1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,720 We have a marvelous chapter together before us today. 2 00:00:03,720 –> 00:00:05,120 We’ve been following the story 3 00:00:05,120 –> 00:00:07,000 of the transformation of the brothers. 4 00:00:07,000 –> 00:00:10,140 We have seen that they were awakened and convicted, 5 00:00:10,140 –> 00:00:11,760 that they were welcomed and fed, 6 00:00:11,760 –> 00:00:15,180 and that they were tested and that they were transformed. 7 00:00:15,180 –> 00:00:18,280 And we’ve been seeing the big significance of this story 8 00:00:18,280 –> 00:00:20,360 is that it actually gives us an insight 9 00:00:20,360 –> 00:00:25,160 into how the Holy Spirit brings about the change 10 00:00:25,160 –> 00:00:28,280 in a person’s life today. 11 00:00:28,280 –> 00:00:30,820 He awakens us to awareness of our own sin. 12 00:00:30,820 –> 00:00:33,240 At the same time He lavishes the knowledge 13 00:00:33,240 –> 00:00:36,480 of the love and kindness of God upon us. 14 00:00:36,480 –> 00:00:39,480 And in these ways, He brings about the great transformation 15 00:00:39,480 –> 00:00:40,939 that we looked at last week, 16 00:00:40,939 –> 00:00:43,520 in which a person stops grieving the father 17 00:00:43,520 –> 00:00:46,560 and starts loving the son. 18 00:00:46,560 –> 00:00:48,599 Now, last week we got to the point in the story, 19 00:00:48,599 –> 00:00:51,720 the marvelous moment, pivotal moment in the story, 20 00:00:51,720 –> 00:00:53,799 where Joseph makes himself known. 21 00:00:53,799 –> 00:00:58,119 Verse three of chapter 45, I am Joseph. 22 00:00:58,220 –> 00:01:00,680 And I want to pick up three themes 23 00:01:00,680 –> 00:01:04,639 from this very rich chapter today. 24 00:01:04,639 –> 00:01:07,120 The first is going to be Joseph’s example 25 00:01:07,120 –> 00:01:09,620 of forgiveness and reconciliation. 26 00:01:09,620 –> 00:01:11,959 Then we’re going to look at the brother’s commission, 27 00:01:11,959 –> 00:01:14,300 which is that they should go and tell, 28 00:01:14,300 –> 00:01:18,699 and then thirdly, Jacob’s journey from doubting to faith. 29 00:01:18,699 –> 00:01:19,559 So, let’s begin here. 30 00:01:19,559 –> 00:01:22,599 There verses one to eight. 31 00:01:22,599 –> 00:01:25,360 We’re going to look at Joseph’s example 32 00:01:25,360 –> 00:01:29,559 of forgiveness and reconciliation. 33 00:01:29,559 –> 00:01:31,800 And three observations here. 34 00:01:31,800 –> 00:01:35,220 The first is, I want us to notice in this great Bible scene 35 00:01:35,220 –> 00:01:39,000 when reconciliation happens. 36 00:01:39,000 –> 00:01:41,160 And we touched on this at the end last week, 37 00:01:41,160 –> 00:01:43,720 that reconciliation happens 38 00:01:43,720 –> 00:01:47,599 when there is a convergence of three factors. 39 00:01:47,599 –> 00:01:51,040 And the first of these is of course the brother’s repentance 40 00:01:51,040 –> 00:01:53,959 That was the first half of chapter 44, 41 00:01:53,959 –> 00:01:58,720 reconciliation happened when there was genuine repentance 42 00:01:58,720 –> 00:02:01,279 in the hearts of these brothers. 43 00:02:01,279 –> 00:02:03,239 They cannot go on grieving the father. 44 00:02:03,239 –> 00:02:07,239 They cannot give up Benjamin, the dearly loved son. 45 00:02:07,239 –> 00:02:09,860 You don’t get to reconciliation 46 00:02:09,860 –> 00:02:13,059 by pretending that evil things did not happen. 