WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.200 If you're a fan of roller coasters, you know that there's a variety of them. 00:00:04.120 --> 00:00:07.900 There are family coasters that most in the family can ride. 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:12.120 There are mind-trained roller coasters that'll jar you to death. 00:00:12.300 --> 00:00:17.080 There are floorless roller coasters where your feet get dangled, just dangle down. 00:00:17.179 --> 00:00:21.039 There's what they call giga coasters that drop over 300 feet. 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:25.879 There's another category called strata coasters that drop over 400 feet. 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:30.339 And there's hyper coasters that are known for speed and quick turns. 00:00:30.859 --> 00:00:36.239 There's wing coasters where you sit on the outside of the track as if you were on eagle's wings. 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:43.980 There are those with catapult launches and those where you just hang at the top before it finally releases you. 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:47.739 There are camelbacks, one heel after another. 00:00:48.239 --> 00:00:50.560 Bat wings where they sway you back and forth. 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:56.200 Then there are corkscrews and barrel rolls, and they're not near as much fun as they used to be. 00:00:56.740 --> 00:00:58.900 They have a lasting effect. 00:00:59.440 --> 00:01:06.640 But no matter what happens, they hit that brake run, and then it all comes to a halt just in time, right back at the station. 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:09.480 And then if you loved it, you want to do it again. 00:01:09.480 --> 00:01:17.840 Again, I'll be honest, my enthusiasm lessened for them years ago because one, roller coasters are hard on big boys. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:25.040 But also the turning point came to me when I was at Carowinds and ate a meatball sub. 00:01:27.600 --> 00:01:31.620 And then I got on a Superman ride, and I didn't feel like Superman. 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:39.420 And right after that, the group I was with, with a bunch of youth, they wanted to go get in line at Thunder Road. 00:01:39.579 --> 00:01:43.700 Thunder Road was an old wood roller coaster where you could either go backwards or forward. 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:54.080 And they were on that, and I was listening to the rumble and standing on a ramp and realized I wasn't going to make it if I tried to ride that ride. 00:01:54.260 --> 00:01:57.620 And so I took the walk of shame back down the ramp. 00:01:57.880 --> 00:01:59.500 Excuse me, excuse me. 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:04.299 I walked across a pavement that looked like a tarmac. 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:07.260 It was the longest journey I've ever taken to buy a Coke. 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:18.659 I spent $40 on a 144-ounce Coke and started sipping on that thing, hoping that I'd keep it all together and not embarrass myself. 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:21.960 And because it was all pavement, it makes it that much more obvious. 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:31.439 So I just kind of slipped over to the flower bed and just walked up between two bushes, sipping on my Coke, praying to God I wouldn't embarrass myself. 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:41.200 The only thing that kind of broke me was, in the middle of that, I thought, there's a security guy sitting in a booth somewhere laughing at the fat boy in the flower bed with the Coke. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:48.339 So anyway, there's a commonality among all those roller coasters. 00:02:49.799 --> 00:02:51.500 It's what I call limbo land. 00:02:52.339 --> 00:02:55.639 It's that point when you reach the flat part. 00:02:56.379 --> 00:03:00.599 You might be anticipating a climb or you might be anticipating a drop. 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.979 But there's always that limbo land. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:06.299 Your life is like that. 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:13.740 Life is full of ups and downs, rises and falls, but then there's also the limbo lands of life. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:21.299 And they can be just as tough because they come with a great sense of anticipation in moving out of them. 00:03:21.300 --> 00:03:34.160 As we come to this portion in Joseph's life, he's somewhat in a limbo land, not necessarily an up and not necessarily a down, although both of them are coming. 00:03:35.240 --> 00:03:36.880 I want you to see this this morning. 00:03:36.980 --> 00:03:40.340 It's in Genesis chapter 39, beginning in verse 1. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:40.640 It says, 00:03:40.639 --> 00:04:10.619 It says, 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:40.620 It says, 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:44.699 Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 00:04:45.979 --> 00:04:51.259 This is what I call the best of a not so good situation. 00:04:52.159 --> 00:04:56.599 I want you to be clear that here Joseph is a slave. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:06.000 He is bought on the market, sold by the Ishmaelites after they had walked him through the desert to get there. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:09.620 At some point he was sold to Potiphar. 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:10.120 Potiphar. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:13.300 Potiphar was the captain of the guard. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:16.780 That means that Potiphar was over homeland security. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:24.479 It means that particularly he was over secret service, but he was also in charge of the prison system. 00:05:24.479 --> 00:05:32.000 A popular Jewish historian has described him as the chief executioner as well. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:36.180 In other words, he's the one that made sure the death penalty was carried out when it was appropriate. 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:38.779 Now that means he had clout. 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:41.220 And that means he was ruthless. 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:43.600 And that means he was tough. 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:46.000 And that means he was reliable. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:51.480 It also means he was able to analyze effectively what a really good leader was. 00:05:51.480 --> 00:06:08.439 That means that if he led the inner guard, that he had seen a lot of stout, strong people who were put in places of authority and places of responsibility. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:14.439 And this seasoned, tough dude was impressed with Joseph. 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:33.220 Joseph went from the pit to the journey through the Negev, which is nothing but sand and heat, to the ocean block, to the home of an Egyptian official. 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:39.800 He entered the house as a house slave and quickly rose to be over the house. 00:06:40.200 --> 00:06:41.640 Not a house of ignorance. 00:06:42.520 --> 00:06:43.820 Not a house of chaos. 00:06:44.780 --> 00:06:49.520 But a house of a leading figure that had been surrounded by a lot of great candidates. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.620 And yet he allowed Joseph to do that. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:54.380 That speaks volumes for Joseph. 00:06:55.400 --> 00:07:01.180 However, what stood out the most is what makes Joseph so special. 00:07:01.180 --> 00:07:07.160 So I want to talk for a few minutes this morning about how was Joseph so special? 