JOSEPH UNDERSTOOD ABUSE

 

Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.

 

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate[a] robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

 

5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

 

8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

 

9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

 

10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

 

Today I want to share with you a real story of real problems that can happen even in the best and most Godly families.  From this story we will learn how conflict happens and why.  What happens when parents do nothing and also some steps that you can do to help safeguard your family.  Through the life of Jacob and Joseph we will see how God can turn around that which is meant for evil to be good.

 

Joseph is seventeen when we are introduced.  In this passage we get a picture of his early life and the conflict leading up to one of the most critical moments in human history.

 

Joseph was a prince among people.  Yet even princes have bad moments and enemies.  In Joseph case we see several reasons for this.

 

1.       Joseph s 17, he is working with his brothers and he brings a bad report.  People get angry when you  bring a negative report about how they work.  For the male, 70% of our self esteem is wrapped up in what we do and our vocation.  When I lost my jobs a couple of times.  I was devastated.  Reason one for their hatred.

2.      Next, Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other sons.  He was the son of Rachel his favorite wife, he was born when Jacob was older and he gave him a coat of many colors and this show of obvious affection brought hatred and abuse.

 

a.       Some lessons we learn here.  First, in a family never show favoritism, treat all your children the same and with consistency.  When giving gifts especially at birthdays and Christmas always make sure they are of equal value. 

b.      Keep punishments equal. Make sure to keep punishments as equal as possible and avoid constantly singling out a child who engages in more inappropriate behavior in front of their siblings. ...

c.      Settle disputes fairly. ...

d.      Avoid judging competition and comparisons

 

In Jacobs case what is amazing is that he had been the brunt

Of favoritism when his brother Esau was favored over him but he still allowed it in his family.  Patterns can be established.  We can be victims and allow what ever we suffer be allowed in our families.  For example a child who sees substance abuse has a 80% chance of actually doing it themselves.  Same with sexual, physical, and mental abuse.

 

3.       Then Joseph had two dreams, the first was the sheaves of barley in the field and how his sheaf rose up and their sheaves bowed down to him and then  how the sun, moon and eleven stars bowed down to him. 

 

a.       He told his brothers and father about his dreams.  His brothers hated him.  His father rebuked him.  Now we learn here that Joseph did help his case but that is because of being a teen he did not have the social skills yet to handle what was going on in his world. 

b.      This led to his brothers hating him and heaping verbal abuse on him.  They also gossiped, slandered and tried to destroy his reputation.  Verbal abuse believe it or not is more dangerous that physical abuse.  That is why James says the tongue is the most unruly member of our body.

c.      There is not one person sitting here today that has not been at one time in your life a victim of verbal abuse.  It can happen every day as well.  In any time or place.

 

       

Verbal abuse happens out of nowhere in a relationship. It’s a lot more calculating and insidious, causing people on the receiving end to question themselves, wonder if they are overreacting, or even blame themselves. Verbal abuse usually happens in private where no one else can intervene and eventually becomes a regular form of communication within a relationship. For people experiencing it, verbal abuse is often isolating since it chips away at your self-esteem making it more difficult to reach out to a friend. 

 

There are ten forms of verbal abuse.

 

1. Name-calling  Example: “You idiot, now you have made me angry!”

2. Condescension:  light sarcasm and a sarcastic tone of voice, Example: “No wonder you are always moaning about your weight, look how clean your plate is!”

3. Manipulation: a controlling personality,  Example: “If you really loved me you wouldn’t say or do that.”

4. Criticism, constant criticism and belittling of a another , Example: “Why are you so disorganized?

5. Demeaning Comments, putting others down and lifting yourself up.

6. Threats.  Either to yourself, or to others.

7. Blame involves constantly putting the blame for one’s actions onto others

8. Accusations come from jealousy, this was Joseph’s case. repeated accusations are a form of verbal abuse.

9. Withholding, not answering calls, refusing to discuss a matter or not talking.  Sometimes a partner may walk away from an argument.  This can be good but also can be a form of abuse.

10. Never apologizing for what you have done or taking responsibility for your actions.  Deflecting and turning it around.  This is also called circular arguments.

 

9 things you can do to stop verbal abuse

 

1.      Abuse is never justified so, you should never feel that it is your fault. Guilt is a tool that abusers will use to keep control over you

2.      Let the abuser know how hurtful their words are and discuss with them the fact that it is unacceptable to you. Set boundaries on what you will and will not accept from your abuser.