47 00:02:13,940 –> 00:02:17,779 There’s a genuine change of heart in the brothers here. 48 00:02:17,779 –> 00:02:20,080 They face the truth of who they are 49 00:02:20,080 –> 00:02:21,600 and of what they have done. 50 00:02:21,619 –> 00:02:24,179 And that’s one of the converging factors 51 00:02:24,179 –> 00:02:27,660 that is part of genuine reconciliation. 52 00:02:27,660 –> 00:02:29,720 When that happens, the door is open 53 00:02:29,720 –> 00:02:32,960 for reconciliation to take place. 54 00:02:32,960 –> 00:02:35,759 So if we are seeking reconciliation, 55 00:02:35,759 –> 00:02:39,220 it’s always a good thing to ask the question 56 00:02:39,220 –> 00:02:43,179 is there something of which I can repent? 57 00:02:44,059 –> 00:02:46,960 Is there something of which I can take ownership? 58 00:02:46,960 –> 00:02:48,000 What is that? 59 00:02:48,000 –> 00:02:50,600 If you’re seeking reconciliation, 60 00:02:50,600 –> 00:02:53,399 that’s a major part of what needs to converge 61 00:02:53,399 –> 00:02:54,440 if it’s to happen. 62 00:02:54,440 –> 00:02:56,660 Second thing, the brothers repentance. 63 00:02:56,660 –> 00:02:58,919 Secondly, Judah’s intercession. 64 00:02:58,919 –> 00:03:01,660 That was the second half of chapter 44. 65 00:03:01,660 –> 00:03:03,479 And we looked at this last week, 66 00:03:03,479 –> 00:03:07,320 how wonderfully Judah points us to Jesus 67 00:03:07,320 –> 00:03:09,559 who of course was born into his line. 68 00:03:09,559 –> 00:03:10,399 How does he do that? 69 00:03:10,399 –> 00:03:12,960 He offers himself as the substitute 70 00:03:12,960 –> 00:03:14,979 in the place of Benjamin. 71 00:03:14,979 –> 00:03:17,100 And he becomes the great intercessor 72 00:03:17,100 –> 00:03:19,360 on behalf of his brothers. 73 00:03:19,360 –> 00:03:22,160 And this reminds us that forgiveness 74 00:03:22,160 –> 00:03:24,559 and reconciliation with God 75 00:03:25,580 –> 00:03:30,300 it happens not only when we repent, 76 00:03:30,300 –> 00:03:33,199 but it happens because 77 00:03:33,199 –> 00:03:35,360 there is a great intercessor 78 00:03:35,360 –> 00:03:37,460 who has offered and given himself 79 00:03:37,460 –> 00:03:39,300 as our substitute. 80 00:03:39,300 –> 00:03:41,979 It is because of Jesus 81 00:03:41,979 –> 00:03:44,779 that reconciliation and forgiveness 82 00:03:44,779 –> 00:03:47,679 is possible with God. 83 00:03:47,679 –> 00:03:49,020 So when does it happen? 84 00:03:49,539 –> 00:03:51,220 It happens when there’s repentance from the brothers, 85 00:03:51,220 –> 00:03:54,080 it happens because there is a great intercessor, 86 00:03:54,080 –> 00:03:55,259 and here’s the third factor 87 00:03:55,259 –> 00:03:57,699 that converges in reconciliation. 88 00:03:57,699 –> 00:04:01,240 It happens because Joseph is ready to forgive. 89 00:04:01,240 –> 00:04:04,240 And that’s chapter 45 and verse one. 90 00:04:04,240 –> 00:04:07,100 So having come from the last chapter 91 00:04:07,100 –> 00:04:09,660 where we saw the brothers at repentance, 92 00:04:09,660 –> 00:04:12,639 where we saw Judah’s intercession, 93 00:04:12,639 –> 00:04:14,119 we now come to this place 94 00:04:14,119 –> 00:04:17,220 where we see Joseph’s marvelous forgiveness, 95 00:04:17,299 –> 00:04:18,600 and that’s the significance 96 00:04:18,600 –> 00:04:20,459 of the first word in the chapter, 97 00:04:20,459 –> 00:04:21,380 then, when. 98 00:04:23,660 –> 00:04:25,940 Well, when there had been repentance from the brothers 99 00:04:25,940 –> 00:04:27,980 that became obvious with them coming back, 100 00:04:27,980 –> 00:04:31,119 and when Judah poured out his intercession, 101 00:04:31,119 –> 00:04:34,700 then, then Joseph could not control himself 102 00:04:36,339 –> 00:04:38,679 before all who stood by him. 103 00:04:40,260 –> 00:04:42,899 One writer says very beautifully 104 00:04:42,899 –> 00:04:46,359 that Joseph was vanquished by his own love, 105 00:04:46,700 –> 00:04:48,660 conquered by his own love. 106 00:04:48,660 –> 00:04:52,179 Love is welling up from his heart for these brothers. 