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E-Pistle

FreeWay Foundation            August 23, 2013

 

The butler and the baker

(Genesis 40:1-23)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on Joseph's relationship with his fellow inmates

            1.  Joseph, as a "trustee," administered the royal prison, Genesis 39:21-23.

            2.  He was given charge over two of Pharaoh's imprisoned servants:  the

                 chief butler and the chief baker, vv. 1-4.

            3.  He noticed their sad and dejected faces and expressed genuine concern,

                 asking, "Why do you look so sad today?" vv. 5-7.

            4.  The two prisoners said, "We each have had a dream, and there is no

                 interpreter of it," v. 8.

II.  Meditation:  on the dreams and Joseph's interpretations

            1.  The butler's dream concerned a vine                with three branches from which he

     Pressed grape juice into Pharaoh's                  cup, vv. 9-11.

            2.  Joseph's interpretation:  Within three              days Pharaoh will release you from

                 prison and restore you to your position, vv. 12-13.

            3.  The baker's dream showed him carrying on his head three baskets             of baked

                 goods for Pharaoh, which the birds came and ate, vv. 16-17.

            4.  Joseph's interpretation:  Within three days, Pharaoh will execute you and the

                 birds will eat your flesh, vv. 18-19.

III.  Revelation:  on the key events of this chapter

            1.  Joseph gave God all the credit . . . because God is the only One Who is able to

                 interpret dreams, v. 8.

            2.  Joseph asked the butler to return his favor and kindness by mentioning to Pharaoh

                 that an innocent man was being held in prison and should be released,  vv. 14-15.

            3.  All the events which God had revealed to Joseph came to pass . . . the butler was

                 restored and the baker was executed, vv. 20-22.

            4.  The chief butler failed to remember to speak to Pharaoh about Joseph, for two whole

                 years, Genesis 40:23; 41:1.

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

            1.  Give God all the glory for the things He does.

            2.  With humility, make requests for needed help from other persons to whom I have

                 ministered and given assistance, Galatians 6:2.

            3.  Realize that God is faithful to bring to pass all those prophesied things which He had

                 promised.

            4.  recognize that men generally are unreliable; only the Lord is faithful to always keep His

                 Word.

 

 

 

 

Words from the angel at jesus' tomb

(Matthew 29:1-20)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

            1.  On Easter Sunday morning, an angel at the empty tomb                  announced Christ's

                 resurrection to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary,                        vv. 1-8.

            2.  As the women went to tell the disciples, they met and worshipped their

                 resurrected Lord; He told them to tell His brethren to meet Him in Galilee, vv. 9-10.

            3.  The Roman guards were bribed by the Jewish elders to tell the lie that Jesus' disciples

                 had stolen His body, vv. 11-15.

            4.  Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee; He gave them

                 "The Great Commission," vv. 16-20.

II.  Meditation:  on the key words of verses 6 and 7

            1.  A word of invitation:  "COME"

            2.  A word of observation:  "SEE"

            3.  A word of command:  "GO"

            4.  A word of testimony:  "TELL"

III.  Observations:  on these key words

            1.  Jesus always invites people to COME to Him, Matthew 11:28-30.

            2.  He invites people to SEE (observe) who He is and what He does, John 1:38-39.

            3.  He sends out His apostles ("sent ones") to GO into all the world and to make

                 disciples, Matthew 28:19-20.

            4.  He commands His followers to TELL people "what great things the Lord has done

                 for you, and how He had mercy on you,"  Mark 5:19.

IV.  Revelation:  on the spiritual implications seen here

            1.  There were two earthquakes in Jerusalem within three days; one at Jesus' death,

                 and another one at His resurrection, Matthew 27:51; 28:2.

                 Both of these were earth-shaking events!

            2.  The angel's face and garments radiated brightly . . . from God's presence, just as

                 those of Jesus did on the Mount of Transfiguration, Matthew 17:2.

            3.  There should be a great sense of urgency for believers to tell unbelievers of the

                 risen Lord . . . "quickly!"  vv. 7-8.

            4.  It is appropriate that a combination of fear and joy (of reverence and thanksgiving)

                 will fill a true believer's life.

V.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

            1.  COME to Jesus for salvation, provision, direction, and filling.

            2.  SEE His hand at work in all the circumstances of my life.

            3.  GO wherever He directs me, obeying whatever He commands.

            4.  TELL the good news that Jesus is alive . . . that Jesus saves!

 

"A friend is someone who know all about you and still loves you."

--Elbert Hubbard