A Word From GOD

• Ezekiel 11:14 (ESV) And the word of the LORD came to me:

• Ezekiel 12:21 (ESV) And the word of the LORD came to me:

• Ezekiel 12:26 (ESV) And the word of the LORD came to me:

• Ezekiel 16:1 (ESV) Again the word of the LORD came to me:

Work To Escape, But Do Not Bail

• James 1:2–4 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Serve Others, Accumulate People

• 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

• 1 Samuel 22:1–2 (ESV) David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.  And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.

Bloom In Prison

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Lean Into Supernatural Giftings

• Because there is a burn, it’s like fasting

• Great opportunity to connect with the Spirit

• 1 Corinthians 13:13–14:1 (ESV) So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.  Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Don’t Complicate Your Situation With Sin

• Big picture focus

• No culdesacs

• Israelites in desert - tents

• 1 Corinthians 10:1–6 (ESV) For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,  and all ate the same spiritual food,  and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.  Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

• Only Joshua/Caleb experienced the promised land

‭‭‭‭‭‭Genesis 39:11–20 (ESV) But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house,  she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.  And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house,  she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice.  And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.”  Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home,  and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me.  But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”  As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled.  And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.

The Ninth Commandment - Exodus 20:16 (ESV) “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

This Is The Core Of Who The Devil Is - Revelation 12:10 (ESV) …for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

• He Lied About God In The Garden - Genesis 3:4–5 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

• He Lied About Jesus Repeatedly

• Accused of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Beelzebub/prince of demons): Pharisees and scribes falsely claimed Jesus’ exorcisms were empowered by demonic forces rather than the Holy Spirit (a lie that Jesus called the unforgivable blasphemy against the Holy Spirit). Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15.

• Accused of blasphemy for forgiving sins: Scribes and Pharisees charged Jesus with blasphemy when He declared a paralytic’s sins forgiven, saying only God can do that (ignoring His divine authority).
Matthew 9:2-3; Mark 2:6-7; Luke 5:20-21.

• Accused of being a glutton, drunkard, and friend of sinners: Critics lied that Jesus was indulgent and immoral because He ate and drank with tax collectors and outcasts (contrasting Him with John the Baptist).
Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34.

• Accused of having a demon or being insane/mad: Many Jews claimed Jesus was demon-possessed or delusional, dismissing His teachings.
John 7:20; John 8:48-52; John 10:20-21.

• Accused of deceiving or misleading the people: Some in the crowd falsely labeled Jesus a deceiver who was stirring up trouble or leading people astray.
John 7:12; also echoed in broader charges like John 7:47.

• Accused of breaking the Sabbath (and related blasphemy): Pharisees repeatedly accused Jesus (and His disciples) of unlawful Sabbath work (e.g., healing or plucking grain), plotting to accuse Him formally; this escalated to claims of making Himself equal with God.
Matthew 12:1-14 (disciples’ grain and withered hand healing); John 5:16-18 (healing at Bethesda pool).

• False testimony at the Sanhedrin trial about destroying the temple: Multiple false witnesses lied that Jesus claimed He would destroy the temple made with hands and rebuild it in three days (a distortion of John 2:19, where He spoke of His body). Their testimonies didn’t even agree.
Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59.

• Accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Christ/Son of God: After Jesus affirmed He was the Messiah (and referenced Daniel 7/Psalm 110), the high priest tore his robes and declared it blasphemy, leading the council to condemn Him to death.
Matthew 26:63-66; Mark 14:61-64; Luke 22:66-71.

• Accused before Pilate and Roman authorities of perverting the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and claiming kingship (treason/sedition): Jewish leaders twisted Jesus’ teachings into political crimes (e.g., He actually taught “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” in Matthew 22:21); they also called Him an evildoer/malefactor and stirred up the people. Pilate found no guilt, but the false charges led to crucifixion (with the inscription “King of the Jews”).
Luke 23:1-5 (main charges); John 18:30 (“malefactor”); John 19:12; Mark 15:2-3; Matthew 27:11-14.

• He Will Lie About You (Through Others)

WHEN FALSELY ACCUSED…

Give It To God, Let Him Handle It - FOLLOW Jesus!

• Proverbs 19:5 (ESV) A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

• Isaiah 54:17 (ESV) no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”

Release Through Forgiveness… To The Lord’s Justice

Romans 12:19–21 (ESV) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

• Your reactions will complicate the picture

• Your wrong actions will have their own consequences

Luke 23:34 (ESV) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Suffer Well, _______________________ Is Watching.

• The Devil And His Demons

• Your Enemy - Proverbs 25:21–22 (ESV) If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,  for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

• Unbelievers You Are Trying to Win - Matthew 5:16 (ESV) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

• Your Friends

• Your Family, Your Children

• The Host Of Heaven - Hebrews 12:1–5 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

Closing

• Galatians 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

• Hebrews 10:36 (ESV) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

‭‭‭‭‭‭(Genesis 39:1-21) Genesis 39:6–8 (ESV) So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.  And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”  But he refused.

