09/08/2026
Sermon Summary:
Text: Genesis 37
Theme: "Next Level"
Preacher: Rev. Charles R. H. Johnson, Pastor-in-charge, Cartwright AME Zion Church
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
On second Sunday, August 9, 2026, Rev. Charles R. H. Johnson, Pastor-in-charge of Cartwright AME Zion Church, centered his sermon on the theme "Next Level" from Genesis 37, emphasizing that God's plan for His people always supersedes human schemes, and that what looks like a setback is often a setup for divine promotion.
Rev. Johnson referenced Jeremiah 29:11 and proclaimed that God has a plan to prosper, not to harm, and to give an expected end. He further warned that man’s plan is not God’s plan, and the two are often in direct conflict.
Turning to the experience of Joseph, our Pastor-in-charge indicated how betrayal by his brothers, a pit, and slavery were not accidents but ordained steps in Joseph's journey to the next level. He stated that God sometimes allows believers to experience tribulation—not as punishment, but as preparation.
The sermon closed with a call to persevere through pain and trust God's timing as Rev. Johnson noted that Joseph's pit was not his permanent address, and neither are our current struggles. Though human plans may seek to bury us, he stressed that God's plan always brings us out—stronger, wiser, and ready for the next level.