107 00:04:52,179 –> 00:04:53,700 He can’t contain it anymore 108 00:04:53,700 –> 00:04:56,179 when the intercessors before him, 109 00:04:56,179 –> 00:04:58,220 this love, this forgiveness, 110 00:04:58,220 –> 00:05:01,059 it’s released to these repentant brothers. 111 00:05:01,059 –> 00:05:04,779 It’s the most beautiful, beautiful foreshadowing 112 00:05:04,779 –> 00:05:08,619 of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 113 00:05:08,619 –> 00:05:12,459 This forgiveness wells up in the heart of Joseph, 114 00:05:12,459 –> 00:05:15,459 and it cascades over these brothers, 115 00:05:16,600 –> 00:05:18,100 repentant brothers. 116 00:05:19,739 –> 00:05:23,760 Now, just think of this as a beautiful picture 117 00:05:23,760 –> 00:05:26,179 of the love of God overflowing 118 00:05:27,279 –> 00:05:31,420 in joyful reconciliation and forgiveness. 119 00:05:31,420 –> 00:05:32,440 When does it happen? 120 00:05:32,440 –> 00:05:36,079 It happens when sinners come to him in repentance. 121 00:05:36,079 –> 00:05:37,440 And why does it happen? 122 00:05:37,440 –> 00:05:40,779 It happens because there is a great intercessor, 123 00:05:40,779 –> 00:05:44,399 Jesus, who offered himself as the substitute for us 124 00:05:44,540 –> 00:05:47,059 and stands at the right hand of the Father 125 00:05:47,059 –> 00:05:50,100 as our great intercessor. 126 00:05:50,100 –> 00:05:50,940 That’s the first thing. 127 00:05:50,940 –> 00:05:53,980 I told you it’s a very rich chapter. 128 00:05:53,980 –> 00:05:56,299 When reconciliation happens. 129 00:05:56,299 –> 00:06:01,019 Second thing here, what reconciliation looks like? 130 00:06:01,019 –> 00:06:03,540 This is one of the marvelous scenes in the Bible 131 00:06:03,540 –> 00:06:07,700 that teaches us what authentic reconciliation looks like. 132 00:06:10,100 –> 00:06:12,119 And I want to make some observations here 133 00:06:12,119 –> 00:06:13,660 for our encouragement. 134 00:06:13,880 –> 00:06:18,880 Notice first, that Joseph protected his brothers 135 00:06:19,119 –> 00:06:22,760 by refusing to advertise their sin. 136 00:06:22,760 –> 00:06:26,119 That’s a distinctive mark of real reconciliation. 137 00:06:26,119 –> 00:06:27,279 Verse one. 138 00:06:27,279 –> 00:06:30,260 He says, make everyone go out from me, 139 00:06:31,239 –> 00:06:33,559 so no one stayed with him 140 00:06:33,559 –> 00:06:38,559 when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 141 00:06:40,220 –> 00:06:43,540 Now, you see the point here, it’s a very simple one. 142 00:06:43,579 –> 00:06:46,779 Joseph’s brothers had sinned against him. 143 00:06:47,760 –> 00:06:52,260 What had happened was between him and the brothers. 144 00:06:52,260 –> 00:06:55,059 It was nothing whatever to do with the Egyptians 145 00:06:55,059 –> 00:06:57,440 who served in Joseph’s household. 146 00:06:57,440 –> 00:07:01,140 And so, Joseph would not allow these people 147 00:07:01,140 –> 00:07:03,000 with whom it was nothing to do 148 00:07:03,000 –> 00:07:05,220 to be brought into this situation. 