Church Construction 2013

May 2013 - Planting the Garden

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The Man Joseph: In Authority 5/27/18- 6/2/18

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The Man Joseph: In Authority 5/27/18- 6/2/18

Central thought: All things work for good for the children of God. Memory Verse: Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry”.   Daily Devotional Guide   Monday: The Butler forgot Joseph. Genesis 41:1-13 Tuesday: God will give thee an answer. Genesis 41:14-24 Wednesday: He gives us integrity and wisdom.  Genesis 41:25-45 Thursday: Fruitful in the land of affliction. Genesis 41:46-57 Friday: Dreams fulfilled. Genesis 42:1-17 Saturday: For I fear God. Genesis 42:18-38...

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The Man Joseph: In Authority 5/27/18- 6/2/18

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The Man Joseph: In Authority 5/27/18- 6/2/18

    Central thought: All things work for good for the children of God.   Hymn: God moves in a mysterious way.   Text: Genesis 41:1-57 Joseph was blameless in his behavior in Egypt, be it in Potiphar’s house as a servant, in prison, or as a ruler. He was faithful to God in every way and God made him to be successful in everything. God did not remove Joseph from “the darkness and the filth of the dungeon”. Instead, He was with him right there and blessed all that he did and said, thus he continued to a position of trust and responsibility even in prison. Dreams played a significant role in Joseph’s story/life. This time it was not his dreams but the interpretation of the dreams of others that brought him to limelight. God can and does in fact use dreams sometimes to guide the Christian but dreams are subject to interpretation. The Butler abandoned Joseph to his fate in prison and it took two full years and an incident that shook the empire before he remembered the young man. There is a time set for the deliverance of God’s people- that time will come though it may seem to delay but when it comes it will be the best time.   Lesson Objectives: To know that God works out any situation to favor His children. To comprehend that God does not forget His own. To appreciate that God must fulfill His promise. To know how to react to those who hate us, and To know the benefit of waiting on God.   Question 1.) Can God work out the situation to favor his children? Joseph as the “officer-in-charge” of the prisoners showed concern for the sad look on the faces of Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the prison. This concern for others even in an unpleasant situation when he should have been more concerned with his personal freedom was a demonstration of Godly character. Someone of his caliber (a personer) in charge of a whole prison would not have been bothered about other prisoners if he had not the Spirit of God. On inquiry, Joseph was told that they had dreamed and there was no interpreter of it. This turned out to be opportunity for Joseph to speak to the sad officers about God, letting them know that interpretation belonged to God. He then asked them to tell him their dreams, which Joseph promptly interpreted. Here things started working, though slowly, towards Joseph’s advancement. He modestly requested the favor of the chief butler whose preferment he foretold. “But think of me when it shall be well with thee”. This was all the opportunity needed to turn Joseph’s situation around. Thus it can be rightly said that God allowed Pharaoh’s butler and baker to have the prison experience so as to come in contact with Joseph, which was to become the ladder that he would climb to his lime-light. God gave Joseph the gift of interpretation of dreams and created situations where he could use the gift of his favor.   Question 2.) How did god cause Joseph to be remembered? There is a time set for the deliverance of God’s people. That time will come though it may seem delayed, when it comes, it...

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The Man Joseph: In Prison -5/20/18-5/26/18

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The Man Joseph: In Prison -5/20/18-5/26/18

Central Thought: Faithfulness to and trust in God assures His defense and protection. Memory Verse Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose”.   Daily Devotional Guide:    Monday: The adulterous woman. Genesis 39:7-8, Proverbs 30:20 Tuesday: Joseph wrongfully accused. Genesis 39:19-20 Wednesday: Imprisonment of Joseph. Genesis 39:19-20 Thursday: The Lord was with Joseph. Genesis 39:21-22, Isaiah 26:3-4 Friday: Joseph interprets dreams. Butlers dream, Genesis 40:12-13 Bakers dream, Genesis 40:18-19 Saturday: Dreams fulfilled. Genesis...