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:14.500 What kept him going at such a high rate in the midst of what I've called limbo land? 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:15.660 He's a slave. 00:07:16.780 --> 00:07:19.360 Yet he's a slave in an elite home. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:25.899 I'll tell you one thing that gave him so much success and why he was so special is because he was right with God. 00:07:25.899 --> 00:07:36.779 Of all the things that we know about Joseph's dad, Jacob, I tore him up a couple of weeks ago and told you all the things he'd done wrong. 00:07:36.859 --> 00:07:41.599 I told you what he had done wrong as a believer and as a husband and as a father. 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:45.539 But of all that, he also did some things right. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:53.780 Later in his life, there is a rare and a hard to explain scene where Jacob wrestles with God. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:58.680 Or wrestles with an angelic messenger of God. 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:05.900 And in that wrestling match, Jacob would not let the man go until he was blessed. 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:08.560 And he was blessed. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:13.720 And Jacob walked away from that fight with a literal limp. 00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:16.660 And his name was changed. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:18.019 God changed his name. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:25.519 From Jacob, which means trickster, to Israel, which means to persist with God. 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:28.379 And notice how he left that scene. 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:30.939 In Genesis 32, verse 30, it says, 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:52.980 After that, Jacob told his family to remove everything in that household that had any reference to foreign gods. 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:57.179 Get rid of all the garments that represent foreign gods. 00:08:57.179 --> 00:09:03.819 It says the wives in the home took the rings out of their ears that were trinkets of worship to the foreign gods. 00:09:04.459 --> 00:09:09.979 And he said, let's take all those things out and let's go back to the altar. 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:16.659 Go back to the place where God first called me and make an altar to the Lord. 00:09:17.579 --> 00:09:20.379 And scripture says that they traveled back to Bethel. 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:23.419 They went through enemy territory. 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:31.139 And scripture says that the Lord made the enemies in whose territory they came through scared of them. 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:33.839 They were in fear of them so they didn't bother them. 00:09:34.439 --> 00:09:38.179 God was protecting them to get them back where they needed to go. 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:43.439 And he went back and built an altar to the Lord and made things right. 00:09:44.079 --> 00:09:47.319 He said, like Joshua, as for me in my house, we'll serve the Lord. 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:52.940 Now, what kind of impact does that have on Jacob's son who witnessed? 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:55.680 Remember, Joseph was the home dweller. 00:09:56.400 --> 00:09:59.720 He's the one that stayed home when a lot of others went to the fields. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:05.800 And so he saw a lot more and he saw the change that happened in his daddy's life. 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:08.800 No matter how many mistakes he had witnessed before, 00:10:09.520 --> 00:10:14.160 Jacob's about face was noticed and it influenced his son. 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:18.240 And I'll just tell you, that gives hope to every last one of us. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:20.219 Because we've all messed up. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.519 We've all done wrong. 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:25.339 We've all failed in the capacities that God has placed us in. 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:28.500 And our failings have influenced other people. 00:10:29.219 --> 00:10:32.500 However, when we get right and we walk with God, 00:10:32.959 --> 00:10:38.579 it's as big if it's not bigger influence on others. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:41.940 Joseph was right with God. 00:10:43.040 --> 00:10:47.820 Partially because he had seen the difference that God makes infallible people. 00:10:48.340 --> 00:10:52.580 And when he was in limbo land, when he didn't know what was up and what was down or what was coming, 00:10:53.280 --> 00:10:55.340 he walked with God. 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:59.920 Not only that, but his faithfulness was obvious. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.320 I want to read a passage I read a few minutes ago again. 00:11:03.420 --> 00:11:04.379 I want you to notice this. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:06.580 It says in verse 3 and 4, it says, 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:09.580 His master saw that the Lord was with him, 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:14.639 and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:18.480 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him. 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:22.919 And he made him oversee of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:27.700 Now, I want you to keep this in mind, especially you young people. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:29.759 I want you to keep something in mind. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:38.879 Joseph, at this point in his life, is between the ages of 17 and 20 years old. 00:11:40.319 --> 00:11:48.399 And it is obvious to pagans around him that he is walking with the Lord. 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:56.220 Young folks, don't ever think you're too young to have an influence for the Lord. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:12:00.680 The apostle Paul was telling young Timothy to consider his opportunity 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:02.940 when he said in 1 Timothy 4.12, 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:06.000 Let no one despise you for your youth, 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:09.700 but set the believers an example in speech, 00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:12.639 in conduct, in love, 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:14.139 in faith, 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.660 and in purity. 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:18.320 I don't care what age you are here today, 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:21.440 you're not too young to stand out for the Lord. 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:23.960 God uses young people, 00:12:24.160 --> 00:12:27.800 and your influence is much more than you think it is. 00:12:28.520 --> 00:12:29.740 When I was in high school, 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:31.900 we were blessed with a youth minister, 00:12:32.040 --> 00:12:34.100 and I was in a strong youth ministry, 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:35.700 and many of us grew in the Lord. 00:12:36.040 --> 00:12:38.540 It was in that influence that God called me in the ministry, 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:41.580 and I tried my best, 00:12:42.280 --> 00:12:44.280 especially in my last year of high school, 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:47.960 to be a witness to those around me as best I could. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:49.860 I tried to live for the Lord. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:52.400 I tried to share Christ as I had opportunity, 00:12:53.300 --> 00:12:55.000 and to no avail. 00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:56.780 I mean, I tried, 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:59.400 but I didn't see any difference in anybody's life. 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.840 I just prayed for them, 00:13:00.900 --> 00:13:02.000 told them I was praying for them, 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.680 and tried to share with them. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.560 At the end of the year, 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:07.220 we got our annual yearbook, 00:13:07.920 --> 00:13:10.740 and I think more then than now, 00:13:11.280 --> 00:13:11.620 everybody, 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:14.480 we took a day to sign everybody's yearbook, 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:16.639 and everybody signed and put their notes in it 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.439 and all that stuff. 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:19.059 I did all that, 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.480 and I graduated from high school, 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.240 and I went home, 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.299 and about a week later, 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:24.580 I opened up that yearbook, 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:28.080 and I started looking at what people had written 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:29.860 in that yearbook 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:32.960 that I had been friends with 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:34.000 and had tried to influence, 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.439 but I knew it hadn't made a difference. 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:37.439 This is what I read. 00:13:38.439 --> 00:13:40.399 Daniel, thanks for the help 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:44.220 with getting me closer to the Lord. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:45.659 Somebody else. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:46.659 Daniel, it's been real. 00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:48.259 I kind of hate to say goodbye, 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.019 but I have to. 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:51.159 Keep in touch, 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:52.039 and good luck. 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.559 P.S. 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.019 Keep on preaching. 00:13:59.219 --> 00:13:59.919 This girl said, 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:00.259 Daniel, 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.839 I'm glad 00:14:01.839 --> 00:14:04.319 I've gotten to know you this year. 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.339 You're really a great person, 00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:06.839 and you really mean a lot to me. 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:08.100 Keep up your relationship with the Lord, 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:09.519 and you're really going to go far in life. 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:11.259 I hope nothing ever brings you down, 00:14:11.319 --> 00:14:13.279 but I really don't think you'll ever let it. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:15.079 I hope you have a great summer, 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:16.459 and I'm sure I'll see you a lot, 00:14:16.579 --> 00:14:17.319 a lot of you. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.220 I've never seen her again, 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:18.500 but anyway. 00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:22.579 What can I say? 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:24.759 I'm finally out of here. 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:26.059 Wow, it's been great knowing you, 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:28.759 and I've even kind of enjoyed listening to you preach. 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:30.679 Stay loose, 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:32.139 and may all your dreams come true. 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:33.679 Keep in touch. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:36.480 He's the one that smoked pot in PE2, 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.220 and I tried to influence. 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:39.920 Somebody else said, 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.759 it's been a really great four years. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:42.820 I really hate to say goodbye, 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:45.080 but I wish you the best of luck. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.639 Keep in touch, 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:49.399 and keep the faith. 00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:51.639 There's two guys, 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.600 and I was in PE2, 00:14:52.680 --> 00:14:53.920 which was a useless class, 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.399 but anyway. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:56.480 My senior year, 00:14:56.480 --> 00:15:00.800 and they would always tell the PE teacher 00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:02.800 that they were going to go out and play tennis, 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:04.819 and they'd grab two rackets 00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:06.740 and go out to the tennis courts and smoke pot, 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:09.240 and after PE, 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.479 we'd be changing clothes, 00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:11.740 and I would smell it on them, 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:13.099 and I would talk to them about it, 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:15.199 and I would try my best to influence them 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:16.740 in some kind of positive way. 00:15:17.479 --> 00:15:19.419 I never felt like it made any difference at all, 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.899 but one of them in there said, 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:24.179 you influenced me more than you ever thought you could, 00:15:24.719 --> 00:15:27.399 and then the other one today is a Baptist preacher. 00:15:28.359 --> 00:15:29.879 I don't know how much of one he is, 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:30.959 but he's a Baptist preacher, 00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:31.459 but anyway. 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:34.379 My point is this. 00:15:35.839 --> 00:15:37.379 There's nothing great about me. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.459 I realize that, 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:41.559 but I've tried to honor God 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:44.259 as imperfect as it was 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.899 before I left high school. 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:50.799 I want to remind you, young folks, 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:55.679 Jacob was a mess, 00:15:55.839 --> 00:15:57.000 but before it was too late, 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:59.579 he built an altar to the Lord. 