Joseph Was Distinctive: The Favor/Purpose Of The Father Was Tangible

• His Coat (Favor): Genesis 37:3–4 (ESV) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.  But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

• His Dream (Purpose): Genesis 37:10–11 (ESV) But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”  And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

• Joseph is in prison because of his coat and his dream

• Joseph is in prison because of the touch of the father, and the calling of the father.

• They were jealous - the same touch/favor were available to them as well.

• His brothers destroyed the coat to remove the father’s touch and sold him to remove the father’s calling

• Genesis 37:10–11 (ESV) But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”  And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

The Father’s Favor And Purpose Remained - Genesis 39:2–5 (ESV) The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.  His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.  So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.  From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.

Favor Attacked By A SUBSTITUTE For God’s Gift Of SEX

Genesis 39:7–8 (ESV) And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”  But he refused and said to his master’s wife, 

This is an iconic crossroads in life, desiring to pull you out of alignment with God’s favor. 

• At first glance, it’s just sex.

• Physical

• Natural desires

• Companionship - I’m all alone (hard to marry-slave)

• Physical escape from difficulty circumstances

• Emotional

• Being wanted by someone attractive/powerful

• Reward for the unfair trial

• Entitlement - deserved for accomplishments

• Gateway to life goals.

• For all these reasons, the average person gives in.

• He’s already a physical slave, but an emotional/spiritual slavery is attempting to take over.

• From 30,000 ft up, this is a bigger attack on favor/calling than his brothers.

• No issue will ever challenge favor like your sexuality.

• Sexuality is the #1 test you will every face

• Unavoidable experiences in childhood

• Poor decisions during youth

• Unknown doors opened in the spiritual realm 

• 1 Corinthians 6:15–19 (ESV) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!  Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”  But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.  Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

• It’s why so many children are attacked at a young age.

• Pollute a person’s sexuality, and the impact is massive.

No Issue Will Challenge Favor Like Your Sexuality

It will take an and pollute a mile.

• Adultery (Sexual relations with a married person)

• Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 20:10; Matthew 5:27–28; Proverbs 6:32.

• Fornication / Sexual Immorality (A broad term—Greek porneia—covering sex outside of marriage)

• 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Galatians 5:19; Hebrews 13:4.

• Incest (Sexual relations with close relatives)

• Leviticus 18:6–18; Leviticus 20:11–12, 14, 17, 19–21; 1 Corinthians 5:1.

• Homosexual Acts (Same-sex sexual activity)

• Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10.

• Bestiality (Sexual relations with animals)

• Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 18:23; Leviticus 20:15–16; Deuteronomy 27:21.

• Prostitution (Engaging in or soliciting sexual services for hire)

• Leviticus 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17–18; 1 Corinthians 6:15–16.

• Rape / Sexual Assault

• Deuteronomy 22:25–27; Genesis 34:1–7.

• Effeminacy / Cross-Dressing (Cultural expressions of gender subversion in a sexual/moral context)

• Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9 (specifically the term malakoi in some translations).

• Lust (Cultivating sexual desire for someone not one's spouse)

• Matthew 5:28; Job 31:1; 1 John 2:16.

• Sensuality / Lasciviousness (Lack of restraint; promoting lewdness)

• Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; Jude 1:4.

• Impurity / Uncleanness (Moral or ritual defilement related to sexual conduct)

• Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:3; Romans 1:24.

• Seduction of a Virgin (Sex with an unbetrothed woman)

• Exodus 22:16–17; Deuteronomy 22:28–29.

• Cult Prostitution (Sexual acts as part of pagan worship)

• 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 23:7; Hosea 4:14.

The Beauty Of Sex - (8) We believe that Christian marriage was established by God, confirmed by Jesus, and is between a man and a woman. We believe that sex is a gift from God designed for intimacy and procreation within marriage.

• Created by God - Matthew 19:4–6 (ESV) He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,  and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

• For Companionship/Unity/Intamacy

• Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

• Matthew 19:5–6: "...and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

• For Pleasure/Protection 

• 1 Corinthians 7:5: "Do not deprive one another... so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

• 1 Corinthians 7:2: "But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."

• For Pro-Creation (no more reflective of God than when you have kids)

• Genesis 1:28: "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it...'"

• Psalm 127:3–5 (ESV) Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

• Between 

Recapture Your Sexuality. Recapture Your Alignment For Favor/Purpose

Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

CONFESS - homologeō

• Homos - same

• Logos - word or speak

To speak the same thing. To agree with Scripture/GOD

CLEANSE - katharos

To be made pure, clean, or unstained

Scripture: ‭‭‭‭‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭28, 36‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt… sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

How did this happen to Joseph? Why do bad things happen?

If God is all powerful and loving, why would he allow this?

Why The Will Of God Does Not Happen:

• Free Will: Adam Genesis 3:17–19 (ESV) And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;  thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

• Free Will: Mankind - Genesis 4:8 (ESV) Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

• Free Will: YOU

• Deuteronomy 30:19–20 (ESV) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,  loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

• Joshua 24:14–15 (ESV) “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

• 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

• Free Will: Enemy King That Goes Unrestrained

• Ephesians 2:1–2 (ESV) And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

• Luke 22:31–32 (ESV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,  but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

• 1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Not everything that happens is the will of God.

