Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham. For some people, life is a misery. They don't understand their purpose or the meaning of life. For others, life is a mystery. But for the one who has adopted the legacy of faith for his own, her own, life is a majesty.
On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about the legacy that lives long after we're gone.
Now here's Dr. Graham with his message. The legacy that lives. God of creation, God of great glory, has revealed Himself in His grace. and by the power of his love made it possible For each one of us.
to know him. Today what I want to do in the message is to give you somewhat of an overview. of the living legacy that we share in Christ. In the 50th chapter in the book of Genesis, and beginning at verse 20, we read the concluding verses of this majestic book. Joseph stands before his brothers.
and delivers A message of God's providence in His life. And then Closing remarks, an epitaph, really. of the living legacy of this man and in every man, of every man and woman of faith. Verse 20. But as for you, you meant it.
evil against me. But God meant it for good in order to bring it about as it is this day to save many people. alive.
Now, therefore, do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones. And he comforted them and spoke. kindly to them.
So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, and he and his father's household, and Joseph lived 110 years. Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation, and the children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up. on Joseph's knees.
Now I can't Help, but stop right there and just say parenthetically that I'm so grateful for. godly grandparents. who brought me up on their knees to know and love God and to follow Christ. If you're a grandparent, if you're a parent. to bring up your children and to pass along.
To the next generation, the lessons in the life of faith, the love of Jesus Christ. is so essential. And these grandchildren grew up on Joseph's knee. Learning the lessons of faith. Then in verse 24, And Joseph said to his brethren, I am dying.
But God will surely visit you. and bring you out of this land to the land of which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you. And you shall carry up my bones from here. And so Joseph died.
Being 110 years old. And they embalmed him. And he was put in a coffin. in Egypt. Very interesting conclusion to the book of Genesis.
This great book, which begins with the glory of creation and a garden in Eden, closes. with a grave. in Egypt. A box of bones containing The remembrances of Joseph, the physical, remains. of Joseph.
What began at creation now concludes. with a coffin. And what we have learned in between. the creation and the coffin in Egypt. It's so vitally important to understand how this legacy lives in spite of the sorrow and the death.
and the coffins of life. The story of Genesis is the story of God's love and grace. How everything began. And ultimately, how everything is going to end. For all things are from him.
And for him. And unto. him. The book of Genesis is foundational. to our faith.
The core and essential truths of the Christian faith are found here in the book of Genesis. Not only would the Bible be incomplete without the book of Genesis, but the Bible would be incomprehensible. Without the book of Genesis, we would have never known why we needed a Savior. How the predicament of man is the problem of sin in humanity and the death. that results.
We've learned that tragedy like this coffin in Egypt is a result of a world that has been cursed by sin. that evil does exist in this world. But Joseph made the wonderful affirmation that every child of God can make. And that is what was meant to be evil against us. God means for good.
And that he turns every tragedy. into a triumph. in Jesus Christ. And the hope of the world. That is given to us in God's Word.
is the very hope that we find at the beginning. At the bot. You can divide the book of Genesis into three sections. The first section, chapters 1 and 2, you just simply might head as creation. Chapters 3 through 11, you might have those chapters as disintegration.
For in chapters 3 through 11 we found the disintegration of the human race when man sinned and ultimately his mind was on evil only continually, only on evil continually. And the devolution of mankind is a result of the disobedience. of the human heart. And then the third section. You might describe as restoration, and that would be chapter 12 all the way to the end of the book of chapter 50.
It is the story of God's redemption, of God's restoration through his people. You might divide the book into two sections: the creation of the human race and the covenant with the Hebrew race. This is the book of Genesis. Chapter 1 and verse 1 simply sublimely says: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. That is creation.
All life. Everything, seen and unseen, is a result of the creation of God Almighty. Not by chance or circumstance. Life is not an accident of nature or an aberration of history, but rather the creation of God. And we don't have to wonder as to the origin.
or the destiny of the human race, because it is not a matter of speculation, it is a matter of revelation. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. You might say, when you settle that issue, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, then every other issue of faith is ultimately settled. This is foundational. And when you believe that God is the author and the finisher of faith, when you believe that he is the Alpha and Omega, the one who has no beginning and has no end, who has created all things, then the truth of His word comes alive and lives in your hearts.
More and more we are discovering as we are studying the universe and the creation that God has given us that the Bible is indeed true. Oh, I know there are some scientists and others who suggest that man is just a mistake or man is a chance or circumstance, an aberration of nature, but more and more in the scientific community as well as in the world community are discovering that indeed God created the heavens and the earth. For example, Dr. Michael Denton, who is the Senior Research Fellow of Human Molecular Genetics at the University of Otego in New Zealand, writes, All the evidence available in the biological sciences supports the core proposition. that the cosmos is a specially designed whole with life and mankind as its fundamental goal and purpose, a whole in which all facets of reality have their meaning and explanation in this central fact.