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:04.200 He threw out the spiritual distractions in his life, 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:06.320 and he walked with God until his death, 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:08.700 and that was obvious to his son 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:10.920 who learned from his father's mistakes. 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:15.040 Whatever we were doing yesterday, 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:18.360 it's in our yesterdays, 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:21.019 and God will forgive us, 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:24.879 and he'll place under the blood of Christ 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.700 that was shed on the cross our sin. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:30.879 We have no excuse to not give God 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:33.879 our all right where we are today, 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:37.519 and Joseph didn't have to tell Potiphar 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:39.980 that he was faithful to God. 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.600 He didn't have to do that. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:44.420 Potiphar saw it all over him. 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:48.179 Dear God, may that be my testimony one day 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:49.799 or someone's testimony about me. 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.679 Potiphar saw it, 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:54.319 and Joseph found favor in Potiphar's sight. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.240 In other words, he trusted Joseph. 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:59.139 He moved him into greater positions of responsibility 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.559 and gave him the keys to the kingdom. 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:02.719 All Potiphar's concern himself 00:17:02.719 --> 00:17:05.019 was the food that he put in his own mouth, 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:08.500 and that made Joseph special. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.859 I'll tell you what else made him special. 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:12.480 The Lord blessed. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:15.799 Not only did the Lord bless Joseph, 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:19.599 but Scripture says that the Lord blessed Potiphar's house. 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:22.279 It says he blessed Potiphar's fields. 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:25.480 It says that his farming and his livestock prospered, 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:30.140 and Potiphar even knew that it was God that was doing it. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.319 He knew it was from God. 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:34.039 He knew God was just using Joseph, 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:36.380 and he knew God was blessing. 00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:40.059 He knew that it wasn't luck. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:43.879 Let me just run a little rabbit here for a minute. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:47.059 Christian, I want you to hear me today. 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:50.139 Don't ever talk about luck. 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:53.240 Luck is of the devil, 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:59.399 and the reason why is because it steals the glory away from the Lord. 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:02.300 When we lived through Helene, 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:05.400 with trees falling all around us, 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.259 that wasn't luck. 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.680 That was the hand of God. 00:18:11.040 --> 00:18:12.860 I'm blessed to pastor this church. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.680 God's in that. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.540 That's not luck. 00:18:15.540 --> 00:18:18.080 God orchestrated that before the foundation of the earth. 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.820 That's the blessings of the Lord. 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:22.540 Don't you ever rob God of his glory by saying, 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:24.680 well, I guess I was lucky, 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:26.599 or boy, we got lucky, 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.639 or tell somebody good luck. 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:31.279 Wash that mess out of your mouth. 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.599 To God you give the glory, 00:18:34.159 --> 00:18:35.559 and when you're in doubt, 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.619 when you're in limbo land, 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.339 when you're wondering, 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:39.740 give God the glory in the midst of it. 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:42.500 I heard about a farmer who lost his horse, 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.879 and the neighbor came to him and said, 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.740 I'm sorry about your horse, 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.319 and he said, 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.159 the farmer said, 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:51.259 who knows whether that's good or bad. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:53.319 Well, the horse came back, 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:56.119 and it brought 12 wild horses with him, 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:57.319 and the neighbor came back and said, 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.920 congratulations on your great fortune. 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.319 And the farmer said, 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:03.940 who knows what's good or bad. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.319 The next day, 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:07.700 one of those horses threw his son 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:09.379 as his son was trying to train that horse, 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:11.019 and he broke his son's leg. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.740 And the neighbor said, 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:14.379 I'm so sorry about your misfortune. 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.039 And the farmer said, 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:18.799 who knows what's good or bad. 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.700 The next day, 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.619 the army came through 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:23.519 to draft all able-bodied young men 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.699 to go fight in a war. 00:19:25.219 --> 00:19:26.199 His boy couldn't go 00:19:26.199 --> 00:19:27.479 because his leg was broke. 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:29.379 The neighbor came back and said, 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.159 man, good fortune. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.379 Your son was spared. 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:33.419 The farmer said, 00:19:33.439 --> 00:19:35.839 who knows what's good or bad. 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:36.399 Folks, listen, 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:38.599 we don't have to figure it all out. 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.579 We don't have to figure it out. 