• God doesn’t want anyone to sin, but they do

• God didn’t want Adam to die, but he did

• Jesus wanted to heal everyone in his hometown, but he couldn’t because of their unbelief

• Jesus didn’t want you to go through the things you did, but you did.

You were outside the perfect will of God…

Navigating The “Outside The Will Of God”

1. Function In Your Authority In The Spirit - Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

2. Fellowship With Him While Suffering - ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ (‭ESV‬‬) that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

3. Suffer Well To Experience Transformation

• Romans 5:3–5 (ESV) Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

• James 1:2–4 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

• 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Overcoming Family Dysfunction 

Scripture: ‭‭‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.””

Family Dysfunction In This Chapter

• ‭‭Genesis 37:4 (ESV) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

• Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV ‬‬“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.”

• Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV ‬‬“His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.”

• ‭‭‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭11‬ ‭“And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.”

• Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.”

• ‭‭‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.””

• Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.”

• ‭‭‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.”

• ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭31‬-‭33‬ ‭ESV ‬‬“Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.””

Generational Dysfunction Before This Chapter

1. Abraham’s Generation

• Deception/Lying: Abraham twice claimed his wife, Sarah, was only his sister out of fear for his own life, putting Sarah in danger (Genesis 12:10–20; Genesis 20:1–18).

• Sexual Sin/Lack of Faith: Sarah encouraged Abraham to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar, to produce an heir, an act outside of God's original plan for marriage, leading to significant strife (Genesis 16).

2. Isaac’s Generation

• Favoritism: Both Isaac and Rebekah practiced favoritism toward their sons, which laid the foundation for future division and conflict in the family.

• Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed his wild game, while Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28).

3. Jacob’s Generation

• Deception/Lying: Rebekah and Jacob conspired to deceive Isaac, who was old and blind, so that Jacob could steal the spiritual and material blessing intended for his older brother, Esau (Genesis 27).

• Sibling Rivalry/Malice: The deception led to intense hatred, causing Esau to vow to kill Jacob, forcing Jacob to flee the land (Genesis 27:41).

4. Jacob (Israel)’s Sons’ Generation

• Violence and Malice: Simeon and Levi committed a treacherous act of murder against the entire male population of Shechem in revenge for the rape of their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34). Jacob later condemned their anger and violence on his deathbed (Genesis 49:5–7).

• Sexual Sin/Violation of Authority: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, slept with his father’s concubine, Bilhah. This gross violation of patriarchal authority and sexual purity resulted in him losing his preeminence and birthright (Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:3–4).

• Favoritism, Hatred, and Violence:

• Jacob repeated the sin of his parents by practicing blatant favoritism, loving Joseph more than his other sons and giving him the famous "robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3).

• The brothers' jealousy and hatred grew, leading them to plot to kill Joseph and ultimately selling him into slavery to passing traders (Genesis 37:4, 18–28).

• Deception/Lying: To conceal their crime, the brothers dipped Joseph's robe in goat’s blood and lied to their father, causing him prolonged grief (Genesis 37:31–35).

• Deception and Sexual Sin (Judah): Judah, one of the brothers, had his own history of sexual sin when he mistakenly slept with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar, who disguised herself as a prostitute after he had refused to give her his third son in marriage (Genesis 38).

DYSFUNCTION: Misalignment With God’s Word

• We All Unknowingly Grow Up In A Level Of Dysfunction

• We Recognize It When It “Gets On Us”

• We Struggle To Recognize When It “Gets In Us”

• Part Of Discipleship Is The Transformation Of Our Dysfunction

Overcoming Family Dysfunction: Live In The Word

• The Word Brings Spiritual Life - Matthew 4:3–4 (ESV) And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”  But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

• Manna - Exodus 16:19–21 (ESV) And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.”  But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.  Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

• The Word Reveals Dysfunction Within You - James 1:23–25 (ESV) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

• Following Jesus, some of it will just fall off

• The Word will reveal a manageable load at a time that is still attacjed

• Daily reading is like the finest of sandpaper - it hurts less

• Being in a Bible preaching/teaching church will expose chunks

• Podcasts/Books will help to fine tune

• The Word Reveals Dysfunction Around You - Hebrews 4:12–13 (ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

• Lies believed will influence behavior

• We are being lied to on a level that is shocking

• It is more effective now because of SM proximity

• Double Speak - The phrase "double speak" is a general term often associated with, and influenced by, George Orwell's famous dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984).

• In modern usage, "doublespeak" is an unofficial, umbrella term used to describe language that deliberately obscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. It is commonly used as a way to make the bad seem good, the negative appear positive, or to avoid taking responsibility for actions.

• Pro-Choice - a forced choice to embrace the death of a child

• Inclusivity - the exclusion of Biblical principles, and the celebration of things disallowed

• Gender affirming care -  Gender Rejection

• Affirmative Action - Opposition Action

• Undocumented Individuals

Overcoming Family Dysfunction: Live In The Holy Spirit

• Four Types Of Followers: Positional,  Cerebral,  Emotional or Spiritual

• Positional - admission of Jesus’ Lordship

• Cerebral - arguing Jesus’ Lordship

• Emotional - feeling Jesus’ Lordship

• Spiritual - engaging Jesus’ Lordship

• The Holy Spirit will reveal, guide, and empower you.

