The Legacy of Favor

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with yourfavor as with a shield.
- Psalms 5:12

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Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one ofPharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.
- Genesis 37:36

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The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in thehouse of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with himand that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor inhis eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household,and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
- Genesis 39:2-4

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Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place wherethe king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison,the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyesof the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held inthe prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The wardenpaid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was withJoseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
- Genesis 39:20-23

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot behidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead theyput it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the sameway, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds andglorify your Father in heaven.
- Matthew 5:14-16

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Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded ofmy shortcomings. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned meand the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had adream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a youngHebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told himour dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretationof his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I wasrestored to my position, and the other man was impaled.” So Pharaoh sent forJoseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved andchanged his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had adream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that whenyou hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied toPharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
‍- Genesis 41:9-16

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So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one inwhom is the spirit of God?”
- Genesis 41:38

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The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hasanointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up thebrokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of theprison to those who are bound;
- Isaiah 61:1

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Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known toyou, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge ofmy palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect tothe throne will I be greater than you.”
- Genesis 41:39-40

Mixer

As Table Groups get underway this week, recap some things that have inspired you so far in the current series, How to Leave a Legacy.

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Sermon Questions

Scriptures: Psalms 5:12; Genesis 37:36, 39:2-4, 39:20-23, 41:9-16, 41:38; Matthew 5: 14-16; Isaiah 61:1

1. Genesis chapters 37-41 tell part of the story of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. In the secular world, what do you think it means to be favored? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? What do you think it means to be favored by God? How are they the same/different?
2. Pastor Josh said favor comes with friction. What was Joseph’s reaction to friction that helped him face the bad breaks in his life? When you encounter friction, do you choose to be in the presence of God, or do you hide?
3. How does being in the presence of God shift a victim mentality to a conqueror mentality?
4. In this message, we learned that the favor of God will always push you forward into a bigger story. How does this statement help us embrace the purpose of friction? In your current situation, how have you seen the chess pieces moving? Are you moving with them, or is something still holding you back? How can your group pray for you?
5. Read Matthew 5:14-16. Pastor Josh said that The Church at Rancho Bernardo is supposed to be the spiritual house that builds us. How is God using our church to be a light unto the world - and what is your role? When God shows you His favor, what will you do with it? Read Isaiah 61:1 for some ideas.

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Serve

From January through March, we'll once again be hyper-focusing our Impact efforts on activities which encourage and benefit youth while promoting their ability to thrive. We're calling it YOUTH WELLBEING and are excited to get YOU involved! Click HERE for more information.

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Pray

Join us in prayer over the families and the 13 children that were dedicated to the LORD on Sunday! Pray that the parents and other special people in their lives will feel equipped and empowered by God to raise their children to know and love Jesus. And may the children know the depths of the love of their Heavenly Father through the words, actions, and provisions of their earthly parents and guardians.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14