Full Transcript for August 16, 2026 - “It was God!”

Reverend, raise your hand and tell us that you're doing that. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:53.039 You want to say anything about it? 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:55.200 Starting the grief support group. 00:09:55.360 --> 00:10:00.240 So if you experience the loss of a loved one, he's getting started and there's a book. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:49.840 And we are grateful for you leading that room. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.120 Thank you so much. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:54.879 So, Ben, I don't know where Ben is. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:55.759 Ben in the room. 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:57.519 Yes, Ben, did I get it all? 00:10:57.919 --> 00:10:59.759 All right, I got the thumbs up. 00:10:59.919 --> 00:11:06.399 So without any further ado, why don't we now enter into our time of worship with standing for the choral intro? 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:18.960 This is such a small space. 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:44.879 And if you'll remain standing and join me in reading and sharing in the call to worship, in your bulletin, and on the screen. 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:54.240 God of mercy and hidden providence, providence, you trace our steps through every hardship. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:13:00.240 You turn our fears into a future and our grief into grace. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:08.480 When we stand before you with our past undone and our faults laid bare, you look upon us with love. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:14.720 You say to us, do not be afraid, and you draw us near. 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:21.039 Come, let us worship the God of surprising reconciliation. 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:27.840 Let us praise the one who redeems our stories and restores our peace. 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:28.960 Amen. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:33.200 And now let us join together in singing a great hymn of our faith. 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:35.279 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:19.680 And please greet one another in Christian love and remind them that God's love is with them. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:23.680 You may be seated, and now we're going to hear from Cheryl Fulton for a mission moment with the Brunswick Cooperative Community in Mission. 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.200 Good morning. 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:34.640 Ocean View is part of an exciting new ministry. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:49.839 Under the guidance of our conference's Church Transformation Ministry team, we joined with Camp United Methodist, Concord United Methodist, and Zion United Methodist Churches to form the Brunswick Cooperative Community on Mission. 00:22:50.079 --> 00:23:02.799 Our goal is to connect with other churches, agencies, nonprofits, other groups who are already providing services and focus our support and assistance to increase the impact of their work. 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:09.920 If you look on the screen, this is our first activity that we partnered with a group called Jammies for Kids. 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:17.119 This is some of the new packaged underwear that many of you donated, and we had donated across the county.

00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:22.400 So we served about 315 kids last weekend. 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:31.680 So our group also provided over 450 bottles of water. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:35.359 And so it was an absolute joy to be there. 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:37.279 I don't see Chris Wallace here. 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:38.559 Is Chris here today? 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.440 There you are. 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.160 Thank you. 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:47.599 Chris was kind enough to deliver some tables from Ocean View and to help with the event at Supply Elementary. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:24:00.720 And he said it was such a blessing to walk in and see so many happy children who were receiving free haircuts, free sports, physicals, hearing, vision, dental care. 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:07.039 So it's a great opportunity and it was a great way for us to get started as a cooperative mission. 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.920 I'm waiting for the screen to come. 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:13.279 On the screen, you'll see in just a second, there it is, right on cue. 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:17.920 The Dignity Project is something that our church supports. 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:27.519 Out in the Narthex is a grocery cart, and we encourage you to continue to bring small packages of feminine hygiene products. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:33.519 Our Denise Harris, who I see right over there, will help to make sure things get delivered. