Unseen Power Series--The Spirit Goes Before Us

The Spirit Goes Before Us
Unseen Power Series
June 6, 2010

We continue our series on the Holy Spirit. We’ve established the coming of the Holy Spirit on the consecration of the Church at the first Christian Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Last week we discussed the nature and person of the Holy Spirit. Now we examine what happens when the Spirit is at work in our lives before we realize it.

This week church is abuzz with preparations for Vacation Bible School. Next week the children will follow the journey of Joseph as told in the Old Testament book of Genesis chapters 37-50. Joseph had dreams from God that told him that he was headed to important things. He had a vision for what was to be. However, the journey wasn’t exactly what he may have anticipated.

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery because of their jealousy of him. He was shipped off to Egypt and worked in the house of a leader there. He was framed for a crime and sent to prison. Though he was later assured of his release, he was forgotten and forsaken in prison, though he was not forsaken by God.

Through an amazing series of events, Joseph sees the fulfillment of God’s vision for his life. The relationship with his brothers is restored and he saves thousands of people from a wide-spread famine.

In the darkest parts of Joseph’s life, he may have never seen God at work in his circumstances. But Joseph would later tell his brothers: “Even though you intended to harm me, God intended it for good…” Genesis 50:20. What did Joseph know that could give him such faith? He knew the Spirit is at work before we ever know it. Let’s explore how the Spirit is at work in our lives this Sunday.

You can find our sermons online at www.fairhopeumc.org and iTunes.