149 00:07:06,540 –> 00:07:08,480 Now, as you will have noticed, 150 00:07:08,480 –> 00:07:12,160 we live in a culture where many people believe 151 00:07:12,239 –> 00:07:14,839 that if a sin has been committed, 152 00:07:14,839 –> 00:07:17,320 everybody should know about it. 153 00:07:17,320 –> 00:07:20,160 Put it on the internet as widely as you possibly can. 154 00:07:21,600 –> 00:07:25,980 Well, when a sin is public, 155 00:07:25,980 –> 00:07:29,279 it surely needs to be dealt with in a way 156 00:07:29,279 –> 00:07:34,279 that includes those who are directly affected by it. 157 00:07:34,279 –> 00:07:35,459 If a sin is public, 158 00:07:35,459 –> 00:07:38,640 it needs to be dealt with in a public way. 159 00:07:38,640 –> 00:07:40,940 If a person is unrepentant, 160 00:07:40,940 –> 00:07:42,899 there are times when it is appropriate 161 00:07:42,899 –> 00:07:46,000 that it should be told, Matthew 18, to the church. 162 00:07:46,880 –> 00:07:48,619 But always remember this, 163 00:07:49,660 –> 00:07:52,779 that reconciliation is a wonderful gift 164 00:07:52,779 –> 00:07:55,559 of grace that is given to people 165 00:07:55,559 –> 00:08:00,540 who are directly involved in a particular offense. 166 00:08:00,540 –> 00:08:05,540 And if you are eager to pursue reconciliation, 167 00:08:06,100 –> 00:08:07,859 you will be like Joseph, 168 00:08:07,859 –> 00:08:12,859 eager not to expand the circle of those who are involved. 169 00:08:13,760 –> 00:08:15,380 That’s what Peter means 170 00:08:15,380 –> 00:08:20,380 when he says love covers a multitude of sins. 171 00:08:21,140 –> 00:08:24,859 And Joseph gives us the most marvelous practical example 172 00:08:24,859 –> 00:08:29,859 of protecting the people that he wants to forgive 173 00:08:29,859 –> 00:08:31,820 by sending out the servants 174 00:08:31,820 –> 00:08:34,539 who had nothing to do with this situation whatsoever. 175 00:08:34,580 –> 00:08:38,659 No need for them ever to know the sin of the brothers 176 00:08:38,659 –> 00:08:43,520 that was just about to be wonderfully forgiven by Joseph. 177 00:08:44,900 –> 00:08:47,000 Second thing that’s very striking 178 00:08:47,000 –> 00:08:49,940 about this reconciliation scene, 179 00:08:49,940 –> 00:08:54,940 that Joseph comforted his brothers by affirming his love. 180 00:08:55,460 –> 00:08:57,200 Notice verse four. 181 00:08:57,200 –> 00:09:00,299 So, Joseph said to his brothers, 182 00:09:00,359 –> 00:09:03,780 come near me, please. 183 00:09:03,780 –> 00:09:05,979 There was a pleading there, it’s beautiful. 184 00:09:07,200 –> 00:09:08,700 Now, what’s the point here? 185 00:09:08,700 –> 00:09:12,219 When Joseph made himself known to the brothers, 186 00:09:12,219 –> 00:09:14,619 their first response was not joy. 187 00:09:14,619 –> 00:09:17,219 It was of course, that they were absolutely terrified. 188 00:09:17,219 –> 00:09:21,440 Verse three, Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph. 189 00:09:21,440 –> 00:09:24,260 But the brothers could not answer him, why? 190 00:09:24,260 –> 00:09:28,340 For they were dismayed at his presence. 191 00:09:28,340 –> 00:09:29,460 Oh, that’s not surprising. 192 00:09:29,460 –> 00:09:33,380 You know what’s in their mind, we know what we did to Him. 193 00:09:33,380 –> 00:09:35,539 Now, He’s got all the power, 194 00:09:35,539 –> 00:09:38,640 what in the world is he gonna do to us? 195 00:09:39,780 –> 00:09:42,900 There, remember, you have exactly the same thing 196 00:09:42,900 –> 00:09:45,900 on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, 197 00:09:45,900 –> 00:09:48,059 Peter makes this great declaration. 