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:37.440 There's so much need in Brunswick County. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.599 We are delivering these products. 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:46.720 This underwear is going and pajamas are going to families who may be living in the woods and are homeless. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:50.240 And we're able to reach out to all of them and make a true difference. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:59.039 So if you're interested in joining with us with our cooperative community, we're going to be meeting on Monday, September 21st at 10 a.m. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:03.519 And we'd love to have you join us or speak to me after the service. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.799 Thank you. 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:13.440 What a powerful way to put uh faith in action. 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.880 Thank you, Cheryl. 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:18.559 So now it's time in our service uh for prayer. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:46.000 Um, and uh an included announcement, which is also a prayer concern uh that I meant to mention, is that this uh coming Saturday, the 22nd, we will be having um a service for uh the Kennedy's grandson who died unexpectedly, and I will be, along with other helpers, uh setting up the multipurpose room for the bereavement reception on Friday afternoon at 2. 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:58.559 So if you are able-bodied and have a good spirit and want to help me move some tables and chairs for us to prepare for that bereavement reception on Saturday, we will meet at 2 in the multi-purpose room. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:04.640 Chris is helping me uh recruit some of the United Methodist men, and I could use all hands. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:16.880 So if you're able to do that, and as we go to God in prayer, uh please do remember the Kennedy family in this time of sorrow and mourning. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:20.000 Uh, if you will, please uh pray with me. 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:33.119 God of the sparrow, God of the whale, God of the swirling stars, how does the creature, how do we say awe? 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:36.960 How does the creature, how do we say thank you? 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:40.079 Oh Lord, you are an awesome God. 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:43.759 You have provided us with so many good things. 00:26:44.079 --> 00:27:04.319 This beautiful place we get to live, the sparrow, the whale, the sea turtles, the miracle of life as we see baby turtles scurry to the sea, the mothers who scramble to get to lay those eggs on shore, and all the willing hands that helped to make that happen. 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:08.960 Lord, your vision for all of us was to live in harmony. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:11.920 And Lord, we have fallen so short. 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:17.359 But we thank you for all the many ways your hand has provided for us. 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:26.160 God of the earthquake, God of the storm, God of the trumpet blast, how does the creature say woe? 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:28.640 How does the creature say save? 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:31.920 And Lord, we do stand in need. 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:37.839 We stand in great need of your forgiveness and mercy and grace. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:28:08.319 So as we gather today to worship your name, to celebrate your sovereignty, to thank you for all that you have provided, we also confess, Lord, of all the ways that we have created destruction of our creation, this beautiful place you have given us to live, the ways in which we tear each other's down, the way in which, Lord, we are slow to forgive, but beg for forgiveness from you. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:11.440 Lord, forgive us when we are selfish. 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:16.880 Forgive us when we do not see those in need and we turn a blind eye. 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:27.039 Lord, help us to live up to the name of Christian, to be followers of you, to show love and kindness in all that we do. 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:35.920 God of the rainbow, God of the cross, God of the empty grave, how does the creature say grace? 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:38.480 How do the creature say thanks? 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:47.039 And Lord, we are so grateful for the mercy and grace and love that you give us so freely. 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:55.839 We know, Lord, that after the storm, that after the destruction, after the grief, you are there. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:29:05.680 And so, Lord, today as we gather as your people, we also remember all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones. 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:21.839 We think of those and lift up in prayer those that are suffering, not only that are heart sick, but that are soul sick, for