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.419 We just need to trust the Lord. 00:19:43.479 --> 00:19:45.000 We just need to recognize 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.439 when he blesses. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.460 Joseph did not get lucky. 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:52.140 He was right with God. 00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:53.799 It was obvious. 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.400 And God blessed him. 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.180 And all of that, 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.420 and blessed all that was within his reach. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.600 Now, was everything great? 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:03.740 No, no. 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:05.180 And it's about to get ugly. 00:20:05.320 --> 00:20:08.700 But even in the midst of whatever comes, 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:10.500 Joseph was right with God. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:12.819 And it was obvious. 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.099 And God blessed him. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:19.039 So what does that say to us today? 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:23.819 For one, it says stay faithful. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:27.779 Life is full of ups and downs. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.420 And there are the limbos, 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:32.500 those dull spots, 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:36.460 those times when we wish things 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.759 would move along faster 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:39.019 than they're moving. 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:41.279 How do we handle it 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.160 when we're not exactly 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:43.119 where we want to be 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.700 and things are not progressing 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.680 at the pace 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:47.019 in which we wish they would? 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.799 I'll tell you what we do. 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.500 We stay faithful. 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.599 That's what we do. 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:51.900 We stay faithful. 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.359 Number two, we trust God. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:55.920 We trust God. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.680 There's not a circumstance 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.599 that we go through, 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.240 not a time that we experience, 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.259 not an episode that we live through 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:04.259 that God is not on top of 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.180 and aware of 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.339 and already involved in. 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:09.459 I know some valleys 00:21:09.459 --> 00:21:12.480 that some of you are going through. 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:14.099 I know that some of you 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:15.679 are in limbo land. 00:21:16.199 --> 00:21:18.159 I know what some of you are enduring. 00:21:18.459 --> 00:21:19.559 I know very little of it, 00:21:19.919 --> 00:21:21.379 but I know what some of you are enduring. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.559 If I know about it, 00:21:22.679 --> 00:21:24.399 I want you to know I pray for you. 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:27.779 But even when I don't know, 00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.759 I know one who does. 00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:31.980 And you can trust God. 00:21:33.179 --> 00:21:34.139 You can trust him. 00:21:35.179 --> 00:21:35.980 Third thing is this. 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.039 I want you to remember something. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.880 He's already there. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:42.880 Wherever life is taking us, 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:45.519 whatever we're to endure, 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:48.039 God is already there. 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:50.799 He's already in our tomorrows. 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.460 He's already guiding our path. 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.200 So you stay faithful. 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.140 You trust God 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.120 and know 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:59.039 that he's already there. 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:02.099 Elgin Staples. 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.180 Elgin Staples. 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:04.859 He's 19 years old. 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.799 A sailor in World War II. 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:10.940 He was on the USS Astoria 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:13.359 when a large gun exploded 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.519 and it threw him overboard. 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:17.119 He had shrapnel in his legs 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.139 and he was in shock. 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:20.740 And he barely had the whereabouts 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:23.480 to trigger the button on his life belt 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:25.579 that saved his life. 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:28.339 Four hours later, 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.480 a passing destroyer 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:33.119 that had already received damage 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.299 from the same attack 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.519 picked him up. 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:38.379 That boat was unable to dock 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:40.079 and so the captain tried 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.480 to gently beach the destroyer. 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:47.480 But his attempt was unsuccessful 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:50.220 and Staples was thrown back in the water, 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.880 still clinging that life belt 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:55.940 until the USS Andrew Jackson 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.779 came and rescued him. 00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:01.039 As he lay in his sickbed, 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:04.440 he never let go of that life belt. 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:07.200 He examined its craftsmanship 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.000 again and again 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.680 and he was thankful 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.799 that it saved him. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.680 And as he looked 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:13.200 and examined that life belt, 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.980 he noticed something 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.720 that was ironic. