Faithful Sojourning: Living with Eternal Perspective
Summary
In Genesis 46 and 47, we witness the poignant reunion of Joseph with his father, Jacob, and the relocation of Jacob's family to Egypt. This narrative serves as a profound reminder of our own journey as Christians, living as temporary residents in a world that is not our ultimate home. Just as Joseph's family settled in Goshen, we too are called to live faithfully in a place where God has given us temporary residence. Our ultimate destination is not here, but in the eternal presence of God.
The story of Joseph and his family is a testament to God's sovereign plan. From Joseph's trials and triumphs, we see how God orchestrated events to preserve the covenant line of Christ. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's promises and purposes, even when the path seems uncertain. We are reminded that our lives have an eternal purpose, and we are to live with an eye towards heaven, keeping God's promises at the forefront of our minds.
As sojourners, we are called to live holy lives, distinct from the culture around us. Joseph's strategic placement of his family in Goshen served to protect their unique identity and holiness. Similarly, we are to be set apart, living according to God's standards and reflecting His holiness in our daily lives. This means making choices that align with God's kingdom values, even when they go against cultural norms.
Endurance is key in our journey as sojourners. We are not alone, and we have the assurance that one day we will see Jesus face to face. This hope sustains us through trials and challenges, reminding us that our ultimate home is with God. The joy of seeing Jesus and being in His presence is the ultimate fulfillment of our faith.
In our sojourning, let us remain faithful, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal promises of God. Let us live holy lives, distinct from the world, and endure with the hope of seeing Jesus face to face. May we be encouraged to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our true home is with God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Eternal Perspective: As Christians, we are temporary residents in this world, called to live with an eternal perspective. Our ultimate home is in heaven, and we must keep our eyes on God's promises and purposes, trusting in His sovereign plan for our lives. [45:58]
2. Holiness and Distinction: We are called to live holy lives, distinct from the culture around us. Like Joseph's family in Goshen, we must protect our unique identity as God's people, living according to His standards and reflecting His holiness in our daily lives. [56:15]
3. Endurance in Faith: Our journey as sojourners requires endurance, knowing that we are not alone. We have the assurance that one day we will see Jesus face to face, and this hope sustains us through trials and challenges. [01:06:55]
4. Kingdom Values: Our decisions and actions should reflect kingdom values, prioritizing spiritual formation and eternal purposes over cultural norms. We are called to make choices that align with God's kingdom, even when they go against societal expectations. [53:40]
5. Faithful Sojourning: As sojourners, we must remain faithful, not loving the world or the things in it. We are to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on God's promises and purposes, and enduring with the hope of seeing Jesus face to face. [01:13:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [38:19] - Joseph's Reunion with Jacob
- [40:44] - Living as Temporary Residents
- [42:10] - Eternal Perspective
- [45:02] - God's Sovereign Plan
- [45:58] - Keys to Successful Sojourning
- [47:41] - Joseph's Wisdom and God's Promises
- [49:04] - Encouragement in Trials
- [50:07] - Eternal Purpose
- [51:08] - Keeping Focus on Heaven
- [53:40] - Kingdom Values in Decision Making
- [56:15] - Holiness and Cultural Distinction
- [59:06] - Living Set Apart
- [01:03:46] - Impact of Holiness on Community
- [01:06:55] - Endurance and Seeing Jesus
- [01:13:20] - Faithful Sojourning and Conclusion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 46:28-47:10
- 1 Peter 1:16
- 1 John 2:15-17
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Joseph's strategic plan for his family's settlement in Egypt, and why was Goshen chosen as their place of residence? [47:41]
2. How did Jacob describe his life when he spoke to Pharaoh, and what does this reveal about his perspective on his journey? [38:19]
3. What instructions did Joseph give his brothers regarding their occupation when speaking to Pharaoh, and why was this significant? [38:19]
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of having an eternal perspective as Christians living in this world? [42:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Joseph's placement of his family in Goshen reflect the importance of maintaining a distinct identity as God's people? [56:15]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christians today are similar to Joseph's family as sojourners in a foreign land? [45:58]
3. How does the concept of living with an eternal perspective challenge the way Christians make decisions in their daily lives? [53:40]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of endurance in the Christian journey, and how does this relate to the hope of seeing Jesus face to face? [01:06:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current living situation. How can you, like Joseph's family in Goshen, maintain a distinct Christian identity in your community? [56:15]
2. Consider the choices you make daily. Are there areas where you need to align more closely with God's kingdom values rather than cultural norms? What steps can you take to make this shift? [53:40]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of having an eternal perspective. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of your ultimate home in heaven during your daily routine? [42:10]
4. Endurance is highlighted as a key aspect of the Christian journey. How can you cultivate endurance in your faith, especially during challenging times? [01:06:55]
5. Think about the influence of culture on your life. Are there specific cultural influences you need to distance yourself from to live a holy life? How can you make this change? [59:06]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of spiritual formation for children. If you have children, how can you prioritize their spiritual growth in your family life? [53:40]
7. Reflect on the hope of seeing Jesus face to face. How does this hope impact your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more fully in light of this hope? [01:08:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Living with an Eternal Perspective
In Genesis 46 and 47, the reunion of Joseph with his father Jacob and the relocation of Jacob's family to Egypt serve as a powerful reminder of the Christian journey. As believers, we are temporary residents in this world, much like Joseph's family in Goshen. Our ultimate home is not here but in the eternal presence of God. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's promises and purposes, even when the path seems uncertain. We are reminded that our lives have an eternal purpose, and we are to live with an eye towards heaven, keeping God's promises at the forefront of our minds. By maintaining an eternal perspective, we can navigate the challenges of this world with hope and assurance. [45:58]
"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal promises today?