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The Man Joseph: In Prison -5/20/18-5/26/18

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The Man Joseph: In Prison -5/20/18-5/26/18

Central Thought: Faithfulness to and trust in God assures His defense and protection. Hymn: God moves in a mysterious way Text: Genesis 39:21-23, 40:6-8   Potiphar’s wife having failed in her attempts to make Joseph lie with her, got him portrayed as an immoral person. She accused him before his fellow servants, gave him a bad name among them, and even to his master, who had power in his hands to punish him. She told a malicious lie to incense her husband against him. The husband, Potiphar believed the lie and was very angry with Joseph. Consequently, Joseph was imprisoned without trial. He was however not daunted. He did not complain but suffered in silence and continued to have faith in God. Joseph was at a distance from all friends and relations but the Lord was with him and showed him mercy. Neither gates, nor bars can shut out God’s gracious presence from His people, for He has promised that He will never leave nor forsake them.   Lesson Objectives: To know what led to Joseph’s imprisonment. To know how God catered for Joseph in his plight. To know how to react when we suffer for offences we never committed. To know why the keeper of the prison put the prisoners under Joseph’s supervision.   Question 1.) What led to Joseph’s imprisonment? Joseph was a very handsome young man whom his master, Potiphar trusted and made overseer of his house and all his goods in the field. It happened that his wife cast her eyes on Joseph and invited him to lie with her but he refused and continually spurned her daily invitation to lie with her. Potiphar’s wife was embittered against him because of his continual refusal of her request. She lied to her husband who without any investigation reacted angrily and consequently jailed Joseph based on the report of his wife (Genesis 39:10-20). Joseph was imprisoned after being wrongly accused, but he bore all in silence patiently.   Question 2.) How did God care for Joseph in his plight? Joseph was imprisoned for the offence he did not commit, but he neither complained nor grumbled. He also did not blame God for allowing him to be jailed for committing no offence and so turn his back on God as some of us would have probably done, rather he bore everything quietly and suffered innocently. In his plight, Joseph continued to live a life of faithfulness and dedication to God. On His part, God in His infinite mercy also related with Joseph by giving him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison who committed to Josephs hand all his fellow prisoners as well as all that they did. Joseph was far away from home, from all his friends and relations, but the Lord was with him and showed him mercy. His mind stayed on God and so He gave him perfect peace. Because God was in the business, Joseph had not stayed long as a prisoner before he became a little ruler against all human expectation. This shows that God can raise up friends for His people even where they least expect it. The keeper like Potiphar, saw that everything prospered under Joseph’s hand and therefore entrusted him with the management of the prison. God...

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The Man Joseph- Overcomes Temptation , 5/13/18-5/19/18

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The Man Joseph- Overcomes Temptation , 5/13/18-5/19/18

Central Thought: No one who puts his trust in God will ever be put to shame.   Hymn: Yield not to temptation Text: Genesis 37: 25-36, 39:1-23   Joseph was a handsome young man, well-shaped and developed in body and well favored. Joseph was morally upright, obeyed his father, feared God and lived for Him. It may be said that his character stands out distinctly as one of the purest in all history. He did not allow daily temptation from whorish Potiphar’s wife to weaken his high morality. No calamity shook his implicit faith in God, nor did he allow adversity to depress him.   Lesson Objectives: To know why Potiphar made Joseph overseer of his house. To understand why Joseph refused Potiphar’s wife request to lie with her. To know how to reject sinners’ enticement to sin. To highlight the lesson we derive from Joseph’s experience in Potiphar’s house.   Question 1.) Why did Potiphar make Joseph overseer of his house? After Joseph had been sold by his brethren to the Ishmaelites, he was brought down to Egypt where he was again sold by the Ishmaelites to an Egyptian, Potiphar, who was Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. This gave Joseph the opportunity to be exposed to someone with whom he might be acquainted with in public and business life. Joseph was bought as a slave by the Egyptian captain “And the Lord was with Joseph…” Genesis 39:2. While in his master’s house, Joseph was wonderfully blessed even as a servant. God prospered him though at first he was engaged in the meanest services. His ingenuity and industry came to bare and a particular blessing from heaven attended to him. He became more and more discernible as he rose in his employment. Genesis 39:2 says “And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand”. With God’s hand mightily upon Joseph for good, Potiphar had no choice but to make him overseer over his entire house to continuously be connected to this blessing and to have it in full measure.   Question 2.) Why did Joseph refuse Potiphar’s wife’s invitation to lie with her? In Genesis 39:7, we read “And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and she said, lie with me”. This is a most shameful instance of impudence and immodesty of Joseph’s mistress. She spoke to him on a daily basis which was a great wickedness on her part and great temptation to Joseph. However, Joseph was resolved to uphold his virture and chastity; and by the grace of God was able to overcome the temptation by escaping. The temptation coming from his mistress left Joseph with two options. To succumb to the tempter, and find “favor” with her but sin against God or Maintain his integrity and reject the tempter but face the danger of being her enemy. Joseph opted for the second option at the risk of “losing everything”. This was a brave and honorable decision on his part. Joseph took this step because he saw his yielding to his mistress’ temptation as a sin not just against his master but against God. This was the propelling force that kept him...

