“Boys of Summer”

(Sundays, June 6 – July 25, 2010)

For the months of June and July, we will turn our attention to a couple of significant figures in scripture, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament, and explore them in great detail.

JOSEPH (Sundays, June 6 – June 27)

Joseph was a favored son of Jacob, but he soon met with much hardship, disappointment, and unfair treatment. But from his life story we see an incredible example of integrity, faithfulness, obedience, perseverance, and trust in the Lord. In Joseph’s life we see the “unthwartable” sovereignty of God and His ability to take all circumstances and use them to bring about His good and perfect plan to bless His people and fulfill His purposes in the world.

SUNDAY, JUNE 6

In this message we will be introduced to Joseph and find him as a teenager, serving his father. His jealous brothers plot to do him in and ultimately sell him into slavery. In this message we will look at issues of jealousy, favoritism, and responding to persecution and unfair treatment.

SUNDAY, JUNE 13

While serving Potiphar as a slave, Joseph still chooses to serve with honor and excellence. He shows us a commitment to be God’s man and honor the Lord, regardless of circumstances or fair treatment. We also see Joseph tempted tosin, and we learn much from how he resisted and fled. We also see that Joseph was “punished” for doing the right thing, but he remained faithful anyway.

SUNDAY, JUNE 20

As Joseph finds himself in a jail cell, we see both his faithfulness and the sovereign hand of God on his life. God has not forgotten Joseph! The Lord shows that despite everything seeming lost, He is at work, bringing about His plan.

SUNDAY, JUNE 27

The culmination of Joseph’s remarkable journey comes full circle when his brother’s come to him in Egypt, looking for help. Through this remarkable turn of events, we see God’s justice and His forgiveness. Joseph shows not only a gracious and forgiving spirit, but great wisdom in his ability to see the good things God has brought from his suffering.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

John the Baptist is an overlooked hero of the scriptures. He is the forerunner, announcing the birth of Jesus and preparing the people for His public ministry. His life begins with a miraculous birth given to Zechariah and Elizabeth and a divine calling on this child’s life. Through his abandonment of worldly comforts and public ministry, to his arrest and execution, John shows us an unswerving and unshakable devotion to the Lord. The lessons of his life include a commitment to true holiness, a bold faith and courage to speak the truth, a recognition of the greatness and supremacy of Jesus, and a willingness to suffer and die for the gospel.

SUNDAY, JULY 4

**ONE SERVICE ONLY at 9 a.m.**

We begin with the public ministry of John. Here we see a man living an ascetic life, calling others to true holiness. He calls God’s people to integrity, compassion, and authentic living. He also warns of God’s judgment that is coming, that begins with God’s people. (A message we must ponder as we think of America on 4th of July.) John calls God’s people to repentance and then points them to Jesus, the one who can baptize with the Holy Spirit and bring about new life.

SUNDAY, JULY 11

As John baptizes and gathers a great following, John clearly points all his followers to the supremacy of Jesus. He calls Jesus “the lamb of God” and says that ultimately He must become greater, while we must become less. A great lesson about reveling in the glory of Christ and choosing the path of humility in light of the greatness of Jesus.

SUNDAY, JULY 18

While languishing in prison, John has a moment of doubt. He knows that he has been called to be the forerunner of the Messiah, but he questions whether Jesus is the one. Jesus sends word back that the sick are healed and the good news is being preached. These are the signs of the kingdom of God! Jesus tells John to be encouraged – the kingdom of God is at hand!

SUNDAY, JULY 25

Here we first learn of John the Baptist’s courage to hold up the truth of God and speak boldly. He is unafraid to even confront King Herod. Herod does not want to kill John, but ultimately, Herod feared man more than God. John is executed. From John we are challenged by his example of holiness, courage, and boldness in speaking the truth and standing for the Lord.