• Spiritual Revelation: 1 Corinthians 2:10 (NIV) - "These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."

• Guidance and Truth: John 16:13 (NIV) - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

• Teaching and Remembering: John 14:26 (NIV) - "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

• Prayer Directed At The ISSUE (Intercession): Romans 8:26 (NIV) - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

• Freedom/Transformation  ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Scripture: Genesis 37:4 (ESV) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

DYSFUNCTION: Misalignment With God’s Word

• We All Unknowingly Grow Up In A Level Of Dysfunction

• We Begin To Recognize It As It “Gets On Us”

• We Struggle To Recognize When It’s Gotten Inside Of Us

• God Wants To Remove It With Our Participation

Family Dysfunction In This Chapter

• ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV ‬‬“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.”

• Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV ‬‬“His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.”

• ‭‭‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭11‬ ‭“And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.”

• Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.”

• ‭‭‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.””

• Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.”

• ‭‭‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.”

• ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭31‬-‭33‬ ‭ESV ‬‬“Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.””

Generational Dysfunction Before This Chapter

1. Abraham’s Generation

• Deception/Lying: Abraham twice claimed his wife, Sarah, was only his sister out of fear for his own life, putting Sarah in danger (Genesis 12:10–20; Genesis 20:1–18).

• Sexual Sin/Lack of Faith: Sarah encouraged Abraham to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar, to produce an heir, an act outside of God's original plan for marriage, leading to significant strife (Genesis 16).

2. Isaac’s Generation

• Favoritism: Both Isaac and Rebekah practiced favoritism toward their sons, which laid the foundation for future division and conflict in the family.

• Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed his wild game, while Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28).

3. Jacob’s Generation

• Deception/Lying: Rebekah and Jacob conspired to deceive Isaac, who was old and blind, so that Jacob could steal the spiritual and material blessing intended for his older brother, Esau (Genesis 27).

• Sibling Rivalry/Malice: The deception led to intense hatred, causing Esau to vow to kill Jacob, forcing Jacob to flee the land (Genesis 27:41).

4. Jacob (Israel)’s Sons’ Generation

• Violence and Malice: Simeon and Levi committed a treacherous act of murder against the entire male population of Shechem in revenge for the rape of their sister, Dinah (Genesis 34). Jacob later condemned their anger and violence on his deathbed (Genesis 49:5–7).

• Sexual Sin/Violation of Authority: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, slept with his father’s concubine, Bilhah. This gross violation of patriarchal authority and sexual purity resulted in him losing his preeminence and birthright (Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:3–4).

• Favoritism, Hatred, and Violence:

• Jacob repeated the sin of his parents by practicing blatant favoritism, loving Joseph more than his other sons and giving him the famous "robe of many colors" (Genesis 37:3).

• The brothers' jealousy and hatred grew, leading them to plot to kill Joseph and ultimately selling him into slavery to passing traders (Genesis 37:4, 18–28).

• Deception/Lying: To conceal their crime, the brothers dipped Joseph's robe in goat’s blood and lied to their father, causing him prolonged grief (Genesis 37:31–35).

• Deception and Sexual Sin (Judah): Judah, one of the brothers, had his own history of sexual sin when he mistakenly slept with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar, who disguised herself as a prostitute after he had refused to give her his third son in marriage (Genesis 38).

Can You Identify Family Dysfunction On/In HYou?

• Affectionless Relationships

• Demeaning Comments

• Parents Who Undermine One Another

• Poor Financial Decisions

• Addictions That Rob The Family

• Violence

• Helicopter Parents

• "Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. Weak men create hard times."

• Identity via Child - manipulate children, outcomes are “theirs”

• Virtue via Child  - manipulate children, valuations are theirs

• Stockholm syndrome

• Crossdressing syndrome

Why Is It There Family Dysfunction?

1. Lack Of Knowledge

2. Entrenched Dysfunction (not mental health)

3. External Influence (relational, cultural or spiritual)

4. A Failure To Lead 

Overcoming Family Dysfunction

1. Follow Jesus Engaged With The Holy Spirit

• Following Jesus gives you and your family to best chance of abundant life

• Four Types Of Followers: Positional,  Cerebral,  Emotional or Spiritual

• The Holy Spirit will reveal, guide, and empower you.

• Spiritual Revelation: 1 Corinthians 2:10 (NIV) - "These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."

• Guidance and Truth: John 16:13 (NIV) - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

• Teaching and Remembering: John 14:26 (NIV) - "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

• Prayer Directed At The ISSUE (Intercession): Romans 8:26 (NIV) - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

• Freedom/Transformation  ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

The Fight For Family First

Genesis 37:4 (ESV) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

Today’s Goals: 

• Recognize where family falls in God’s list of priorities

• Review your priorities

• Put family back where it belongs, second only to Jesus

Family Is God’s Primary Focus

• After Creating Man, God Established Family With/For Him

• Genesis 2:18, 24 (ESV) Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

• Genesis 1:28 (ESV) And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

• The Priority of Family is seen in Biblical Lineages/Tribes

• The Priority of Family is seen in the New Testament Language

• Matthew 6:9 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

• Galatians 6:10 (NIV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

• 1 Corinthians 4:14–15 (ESV) I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.  For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We tend as young adults to:

• Take good family experience for granted and long to go off to the bigger and better

• It is a checkmark in the list of things to do and starting our family becomes a checkmark of things to do.

