Run to Jesus

The message was brought by Austin Woods.

Genesis 39: ⁷ And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.⁸ But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;⁹ There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?¹⁰ And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.¹¹ And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.¹² And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.¹³ And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth.

Joseph was trying his best to live for God.  He was faced with the temptation to lie with his master’s wife. We face temptations each day.  This woman kept after Joseph.  One day when they were alone she caught him and urged him again.  Rather than do it he ran.  We should be so scared to sin against God.  The Bible says to resist the devil and flee to God.

I Corinthians 10

¹Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;² And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;³ And did all eat the same spiritual meat; ⁴ And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 

If we’re saved, we’re all drinking the same drink and serving Jesus.

⁵ But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.⁶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

We fail God.  We know not to sin, but we still do.  These things written in the Bible are examples for us.  We have the Word of God today.  In Moses’ day he had no Bible.  We neglect the Word.  If we run to the Lord, we are not being a coward.  At the master is where we find strength.  It’s weak to turn back on the Lord.  If we run from sin and to Jesus, we’ll have the victory.  Jesus said come unto me all ye that labor…and I will give you rest.  He said his burden is light.  We have to come to him.  It’s time to quit doubting.  The woman with the issue of blood knew that if she could touch the hem of his garment she’d be made whole.  Jesus felt the virtue go out of him.  He didn’t ignore her, and he won’t ignore you.  The Holy Spirit will fill you. 

That’s what you have when you follow Jesus.  There is no fence to straddle.  You can’t live how you want during the week and be all right on Sunday.  Paul said we die daily.  We must pick up the cross.  You may think your cross is heavy, but in comparison to the cross of Jesus, it is nothing.  I have many friends but none can help me like Jesus can.

⁷ Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  ⁸ Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

This is serious business.  People are headed either to heaven or hell.  There are two ways.  The good way is through Jesus.  The bad way is through the devil.  Jesus’ way is the way to peace.  It’s hard to live a Christian life if you don’t let God live through you.  We have to serve the Lord and run from sin.  Doing our best makes the world a better place.  Somebody’s heart will be changed.

⁹ Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.¹⁰ Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.¹¹ Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.¹² Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Don’t speak against God because of what you may be going through.  He is preparing you for life.  He will use you to help others.  You can’t make it without him.  God will lead you through.  We go through things for a reason.  Jesus knows all things; he knows our trials.  He’s on our side if we want him.

What others have gone through helps us when we see what God did for them.  We all can sin; we’re not exempt.  It’s important to be prayed up.  It’s important to be in God’s house every chance we get.

Temptation is common to all.  You are not alone in that regard.  Joseph’s way to escape was to run.  The only way for any of us to go is to run to Jesus.  The devil will lead us to hell.  Why give up what you have for a few minutes of pleasure?  You have to realize it for yourself and make your own choices.

Jesus loves you.  He stands with outstretched arms to do whatever you need.  He has delivered time and time again.  Paul was a persecutor, but God used him.  Peter denied the Lord, but God used him.  Until we give the Lord our heart, we won’t be accepted by God.  The choice is yours.  Don’t be afraid to come to God.  He can help you.