198 00:09:48,059 –> 00:09:51,940 This Jesus, who you crucified, 199 00:09:51,940 –> 00:09:56,140 God has made both Lord and Christ. 200 00:09:56,140 –> 00:09:58,599 And what’s the response of the people? 201 00:09:58,599 –> 00:10:01,039 Is it to say, oh, good, we’re all going to be forgiven? 202 00:10:01,039 –> 00:10:03,919 No, the response of the people is absolute terror, 203 00:10:03,919 –> 00:10:05,299 we know what we did to Him. 204 00:10:05,299 –> 00:10:07,719 He’s highly exalted, He’s got all of the power, 205 00:10:07,719 –> 00:10:09,039 He’s risen from the dead, 206 00:10:09,039 –> 00:10:11,520 what in the world is he gonna do to us? 207 00:10:12,880 –> 00:10:14,599 And so Peter says here, they say, 208 00:10:14,599 –> 00:10:17,239 Peter, brothers, what must we do? 209 00:10:18,479 –> 00:10:20,479 And Peter says, well, here’s what you must do, 210 00:10:20,479 –> 00:10:22,460 you must repent. 211 00:10:22,460 –> 00:10:25,020 And you must be baptized. 212 00:10:25,020 –> 00:10:26,799 And there is forgiveness of sins. 213 00:10:26,799 –> 00:10:28,700 And there is the gift of the Holy Spirit. 214 00:10:28,700 –> 00:10:31,900 And it is for you and for all who will call upon His, 215 00:10:31,900 –> 00:10:33,500 that is Jesus’ name. 216 00:10:33,500 –> 00:10:37,479 Now you see, all of this is wonderfully foreshadowed 217 00:10:37,479 –> 00:10:40,739 when Joseph says to his terrified brothers 218 00:10:40,739 –> 00:10:43,539 who see that he’s exalted with power, 219 00:10:43,539 –> 00:10:46,320 please come near to me. 220 00:10:48,340 –> 00:10:50,500 Now, I want you to hear this as from the Lord 221 00:10:50,500 –> 00:10:53,859 as we have the Bible open up in front of us today. 222 00:10:53,859 –> 00:10:58,859 That the risen Lord Jesus Christ is saying to you, 223 00:10:58,900 –> 00:11:03,840 whatever you have done, come near to Me. 224 00:11:05,380 –> 00:11:10,380 The exalted person against whom we have sinned, 225 00:11:11,940 –> 00:11:15,659 he loves you, he loves me and he wants us 226 00:11:15,659 –> 00:11:17,479 to come near to him. 227 00:11:18,859 –> 00:11:22,320 And this love that says come near 228 00:11:22,320 –> 00:11:24,880 is then lavished by Joseph, 229 00:11:24,880 –> 00:11:27,960 who is pointing us wonderfully to Christ again. 230 00:11:27,960 –> 00:11:29,900 It’s lavished over each of the brothers. 231 00:11:29,900 –> 00:11:32,299 Look at verse 15, they come near 232 00:11:32,299 –> 00:11:35,000 and he kissed all of his brothers. 233 00:11:35,000 –> 00:11:37,679 One by one, he kisses Simeon and Judah and Reuben, 234 00:11:37,679 –> 00:11:41,219 all the ones that hurt him, he kisses them all, 235 00:11:41,219 –> 00:11:42,979 and he wept upon them. 236 00:11:42,979 –> 00:11:45,700 And notice what it says next, 237 00:11:45,700 –> 00:11:50,700 after that his brothers talked with him. 238 00:11:53,320 –> 00:11:56,359 Now isn’t that fascinating what a contrast this is? 239 00:11:56,359 –> 00:11:58,140 You remember we noticed last week 240 00:11:58,140 –> 00:11:59,679 that at the beginning of the story, 241 00:11:59,679 –> 00:12:04,619 it says his brothers could not speak peacefully to him. 242 00:12:06,000 –> 00:12:08,440 They had no interest in speaking to him. 243 00:12:09,760 –> 00:12:11,880 And now when he becomes Lord of Egypt, 