This week we will be exploring Genesis 44 together, Love According to God.
Can people truly change?
It is a good question. Sometimes we see someone set in their ways and we don't think that they will ever change. Sometimes we look at our own lives and realize how hard it is to change.
But if people cannot change, then that means that a bad marriage will always stay bad, a dysfunctional family will always live in dysfunction, a stagnant church will always remain stagnant, a divided community will always remain divided.
Without the potential of true heart change, then there can really be no true change in the people and relationships around us.
Jacob's family is a mess. Favoritism. Envy. Selfishness. Greed. Hatred. Pride. Deception. Arguments. Fights. Lies. Abuse. It is far from the "model family."
And yet the hopes of the world rest on this crazy, chaotic, conflicted family!
But something changes in Genesis 44.
The family is different. The brothers are different. Judah is different.
Instead of selfishness, you see self-sacrifice.
Instead of envy, you see love.
What in the world has happened?
We will examine this chapter on Sunday and explore how Joseph's final test of his brothers reveals the radical change in their hearts.
May God continue to change our hearts to reflect more and more of the grace, faithfulness, boldness, and love of His Son, Jesus Christ!
This Sunday we will also dedicate two babies and their families to the Lord and celebrate communion together as fellow partakers of God's abundant grace!