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.759 That that life belt 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:18.720 was made by Firestone 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:20.919 in Akron, Ohio. 00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:23.200 Akron, Ohio 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:26.000 was Elgin's hometown 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.559 and it made it 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.500 that much more special 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.819 and so he held on to that. 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.299 And after he stayed 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:31.919 in the hospital, 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.440 he was given an extension 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.940 to go home to his parents 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.500 and he described 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.779 his going home like this. 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.059 He said, 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:42.799 after a quietly emotional welcome, 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.039 I sat with my mother 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.740 in our kitchen 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:47.200 telling her about my recent ordeal 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.980 and hearing what had happened 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.639 at home since I had gone away. 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.679 My mother informed me 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:54.200 to do her part. 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:56.480 She had gotten a wartime job 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.819 at Firestone Plant. 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.419 Surprised, 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.379 I jumped up 00:24:00.379 --> 00:24:02.559 and grabbed my life belt 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.839 from my duffel bag. 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:05.539 I put it on the table 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.439 in front of me. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:06.859 I said, 00:24:06.899 --> 00:24:07.919 take a look at this, Mom. 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.919 It was made right here 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.619 in Akron. 00:24:11.179 --> 00:24:12.899 It was made at your plant. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.099 She leaned forward. 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.159 Taking that rubber belt 00:24:17.159 --> 00:24:17.779 in her hands, 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.759 she read the label. 00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:21.299 She had just heard the story 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.519 and knew that in the darkness 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.379 of that terrible night, 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:25.179 it was that one piece of rubber 00:24:25.179 --> 00:24:26.019 that had saved 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.240 her boy's life. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:29.460 And when she looked up 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.640 at him, 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.059 her mouth and her eyes 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.940 were open wide 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.640 with surprise. 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.599 And she said this. 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:35.880 She said, 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.259 son, 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:38.079 I'm an inspector 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:40.660 at Firestone. 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:43.700 This is my inspector number. 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.480 She said with her voice 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:48.720 hardly above a whisper. 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.440 We stared 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:53.359 at each other 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:55.980 too stunned to speak. 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:57.859 He said, 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.620 then I stood up 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.900 and I walked around the table 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:01.000 and pulled her up 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.640 from her chair. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.480 We held each other 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.259 in a tight embrace 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:03.920 saying nothing. 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:04.740 He said, 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.700 my mom is not 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.799 a demonstrative woman, 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.700 but the significance 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:09.140 of this amazing coincidence 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:11.140 overcame her usual reserve. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.460 We hugged each other 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.579 for a long, long time 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:15.940 feeling the bond between us. 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.859 My mother put her arms 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.980 halfway around the world 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:20.480 to save me. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.299 Elgin Staples 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:27.059 was not saved by luck. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:29.660 He was blessed by God. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.480 And in limbo land, 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.319 when you feel like 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.160 you're just floating 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.460 on barred time, 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:38.940 I want to encourage you today, 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.460 stay faithful. 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.400 Trust God 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:45.740 and remember that 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.500 whatever tomorrow holds, 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.540 he's already there. 