The post Pursuing God’s Approval appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Genesis 50 looks back and ahead. A major focus is leaving a legacy. At the end of his life, Joseph was satisfied. He had lived his life in such a way that he had no regrets. It hadn’t been easy and he had suffered much along the way, but he had lived well, and he was satisfied with his life.

After the lengthy period of mourning for Jacob, Joseph’s siblings were afraid Joseph would retaliate against them for their sins against him. They had never asked for forgiveness, so maybe they still felt guilty. But in all of this Joseph maintained a Godly attitude. He had not forgotten, but he had forgiven.

At the end of his life, Joseph requested that his bones be taken to the promised land. He knew that Egypt was just a temporary home and the land of Canaan was where they belonged.

Joseph is known for loving and being loved by his father. He is known for his thirteen years of much suffering from the time of being put into the pit until he became ruler of Egypt. He is known for his capacity to forgive. He is known for having no sin recorded against him.

We can live a good legacy by living well. Living well requires living intentionally rather than in reaction; telling stories that communicate the truth of our lives and God’s work; being a Godly example for people to follow; building relationships; apologizing when we are wrong; focusing on things of eternal value; finishing well.

The post Wrapping Things Up appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

The Holy Spirit is given.

The gospel transcends all cultures. Jesus equips his church by giving the church the necessary gifts: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers.

Jesus is looking for a pure bride so the Holy Spirit exposes sin in the church.

Jesus gives the church the power to persevere. The gospel will not be stopped.

The post I Will Build my Church appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Psalm 68 – God shares His victory and strength with His people.

Ephesians 4:7-13 – Jesus shares His victory with the church, and gives it grace and gifts to equip the saints.

II Timothy 2:1-7 – We need to lean on Jesus for the strength to be steadfast.

Steadfastness looks like: enduring hardship, staying unentangled, remaining obedient to the Gospel, and working faithfully in hope of harvest.

When we’re feeling weak, we should continue to wait on Jesus for strength. We should also be willing to share our struggles with people in the church; not all of the grace we need comes directly from Jesus to us.

The post The Strength to be Steadfast appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Jacob’s deathbed prophecies are recorded in Genesis 48-49. The Jews believed deathbed blessings had special powers. These prophecies were prophetic in their own way but didn’t change the future. First Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons, after which he blessed his own sons.

The applications of the story of Jacob’s deathbed prophecies are:

1. Nothing that happens to us is surprising to God. He gives us choices but knows what we will choose.
2. Many prophecies are dependent on our choices.
3. It might be easy for us to be fatalistic about God knowing the future, as if nothing we do will change the future, but our lives are affected by our choices. It is just that God stands outside of time and knows all that was and is and will be.
4. Things we do affect our children and others, but that doesn’t mean our future is determined by our parents’ past.
5. There is redemption for past failures. Redemption follows true repentance, which includes change.
6. We should never trade liberty for comfort.

Our choices and lives matter. We should live thoughtfully and wisely.

The post Deathbed Prophecies appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Scripture presents a view of salvation (a soteriological vision) that provides a vision for personal and community life at Bethel. This is the view that Jesus Christ shed His blood unto death so that both Jews and Gentiles can be forgiven of their sins, that by trusting Christ as Savior and Lord a person’s faith […]

The post The Implications of the Gospel for Bethel appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

II Timothy 1 – are we living our lives according to the promise of life in Jesus? Paul’s Situation: Imprisoned, anticipating death, abandoned by some, yet unwavering in faith. Timothy’s Situation: Ministry challenges, fears, and discouragement; receives Paul’s letter of encouragement and challenge. Paul’s Greeting: God called Paul to the ministry because of the promise […]

The post Living According to the Promise of Life appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Often people believe that the reason they can’t achieve their goals is that circumstances conspire against them. But the more likely reason might be a failure to count the cost and do the hard work necessary to achieve the goal. Grace is free, but that doesn’t remove the need for human effort. One reason people […]

The post Achieving Our Goals appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.