The Story Within the Story Genesis 45:1-15 / Ephesians 5:25-33

1. The Story Within the Story Genesis 45:1-15

1. The Story Within the Story Genesis 45:1-15

a) Joseph’s Story Genesis chapters 37-50

Within Joseph’s Story B) God’s Story The nature and character of God and His desire to reconcile the world to Himself.

WITHIN A

A great salvation came through what was meant as a great evil. WITHIN A The evil that the devil brought upon Him was turned by the providence of almighty God into the reconciliation and redemption of many. A great salvation came through what was meant as a great evil.

2. God’s Story Within Marriage Ephesians 5:22-33

THE GLORY OF COVENANT

THE GLORY OF COVENANT Covenant Marriage is a marriage where God is a major part of the relationship. Where two people are committed to display the nature and character of God.

THE GLORY OF COVENANT God’s nature is redemptive, His nature is to edify, to build up, to overcome evil with good, to return blessing for insult, to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary

THE GLORY OF COVENANT God’s love is un-conditional, His love is enduring, His love is a covering, His love is helpful, hopeful, and eternal.

His nature is one of reconciliation. THE GLORY OF COVENANT His nature is one of reconciliation. His nature is peaceful, His love is mature, it is not self-serving, it’s other focused.

Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her that he might sanctify and purify her, doing so with His word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious bride, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she should be holy and without blemish. For no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does for His bride the church. EPHESIANS 5:25-29

m God’s love is kind m God’s love is giving m God’s love is sacrificial m God’s love is enduring m God’s love is forgiving m God’s love is patient m God’s love is faithful m God’s love is hopeful

m God’s love is transformational

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Formerly I saw in a mirror dimly, but now face to face. Now I know in part, but one day I shall know just as I also am known.”

In marriage and in the body of Christ we are on a spiritual journey. THE GLORY OF COVENANT In marriage and in the body of Christ we are on a spiritual journey.

In the church, and in marriage, and in Heaven, we do not lose our individuality

6 “Father, I pray for these you have given Me, for they are Yours… 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them…14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. JOHN 17:6, 10-23

16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; JOHN 17:6, 10-23

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. JOHN 17:6, 10-23

JESUS PRAYS FOR ONENESS!