those that are lonely, for those that have turned to other ways of escape, Lord. 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:25.119 We lift those up to you now and their families. 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:29.039 We pray for your loving arms to embrace each of these. 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:39.920 We pray for those, Lord, that are facing surgery, that are in the hospital now, that are facing test, for those that are not sure what the future holds. 00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:41.200 We lift them up. 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:51.599 And as your people, Lord, as your church, as a family of God, we lift aloud those names that we have brought into the sanctuary today that are on our hearts. 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:53.599 Hear our prayers, Lord. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:12.240 And God, we know that you hear the prayers of those that we have just lifted up. 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:14.720 You know the need before we ask. 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:21.519 But Lord, you're also the God of our neighbor, God of our foe, God of the pruning hook. 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:24.559 How does the creature say love and care? 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:43.359 So, Lord, we also lift up the people of Columbia, South America, the people of Ukraine, the people all over the world, Lord, who are suffering this day due to war, due to evil, due to natural disasters. 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:46.319 Lord, we lift all of these prayers up to you. 00:30:46.559 --> 00:31:00.960 And we just pray, Lord, that in all these situations, in all these places, that you will let all know that your loving arms are surrounding them and lifting them up and caring for them this day, that they are not alone. 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:09.680 God of the ages, God near at hand, God of the loving heart, how do we say joy? 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.759 How do we say peace? 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:19.920 And Lord, we know that we do that in you and through you, and living each day as your people. 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:23.279 And Lord, you have taught us to pray. 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:40.240 And so now as your congregation, as your family of God, both those watching at home, online, those who will watch later, those who are here with us, let us pray together the prayer that you have taught us to pray. 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:45.599 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:52.000 Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:31:52.480 --> 00:32:01.599 Give us this day our daily prayer, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:06.240 And lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:11.200 For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:23.599 If you're not familiar with the hymn that I framed in my prayer today, it's in your hymnals on 122, God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale. 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:25.039 It's a beautiful hymn. 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:29.519 And it's a reminder to us

how much we have to be grateful for. 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:44.400 So as we ask the ushers to come forward today, please remember all we have to do is look outside our doors, to look at each other sitting on the pews, and to know how much we have. 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:54.559 So it's only appropriate that we as cheerful givers give back a portion of what we've been so richly blessed. 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:59.519 So now, if our ushers will come forward, we'll receive our morning offering. 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:19.440 Lord, we thank you for the hands that have worked to provide those gifts. 00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:29.679 And now, Lord, we ask that you will bless these gifts so that they can be used for the good of the community and of our region and the world. 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:32.159 In that precious name we pray. 00:36:32.639 --> 00:36:33.280 Amen. 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:43.599 Before we um sing our next song, there are some other people that are behind the scenes that make worship happen every week. 00:36:43.679 --> 00:36:46.239 And one of those is Jordan in the sound booth. 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:48.880 So can we thank Jordan up there, please? 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:56.559 If Jordan doesn't cue me, uh it's gonna not work. 00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:58.400 So we're really grateful, Jordan. 00:36:58.719 --> 00:37:10.159 So, and then also I just wanted to mention that Janice and um uh Pastor Justin's daughters are covering the nursery today, and we're grateful for them as well for their service. 00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:12.559 So let's just acknowledge that as well. 00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:13.920 So thank you. 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:19.599 And now we'll continue with singing Rock of Ages Club for Me. 00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:27.280 You may be seated. 