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The Man Joseph- Overcomes Temptation , 5/13/18-5/19/18

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The Man Joseph- Overcomes Temptation , 5/13/18-5/19/18

Central Thought: No one who puts his trust in God will ever be put to shame.   Memory Verse 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.   Daily Devotional Guide: Monday: God was with Joseph as a houseboy in a strange land. Genesis 39:1-2 Tuesday: Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph. Genesis 39:3-4 Wednesday: Joseph’s stay brought blessing to Potiphar’s house. Genesis 39:5-6 Thursday: Joseph resists temptation. Genesis 39:7-10 Friday: Joseph fled from the cage of sin. Genesis 39:11-13 Saturday: Joseph suffers imprisonment innocently. Genesis...

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The Man Joseph: Beloved of his father, May 6th-May 12th 2018

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The Man Joseph: Beloved of his father, May 6th-May 12th 2018

Central Thought: The destiny of one who fears God is secured. Memory Verse: Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain”.   Daily Devotional Guide Monday: hatred stems from preferential love.  Genesis 37:3-4 Tuesday: Joseph dreams. Genesis 37:5-11 Wednesday: The obedient Joseph. Genesis 37:13-17 Thursday:Conspiracy to do evil.  Genesis 37:18-24 Friday: Joseph cast into a pit and sold as a slave.  Genesis 37:23-28 Saturday: A result of envy and hatred. Genesis...

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The Man Joseph: Beloved of his father, May 6th-May 12th 2018

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The Man Joseph: Beloved of his father, May 6th-May 12th 2018

  Central Thought: The destiny of one who fears God is secured. Hymn: I need thee every hour Text: Genesis 37:1-28   Joseph was the first son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife. While in Paddanaram, Jacob saw and loved Rachel and arranged to serve the father, Laban for seven years in order to marry her, but Laban gave Leah, his oldest daughter (and Rachel’s elder sister) to Jacob instead. According to Laban, their custom demands that the older one marries before the younger. Jacob because of his love for Rachel worked seven more years as requested by his father-in-law in order to marry her. Leah was quite fruitful as she bore him many children, but Rachel was barren until the birth of Joseph. Being the first son of his favorite wife “and the son of his old age” (Genesis 37:3), Jacob loved Joseph more than the other children. This was demonstrated in the coat of many colors which he gave to Joseph alone-of all his sons. This heightened the hatred Joseph’s brother had for him and was worsened when he told them of his dreams, suggesting that they, along with his father and mother, would one day bow before him. Joseph was very serviceable in the family. He was devoted to the care of his father Jacob, in his old age. He was his special helper in supplying his needs and being an agent between him (Jacob) and his other sons. Thus his father could send him to go and see how his brothers were faring in the field. Lesson Objectives: To know whom Joseph was To know about Joseph’s life at home To understand why Joseph’s brothers hated him; and Examine the relationship between Joseph and his brothers.   Question 1.) Who was Joseph? Joseph, which means He (God) will add, was born when his father, Jacob, was about 91 years old. He was the first son of Rachel, Jacob’s second and favorite wife. At 17 years, Joseph was already very hard working as he was feeding the flock with his brethren and brought home to his father reports about his brother’s activities. Jacob favored Joseph because he was the son of his old age and he made a coat of many colors for him. Because of this partial treatment of Joseph by his father, Joseph’s brother’s hated him. Joseph had two dreams which he told his father as well as his brothers. These dreams made his brothers to hate him the more. The hatred became so strong that they conspired to kill him. When his father sent him to Shechem to inquire about the welfare of his brothers, they had gone to Dothan where Joseph found them. They were determined to kill him but for the intervention of Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob who persuaded them to spare the life of their brother and instead to cast him into a pit, hoping to rescue Joseph from the pit later. But before he (Reuben) could do so, his brothers sold Joseph as a slave to a company of Ishmaelite merchants while Reuben was away. The brothers then dipped Joseph’s coat in the blood of a goat and told their father that they found his blood soaked coat. Jacob concluded that a wild animal had killed Joseph. He...