• Take a bad family experience and want to escape it

• We separate from our families - God is a god of reconciliation

• In trying to be nothing like them we end up carrying our trauma into our families

• We often become the very thing we said we would never become

Creating Family is the first thing God did

Calling us to create our families is the second.

Everything else in life is for the sake of the first and second thing.

Everything Works To The Demise Of Family

• The Enemy’s Subtle Attack On Her Husband - Genesis 3:1 (ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

• Genesis 2:15–17 (ESV) The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

• Genesis 3:12 (ESV) The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”

• The Impact: Genesis 3:23–24 (ESV) therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.  He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Joseph’s Family

• Dad was tricked when he Got married Leah/Rachel

• Promised children, but barren Rachel suggested concubines

• Mom died giving birth to his brother

• Dad favored him to the detriment of his family relationships

• Genesis 37:3–4 (ESV) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.  But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

• Genesis 37:23–24 (ESV) So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.  And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

• Genesis 37:28 (ESV) Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

• Genesis 37:31–32 (ESV) Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.  And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.”

• Genesis 37:36 (ESV) Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Do you understand that it’s more than good/bad people and good/bad decisions, THE ENEMY IS ATTACKING THE FAMILY IN CONCEPT AND IN EXPERIENCE?

• One man, one woman, for a lifetime… children?

• Cultural thoughts to the contrary are an evil agenda

• Dangerous food, party culture, abortions, DINK Culture, Same sex marriage, Bill Maher 

• Evil actions that impact your experience, view and pursuit 

Food For Though

• People Who Make Bad Decisions Are Influenced By More Than You Realize  - Luke 23:34 (ESV) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 

• A Bad Experience Does Not Negate The Value Of ____. 

• Family/Church/Relationships

• Concept of Family/Church/Relationship

You Are God’s Agent For Restoration/Redemption

• Malachi 4:5–6 (ESV) “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.  And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

• Boundaries not walls

• Genesis 45:7–8 (ESV) And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.  So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

• Injuries become strengths

2 Kings 4:14–20 (ESV) And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.”  He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway.  And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.”  But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.  When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers.  And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.”  And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died.

Exceptional Promises Are The Norm For Kingdom Participants.

• Belief in God is good

• Following Jesus is the starting point

• That will take you into a Journey of Kingdom Participation

• We still live in the world

• We have a new King

• We have a new law

• We have a new way of living

• We have a new family

• We have a new mission

• We have a new economy

While the decision to follow Jesus unlocks salvation but participation in Kingdom, and taking Kingdom ground unlocks a next level experience in all arenas of life.

2 Kings 4:8–10 (ESV) One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food.  And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way.  Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”

Matthew 16:16–19 (ESV) Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Promises Received Are Promises At Risk.

2 Kings 4:20 (ESV) And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died.

“God… I thought you were giving me this amazing promise and now you are taking it away???” Your promise is always at risk and you must protect it.

The Attacks You Will Face:

• Pushback Of This World

• Sin & Stupidity

• Attack By Worldly Haters

• Attacks On Kingdom Players

The Same Kingdom Participation It Took To Receive The Promise Is The Same Kingdom Participation It Will Take To Maintain The Promise

• She could have given up, appreciative for what was done, surrendering the full promise for a full life.

• She should have become an emotional disaster and added to the problem

• She could have called for natural help

• 2 Kings 4:22–25 (ESV) Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.”  And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.”  Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.”  So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite.

• She could have leaned on her own spiritual strength

• Instead she tapped into the flow of what brought the promise in the first place.

• Hebrews 10:39 (ESV) But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

• Philippians 3:16 (ESV) Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

• Elisha’s ability to deliver results required him to be a Kingdom participant 

NOVEMBERFAST: Call On The Lord

Genesis 4:25-26 (ESV) And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.

Why Fast? Why NovemberFast? Why Call On The LORD?

• The first family had been through some stuff

• Experienced perfection

• Clarity of vision of all things

• Deception brought imperfection

• Personally

• Collectively

• Relationally

• Blindness

• Removed from Garden of Eden

• Cain killed Abel

• Seth was born “replacing” Abel

• Adam: First generations experienced perfection

• Seth: Second generation lived in the residue

• Enoshe: Third generation only hears stories.

• ENOSH - אֱנוֹשׁ means "man" or "human" often emphasizing human frailty or mortality. 