3.      Seek counseling, either together or separately.  Talk to a trusted friend, or authority figure.

4.      Surround yourself with a support system of family and friends. Discuss with them what is happening and how you are feeling.  Get a proper perspective.

5.      Leave. Your personal safety is far more important than the relationship.  Be prepared to leave if necessary. Sometimes distance is the only way to diffuse things.

6.      Do not engage in conflict with your abuser.  Stay calm, walk away and don’t give him/her what they want…a reaction from you.

7.      Take back your power. If you react to the abuser, you are rewarding them. Letting them know they have power over your emotions. Don’t allow the abuser to have control over how you feel.

8.      Set boundaries and interaction, There are times when the best thing you can do for yourself is, break all ties with your abuser or resort to legal action.

9.      Pray, seek God’s face, forgive and do not do the same to them as they have done to you.

 

Now in Joseph’s case it would lead to one of the most critical moments in human history.  Which we will look in our next message. There is freedom and Victory in Jesus Christ.

You can be free.  You do not have to stay the  victim or the conquered today.   Now I want to pray for you. 

 

 

QUOTES FOR MARCH 20, 2026

 

JOHN A POWERFUL PREACHER

 

     Good morning.  Last week we started the first in our series about John the Baptist.  He was called the Baptist because two reasons.  First, the form he used to show people had truly repented of their sins was water baptism.  Then like today it has two particular significances.  This was an outward sign of an inward act.  Baptism in the Jordan showed that you had a true change of heart.  Next, it was a public declaration of faith.  You were telling the world that you were now a follower of God.  You were leaving the old life of sin, sorrow and regret and choosing to live in faith, truth, victory and abundant life.  John was actually not doing something new.  This was a common practice of Jewish life.  Secondly, he would have the privilege to baptize Jesus.  John’s baptism was significant because it was Jesus’ coming out party and the revelation of the God head.  You have the voice of the Father who says this is my beloved son and Jesus in the water and the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove landing on Jesus.  John was witness to this.  Talk about the boy who said John preached in the Baptist church.

 

1.      Today we are going to look at three more characteristics of John the Baptist that we would and should want to emulate and exhibit in our lives.  The first one is John was a powerful preacher.  It shows in Mark 1:5, that he had a powerful impact on Jewish society.  It says that when he started preaching people came from all over Israel to hear him.  So what makes a powerful  preacher?

 

a.       Veracity -. Christian preaching must first of all be true–true to the text, true to the whole counsel of God, true in whatever else you say or cite.   Whatever is said, what is true and biblical, God can use that preaching.  John was true to his called and God had laid on his heart

b.      Clarity - Truth is first, but if you say what is true but don’t say it so people can understand you, it isn’t worth much.  It must be clear, precise and concise.  John had a simple message.  He was called to call people to repent and he prepared the way for the Kingdom of God.  Paul said that he preached and preached crucified.

c.      Authority –When Jesus’ taught it was that he spoke with authority (Matt. 7:28-29). Good preaching sounds forth with certainty, not because the preacher is infallible, but because God speaks through him, making claims on people’s lives, declaring the truth with boldness, taking courageous stands where others cower in fear.  John did and under the anointing of the Lord and was changing society.

d.      Authenticity –  Does your unique personality come through in preaching?   Does your preaching sound like someone talking about the gospel or calling people to believe the gospel?  Are you an advocate for Christ or a witness to Christ? Is there, to use John Murray’s phrase, personal, passionate, pleading in your preaching? This is what I mean by authenticity.  John was literally pleading with the people to repent because Jesus’ ministry was just around the corner.  Church we need this type of preaching and living today.  Remember Jesus’ coming is almost upon us.  We do not have time.  The last few months taught us that how fragile things are.

 

2.      Humility.  Mark 1:7, John 1:19-23, John makes a powerful statement about his role.  He was asked are you the Messiah.  He stated he was a voice of one crying in the wilderness.  When asked about how Jesus was becoming more famous than him.  His response was, “I must decrease and He must increase.”  Humility is the opposite of pride.  A great definition is a modest or low view of one's own importance.  This is a great one, freedom from pride or arrogance.  You know what your role and why.  Remember if you want to great in God’s kingdom learn to be the servant of all.  To be first you have to be last.  Jesus used the parable of the banquet as an example. 