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The Man Gideon: His final Triumph and Exit, 4/29/18-5/5/18

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The Man Gideon: His final Triumph and Exit, 4/29/18-5/5/18

Central Thought: God is always ready to use anyone who make himself/herself available for His service.  Memory Verse Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger”.   Daily Devotional Guide: Monday: Godly wisdom in the face of contention. Judges 8:1-3, Proverbs 15:1 Tuesday: Meditate on Romans 12:18, Colossians 4:6, Matthew 10:19, John 14:26 Wednesday: Focused but concerned for the welfare of his men. Judges 8:4-5 Thursday: Gideon submits to God’s will. Judges 8:22-23, Deuteronomy 17:14-15 Friday: Leader led the Israelites into idolatry. Judges 8:24-27, 1 Corinthians 10:12 Saturday: God honors His call on Gideon for a mission. Judges 6:14,...

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The Man Gideon: His final Triumph and Exit, 4/29/18-5/5/18

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The Man Gideon: His final Triumph and Exit, 4/29/18-5/5/18

Central Thought: God is always ready to use anyone who make himself/herself available for His service.    Hymn: I Need thee Every Hour  Text: Judges 8:1-35   Introduction: Gideon had been reasonably concerned about the condition of his people- the Israelites. In his discussion with the Angel of the Lord, he had queried, “… IF the Lord, be with us, why then has all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of… but now the Lord has forsaken us into the hands of the Midianites” (Judges 6:13). The Lord’s response to him was however reassuring. “Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hands of the Midianites: have not I sent you?” Judges 6:14 Gideon yielded himself to the Lord and in the process made positive influences on the lives of the Israelites. They remained reasonably faithful to God during his lifetime. In this study, we shall examine how Gideon secured his final victory over the Midianites and his leadership failure. Lesson Objectives: To understand the complaint of the Ephraimites against Gideon and to discuss how justified they were. Examine Gideon’s response and to know how appropriate it was. Look at Gideon’s character and draw some lessons from it. Find out why Gideon created the ephod and its impact on the Israelites Understand what Gideon’s failure was and discuss how to avoid such problems.   Question 1.) Discuss how Gideon managed the complaint of the Midianites and the lessons we can derive from it. Judges 8:2-3, Proverbs 15:1, Colossians 4:6, Romans 12:18, Matthew 10:19, John 14:26 The Ephraimites complained that Gideon should not have left them out of the call to battle. They rebuked Gideon sharply; Gideon was gentle in his response but not in fear. With Godly wisdom he gave a soft answer which made their resentment against him to subside. The Bible tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath, but that grievous words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). In Colossians 4:16, we are admonished thus, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man”. In Romans 12:18, we are also advised that, if it be possible, as much as lieth within you, live peaceably with all men”. From Matthew 10:19, we acknowledge that even when we are in difficult situations, not knowing what exactly to say, the Lord has promised us that “…. It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak”. Gideon rather than challenging the contention of the Ephraimites, did not allow the self in him to manifest rather his humility and meekness were displayed. By so doing he challenged them to be more focused in handling the task ahead.   Question 2.a) What does Judges 8:4-5 reveal about Gideon’s character? His request for help from the men of Succoth to assist his three hundred soldiers with food was rejected. His men were “weak, yet pursing” their targets. This scenario reveals the following about Gideon’s character: That he was quite focused about his mission and objective. That his desire to get the job done did not becloud his concern for the welfare of his men. That his response to them confirmed his implicit confidence in God...

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