Hello Friends!
I've changed blog locations. To see current and future postings go to:
PastorKirkMcCormick.blogspot.com
(The only difference in the address is I've added "Pastor" to the beginning of the address.
Thanks for making the transition.)
Monday, May 24, 2021
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
The Habits of Surprise - Genesis 42:29-43:15
(Listen to message below)
The Habits of Surprise
Genesis 42:29-43:15
5 Common Human Reactions to Surprises
Reaction 1 – We see the negative rather than the opportunity.
Genesis 42:35-36 – “As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. Their father Jacob said to them, ‘You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!’”
Point: Beware of Thought Traps.
Reaction 2 – Expecting the worst.
Genesis 42:38 - “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”
Point: With God on your side why do you expect the worst?
Reaction 3 – We throw ourselves a Pity Party.
Genesis 43:6 – “Israel asked, ‘Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?’”
Point: Surprises often happen to draw attention to God, not us.
Reaction 4 – We negotiate for comfort.
“If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift – a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.” – Genesis 43:11-13
Point: Sometimes the answer comes from Above and not from within.
Reaction 5 – We give up.
Genesis 43:14 – “And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
Point: It’s easy to give up on the situation when we have given up on God.
Responding to the Surprises of Life
Response 1 – Recognize your predisposition.
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
Point: Change begins with honesty. Recognize, realize, admit your predisposition.
Response 2 – Go immediately “Vertical” and not “Horizontal”.
Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
...but do you know the verse right after?
Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
...or how about the verses before?
Matthew 6:27 – “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
Matthew 6:31-32 – “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
Point: I have never seen a habit just lie down, surrender, and die; we have to make a conscious effort to commit them to God if we want lasting change.
Response 3 – Do not Retreat...just wait.
Isaiah 40:31 – “...but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Point: Remember...God’s timing is not always my timing.
© Pastor Kirk A. McCormick
May 18, 2021 All rights reserved
Sunday, May 16, 2021
When Evil Enters the Room - Genesis 42:1-28
When Evil Enters the Room
Genesis 42:1-28
When You’re the Perpetrator
Step 1 - Confess the evil.
Susan Wise Bauer – “An apology is an expression of regret: I am sorry. A confession is an admission of fault: I am sorry because I did wrong. I sinned.”
Genesis 42:21a - They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.”
** They knew they had done wrong and had, for 20 years, carried the guilt and shame of their actions...almost EXPECTING to be punished by God for their evil.
Point: Confession is a gift from God as it is often the beginning of healing.
James 5:16 – “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Step 2 – Take Responsibility.
Point: Taking responsibility is healthy. Without it relationships become polluted and begin to stink. With it, the air is clear.
Galatians 6:5, 7 – “We are each responsible for our own conduct. 7 Don’t be misled – you cannot mock God. You will always reap what you sow.”
Genesis 42:21b – “We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”
Step 3 – Do not pass the buck.
Genesis 42:22 – Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.”
Genesis 42:28b – “Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”
Point: The passing of time does not ease the pain of a guilt or shame. Honesty does!
Application: How to Respond to Evil
Response 1 – Do not keep a hit list.
Romans 12:17 – “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” What’s the Alternative?
Alternative 1 – Stay alert.
Philippians 3:2 – “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.”
Alternative 2 – Draw on spiritual wisdom through prayer.
2 Thessalonians 3:2 – “Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.”
Alternative 3 – Love Jesus more.
Truth: Your energies will go somewhere.
Jesus said (John 3:20) – “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”
1 Corinthians 13:6 – “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
Response 2 – Wait attentively for your “God moment.”
Point: Waiting attentively; not just knowing the promises of God makes the difference.
Genesis 41:8 – “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them...”
Lamentations 3:25-26 – “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
Response 3 – Remain centered in God’s promises.
Isaiah 55:10-11 – “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Hebrews 10:36 – “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (NLT)
Point: Evil does not last...God’s promises are eternal.
© Pastor Kirk A. McCormick
May 11, 2021 All rights reserved
Monday, May 10, 2021
The Risks and Rewards of Faithfulness
The Risks and Rewards of Faithfulness
Genesis 41:41-57
5 Rewards for Remaining Faithful in the Dungeon
Reward 1 – Joseph is Promoted.
J. Oswald Sanders - “Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to survive is prosperity.”
Genesis 41:41 – “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’” What Do We Learn? - Lengthy afflictions need not demoralize us.
Reward 2 – Joseph receives Prestige.
Genesis 41:42 – “Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.”
What Do We Learn? – Unfair circumstances need not define us. Remember: It takes only one moment for your course to change.
Reward 3 – Joseph gains Prominence.
Genesis 41:43 – “Pharaoh had Joseph ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, ‘Make way!’”
What Do We Learn? – Ungodly people cannot cancel us.
Reward 4 – Joseph offers Perspective.
Genesis 41:50-52 – “Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, ‘It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.’ 52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.’”
What Do We Learn? - Bad memories need not defeat us.
Reward 5 – Joseph becomes a Provider.
Genesis 41:56-57 – “When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57 And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.”
What Do We Learn? – Huge roadblocks need not deter us from service.
Charles Swindoll – “With authority comes the need for accountability. With popularity comes the need for humility. With prosperity comes the need for integrity. Joseph passed all three tests with flying colors.”
** In Christ, we:
are Promoted – once sinners, now co-heirs with Jesus
Romans 8:17 – “Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ...”
given Prestige – right to become children of the Most High
John 1:12 – “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
gain Prominence – authority over demons, even Satan
Luke 9:1 – “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out alldemons and to cure diseases.”
Luke 10:19 – Jesus said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
offer Perspective – new wisdom about life...even life in the dungeon
1 Corinthians 1:24 – “...but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
become Providers – by leading others to Christ.
Acts 1:8 – Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
© Pastor Kirk A. McCormick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)