This scientist, and I don't know if he's a believer in Christ or not, but this scientist is saying that this universe is created with meaning and purpose. And the purpose is that this universe, this earth, would be formed with meaning and purpose, and that meaning and purpose is for mankind. That it was created to be inhabited just as God has said. For so many, life is a mystery. Philosophers have scratched their heads through the years.
the puzzles of life, trying to figure them out. Trying to put the pieces Together. For some people, life is a misery. Like the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre once said, there is no exit from the human dilemma. One college student said life is a jail sentence for the crime of being born.
For many people, life is a misery. They don't understand their purpose or the meaning of life. For others, life is a mystery. But for the one who has adopted the legacy of faith for his own, her own, life is a majesty. It is a majesty because Christ lives in the life of the believer.
Outside of Christ, life is an existence. But in Christ, life is a majesty. The Bible says in him we live and move and have our being.
Now the question is, why did the God of creation make you? And me.
Well, we don't have to wonder about that. The Bible tells us why he made us. For in Colossians chapter 1, For everything, absolutely everything above and below, visible and invisible, everything got started in him and finds purpose in him. Him. That is, it was made by God.
And it is for God, this creation, and so are you. Isaiah 43 and verse 7 says, Everyone who is called by my name, whom I have created, for my Glory. You see, it all starts with God. Life Starts And Completes in God. Not only does it start in God, but He is the source of all life.
And creation teaches us that. Friend, you are not an accident. You're not here by chance. God is working. in the lives of people just like you and me.
To bring about his purpose and his plans. on earth. And it is in this fact that we discover. in the God of Genesis. We discover our significance.
and our security. and our purpose and our meaning in life. Life spent in pursuit of self. is a dead end. It is a worthless Ambition.
But life spent in the pursuit of God. through Jesus Christ. It's a joy. and a victory. forever.
You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message. the legacy that lives. We are excited to share that we have a new way to connect with us. It's our texting service designed to keep you connected with everything happening here at PowerPoint. You'll be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements, and truly enriching content.
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Now, let's get back to today's message. The legacy that lives. But then the second section of Genesis concerns disintegration. You'll remember the terrible tragedy that took place in the Garden of Eden. Chapter 3 when the snake Satan himself came to the garden and tempted Adam and Eve to sin and rebel against God.
And they ate of the forbidden fruit. And when they did, They died. Spiritually, they died. And as a result of the sin and the rebellion of Adam and Eve. By that one man, the scripture says, Sin has entered into the world.
We live today in the consequences. of human sin. All of us. Have sinned against God. We have broken God's commandments.
And it is a result of that sin that brings death. And that's why we read at the end of the book of Genesis: this book that began in this gorgeous and beautiful garden, it ends in a grave in Egypt. Because death is very real. Good men die, good men like Joseph, and bad men die. But the latest statistics on death that I have read indicate that one out of one person die.
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. But what we see when sin entered the world in vivid portrayal is the disintegration of the human race. Ultimately Judged by God at the flood because the hearts and minds of men were only on evil continually. This is the depravity. This is the death that now exists.
within the human personality. And this is why we need a Savior. Genesis chapter 3 and verse 15. At ground zero. of man's sin.
And the failure and the fall. of mankind. There is a promise. There is a hope. It is the first gospel message.
Genesis 3.15. For it says that there would be one who would come, born of a woman. whose heel would be bruised by Satan. But that one who is to come. would crush The head of Satan.
Destroy him. and his works. And with that promise, they're in the garden. We are given grace. Adam and Eve and all the sons and daughters of Adam.
Are given the glorious and wonderful promise that a Savior is to come. And that's why when you read the book of Genesis and you read all of the Bible, it begins and ends with the message of salvation. There is the promise of redemption running all the way through the scripture. That's what Genesis is. is about.
That's what the Bible is about. It is about the creation of God, why He made us, and yet our rebellion against God as we have broken His commandments and have been. devastated and broken by those commandments. And because of sin in the world, there is death. And because there is death, there is suffering.
And because there is suffering, there is sorrow. Had there been no sin, there would have been no death. And had there been no sin, there would have been no suffering and no sorrow and no tragedies and no graves in Egypt. But there is sin. But God has determined to do something about our sin.
In fact, he determined to do it. even before Eternity begin. on earth. That is, the Lamb of God was slain before the foundation. of the earth.
He loved you before you were born. You say that's heavy. You're right. But in Ephesians 1 and verse 4, you can look it up. Check it out.
God says that He loved us and chose us before the foundation of the world. Listen to me. God knew you before you were born. God knew you before time began. And had you on his mind and in his heart.
And loves you. And has given himself so that you may know him. that you may have a relationship with him. broken, ruined relationship. can be restored.
In a new covenant. in a new promise. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. The last section of the book Chapters 12 through 50. is the story of the patriarchs.
It is the story of this restoration. How God chose out by His sovereign grace a man by the name of Abraham, a pagan whose life was going nowhere, and yet he chose him. and made him his own. And the life of Abraham and the legacy of that man's faith. We see Isaac.