244 00:12:11,880 –> 00:12:16,059 they’re terrified at the thought of speaking to him. 245 00:12:16,059 –> 00:12:19,400 They’re gripped by guilt and shame and fear. 246 00:12:19,400 –> 00:12:21,320 And so he says, come near 247 00:12:21,599 –> 00:12:24,039 and he kisses them and he weeps over them. 248 00:12:24,039 –> 00:12:29,039 And when they become persuaded of his love after that 249 00:12:29,119 –> 00:12:32,179 then they talked with him. 250 00:12:32,179 –> 00:12:33,440 Here’s what we learned from this. 251 00:12:33,440 –> 00:12:36,280 And it’s very important in the Christian life 252 00:12:36,280 –> 00:12:38,140 that freedom in prayer, 253 00:12:38,140 –> 00:12:39,900 that is how we talk to God. 254 00:12:39,900 –> 00:12:42,340 Freedom in prayer arises 255 00:12:42,340 –> 00:12:45,239 from the assurance of forgiveness, 256 00:12:45,239 –> 00:12:46,200 the knowledge of his love. 257 00:12:46,200 –> 00:12:51,059 It was after that that they talked with him. 258 00:12:51,099 –> 00:12:53,260 And here’s my prayer for today. 259 00:12:53,260 –> 00:12:54,340 We have the Bible open 260 00:12:54,340 –> 00:12:56,840 now we’re gonna come soon around the Lord’s table. 261 00:12:58,559 –> 00:13:03,159 Through the word reinforced by the table, 262 00:13:04,059 –> 00:13:06,880 both of which are speaking of the love of God 263 00:13:06,880 –> 00:13:10,099 in Jesus Christ that reconciles and forgives, 264 00:13:11,320 –> 00:13:13,900 that you may hear the voice of the living Christ 265 00:13:13,900 –> 00:13:16,780 saying to you, come near to me. 266 00:13:18,260 –> 00:13:19,619 And that after that, 267 00:13:20,500 –> 00:13:24,419 you may be able to talk with Him. 268 00:13:25,739 –> 00:13:27,500 What reconciliation look like. 269 00:13:27,500 –> 00:13:30,239 We saw when it happened, here’s what it looked like. 270 00:13:30,239 –> 00:13:32,460 Protected his brothers by refusing 271 00:13:32,460 –> 00:13:33,900 to advertise their sin, 272 00:13:33,900 –> 00:13:37,059 comforted his brothers by affirming his love. 273 00:13:37,059 –> 00:13:39,700 Here’s a third thing that’s a component part 274 00:13:39,700 –> 00:13:42,479 of this beautiful reconciliation. 275 00:13:43,700 –> 00:13:46,419 That Joseph strengthened his brothers 276 00:13:47,340 –> 00:13:51,500 by helping them to forgive themselves. 277 00:13:51,500 –> 00:13:54,260 Now, do you see that in verse five? 278 00:13:54,260 –> 00:13:56,820 And now says Joseph to them, 279 00:13:56,820 –> 00:14:01,679 do not be distressed or angry with yourselves 280 00:14:03,099 –> 00:14:05,500 because you sold me here 281 00:14:05,500 –> 00:14:10,280 for God sent me before you to preserve life. 282 00:14:12,219 –> 00:14:14,700 Now, there are folks in the congregation 283 00:14:14,700 –> 00:14:15,700 who, at different times, 284 00:14:15,739 –> 00:14:17,619 have said something like this to me 285 00:14:17,619 –> 00:14:20,940 on multiple occasions and you may well have said this 286 00:14:20,940 –> 00:14:23,000 and it may be in your mind even now. 287 00:14:24,640 –> 00:14:28,559 I know that God forgives me, 288 00:14:28,559 –> 00:14:30,700 but here’s my problem, 289 00:14:30,700 –> 00:14:34,039 I can’t forgive myself. 290 00:14:34,039 –> 00:14:37,219 Ever said that, you ever heard someone else say that? 291 00:14:37,219 –> 00:14:39,640 I know that God forgives me, 292 00:14:40,700 –> 00:14:42,039 but here’s my problem, 293 00:14:42,039 –> 00:14:44,440 I can’t forgive myself. 