 

a.      I wish to share two scriptures that put it beautifully.  “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14”

b.      Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:3-11  John did this and we should as well.

 

3.      Burning Zeal.  John 5:35.  John was zealous for God.  He wanted people to repent.  He knew that only repentance can keep them from judgment, sin and eternal damnation.  Zeal means great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.  In John’s case it was for righteousness, truth, his mission and for the preparation of the Kingdom of God.  He was called to prepare the way for Jesus.  He knew his role, responsibility, objective, goal and mission.  Lots of people demonstrate zeal.  For the child of God we have two objectives.  We are to love and tell others about Jesus.  It is not rocket science.  Our zeal comes directly from the time we spend in prayer, the word, going to his house and telling others I can tell a person’s level of commitment and zeal by these four markers.  These are measurements of zeal and commitment.  Any of these out of balance and you are in trouble.  Here is something you may not want to hear but it is so true.  If you don’t pray, read the Bible, go to church or share your faith you are already backsliding.  This is not easy to say but it is time for an intervention.  Time to tell the truth.  The time of mixed messages, comfortable sermons and easy outs is over.  The church is in trouble in the west.  We have lost so much ground.  We have become irrelevant.  We are ignored, mocked, scorned and blamed.  We did this to ourselves.  The worst part is that we are losing our kids, young people, young adults and young families.  It is time for honest preachers.  Time for zealous truth.  I am going to say this.  The Bible does not need to be rewritten but re-read.  Another truth, it does not matter what your opinion is if the Bible says it, you either believe or you don’t.  I will not back down, back out, back up, back off or backslide.  Our prayer should be Lord,  “I am available anytime, anywhere and anyway.”  You know why Billy Graham was so successful because he kept it simple.  Let’s do KISS.  Keep it simple saint. 

JOHN THE BAPTIST

 

     Today I am excited to start this new series.  The Holy Spirit has been giving us messages about the coming of the Lord in one manner or another.  First, we taught about Joseph on how we are to live in a pagan world.  In Daniel we learned how to pray in a godly manner for the godly and for the people of the world.  Now in John we will learn how to confront careless living among the people of God and what to share with the world at large in our present time and the reality of Jesus coming at any time.  Through the life of John we will learn how to prepare our world for the coming of the Lord. 

 

Our scripture we will look at today is where John is described as the one to prepare the way of the Lord.  Listen to what Jesus says about John the Baptist.  In Matt 11:9-10, “Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:” ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.

 

John was an amazing man he was definitely a unique man.  He was very much like Elijah.  He wore camel skin clothing and ate wild locust and honey, a very unusual diet.  John was also a man who had a special call of God.  Over the next Three Sundays we are going to examine nine characteristics that made John who he was.  Today we will look at three characteristics that John displayed and a great list that we can emulate, copy and exhibit. 

 

Characteristics of John

 

1.                Self denial:  The definition of this term is the denial of one's own interests and needs; self-sacrifice, or an act or instance of restraining or curbing one's desires.  In the Christian sense Self-denial is saying “no, to ungodliness and worldly passions and living our lives within the righteous framework God has established.  Self-denial requires that our desire to obey God overrule our destructive desires to find satisfaction outside of what God has for us.

In Matt 3:4, John knew that the only way to serve God is make sure that the world did not influence him but that he influenced the world.  Jesus said that if you are not willing to deny ourselves and follow him that we are not worthy of him.  Matt 16:24 – Then Jesus said unto his disciples “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  This is done by submitting yourself to God and resisting the devil and he will flee from you.  When you deny self you are following the advice of an old Christian native leader who said, you have two wolves in your life a good one and bad one.  The one you feed is the one who will rule you.  Basically, what you feed your life is what will eventually show up.  Denial of yourself, leads to purity, power and perspective.  When you read your Bible, pray, go to church and share your faith you are exhibiting God in your world.  Jesus said that friendship with the world is being an enemy of God.  Now I am not advocating a John’s lifestyle where you live in the wilderness, eat exotic food and pray all day.  What I am advocating is a lifestyle where your first priority is God, His will, desire and goals.  Talk about the Egyptian prayer movement of the 3^rd and 4^th century.

