EFT: Banking Details: LoveKey NPC, FNB, Current Account Number: 62824888525, Branch code: 250655

Card Payment link: https://pay.yoco.com/lovekey-npc

PayPal: partner@lovekey.co.za

SERIES: ALIGNING WITH GOD
SUBSERIES: IMPACT OF FOUNDATIONS

MARRIAGE GOD'S WAY

MESSAGE TITLE: "LEAVE YOUR LUGGAGE ATTENDED"

FOUNDATIONS: IMPACT: MARRIAGE
MAIN MESSAGE: “LEAVE YOUR LUGGAGE ATTENDED”

How many of you used to travel often? And how many of you flew a lot, so much so that you started to know the airport announcement off by heart? And there’s that one they repeat a lot - “Please do not leave any pieces of luggage unattended. Any unattended luggage will be removed by the South African police service.” Yes, unless whatever is in the bag is making a ticking sound…

Why do they have an issue with unattended luggage? It can be stolen, right? Or the main reason - in the day and age we live in and post 9/11, it looks suspicious and could be a bomb or chemical weapon. It could be dangerous to everyone in the airport.

How many of you are light packers when you travel? Any over-packers?
“Hi, my name is Heinz and I am an over-packer…” but I have very good, well-thought-out reasons for it.

And how many of you have traveled from Cape Town to Joburg, or somewhere far in a car? You probably started with a clean car, filled up with petrol, tyres full of air - right? But how did the car look on the outside once you arrived? It’s bug city on your front grill and windshield right? Maybe you have a smart, luxurious car, or maybe you have plain car that just gets the job done. But whatever kind of class of car it is, or whatever speed it was going - all cars that travel take on bugs and little nicks from stones, the wind, the rain etc. You end up with baggage in the car and on the car.

In a way, each of us are like a car that has traveled a distance. And we have all picked up some bugs and damage along the way.

We are still looking at how our foundations should impact our lives when we know them, believe them and apply them. We are specifically focusing on how they should impact the way we see and do marriage. Last week we saw what God’s original standard for marriage is compared to the one the world wants us to adopt.

But just knowing God’s standard will not change anything unless we believe it and apply it to our lives. But, there are things can hinder us from doing just that. You may want to live according to God’s standard, but you feel stuck or unable to do so.

One of the main reasons we can feel this way is because of the unattended luggage that we have not left behind.

When we repent and get saved and we give our lives to Jesus, we become new creations in Christ. The old has gone and the new has come. So, our old self with all it’s baggage is dead. So why does my baggage still trouble me? Still hold me back? It’s because it has not been attended to. It has not been dealt with. It has not been identified and brought to God so that He can heal us. When Jesus said on the cross “it is finished”, he meant it. It is done. He died for all sin and he set us free from slavery to sin and it’s consequences.

Romans 12 teaches us to make ourselves living sacrifices unto God and then that we should not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of our minds.

Remember our values? Encounter God, Align with His Purposes, Reign in life and help others to do the same. An encounter leads to salvation, which brings us into a relationship with Jesus and gains us access to Father God and we are now lead by the Holy Spirit. Our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit. It is no longer I who live but Christ in me. I then have ongoing encounters with God as I spend time in His word and worship Him, and during each encounter, I learn how to more align myself with His will - for his kingdom and for me in his kingdom. As I align more and more, I become more and more healed from my past hurts - my baggage. And I become more like Jesus each day. The closer I become to with Jesus, the more I see my true identity and worth and the easier it becomes to identify the wounds from the past and how the enemy has used them to lie to me.

I have also shared with you where our values in part come from. It is from the purpose of a life-giving church:
Get lost people saved
Get saved people healed
Get healed people to discover their callings
Send them into their callings

Are you saved?
Are you healed or getting healed?
Have you discovered your God-given purpose in life?
Are you living out that purpose?

Many of us may still be dealing with our wounds and getting healed. That’s ok and necessary.