• “At That Time…”

• Call - qara - spoken, proclamation, declaration, cry, invitation, summon. A formal intentional collective public seeking of God

There should come a moment when we look around and say, “Enough is enough. We want something different. We want something better. We want the best and this isn’t it. We want WHO they had so that We can enjoy what they had. Enosh recognized: 

God / Heaven = Good

• James 1:16–18 (ESV) Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Me / Earth ≠ Good

• Isaiah 64:6–7 (ESV) We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities

On Earth As In Heaven

• Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Novemberfast: I Am Seeking Him 

Jeremiah 29:10–14 (ESV) “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

• To See Him, He Must Become Brighter, Everything Else Dim

• commit to a personally defined level of fasting

• Turn off Social Media/TV

• Stops the projects

• Pause the hobbies

• Attend weekend gatherings

• Attend mid-week corporate prayer.

• To See Him, Looks Where He Is

• Prayer/Presence

• Word

• listen to daily NovemberFast podcast each day - comment

• read assigned Bible passages each day.

• To See Him, Put Yourself In A Position To Need Him

• Adjust food

• Adjust pleasures 

• In the burn, in that need, invite Him to meet that need.

Novemberfast: I Am Seeking What Is MisAligned

Mark 8:23–26 (ESV) And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

• Personally

• Friends/Family

• Career

• Finances 

• Health

• Future

• Ministry

• Church 

• Community

• State/Nation 

The discovery of misalignment is the start

• Discovered in the word

• Discovered in prayer

• Discovered by revelation

• Discovered by discomfort

That creates a prayer list

Thematic prayer lists give you general topics

21 Days will give you specifics

• spend time in topical prayer each day building a Prayer List For 2026

Novemberfast: I Am Seeking A Shift

Ezekiel 37:3–7 (ESV) And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling…

Discovering something is out of alignment is the start. Realignment is the goal. The shift comes:

• Asking

• Telling: Authority

• Taking Action: Personal Responsibility

Psalm 27:8 (ESV) You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Deuteronomy 4:29 (ESV) But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Psalm 34:4 (ESV) I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭43‬-‭45‬ (‭ESV) ‬‬“And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.”

• Who would want to kill Jesus?

• Why would they want to kill Jesus?

Luke 13:31–35 (ESV) At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”  And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.  Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

In our lifetime, there have been assassinations.

Charlie Kirk is the first spectacle/murder

• Recorded live/high def while streaming

• Can be replayed infinitely

• The arguments about his message are typical

Unlike other assassinations, we can go back and review his message unlike any other. Something different:

• He was political, but was doing more than arguing politics 

• He was smart, but more than arguing facts

• He regularly declared TRUTH - preacher/prophetic/apostolic

• He had influence in the highest spheres: culture, finance, politics and church.

• Shockingly, no scandals (though people are doing everything to create them.

His funeral was a first ever in my lifetime

• Largest funeral in our time

• Who’s who of finance and politics

• Powerful worship, for hours

• Hours of the Gospel being preached - JESUS

A gospel that doesn’t reach all spheres of society, including our leaders in government, is an ineffective gospel.

Our message isn’t for these four walls - it’s for this zip code, for this region, for our nation, for the world.

“The church should stay out of politics!” I agree to the point that we have to be careful about trying to get specific candidates elected under the banner of “God’s Man.” Politics is attempting to influence morality and Christians are attempting to influence morality, Christians have to speak into politics. 

• Moses appealed not only to the Israelites, but also to Pharaoh 

• Prophets spoke directly to Kings - Elijah/Ahab/Jezebel

• 1 Kings 18:1 (ESV) After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.”

• Jesus was before Pontus Pilate

• Paul/Silas preached to their jailer

• Paul preached to Publius and eventually appealed to Rome 

Acts 19:21 (ESV) Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

A version of this is playing out in American right now.?

• A nation/states founded on biblical principles 

• We have the highest population of non-Christian’s trying to throw off our Christian-based framework

This will be more defined than ever in your lifetime.

People will be involved. The spiritual realm will be very active 

THERE IS ASSAULT ON TRUTH

This is not an attack on facts, but TRUTH

• 2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV) But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning…

TRUTH is under attack

• Genesis 1:1 (ESV) In the beginning, God

• created the heavens and the earth.

• Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion…

• Genesis 1:27 (ESV) male and female he created them.

• Genesis 1:28 (ESV) And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

• Genesis 2:15 (ESV) The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

• Genesis 2:16–17 (ESV) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

• Genesis 3:4–5 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

THERE IS AN ASSAULT ON TRUTH TELLERS

• God is the ultimate truth teller - his WORDS created life

• TRUTH tellers declare, deposit and reinforce LIFE

• You are not a threat based on what you believe

• You become a threat by what you declare with your life and especially with your WORDS

• Adam/Eve were the original TRUTH tellers - the moment that they sinned, they were deceived and their role changed

• Cain killed Able

• Genesis 4:3–8 (ESV) In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,  and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,  but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.  The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”  Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

• 1 John 3:12 (ESV) We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

• Saul tried to kill David

• Saul killed priests - 1 Samuel 22:17 (ESV) And the king said to the guard who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with David, and they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me.” 