294 00:14:45,900 –> 00:14:48,419 Now how do you answer that? 295 00:14:48,419 –> 00:14:51,479 At first, you do need to know that, 296 00:14:51,479 –> 00:14:54,580 whenever you say that the root problem is pride. 297 00:14:55,760 –> 00:14:57,940 Because what you are doing when you say that, 298 00:14:57,940 –> 00:15:02,760 if you do, is you are putting yourself above all mighty God. 299 00:15:04,000 –> 00:15:07,280 You are saying the blood of Jesus Christ 300 00:15:07,280 –> 00:15:08,840 may be good enough for God, 301 00:15:08,840 –> 00:15:10,780 but it’s not good enough for me. 302 00:15:12,239 –> 00:15:14,219 And the moment you realize that’s what you are saying, 303 00:15:14,359 –> 00:15:16,020 you will never say that about, 304 00:15:16,020 –> 00:15:18,000 I can’t forgive myself again. 305 00:15:19,119 –> 00:15:23,119 So here’s how to forgive yourself, today, 306 00:15:23,119 –> 00:15:26,619 for the things that bring you guilt 307 00:15:26,619 –> 00:15:28,539 and the things that bring you shame. 308 00:15:29,760 –> 00:15:33,119 You say, if the blood of Jesus Christ 309 00:15:33,119 –> 00:15:38,119 is good enough to satisfy Almighty God and it is, 310 00:15:39,719 –> 00:15:42,880 then it is surely good enough 311 00:15:42,880 –> 00:15:44,059 to satisfy 312 00:15:44,859 –> 00:15:45,700 me. 313 00:15:46,599 –> 00:15:48,539 Now, here are some wonderful insights 314 00:15:48,539 –> 00:15:51,979 into this whole business of reconciliation. 315 00:15:51,979 –> 00:15:53,320 You are in a situation 316 00:15:53,320 –> 00:15:56,500 where a brother or a sister wants to reconcile with you. 317 00:15:56,500 –> 00:15:58,500 You want to reconcile with them. 318 00:15:58,500 –> 00:16:02,020 Show your love as Joseph did to the brothers 319 00:16:02,020 –> 00:16:07,020 and help them to be at peace with themselves. 320 00:16:08,500 –> 00:16:11,059 So when reconciliation happens, 321 00:16:11,059 –> 00:16:12,820 a convergence of three factors, 322 00:16:12,880 –> 00:16:16,299 repentance, the intercessor, and the readiness to forgive 323 00:16:16,299 –> 00:16:18,299 at what it actually looks like. 324 00:16:18,299 –> 00:16:20,539 Here’s the third observation here 325 00:16:20,539 –> 00:16:22,539 as we are learning from Joseph, 326 00:16:22,539 –> 00:16:25,320 how was reconciliation possible? 327 00:16:26,260 –> 00:16:29,340 How was it that after all that they had done to Joseph, 328 00:16:29,340 –> 00:16:32,179 he really had this forgiveness in his heart? 329 00:16:32,179 –> 00:16:34,739 And how can I have this forgiveness in my heart 330 00:16:34,739 –> 00:16:38,239 when I have been wounded and hurt by another person? 331 00:16:38,239 –> 00:16:39,820 How is it possible? 332 00:16:39,880 –> 00:16:42,979 And the answer to that is repeated many times, 333 00:16:42,979 –> 00:16:44,760 let’s start in verse eight. 334 00:16:45,719 –> 00:16:49,400 “‘It was not you who sent me here,’ 335 00:16:49,400 –> 00:16:52,020 Joseph says to the brothers, 336 00:16:52,020 –> 00:16:53,219 “‘but God.’” 337 00:16:54,539 –> 00:16:56,780 How do you get to a place 338 00:16:57,979 –> 00:16:59,299 like Joseph 339 00:17:00,179 –> 00:17:04,500 where you can put what has happened behind you 340 00:17:04,500 –> 00:17:09,459 and reconcile with those who brought hurt into your life? 341 00:17:09,660 –> 00:17:13,300 And the answer that we learn from Joseph here very clearly 342 00:17:13,300 –> 00:17:18,300 is that he did it because he saw the hand of God 343 00:17:18,300 –> 00:17:21,199 at work in his life. 344 00:17:21,199 –> 00:17:22,719 Now this is very striking. 