Remember how we established last week that God’s idea of marriage maths is 1+1=1? Salvation leads to us being one with God. The God-shaped hole in our hearts get filled and we no longer need a human to make us whole - we are whole in God. But, as with Adam, God said it’s not good for man to be alone. So, he created marriage for a man and a woman. It is a good thing in God’s sight.

Now, how many of you know what when you get saved, all your issues and baggage from the past doesn’t just disappear in one moment? Yes, you are a new creation, yes you are saved. But what your body and soul has been exposed to on this earth up until the moment of salvation, has left a mark. And when we step into a relationship, especially marriage, those wounds will affect how we see marriage, how we see and treat our spouse, how we handle communication and conflict, how we handle money, in-laws and parenting. It’s all connected.

Who wants to have a great marriage?
Who is willing to do what it takes to have a great marriage?
Great - die.
Too harsh? You should have died already when you gave your life to Jesus… Marriage just makes it more obvious when you haven’t. So make sure and when you step into marriage, and you haven’t attended to your luggage, leaving it won’t do you much good.

So, that’s why we’re talking about how to attend to your luggage before you leave it behind.

Is it only to have a good marriage? No. It is ultimately to fulfil God’s plans for you and those around you. No longer I who live but Christ in me. Not my will be done, but your will be done, oh Father. Remember?

Let’s look at the life of Joseph:

The Beginning of his story:
Genesis 37:3-11
'Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.'

Betrayed and Sold as a Slave
Genesis 37:23-28,36
'So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt. So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened. Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.'

The Lord was with Joseph, He Caused Prosperity, He was given Authority
Genesis 39:2-6
'The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.'

Tempted, Resisted (Stayed pure), Falsely accused and imprisoned (no trial)
Genesis 39:2-6,17-20
'The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.” So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. '

The Lord was with him, Mercy, Favour, Authority given, Prosper
Genesis 39:21-23
'But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.'

Gets the opportunity to interpret two dreams in prison, asks that the cupbearer remember him. He doesn’t remember him - for 2 years!

Until Pharaoh had a dream no one could interpret - the cup-bearer suddenly remembered him. The testimony of the cup-bearer of what Joseph did 2 years prior, combined with what Pharaoh needed at that moment, gave Joseph an opportunity.
He came, gave God all the credit and glory, and interpreted the Pharoah’s dreams, plus, he also offered a proposal of how he should handle what would come.

Then Pharoah, the king of Egypt, someone considered to be a god himself:
Genesis 41:37-41
'So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”'

He was super abundantly blessed by Pharaoh - after 12 years in prison and everything he had suffered, look what he receives as a 30 year old:
Genesis 41:42-46
'Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. '
The 7 good years go by and Joseph is in charge of saving up a fifth of everything produced in those years.

The famine struck - one so bad it made people forget the 7 good ones. The surrounding nations were all struck by the same famine. Including Joseph’s family. Jacob finds out Egypt has grain and sends his 10 sons and has Benjamin stay behind.

Joseph was governor and sold to everyone himself. His brothers came before him. He recognized them, but they did not recognize him. It seems that he then tests them. Maybe it was partly because he was still hurt and trying to get back at them, but it would seem that for the most part he was testing whether they have changed as men. Whether they would still be brothers who betray their own. So he puts them to the test. You can read all about it. We won’t go into all of that. But it is a fascinating account. Right throughout you see Joseph stepping away overcome by emotion, then composing himself and coming back to continue the rouse.

After sending them home to fetch Benjamin, at the protest of Jacob, and then dining with them, he sends them back with food, all their money and hides a cup in Benjamin’s bag. He sends his guard after them who finds the cup in Benjamin’s bag and they are put to the test: only Benjamin needs to stay behind as a slave, the rest are free to go. But Judah, the one who instigated Joseph’s sale, he steps forward and fights for Benjamin. Joseph loses all composure and sends out the Egyptians and reveals himself to his brothers. They can’t believe it!

Listen to this, and note Joseph’s wisdom and insight into how God moves beyond our experience and circumstances:

Genesis 45:4-8
'And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.'

