January Sermon Series

During 2012, Kettering Church of Christ will focus on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5.16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Christians walk in the light. We can develop a deeper appreciation for our relationship with Christ when we better understand where we've come from. In fact, we can't deal with salvation until we have first dealt with our sin. We can't understand grace until we understand sin, and we certainly can’t begin to comprehend mercy until we understand sin. Our examination of sin will be candid and thorough. And, as we see it for what it really is, we'll better understand that our salvation is a great and wondrous gift of God, Romans 6.23.

Join us in January as we learn more about the following topics related to sin:

• January 1 - Understanding Sin
• January 8 - Understanding Temptation
• January 15 - The Absolutes of Sin
• January 22 - The Consequences of Sin
• January 29 - How to Be Free From Sin

I hope you will join us for prayer, preaching, and praise each Sunday during January. Services start at 9:30. Our worship facility is located at 4600 Bigger Rd., in Kettering. May God give you a blessed new year.

Always Look for God

January 27, 2012

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 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.

Genesis 45.1-8 ESV

TODAY’S READING: Genesis 43-45

It is hard to read today's scripture reading without tearing up. Hear the emotions that are expressed. Feel the warmth of Joseph's compassion and forgiveness. It's just a powerful moment and it is one we should not pass over lightly. If there ever were a time for any resentment or grudges Joseph struggled with to come out, this would have been the time. His position gave him the power to deal out the severest torture and even kill his brothers. No one would have ever questioned it. But instead of dwelling on how he was wronged, he chose to focus on God. What his brothers meant for evil, God used for good. Where is our focus? Life will deal out its setbacks and disappointments. Evil lurks and strikes out when it can. People hurt and even betray us. Upon what will we focus? The hurt? Or, God? When we adjust our perspective to a higher level, suddenly we can handle the setbacks. The bitterness goes away – because we're looking upward. Our heavenly Father cares and is always acting for our ultimate good. When we constantly keep our eyes focused on Him, we'll be amazed at what He can do. Always, always, look for God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose, Romans 8.28.