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Don't Forget your Carts

Words of Faith Final

Don't Forget your Carts
Words of Faith 8-8-2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2022
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Genesis 45
[25] So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. [26] They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. [27] But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. [28] And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

Every once in a while you hear a story about someone thought to have been dead, perhaps for years, who is discovered to be alive. I don't believe we can understand what that is like unless we have lived through it. Jacob had grieved for years the loss of precious wife, Rachel, and the son born to her, Joseph. After this double loss, he had clung to Joseph's baby brother, Benjamin, in an over-protective way, never thinking he would ever see Joseph again.
But now, word came that Joseph was alive. It was a scene that reminds us of Resurrection morning when everyone was dumbfounded at hearing that Jesus was alive. At first, Jacob simply could not believe what the brothers were saying. But when son after son recounted the same story and Jacob saw the carts provided to carry him back to Egypt, he was convinced and rejoiced.
As believers, we have a similar job to that of the brothers. Our task is to return to the world and bring home those who are part of the family of God! We are to rescue our family from death in the desert. Our message is a simple one that sounds foolish: "Jesus is alive! He wants you to come to Him."
How will people be convinced of the unbelievable truth that Jesus is alive? Indeed it is a witness of the Spirit but the tools God uses are similar to those in the story of Jacob and his sons. Jacob was convinced by the consistent testimony of his sons and the vehicles sent to retrieve him. "… when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived."
Now don't miss this. Notice that it was "Jacob" the "old man" who could not believe-- but it was "Israel" the "new man" who said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive!" Faith calls us from the old man to the new man.
The carts? Surely it won't be our automobiles that impress those who have not yet believed in Jesus! Not quite. But the "vehicle" for carrying a believer home to Jesus will make the difference. The "carts" we have been given are the church itself by the working of the Holy Spirit. The church is the "cart" sent to take us home to Jesus. Of course, we are not talking about buildings or ecclesiastical organizations. Buildings are simply boxes to meet in, and church governments are simply tools for earthly organization. The "carts" are the Body of Christ, gathered and dispersed by the power and gifting of the Holy Spirit. There is one Church but a great variety of "carts" expressed in local settings.
Jacob was convinced of the testimony that Joseph was alive by the carts. That makes the carts rather important. It is the Body of Christ that bears witness to the truth that Jesus is, in fact, alive! When believers are gathered and surrendered to the Holy Spirit, it will be evident that Jesus is alive. When believers display the unity of the spirit, it will be clear that Jesus is alive. When believers manifest the power, gifts, and fruit of the Holy Spirit, it is clear that Jesus is alive. When the love of God is manifest in people, the life of Jesus is revealed. The carts make the difference.
Occasionally I talk to a person who claims a sincere belief in Christ, but they feel there is no need to be connected to "the church." It is easy these days to point out the sins and shortfalls of "organized religion" and denominationalism and be tempted to walk away. It is also easy to simply choose a "Me Church" that focuses on customer service and good cappuccino rather than challenge us to be the "cart" that brings people out of the world and into the Kingdom.
We must remember that we are not called to walk home alone to Jesus, nor are we called to travel the desert by ourselves. We are given carts. They may not be perfect carts. They may become worn along the journey. But the carts of "church" are a primary witness that Jesus is alive. So, don't abandon the carts. They may need a little work, but there is nothing in the church that the Holy Spirit cannot fix. See you in the cart this weekend.

Lord, I give thanks for all the provision you have made for my spiritual journey. I am exhilarated by the knowledge that Jesus is alive! I rejoice in knowing that You have provided for my travel home and given me the gift of traveling with others. Lord, give me the witness of unity in my church family. Give me the witness of the Holy Spirit through my "cart". Give me the witness of love in the Body of Christ. I pray in Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2022 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.