Then he sends them to fetch his father. Pharoah finds out his brothers are there and of the plans to get Jacob there, and because of the favour Joseph has, Pharaoh lavishes his best on Joseph’s family.

I find this moment quite profound, where Jacob is told of his son being alive:

Genesis 45:27-28
'But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, “ It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”'

As Israel was on his way to Egypt, God speaks to him in a vision in the night to confirm that going to Egypt at this time is God’s plan, and that he will bring them out again.

Because of Joseph’s favour and his knowledge of Egyptian culture, he was able to secure the best area and best land for his family with their livestock in the land of Goshen.

Joseph had amazing wisdom from God and his position of authority gave him so much power and influence on the whole nation of Egypt in a time of famine and lack. Joseph was so positioned to buy all of the land and people of Egypt for Pharaoh.

The people of God multiplied exceedingly and had possessions.

Jacob blesses all his sons, and he gives a great blessing to Joseph who gets a portion above his brothers.

Shortly thereafter Jacob dies, Joseph gets permission to bury him with his fathers. Then the brothers are worried that Joseph will now bring about his revenge on them. But listen to this response:

Genesis 50:16-21
'So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.'

These are the words of someone who went through some really tough times. Who had every reason to be bitter, hateful, feel like a victim and act out accordingly. Yet, he stayed the course, stayed close to God, stayed obedient and always in the fear of the Lord. And he could see that what happened to him was within God’s plan to save his people. He realised that his temporary suffering was serving the greater eternal plan of God and his people. Therefore he was able to forgive his brothers and set them free.

We all need to take a life changing note from the life of Joseph. Remember, this is old testament, old covenant. Jesus had not yet died in this timeline. Joseph was walking in relationship with God based on what his father taught him and what he experienced when he spoke with God. And early on as a 17 year old he knew that God gave dreams and the interpretation for dreams. He realised he had a gift but that gift and it’s use was given and powered by God. And therefore it’s purpose was ultimate for God’s purposes.

So when the worst of circumstances happened to him, he could weather the storms, so to speak, because he knew God was with him and have him favour and made him prosperous. We read this a few times in his story. God was with him, God gave him favour and God made him prosperous. And his prosperity always benefited those around him. How amazing!

So, now to come back to our focus of today. Leave your luggage attended. You and I have luggage. We have had experiences, circumstances happen to us. We have wounds from things that we had no control over. And we have wounds from consequences from things we did ourselves. Plus, we may carry resentment toward God for allowing certain things to happen to us that we think we didn’t deserve.

We bring these issues with us and if we don’t deal with them (attend to them) we will drag them into our marriage, into our parenting, into our finances and into other relationships. And what it does is it creates these glasses through which we look at the world and every aspect of our lives. So our view of life, of love, of marriage, of parenting and of relationship is distorted. It’s not the real image. We need to clean the glasses by identifying the hurt which opened us up to a lie from the enemy and caused us to create a neural pathway rut, a way of thinking about ourselves, God and others, including our spouse.

No more. We can take action today. We can repent which is CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK. Turn to God and embrace the truth he speaks over us and the plans he has for us. Like with Joseph, God has a plan for each of our lives. The way to the fulfillment of that plan may look and feel like it’s difficult and filled with suffering. But as James says, we need to count it all joy. And Paul writes in Romans 5 we need to glory in tribulation. Why? Because it builds character and perseverance which makes us perfect complete, lacking in nothing, and gives us hope that doesn’t disappoint. That is worth celebrating and worth living for!

REFLECT AND RESPOND
You may feel like certain wounds from your past are weighing your down. Like chains holding you back. You feel stuck, not free. Today the Holy Spirit can set your mind and heart free by the power of the finished work of Jesus Christ. Do you believe it? Then embrace it and apply it.

Let’s bring all our luggage, baggage, issues before God this morning. Let us boldly come to the throne of grace as sons as daughters who know their loving heavenly father and give Him all these things that are holding us back. Let’s admit to the wound, surrender it to Christ and accept his healing.