2.                Courage.  Matt 3:7, 14:4, John demonstrated courage.  A definition of courage is the ability to do something that frightens oneself.  A second thought is strength in the face of pain or grief.  He spoke fearlessly to the religious leaders, the Romans, the common people and the King who was Herod.  This courage would eventually lead to his death.  Courage is being willing to do something no one else wants to do.  It is being able to overcome your natural fear and do what needs to be done.  Courage in the things of God is realizing you are doing God’s work, in God’s way, in God’s will, in His power, and wisdom.  Being courageous is not being afraid.  It is overcoming your fear and being willing to do what is right, truthful, honest and fair.  It means confronting evil when no one else wants to.  It means being God’s person who stands in the gap.  I love what Wikipedia says about courage.  Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty.  This is what John did.  We have all four of these things working in 2020.  These need to be courageously confronted.  People need the church to be the church.  The devil is coming in like a flood today but the Lord is raising up His church to be a standard against Him.  One of the sevenfold mission of the church is to act as a restraining and enlightening force.  We are reflecting the light in this darkness.  We are the light on the hill and the lamp in the house.  John Wesley called us the candle in the darkness.  This world is dark and deadly.  It will take courage to confront the darkness and evil of this world.  One man said, evil will overcome the good if good men will not stand. We need to courage to walk in love.  Love does not allow selfishness, greed, and foolishness to prevail.  James puts it this way.  If you rescue someone from a path of self -destruction you are saving them from a multitude of sins they will inflict on themselves and others.   You are standing like Eliezer between the living and the dead.   Here are some things to think about.  “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”  Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”  Be brave to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone.” 

3.                Obedience:  Matt 3:15, John did what he was asked to do.  In the Bible it means to "to hear," "to listen and then do.  Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God and reverence for Him.  He learned the truth of 1 Sam 15:22, that obedience is better than sacrifice.  Andrew Murray states in his book in the School of Obedience that God is looking for someone to simply obey.  God is looking for a willing vessel.  When you obey God the supernatural happens.  Talk about Len Lindstrom calling out people to be healed of deafness.  The Bible says that Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered.  The Centurion teaches us a lesson about obedience when he stated that he is a person of obedience.  When he is told to do something by a superior officer he does it.  Jesus called this real faith.  God is not looking for a debate on his will what he looking for is someone who will say, “Yes Lord us me.”  The problem with so many today is that we have been taught that our autonomy and independence is a right.  My greatest discussion with people is about their rights and when someone violates it.  I have bad news for you.  When you became a Christian you surrender your rights to the Lord.  You said, Yes, to God and no to you.  Joab disliked David’s request to do a census but because David was the King Joab did it.  There will be many times you will not understand, or even like what God wants but if you do it you will prosper.  From Joseph’s life we learned that by obeying those who were in charge of him he prosper and eventually was promoted.  You need to be faithful where you are because in obedience we learn patience, trust and endurance.  John did and Jesus called him the greatest of all.  I thought this was an interesting point to close on.  John called himself the least and Jesus called him the greatest. A great lesson for us to learn here is that if you want to be great in God’s kingdom, learn to be the servant of all.  If you want be first choose to be last.  Close with Saint Francis going to town and the young student who wanted to know his secret.  Talk to children, a woman, helped a beggar, help a merchant load his cart and help  washer woman with her clothing, bought supplies and came home.  We learn self denial, courage and obedience in the everyday things of life.  In the decision we make and the people we touch daily.  

 

 

 

WHO IS JESUS

 

      There is a lot of confusion about who Jesus Christ is and why He came to this world so it my hope that we will be able to clear some of those misconceptions up.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea.  His parents were Mary and Joseph.  What is unique about Jesus us that he was conceived in an unusual way.  The Bible records that an angel came to Mary and told her that she was going to have a baby.  She asked how this was going to happen since she was still a virgin.  The angel told her that the power of the Holy Spirit would come upon her and that she would conceive.  God who made all life could easily put a child into a virgin.  No other person in history has had a conception like this.  The virgin birth is one of the main truths of the Christian church.

     Jesus as we learn in the Christmas story was born in a stable. Very humble beginnings for the man who would change history.  Shepherds were His first visitors after His birth was announced by angels.  Later, He was visited by wisemen who gave him presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Jesus had an unusual start but fitting for a man who would change us and the world.  The Christmas story is very child friendly and nostalgic.  The one truth is this.  Jesus came because we could not save ourselves.  He came for salvation.  Which He still offers to all who will receive it. 