• Jezebel killed the Prophets

• Herodias killed John the Baptist 

• Mark 6:17–20 (ESV) For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her.  For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”  And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not,  for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

• Mark 6:23–25 (ESV) And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”  And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”  And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

• Pharisees killed Stephen - Acts 7:54–59 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.  But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.  Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

• Jesus

• Every apostle but John 

There is going to be an attack on Christianity on a new level. Not just individuals, but Christianity will be the new racism

THERE IS AN ASSAULT TO BE SILENT ABOUT, TOLERATE, AFFIRM & ULTIMATELY CELEBRATE ANTI-TRUTH

• People become deceived - believe the lies

• 2 Thessalonians 2:7–12 (ESV) For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.  The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,  and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,  in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

• War on Words:

• Gender Affirming Care

• Planned Parenthood

• Social Pressures - Go along to get along

• Redefining of LOVE - Love without truth is not LOVE

John 14:6–7 (ESV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

John 8:31–32 (ESV) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭43‬-‭45‬ (‭ESV) ‬‬“And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.”

• Who would want to kill Jesus?

• Why would they want to kill Jesus?

Luke 13:31–35 (ESV) At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”  And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.  Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

In our lifetime, there have been assassinations.

Charlie Kirk is the first spectacle/murder

• Recorded live/high def while streaming

• Can be replayed infinitely

• The arguments about his message are typical

Unlike other assassinations, we can go back and review his message unlike any other. Something different:

• He was political, but was doing more than arguing politics 

• He was smart, but more than arguing facts

• He regularly declared TRUTH - preacher/prophetic/apostolic

• He had influence in the highest spheres: culture, finance, politics and church.

• Shockingly, no scandals (though people are doing everything to create them.

His funeral was a first ever in my lifetime

• Largest funeral in our time

• Who’s who of finance and politics

• Powerful worship, for hours

• Hours of the Gospel being preached - JESUS

A gospel that doesn’t reach all spheres of society, including our leaders in government, is an ineffective gospel.

Our message isn’t for these four walls - it’s for this zip code, for this region, for our nation, for the world.

“The church should stay out of politics!” I agree to the point that we have to be careful about trying to get specific candidates elected under the banner of “God’s Man.” Politics is attempting to influence morality and Christians are attempting to influence morality, Christians have to speak into politics. 

• Moses appealed not only to the Israelites, but also to Pharaoh 

• Prophets spoke directly to Kings - Elijah/Ahab/Jezebel

• 1 Kings 18:1 (ESV) After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.”

• Jesus was before Pontus Pilate

• Paul/Silas preached to their jailer

• Paul preached to Publius and eventually appealed to Rome 

Acts 19:21 (ESV) Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

A version of this is playing out in American right now.?

• A nation/states founded on biblical principles 

• We have the highest population of non-Christian’s trying to throw off our Christian-based framework

This will be more defined than ever in your lifetime.

People will be involved. The spiritual realm will be very active 

THERE IS ASSAULT ON TRUTH

This is not an attack on facts, but TRUTH

• 2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV) But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning…

TRUTH is under attack

• Genesis 1:1 (ESV) In the beginning, God

• created the heavens and the earth.

• Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion…

• Genesis 1:27 (ESV) male and female he created them.

• Genesis 1:28 (ESV) And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

• Genesis 2:15 (ESV) The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

• Genesis 2:16–17 (ESV) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

• Genesis 3:4–5 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

THERE IS AN ASSAULT ON TRUTH TELLERS

• God is the ultimate truth teller - his WORDS created life

• TRUTH tellers declare, deposit and reinforce LIFE

• You are not a threat based on what you believe

• You become a threat by what you declare with your life and especially with your WORDS

• Adam/Eve were the original TRUTH tellers - the moment that they sinned, they were deceived and their role changed

• Cain killed Able

• Genesis 4:3–8 (ESV) In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground,  and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,  but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.  The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”  Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

• 1 John 3:12 (ESV) We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

• Saul tried to kill David

• Saul killed priests - 1 Samuel 22:17 (ESV) And the king said to the guard who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with David, and they knew that he fled and did not disclose it to me.” 

• Jezebel killed the Prophets

• Herodias killed John the Baptist 

• Mark 6:17–20 (ESV) For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her.  For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”  And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not,  for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

• Mark 6:23–25 (ESV) And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”  And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”  And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

• Pharisees killed Stephen - Acts 7:54–59 (ESV) Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.  But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.  Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

• Jesus

• Every apostle but John 

There is going to be an attack on Christianity on a new level. Not just individuals, but Christianity will be the new racism

THERE IS AN ASSAULT TO BE SILENT ABOUT, TOLERATE, AFFIRM & ULTIMATELY CELEBRATE ANTI-TRUTH

• People become deceived - believe the lies

• 2 Thessalonians 2:7–12 (ESV) For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.  The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,  and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,  in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

• War on Words:

• Gender Affirming Care

• Planned Parenthood

• Social Pressures - Go along to get along

• Redefining of LOVE - Love without truth is not LOVE

John 14:6–7 (ESV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

John 8:31–32 (ESV) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Luke 9:18–20 (ESV) Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”  And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”  Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 

Matthew 16:13–17 (ESV) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  

What Is Revelation?

General Revelation: disclosure of truth through nature, history, and the human conscience. 

Supernatural Revelation: the uncovering through the spirit.