00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:42.320 I'll be reading now from the scripture for the text today is Genesis chapter 45, verses 1 through 15. 00:39:42.719 --> 00:39:46.159 This is the Joseph story, one of my favorite. 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:49.840 And Pastor Sang will be bringing us the word from this passage. 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:58.559 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, Send everyone away from me. 00:39:58.880 --> 00:40:03.280 So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 00:40:03.760 --> 00:40:09.519 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 00:40:10.239 --> 00:40:13.679 Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph. 00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:15.679 Is my father still alive? 00:40:16.239 --> 00:40:18.159 But his brothers could not answer him. 00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:20.960 So dismayed were they at his presence. 00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:25.840 Then Joseph said to his brothers, Come closer to me. 00:40:26.239 --> 00:40:33.119 And they came closer, and he said, I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:39.440 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here. 00:40:39.920 --> 00:40:43.280 For God sent me before you to preserve life. 00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:52.079 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. 00:40:53.039 --> 00:41:00.639 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. 00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:04.800 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. 00:41:05.360 --> 00:41:12.400 He has made me a father to Pharaoh and Lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 00:41:12.880 --> 00:41:21.920 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me Lord of all Egypt. 00:41:22.159 --> 00:41:24.960 Come down to me, do not delay. 00:41:25.679 --> 00:41:37.360 You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 00:41:38.320 --> 00:41:49.360 I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household and all that you have will not come to poverty. 00:41:50.320 --> 00:41:57.280 And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. 00:41:58.239 --> 00:42:04.320 You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt and all that you have seen. 00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:07.519 Hurry and bring my father down here. 00:42:08.159 --> 00:42:14.960 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 00:42:15.199 --> 00:42:22.000 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and after that his brothers talked with him. 00:42:22.960 --> 00:42:26.079 This is the word of God for the people of God. 00:42:26.480 --> 00:42:28.079 Thanks be to God. 00:42:47.119 --> 00:42:56.639 Through eternal ages, let his graces be in the eyes out of shall see. 00:43:37.679 --> 00:43:47.679 With the heavy stones of that fear of sin, I will live sure that I shall be live. 00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:59.840 Standing on the promises of God's shoots, staying on the ocean, staying on the colours. 00:46:53.440 --> 00:46:56.719 Thank you for the beautiful anthem this morning. 00:46:56.880 --> 00:46:58.079 Let us pray. 00:46:59.039 --> 00:47:08.639 Almighty God, unto you all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from you no secrets are hidden. 00:47:08.880 --> 00:47:21.360 Cleanse our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthyly magnify your holy name through Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:47:21.760 --> 00:47:22.400 Amen. 00:47:24.239 --> 00:47:44.239 I'm sure in your life journey there are some moments you have been in a situation that you have to part away with someone because of the conflict you cannot take any longer. 00:47:44.960 --> 00:47:58.000 In such circumstances of being in a conflict, we may think the

easiest way would be to avoid the person or the situation. 00:48:00.400 --> 00:48:15.039 As you already have experienced enough, enough hurt, enough frustration, possibly you've been traumatized by it. 00:48:16.320 --> 00:48:26.960 And now you do not want it may trigger another trauma that you may have had from the past. 00:48:28.719 --> 00:48:35.280 As a human, avoidance would be a very natural reaction. 00:48:36.239 --> 00:48:39.039 There's nothing to be blamed. 00:48:40.320 --> 00:48:51.360 And sometimes that's a less bad and probably a more wiser and mature choice we can make. 00:48:52.400 --> 00:48:55.280 Because after all, we are all human. 00:48:56.960 --> 00:49:06.480 We have we don't have to be like God who embrace all and love all. 00:49:08.159 --> 00:49:19.920 We may not until that strength, that standard we reached and grow yet. 00:49:22.320 --> 00:49:41.440 After civil rights, I mean after the civil war in America, we know that the United States was deeply divided as a nation, with lingering wounds between the North and South. 00:49:42.239 --> 00:49:51.440 Racial tensions, economic disparity, and regional bitterness plagued this nation. 00:49:52.400 --> 00:49:59.920 It seemed almost impossible to rebuild a nation of unity and reconciliation. 00:50:01.199 --> 00:50:26.079 Bishop Gilbert Haven, a prominent Methodist Episcopal Church leader at the time, believed that the true reconciliation and healing would come not just from forgiveness on a personal level, but from social reform and racial justice. 00:50:42.239 --> 00:51:07.360 Rather than maintain the status quo of segregation, Bishop Haven championed the cause of African Americans during the era of reconstruction, pushing for equal rights and education for the African Americans and advocate for the rights of freed slaves. 