| • Jacob's final instructions to his sons | |
| • The burial of Jacob and Joseph in Canaan | |
| • Pharaoh's permission for Joseph to bury his father | |
| • Joseph's return to Egypt after burying his father | |
| • Jacob's age and death at 110 years old | |
| • Joseph's death and the promise of God's aid for his family | |
| • A New Testament reading from Hebrews 11:17 | |
| • Archbishop Desmond Tutu's message about hope in a culture that denies God | |
| • The message to Christians as being on the "winning side" despite challenges. | |
| • The story of Joseph and its depiction in Genesis | |
| • God's covenant promise to Abraham and its significance | |
| • The contrast between darkness and light in the universe and in human experience | |
| • The symbolism of coffins and graveyards, including the cave of Machpelah | |
| • Joseph's character and his place in the New Testament | |
| • The importance of faith and obedience in extreme circumstances, as exemplified by Joseph's story | |
| • The writer of Hebrews commends Joseph for his dying words, which express faith in God's plan | |
| • Joseph speaks about the exodus of Israelites from Egypt and gives instructions about his bones | |
| • A phrase from Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" is mentioned: "It's not about you, it's about God's purpose" | |
| • The story references Genesis 15, where Abraham hears a promise from God that his descendants will inherit the land of Canaan | |
| • Joseph recalls this promise and applies it to his own life as he approaches death | |
| • Joseph's old promise from generations past | |
| • Length of time in Egypt and the famine being over | |
| • Joseph's retirement and death | |
| • Children of Israel not yet slaves or prisoners in Egypt | |
| • A new king who doesn't know Joseph comes to power | |
| • Hardship and slavery for his brothers and people | |
| • Joseph believes promises of glory at the end | |
| • God will surely come to their aid and rescue them | |
| • Joseph makes his family swear an oath before dying | |
| • He asks to be carried from Egypt after death | |
| • Resurrection and hope | |
| • Joseph's coffin as a symbol of hope | |
| • Overcoming slavery and hardship through faith in God | |
| • Biblical definition of hope vs Christian understanding of hope | |
| • The role of doubt in the Christian concept of hope | |
| • Hope is found in Joseph's coffin, which symbolizes God's promise of deliverance and redemption. | |
| • The story of Joseph provides hope amidst suffering and hardship. | |
| • Despite God's silence during difficult times, He has not forgotten His people and will come back for them someday. | |
| • Faith is required to trust that God will ultimately rescue His people from slavery and hardship. | |
| • The book of Genesis and the story of Joseph | |
| • Moses leads Israel out of slavery in Egypt | |
| • Moses carries Joseph's bones with him during their desert pilgrimage | |
| • God renews his covenant with his people through years of struggle | |
| • Israel takes possession of the land of promise and buries Joseph's bones at Shechem | |
| • Fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph | |
| • Reflection on human suffering throughout history | |
| • The ongoing struggle against evil, injustice, oppression, and exploitation | |
| • Frustration with the church's lack of progress in spreading Jesus Christ's message | |
| • The significance of Jesus' empty grave as a symbol of hope and new life | |
| • The biblical vision of a new heaven and earth in Revelation 21 | |
| • Contrast between the old order of things and the new kingdom of God | |
| • Living in an "in-between" time, where death still exists but the fully realized kingdom of God is anticipated | |
| • Hope for a future time when God will be all in all and everything will be made new | |
| • The speaker discusses the meaning of a table, specifically a communion table, as a symbol of God's presence and aid through Jesus Christ. | |
| • The speaker explains that the death and resurrection of Jesus mean salvation and rescue from bondage to death and decay. | |
| • The speaker encourages listeners not to give up hope, as God is in control and goodness will ultimately prevail over evil. | |
| • The speaker reflects on the season of Advent and the promise of God's presence with us through Emmanuel (God with us). | |
| • The speaker asks for spiritual energy to dream God's dreams, strive for good, and work towards a promised future. | |
| • The importance of hope in faith | |
| • Reminding oneself and others that hope is real | |
| • The role of prayer in maintaining strong faith and hope | |
| • Living a life consistent with one's faith and hope | |
| • Prayer for strength, guidance, and consistency in daily living |