Our Perfect Parent | Genesis 46

I mean, has there ever been a time when you've opened up the word of God and thought to yourself, like, I think this is for me? You didn't plan on it. You didn't prepare for it. You just open it up, and all of a sudden, it comes alive. It's as if God gives you spiritual eyes to see. That's special revelation. That's a miracle when that happens. [00:46:13] (25 seconds)  #LivingWordReveals

Alright. Which means that Egypt was not an accidental detour, for Jacob. It was part of God's design. It was the sovereign hand of God that was leading a people and growing a people, and thus fulfilling a promise that God made to those very same people. Right? God is a promise keeping God, and so what may have felt like sheer survival, for Jacob or even a sentence of death near the end of his life was actually part of God's sovereign plan. [00:54:39] (36 seconds)  #SovereignPurpose

I mean, pour your life into the life of another. Pour your life into the life of a child. Love him or her, give to him or her, sacrifice for him or her daily die, to yourself with zero guarantees. Zero guarantees. I mean, you you want a faith building exercise? Parenting is a faith building exercise. And then even in that, believe God speaks to his kids and says, hey, don't be afraid. [00:53:05] (40 seconds)  #FaithfulParenting

God's presence is experienced not only in the person and work of Jesus, but in the holy spirit, the third member of the trinity. Paul writes in Ephesians chapter one, in him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, you were sealed with the promised holy spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of his glory. When you believe and trust in Jesus, God seals you with his holy spirit, the very presence of God in your life and in mine. His presence is promised not just for a time or for a season, but forever. [01:05:28] (50 seconds)  #SealedWithTheSpirit

We find ourselves saying things like, this is not what I signed up for. This is not what I wanted, I didn't ask for this, I thought things would turn out differently. Well, if any of that resonates with you this morning, then I have good news for you. Because the reality is there is a perfect parent in heaven who knows you personally, and he has revealed himself to you clearly. He invites you and me, to walk with him courageously. [00:31:48] (41 seconds)  #WalkWithTheFather

When you feel small and insignificant and forgotten, God sees you. God doesn't just pay attention to the so called important people in the world. He pays attention to you and to me. God cares about what's happening in the world and he cares about what's happening in your world. So yes, in Genesis chapter 46, God speaks Jacob's name but God knows your name too. [00:39:59] (39 seconds)  #GodKnowsYourName

He knows us when we desire to disappear in the crowd and not be noticed. He knows us when more than anything we just wanna be left alone, and he knows us when we just want to be noticed. He knows us when we hope someone would see us and remember our name. If you're here this morning and you've ever felt unknown in a sea of humanity, God sees you. [00:39:22] (37 seconds)  #SeenAndKnown

God knows every deed that you have ever done in secret, every quiet act of kindness, every sacrifice that has gone unnoticed. God is aware of your late nights and he knows your early mornings, all the humble acts of service that no one else on the planet has seen. God knows them. Every dream that you have ever dreamed, every longing that your heart has ever had, every desire, God knows you better than you know yourself. [00:38:43] (40 seconds)  #NothingHiddenFromGod