00:25:51.040 --> 00:25:52.300 With every head bowed 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:53.980 and every eye closed, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.340 I ask you today, 00:25:57.280 --> 00:25:57.900 has there ever been 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:59.200 a point in your life 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.820 when you've surrendered 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.400 your life 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:02.460 to follow the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:04.980 has there ever been 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.900 a time when you've 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.440 asked the Lord 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:06.980 to forgive you 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.600 of your sins, 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.420 when you've acknowledged 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.579 that you've sinned 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.079 against him 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.640 and asked him 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.640 to cleanse you 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.460 of those sins, 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:15.120 to forgive you, 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.980 to come into your life 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.940 and to save you? 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.759 I want you to know 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.640 if that's never happened 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.240 to you today, 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.960 that he'll save you 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.740 where you are today. 00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:23.420 Today's the day 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.079 of salvation, 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.319 scripture tells us. 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.980 If you feel any pulling 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.900 toward that at all, 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.660 it's not you 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.559 that came up with that, 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:32.179 it's God who initiated that. 00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:34.179 He put that in your heart. 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:36.099 You just need to respond. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.559 Maybe you're here 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.819 and you have done that privately, 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.519 but you've never 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.839 acknowledged that publicly. 00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:43.299 You never have. 00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:43.819 And Jesus, 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.700 by his example 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.519 and by his commission, 00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:47.039 tells us to follow that up 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.220 with baptism. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.519 Next week, 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:50.960 we're going to have 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.559 the opportunity 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.200 to baptize 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:53.440 in both of our worship hours 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.339 as planned. 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.440 If you've never 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:57.480 given your heart and life 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.299 to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:58.940 or you've never 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.599 acknowledged that 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.159 through baptism, 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.140 and I encourage you to come. 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.900 We'd love to line that up 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:04.420 or maybe you have questions 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:06.000 about your situation. 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.220 I'd love to talk to you 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.180 this week about that. 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.440 Maybe you're here 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.440 and God's drawing you 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.480 to First Baptist Church. 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.840 God's doing a wonderful work 00:27:14.840 --> 00:27:15.540 at First Baptist Church 00:27:15.540 --> 00:27:16.519 and I'm thankful for that 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:18.040 and I just encourage you 00:27:18.040 --> 00:27:19.100 to be obedient to the Lord. 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.519 Follow him as he leads. 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.759 I trust he'll guide you. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.519 Maybe you're here this morning 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.500 and you're in limbo land. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:31.420 You're in the midst 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.619 of either an up or a down. 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.160 You're just standing by. 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:39.000 Man, that can be a struggle. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.839 Today, why don't you 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.779 give that over to the Lord? 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:44.099 If you'd like me to pray 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:44.759 for you, I'll be happy 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.339 to do that. 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.859 Just trust the Lord 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:49.680 and in the midst 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.500 of your circumstances, 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.240 you be faithful. 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:53.759 or make a turn 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.660 like Jacob did 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:56.519 to follow the Lord 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.319 from this day forward 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:57.819 faithfully. 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:00.160 I don't know what God's 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.599 telling you 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.279 but I encourage you 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.000 to be obedient to him 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.559 because I don't believe 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.700 you'll ever be satisfied 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:05.960 until you do what God 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:07.319 set apart for your very best. 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.680 Lord Jesus, I love you. 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.539 Thank you, Lord, 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:11.519 for your love for us 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.339 and I ask, oh God, 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:12.799 right now 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.839 that you'll move 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.759 and you'll work in our midst 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.500 and that you'll help us 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.359 simply to be obedient 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:17.120 to follow you 00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:19.000 and all that you'd have us to do 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.460 in Jesus' precious name. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:20.779 Amen.