Real & Relevant Faith

When Jesus stood in the synagogue and read from Isaiah 61 (Luke 4:18-21), He declared “the year of the Lord’s favour”—a season of release, freedom, and restoration. This wasn’t just an ancient prophecy; it was a bold announcement that in Him, the captives would be set free, the broken-hearted healed, and the oppressed lifted up. And isn’t that the story of Joseph? His life was marked by seasons of struggle, thrown into a pit, bound in a prison, yet ultimately released into God’s purpose. His journey wasn’t just about survival; it was about stepping into something greater. 

Yet behind every twist in Joseph’s story, the hand of God was at work, ruling and overruling the decisions of people. His jealous brothers, Potiphar’s wife, Pharaoh’s court, none of them had the final say. God did. And the same is true for us. When we rest in the faithfulness of our covenant-keeping God, we are released into true freedom, knowing He is in charge, His promises never fail, and His purpose will prevail. 

Joseph’s faith wasn’t just theoretical; it was authentic and real. He wrestled with rejection, injustice, and loss, yet he held onto the bigger story. Every season of captivity was leading to a moment of release. His life declares a powerful truth: God is faithful, even when life doesn’t make sense. And just as He was shaping Joseph’s story, He is at work in ours too leading us from confinement into freedom. When we rest in that, we are released into real freedom; bold, authentic, and Spirit-empowered as we move through the progression from internal release to relational release to being released to step into Gods purpose and to be a people of God rather than a people of this world. 

Joseph’s life points us to something even greater. He is one of the richest illustrations of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Like Jesus, he was beloved by his father, obedient to his will, rejected by his brothers, sold as a slave, falsely accused, unjustly punished, and ultimately elevated to a place of power where he saved his people. But here’s the difference, Joseph was only reported to be dead, while Jesus truly gave His life on the cross and was raised from the dead to save us.

This series isn’t just about Joseph. It’s about stepping into the year of release, learning what it means to fully embrace Christ’s life. Maybe you feel stuck in a pit, waiting in a prison season, or stepping into a new place of purpose. No matter where you are, Jesus is the One who releases, restores, and leads us forward. His invitation is clear: step into freedom, step into healing, step into the life He has prepared for you. Let’s walk into it together.