• 2 Kings 6:15–17 (ESV) When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”  He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Why Is Revelation Necessary?

General Revelation Leads To Opinions

• And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

• And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”

Jesus Impact Is Obvious - General Revelation/Opinions:

• Religion: Christianity, the religion founded on the teachings of Jesus, is the largest religion in the world, with approximately 2.3 billion adherents, making up nearly one-third of the global population.

• Global Recognition: Jesus is recognized not only in Christianity but also in other religions like Islam, where he is regarded as a prophet. This highlights his broader historical and cultural impact across different belief systems.

• Art and Literature: Jesus has been a central figure in Western art, literature, and music for centuries. Countless works in these fields have been inspired by his life and teachings, including masterpieces by artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

• Holidays and Festivals: Christmas and Easter, two of the most widely celebrated holidays globally, commemorate Jesus's birth and resurrection, respectively, highlighting his cultural significance.

• Influence on Laws and Ethics: Many modern legal systems and ethical frameworks are influenced by Christian values derived from Jesus's teachings, such as the emphasis on compassion, forgiveness, and the sanctity of life.

• Social Movements: Jesus’s teachings on love, justice, and equality have inspired numerous social movements, including the abolition of slavery, civil rights movements, and contemporary social justice efforts.

• Phrases and Sayings: Many common phrases in English and other languages stem from Jesus's teachings (e.g., "turn the other cheek," "the Good Samaritan"), demonstrating his impact on language and moral discourse.

• Education and Healthcare: Many universities, hospitals, and charitable organizations were founded by Christians inspired by Jesus’s teachings, which have had a lasting positive effect on society.

• Continued Relevance: His teachings and parables are referenced in diverse contexts, from philosophy and ethics to psychology and conflict resolution. Many people across various cultures find relevance in his messages, irrespective of religious beliefs.

A Supernatural Revelation Is Necessary To Know God

• John 6:44 (ESV) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

• 1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

How Does Revelation Happen? 

• Proverbs 20:27 (ESV) The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.

• Genesis 1:2 (ESV) The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

• John 12:32 (ESV) And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

• John 14:26 (ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Revelation ≠ Response

• 1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV) But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

• James 2:17 (ESV) So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

• Romans 10:9 (ESV) because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

• Revelation 20:12, 15 (ESV) And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done… And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

CONVINCED: The Book Of Luke

Luke 9:10–17 (ESV) On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And whatwas left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Unlock Natural Provision

• Learn These Principless To Unlock Throughout Your Lifetime Unlock Supernatural Provision

• Glorifies God

• Will Far Exceed The Natural Provision

• Provides A Powerful Testimony

• Draws Others To Him

• Powerful Gift To The Next Generation

Luke 9:11 (ESV) When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

• Kingdom & Kingdom Principles

• He’s about to demonstrate one of them

• This story has a part two, smaller crowd, more leftovers

• God rarely does the same thing twice That would to trusting a formula, not Kingdom principles - FAITH

VISION FOR A GOOD THING -

Luke 9:12 (ESV) Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”

A GOOD THING BECOMES A GOD THING

Luke 9:13 (ESV) But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

• Not all good things are God things

• The Kingdom currency faith, but it can’t be faith unless God speaks

• You can’t walk on water unless he invites or you or you function at a gift of faith leve

• Sometimes we act on:

  • Emotions

  • Personal commitments

  • Peer pressure

  • We were convinced to buy something

• Wrong: evangelist asking for your last dollar to unlock your miracle

• Right: god asking for your last meal to unlock your abundant provision

• God is not obligated to act on a good thing

• Learn to hear God speak about a good thing and turn it into a God thing

ESTABLISH THE NATURAL GAP

Luke 9:13 (ESV) They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.”

• Make no efforts to solve the issue in the flesh

ENGAGE OBEDIENCE & SACRIFICE

Luke 9:14–16 (ESV) For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

• Sit down in groups

• He took what they had

• He blessed them

• He broke the loaves

• When you have a GOD need, and you’re believing for a

• SUPERNATURAL OUTCOME, sacrificial giving to GOD unlocks

• His FLOW of provision

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV) The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

ENJOY SUPERNATURAL PROVISION

Luke 9:17 (ESV) And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Luke 9:1–6 (ESV) And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,  and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.  And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.  And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.  And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”  And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Wrong Emphasis - CALLED TO DO

• Specific Followers

• Specific Gifting

• Specific Place

• Specific Outcome

Biblical Emphasis - CALLED “TO BE”

Every Follower

• ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

• How did the 12 disciples feel when the 72 were sent?

• How did the 72 feel when the crowds were sent?

• YOU are called - there is no caste system.

Biblical Emphasis - CALLED “TO BE”

Every Action

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
  Yes, gifting, but it doesn’t make you more important, just unique!

Biblical Emphasis - CALLED “TO BE”

Every Place 

• Not just church

• Mark 16:15 (ESV) And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  

• Moments with specific destinations - Acts 16:6–10 (ESV) And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.  And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.  So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

• Home, work, friends, hobbies, community, politics

Biblical Emphasis - CALLED “TO BE”

Every Outcome - Kingdom!

• “to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal”

• Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.