Day 2: Embracing Holiness and Distinction
Joseph's strategic placement of his family in Goshen was not just a matter of survival but also a means to protect their unique identity and holiness. As Christians, we are called to live holy lives, distinct from the culture around us. This means making choices that align with God's standards and reflecting His holiness in our daily lives. In a world that often pressures us to conform, we must protect our unique identity as God's people. By living according to His standards, we can reflect His holiness and be a light to those around us. This call to holiness is not about isolation but about being set apart for God's purposes. [56:15]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your life can you choose to live more distinctly according to God's standards today?
Day 3: Endurance in Faith
The journey of faith is not without its trials and challenges. As sojourners in this world, endurance is key. We are not alone, and we have the assurance that one day we will see Jesus face to face. This hope sustains us through difficult times, reminding us that our ultimate home is with God. The story of Joseph and his family is a testament to God's sovereign plan, encouraging us to trust in His promises even when the path seems uncertain. By enduring in faith, we can navigate the challenges of this world with hope and assurance, knowing that our ultimate fulfillment is in the presence of Jesus. [01:06:55]
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one trial you are currently facing, and how can you find joy and hope in the promise of seeing Jesus face to face?
Day 4: Aligning with Kingdom Values
Our decisions and actions should reflect kingdom values, prioritizing spiritual formation and eternal purposes over cultural norms. Joseph's wisdom in placing his family in Goshen was a strategic move to preserve their identity and holiness. Similarly, we are called to make choices that align with God's kingdom, even when they go against societal expectations. This means prioritizing spiritual growth and eternal purposes over temporary gains. By aligning our lives with kingdom values, we can live with integrity and purpose, reflecting God's love and truth to the world around us. [53:40]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing today, and how can you ensure it aligns with God's kingdom values?
Day 5: Faithful Sojourning
As sojourners, we must remain faithful, not loving the world or the things in it. We are to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on God's promises and purposes, and enduring with the hope of seeing Jesus face to face. The story of Joseph and his family is a testament to God's sovereign plan, encouraging us to trust in His promises even when the path seems uncertain. By remaining faithful in our journey, we can navigate the challenges of this world with hope and assurance, knowing that our true home is with God. [01:13:20]
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you remain faithful in your journey today, focusing on God's promises and purposes rather than the distractions of the world?
Quotes
"Friends, we need to guard our hearts. If we're getting discouraged, or we think the time is long. Or if we start to lift. If we're the world, we need to be reminded that we can't see this world as the end. We need to always have an eye towards heaven and the promise awaiting us. The promise that Jesus says, I'm going ahead of you to prepare a place for you. This wonderful place in the presence of God." [00:47:01] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Joseph hatches a plan to make sure that he had gotten in good favor with Pharaoh, but he wanted to make sure that his family, their descendants, and their children had a safe place to live out in the famine. This was all part of God's plan from the very beginning. From Joseph being sold into slavery, to being in Potiphar's wife's house, and being then put into prison, and then from prison to Pharaoh's palace, that he was put in charge of all of the abundance of food so that his family, the covenant line of Christ, could come and be taken care of in Egypt." [00:43:17] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Friends, parents, we need to prioritize teaching our children to stand for God's truth, not what's just popular. Friends, we need to teach our children to be persecution ready, not TikTok famous. We don't need to win the accolades and attention and viral nature of encouragement of the world because, friends, we know we, we are a community of people or they're up and Livin' for Another Place, Instead of being cultural desiring to be approved, we need to know that their generation and the next generation is going to be harder to stand for the biblical truth of God's word." [01:04:37] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Joseph's hope was in God's promises. The same promise that was given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The future Canaan. Let's be reminded of that. We've been walking through, we've been sojourning, or we've been journeying through Genesis this whole year. Remember back in Genesis chapter 15? The Lord says to Abraham, This had been passed down, the promise. God had promised the land to Abraham. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But also, he had said, hey, this is going to happen to you. And you need to trust my plan in it." [00:48:22] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Friends, whatever you're going through, no matter how discouraged you are, one day you will see Jesus face to face. You can wake up each morning saying, I'm one day closer to heaven. I'm one day closer to seeing Jesus. And I know the grace and mercy he's going to give me today will help me get through anything that is ahead of me." [01:07:48] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"As Christians, holiness means set apart. We see Israel and his family being physically set apart here in this same way that we should be set apart in the way that we live in this world. First John 2 writes this way, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride in one's possessions is not from the Father, but is from the world." [00:59:39] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Friends, Jacob, Simeon and all God's people should look with our eyes fixed towards heaven. Let's live this same endurance. Knowing and waiting for joy when the day comes as revelation promises, we will see his face and our faith will be made sight." [01:13:07] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Well, friends, that is really should be the heart of every believer. We want to get home. We want to get home to King Jesus. We need to have an eternal perspective. To be reminded that we are sojourners. We are temporary residents of this time, of this country, and of this place." [00:42:36] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Doing so, they could be free to be the people of God. I think it's interesting. It's even interesting that he made this note to say, because shepherds are detestable to Egyptians. Isn't that kind of how it is as Christians when we live holy lives, the culture rejects us, finds us detestable the things that we believe?" [00:59:06] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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