QUOTES FOR MARCH 19, 2026

 

MESSAGE ABOUT JESUS

 

Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

 

 

1.      Today we are looking at the most well known portion of scripture in the Bible.  The background is that Nicodemus a well connected leader came to Jesus by night to learn truths that would set him and the religious world on their ear.  They would learn that good works, tradition, law and manmade ideas were irrelevant to God. 

2.      Jesus told Nicodemus here that like the serpent in the wilderness so the Son of man must be lifted up.  So Jesus is revealing the method here of His death which would be crucifixion. Jesus reveals that whoever believes the word here has two meaning believe on Him as the object of believe and believe in Him which means you put your trust in Him.  You believe, trust, embrace and receive Him.  You believe that only through Jesus Christ you can have eternal life.   You put your whole life in the hands of Jesus Christ.  You accept that Jesus is the way, truth and life and that no one comes to the father but by Him.

3.      John 3:16, For God so loved the world.  God is love.  It is His character, nature and essence.  He is the beginning and end of love.  God proved he loved the world by giving his Son.  Jesus is the proof of love.  God gave His best.  God’s agape no strings attached love was proven by Jesus Christ.   Jesus is the only Son of God.  There has never been and never will be anyone who can claim this title.  Jesus also proved it by His resurrection. 

4.      Jesus then says everyone.  This is the universality of the call.  It is also the free choice of the call.  It is whoever and wherever and everyone.  I love this.   This is an everyone message.

5.      Who believe the Greek word is “ pistis”, which means salvation and regeneration comes by faith.  Your heart is literally made new.  It is a spiritual heart transplant.  A scholar wrote,  “True faith contains a number of components: acceptance, embracing something (someone) as truth, union with God and his Word, and an inner confidence that God alone is enough. “

6.      You believe in Jesus Christ.  You do not perish.  You have eternal life.  You pass from death to life.  You go into heaven.  You are with the Lord forever.   The ticket to heaven is Jesus Christ.  There are two trains in eternity.  You can determine which ticket you get and what train you take by the choice you make to believe in Jesus or not.  The writer of Hebrews says you have one life and then you face judgment

 

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

 

1.      Jesus says God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world.  God does not want to judge, or pronounce sentence on mankind.  Condemn is a legal term.  It is justice.  It means to bring a form of punishment for crimes committed.  God is complex.  He is justice, righteous and holy nature.  He also is love, mercy and grace.  Jesus was the balance between the both.  Jesus is salvation and redemption.  Jesus bought us back with His broken body, shed blood, death, burial and resurrection.  Through Christ we have had our freedom paid.  The sentence was pronounced on Him.  He became our substitute. 

2.      Now here are two truths.  Those who believe put their faith and trust in Jesus are not condemned.  They have escaped and  been freed by another.  The payment has made.  So belief  or faith is the release.   Those who do not believe are condemned already.  They have been marked, judged and sentenced already.  The simple truth when you hear the gospel or truth immediately you become accountable to the truth.  Whatever form it comes. 

3.      The reason they did not and would not believe in the name of the only Son of God.  Jesus is the only Son of God.  He is the only Messiah is they have not seen the light.

4.      Jesus said judgment came because light has come into the world.  Jesus called Himself a light.  Now Jesus exposes why people hate light.  First, they deeds are evil.  They have evil hearts.  It comes from  in alliance with the prince of evil.   Those who do not know Christ live in satan’s kingdom.  Man’s heart and nature is sinful.  We inherited from Adam and only Christ can save us and only the Holy Spirit can change it.  Secondly, those who love darkness and hate light is because they do not want their deeds to be exposed by the light.  Light reveals truth of things.  Exposure demands change, consequences and humiliation.

5.      The first step to change is admitting we have a problem.  The second is doing what is necessary to change it and be free.  Jesus brings that freedom.  Jesus brings to light why people won’t or will not change.  They see others as the problem not themselves. 

6.      Jesus says those who come and accept the light.  It becomes clear that their deeds are done or directed by God.  We show our faith by what we do.  People of the light have consistent, faithful, moment by moment fruit.  Jesus said by their fruits you will know them.  The evidence is in the walk.