00:51:08.400 --> 00:51:14.559 He worked tirelessly for their social and spiritual welfare. 00:51:15.360 --> 00:51:38.960 He envisioned a church and a society where a former oppressor and the oppressed could worship and live together in this land, that deeply wounded by hatred and harm against their own fellow citizens. 00:51:41.199 --> 00:51:53.440 We read the story of Joseph and his brothers that culminates in a powerful moment of reconciliation we cannot imagine. 00:51:54.639 --> 00:52:00.880 After years of separation and hurt, they are finally reunited. 00:52:02.239 --> 00:52:16.239 Joseph, now in a position of power, and he decided to choose compassion and forgiveness over revenge. 00:52:17.360 --> 00:52:23.440 He not only forgives but also provides for his family's future. 00:52:24.719 --> 00:52:28.239 We know those years Joseph has been through. 00:52:28.559 --> 00:52:32.239 He was sold as a slave to a foreign land. 00:52:33.440 --> 00:52:38.159 And he was falsely accused for what he had never done. 00:52:38.960 --> 00:52:42.159 He was put in a deep jail. 00:52:43.519 --> 00:52:51.599 Joseph had no idea whether God would ever restore him back or not. 00:52:52.960 --> 00:53:01.679 He had no clue of what's the final destination of all these low low coasters of his life. 00:53:03.360 --> 00:53:08.159 Until this moment, we read this morning. 00:53:08.719 --> 00:53:20.400 His brother showed up and asked him help for their survival from devastating drought and famine throughout the whole region. 00:53:32.559 --> 00:53:38.079 Certainly it was a moment of emotional reunion. 00:53:39.679 --> 00:54:01.599 But most of all for Joseph, it was a moment of a ha big awakening and big knowledge to understand what is God's picture for his life. 00:54:02.960 --> 00:54:09.599 You know, when you feel a certainty in your life, I'm sure it gives you a sense of control. 00:54:11.119 --> 00:54:17.679 We all like to have our life under control, don't we? 00:54:19.599 --> 00:54:24.639 But sometimes we see that there are things that we cannot control. 00:54:26.400 --> 00:54:32.000 Things hidden, unthinkable, unreserved. 00:54:34.480 --> 00:54:40.960 And this part of our lives we may call destiny or fate. 00:54:42.559 --> 00:55:00.000 But there is a big word for us Christians for this part of unreserved, yet mysterious part of our lives, which is called providence. 00:55:01.519 --> 00:55:05.199 Providence literally means God sees people. 00:55:06.639 --> 00:55:09.280 As pro means before. 00:55:09.599 --> 00:55:13.119 And like a video means see. 00:55:21.440 --> 00:55:30.480 And God takes lead of our life so that we may get there where God planned for us. 00:55:32.079 --> 00:55:42.000 But the reality we are living in day and night is really far away from it. 00:55:42.400 --> 00:55:45.679 We don't know yet where we are. 00:55:46.960 --> 00:55:55.519 We have no idea where and when the end of the tunnel. 00:55:58.719 --> 00:56:13.519 As we live, sometimes learning counter to our expectations and our best desires, even to our longtime prayers. 00:56:15.679 --> 00:56:17.679 Now we have this story. 00:56:18.480 --> 00:56:20.320 The story of Joseph. 00:56:34.079 --> 00:56:45.760 In today's scripture, the Bible reads in verse 1, Joseph could no longer control himself, so he asked all those people around him to leave. 00:56:46.800 --> 00:56:58.000 And verse 2 reads, he wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh's household even heard him. 00:57:03.119 --> 00:57:09.519 As a human, what Joseph has been through the last thirteen years. 00:57:11.599 --> 00:57:24.400 As it was a moment of all the memories of good and bad come together and reserved in one big feeling. 00:57:29.119 --> 00:57:38.719 As he had all those old feelings of hearts and regrets and misunderstandings. 00:57:39.920 --> 00:57:52.880 And now finally he said those things are reserved in tears of embrace and joy and gratitude. 00:57:53.760 --> 00:57:56.320 And he say, Thank you. 00:57:57.599 --> 00:57:58.559 Thank God. 00:58:00.239 --> 00:58:02.719 I thank God for all this. 00:58:05.920 --> 00:58:14.880 As he says, these are all from God. 00:58:15.920 -->

00:58:16.880 It was God. 00:58:18.239 --> 00:58:24.880 As his brothers are still in fear, as they recognize it was Joseph. 00:58:25.519 --> 00:58:35.840 They were totally freaked out because they think Joseph must have lots of courage and anger to work out with them. 00:58:45.599 --> 00:58:47.199 He lives in God. 00:58:47.920 --> 00:58:51.039 And he lives in God's future. 00:58:52.159 --> 00:59:01.039 And one of the interesting things for me to find here is what his name means. 00:59:01.920 --> 00:59:08.800 Joseph in his Hebrew name literally means God adds. 00:59:10.800 --> 00:59:12.400 God will add. 00:59:13.199 --> 00:59:27.440 As the name was given from his mother Rachel, because Rachel has been through those long years of difficulty of giving birth to her child. 00:59:28.239 --> 00:59:33.199 And finally she gave birth to Joseph. 00:59:34.559 --> 00:59:47.119 And in hope to God may give her more, she named Joseph, which means God will add. 00:59:56.000 --> 01:00:02.639 And we may ask this question, what has been added to his life? 01:00:03.440 --> 01:00:08.000 If he is Joseph, what God added. 01:00:09.920 --> 01:00:15.599 What God has been adding to his life over the years. 01:00:17.679 --> 01:00:35.440 Certainly we see added sufferings, added abandonment, added first accusation, and unjust. 01:00:37.119 --> 01:00:46.719 He experienced lots of things, lost, failed, unbearable. 01:00:49.280 --> 01:00:54.800 He's been through all those seasons of disappointment and lost dreams. 