And Jacob. And then Joseph. These four men who learned what it is to walk with God. There were stumbles, there were missteps, and many mistakes, failures, and sins. But God was teaching a nation and ultimately teaching us, the world.
About This restoration and how we can become a member of his family through a covenant that he has made as he has chosen us and how we can walk with God in faith and obedience with him. And just as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph walked with God along with others like Adam and Enoch and Noah, we can walk with God. Why? It's given to us in the final words. of Joseph.
For he said in verse 24 God will surely Visit you. And then he said it again in verse 25. God will surely Visit you. Ultimately, that promise was fulfilled when God visited the children of Israel in bondage and led them out of Egypt. But fully and finally, that promise is fulfilled when God visited us in Jesus Christ.
When God became a man, when God gave himself in the person of Christ, he came to be our living, loving Savior. One thing for sure that we have learned in the book of Genesis is that God is not out there somewhere. But that God is directly involved in his creation. And over and over again, the scripture says, And the Lord was with him, and the Lord was with him, and the Lord was with him. We've seen the hand of God, the providence of God.
That God is working all things for good, turning evil to good, and so on. That God is engaged. in our lives. That God has indeed visited us. And his name Emmanuel.
Which means, say it with me. God is with us. And he is with us in a way that even Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph could not claim. He is with us. in this new covenant.
By his blood. And because of his grace. He visited this planet. God incarnate. God in humanity.
And he walked upon this earth. Born of a virgin. lived among men. died upon the cross. rose again on the third day.
So that we can be restored. To the God of creation. That there can be a new creation in our life. Therefore, if anyone be in Christ, He's a new creature. And all things are passed away.
and all things. become the And there's one final word. God indeed has visited us. But God will indeed visit us again. Listen to the words of Titus.
Chapter 2. In verses 11. Yeah. and thirteen This is Titus chapter 2. 11 through 13.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust. that we should live soberly. righteously and godly in the present age. Looking For the blessed hope.
and glorious appearing of our great God. and Savior Jesus Christ. And then verse 14 says, who gave himself for us. That he might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for himself his own special people, zealous. for good works.
God has visited us. The promise that Joseph gave to his family is the same promise that we have received, that God Almighty has visited us in Jesus. And this same Jesus, which is taken up from us into heaven, will so come in like manner as you've seen him go. He will come again. And this is the blessed hope.
This is the reality of our future. This legacy lives. Because our Savior lives. Therefore life In Christ does not end in a coffin with a box of bones, a grave in the deserts. But it ends in the promise of eternity and the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ.
You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message. The legacy that lives. When you support PowerPoint ministries, you help share God's word with people around the world through programs just like this one. And as a thank you for your gift this month, we'll send you the Jesus Discoveries by Dr. Jeremiah Johnston as our thanks.
This powerful resource walks through real historical evidence that points directly to Jesus, helping strengthen your faith and giving you confidence in the truth of God's Word. And right now, every gift given before June 30th will be doubled through a $200,000 matching grant. This is a crucial moment as we close out the financial year. Because your support helps ensure that PowerPoint Ministries continues reaching people with the gospel in the months ahead. To give your gift and request your copy, text June to 59789.
That's June to 59789.
We are excited to share that we have a new way to connect with us. It's our texting service designed to keep you connected with everything happening here at PowerPoint. You'll be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements, and truly enriching content. To join, start a new text conversation by texting the word connect. To 59789.
Again, text Connect to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today? Genesis 50 and verse 20, where Joseph says, But as for you, You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring it about as it is this day to save many people alive.
Now imagine what must have been going through the minds of these brothers. They had conspired together many years before to get rid of Joseph because they were so envious of him. They had sold him to some slave traders as a young boy, and then told their father that he had been killed by a wild animal. While their intentions were evil, God had a plan that was much, much bigger than their plan. In fact, God used those wicked brothers to get young Joseph to Egypt, knowing.
That in the years to come, Joseph would rise to a position of great authority, ready to save his fathers and brothers from the famine that threatened the lives of thousands throughout that region. And that's exactly what Joseph came to know.
Somewhere along the line, he came to realize that the evil his brothers had done. Was actually used by God to accomplish the deliverance of a whole nation of people. God had turned what they meant for evil. into his perfect plan his greatest good. There have been many times in life when things haven't gone the way I wanted them to go, when my plans seem to unravel.
when tragedy or heartbreak entered my life or the lives of those that I love. But each time I have found comfort in knowing that no matter how bad things may seem, My Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus, always has a better plan, a bigger plan, and that plan is always for my good. Trusting Him and being able to rest in Him in every situation, that's a great part of the legacy of faith. And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift to PowerPoint, we'll send you Dr.
Jeremiah Johnston's book, The Jesus Discoveries. Just text June to 59-789. And join us again next time when Dr. Graham brings a message about how you can be sure you're leaving a legacy that will last for eternity. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham.
PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.