01:00:58.000 --> 01:01:17.679 But as his name tells, as he goes through all those years, the Bible tells, as I introduced last Sunday in Genesis chapter 39, his life in a good summary. 01:01:18.079 --> 01:01:26.400 Not once, not twice, but four times it tells God was with Joseph. 01:01:27.360 --> 01:01:43.440 When God was with Joseph, not only God added suffering, but he added the strength, the endurance. 01:01:44.719 --> 01:01:58.079 God added the faith, the perseverance, the hope, he can see and move on his journey of life. 01:02:00.239 --> 01:02:08.000 That's the meaning of his name, Joseph proclaimed in this journey. 01:02:08.639 --> 01:02:22.719 Because Joseph is a living testimony of no matter what happened, no matter where you are, you are the one God will add. 01:02:26.559 --> 01:02:42.159 In today's story, Joseph wanted to make sure his brothers would not miss the point why he does these act which is generous and forgiving. 01:02:44.400 --> 01:02:47.199 He claims that three times. 01:02:47.920 --> 01:02:55.440 In verse 5, he said, God sent me before you to preserve your lives. 01:02:55.840 --> 01:03:04.239 In verse 7, God sent me before you to rescue your lives in this amazing way. 01:03:04.800 --> 01:03:12.159 And in verse 8, you didn't send me, but God sent me. 01:03:14.239 --> 01:03:15.519 It was God. 01:03:17.039 --> 01:03:19.920 That's what Joseph claims. 01:03:22.480 --> 01:03:26.159 That's what Joseph wanted his brothers to understand. 01:03:27.440 --> 01:03:32.639 At the end of the day, it was God, not me. 01:03:33.199 --> 01:03:35.360 Not the people around us. 01:03:36.079 --> 01:03:39.039 Not the circumstance we have been through. 01:03:40.159 --> 01:03:43.039 The reason why I'm standing here. 01:03:45.519 --> 01:03:46.960 Because it was God. 01:03:48.719 --> 01:03:50.239 Yes, it was God. 01:03:52.079 --> 01:03:54.400 That's Joseph's theology. 01:03:55.519 --> 01:03:59.840 That's the way finally he understands his whole life. 01:04:00.719 --> 01:04:10.239 As he believes, yes, I live in a world where God is watching over me every bit in my life. 01:04:11.199 --> 01:04:12.800 So I'm okay. 01:04:13.920 --> 01:04:17.039 No matter what comes to my life. 01:04:18.960 --> 01:04:27.039 Even some difficult times comes to my life, still it's okay. 01:04:27.599 --> 01:04:29.199 I can take it. 01:04:30.159 --> 01:04:36.000 I can take it because I know that is God. 01:04:39.039 --> 01:04:48.480 I know at the end of the day it will turn out that everything is in God's hands. 01:04:50.800 --> 01:05:11.440 Years ago, I have one of my church members came to me and confessed that, Pastor, it took all my life to finally accept, and I say, yes, it was God. 01:05:13.360 --> 01:05:16.719 And she asked me to baptize. 01:05:17.119 --> 01:05:22.000 And she was in that community, in that church all her life. 01:05:23.519 --> 01:05:27.360 But she could not accept it was God. 01:05:30.239 --> 01:05:35.199 No, she lost her first husband in early days of her life. 01:05:37.599 --> 01:05:42.400 And then she remarried, had two beautiful sons and daughters. 01:05:42.719 --> 01:05:48.320 The new husband was a good father and a sweet husband. 01:05:49.199 --> 01:05:53.039 But God called him again home. 01:05:54.480 --> 01:05:59.760 So she had to work two jobs, day and night, to provide. 01:06:00.639 --> 01:06:05.280 her two children to grow as a good other. 01:06:06.719 --> 01:06:16.320 And even when she told me all these stories, she said she got to have one of her own grandkids. 01:06:19.199 --> 01:06:31.039 It took too long for her to simply accept the life as it is and say yes. 01:06:32.559 --> 01:06:36.719 Yes, my life is in God's hands. 01:06:37.920 --> 01:06:45.440 It is God that allows all things to come into my life. 01:06:48.159 --> 01:06:53.760 Sisters and brother where do you find yourself in God? 01:06:55.679 --> 01:06:57.679 Are you scared asking God? 01:07:02.079 --> 01:07:03.039 Are you scared? 01:07:06.800 --> 01:07:16.880 Or avoid God I know it will take time. 01:07:18.000 --> 01:07:27.039 And it cannot come even though we want it to obey we want to take it and move on. 01:07:27.679 --> 01:07:33.039 Yet there is a big barrier. 01:07:47.679 --> 01:07:59.679 John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, the best things in our life is God with us. 01:08:03.039 --> 01:08:09.280 That's the most powerful witness we see in the story of Joseph. 01:08:11.760 --> 01:08:22.079 Because when he said it was God to his brother to help them not to be afraid. 01:08:24.399 --> 01:08:49.279 His word that he meant it and he raised it always but he knew that it was God if we can say now it was God. 01:08:50.800 --> 01:08:55.279 It was God in all my life that leads and guides me. 01:08:56.319 --> 01:14:30.880 Can you imagine what would be our life from now on adventure adventure with hunger and exciting like to dig in a gold mind to find pure gold out of all the refining fire of the forest as our life will continue to be curious and exciting as we may grow under we wait upon the Lord we will wait upon the Lord we will wait upon the Lord Springer eyes we wait upon the Lord we will wait upon the Lord we will wait upon the God we're the door in peace my friends and know that the one walks with you is God. 01:14:33.119 --> 01:14:44.399 God is holding you up God is the one that still watch over you at every step in your church. 01:14:45.119 --> 01:15:00.800 So may the Lord bless you and keep you may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you may the Lord lift his countenance upon you and keep you peace. 01:15:01.520 --> 01:15:04.880 And all God's people said Amen