345 00:17:23,839 –> 00:17:26,060 Joseph mentions 346 00:17:26,060 –> 00:17:28,199 one time 347 00:17:28,199 –> 00:17:30,140 what his brothers did, 348 00:17:31,099 –> 00:17:34,479 and he mentions four times 349 00:17:34,479 –> 00:17:35,319 what God did, 350 00:17:35,319 –> 00:17:37,500 that’s about the right proportion. 351 00:17:37,500 –> 00:17:40,380 One time what the brothers did, 352 00:17:40,380 –> 00:17:42,619 four times what God did. 353 00:17:42,619 –> 00:17:44,339 Do you see that there, verse four? 354 00:17:44,339 –> 00:17:48,459 I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 355 00:17:48,459 –> 00:17:50,739 Now he says that, he must. 356 00:17:50,739 –> 00:17:54,339 Reconciliation is not avoiding the reality of what happened. 357 00:17:55,380 –> 00:17:57,900 And it’s recognized, it’s openly stated, 358 00:17:57,900 –> 00:17:58,959 but it’s not the focus. 359 00:17:58,959 –> 00:18:01,939 He says it one time, he’s not harping on and on about it. 360 00:18:03,599 –> 00:18:04,619 What is his focus? 361 00:18:04,680 –> 00:18:07,680 Four times he speaks about what God has done. 362 00:18:07,680 –> 00:18:08,520 Do you see that? 363 00:18:08,520 –> 00:18:11,520 Verse five, don’t be distressed, angry with yourselves 364 00:18:11,520 –> 00:18:12,880 because you sold me here, 365 00:18:12,880 –> 00:18:17,880 for God sent me before you to preserve life. 366 00:18:17,900 –> 00:18:20,819 Or verse seven, God sent me here to preserve 367 00:18:20,819 –> 00:18:23,359 a remnant for you on the Earth. 368 00:18:23,359 –> 00:18:26,939 Verse eight, it was not you who sent me here, but God. 369 00:18:26,939 –> 00:18:29,219 Verse nine, thus says your son Joseph, 370 00:18:29,219 –> 00:18:30,660 this is what they’re to say to Jacob, 371 00:18:30,660 –> 00:18:34,760 it was God who made me the Lord of all Egypt. 372 00:18:36,260 –> 00:18:40,280 Now again you see a direct line here from Joseph to Jesus. 373 00:18:41,339 –> 00:18:44,260 When Jesus suffered, how was it 374 00:18:44,260 –> 00:18:48,500 that he was able to say, father forgive them, 375 00:18:48,500 –> 00:18:50,219 they do not know what they are doing? 376 00:18:50,219 –> 00:18:51,599 How could he have done that? 377 00:18:53,619 –> 00:18:56,300 And as Thomas Watson always makes this marvelous comment 378 00:18:56,300 –> 00:18:58,020 that I’ve found so very, very helpful, 379 00:18:58,020 –> 00:19:00,339 he says, it was because Jesus 380 00:19:00,459 –> 00:19:02,979 did not focus on Judas and Pilate. 381 00:19:04,359 –> 00:19:07,079 But rather, and this is John 18 and verse 11, 382 00:19:07,079 –> 00:19:10,300 he viewed his suffering as the cup 383 00:19:10,300 –> 00:19:12,540 that the Father 384 00:19:12,540 –> 00:19:15,959 had given to him. 385 00:19:15,959 –> 00:19:20,099 In other words, Jesus looked beyond 386 00:19:20,099 –> 00:19:22,880 the secondary causes, Judas and Pilate, 387 00:19:23,900 –> 00:19:26,339 the soldiers with the nails. 388 00:19:26,339 –> 00:19:29,239 He looked beyond the secondary causes 389 00:19:29,400 –> 00:19:32,479 and he saw how the work of the Father 390 00:19:32,479 –> 00:19:36,119 was being manifest, even in his own pain 391 00:19:36,119 –> 00:19:37,739 and in his own suffering. 392 00:19:37,739 –> 00:19:39,699 And out of that, he’s able to say, 393 00:19:39,699 –> 00:19:41,020 Father, forgive them. 394 00:19:42,199 –> 00:19:45,959 They do not know what they are doing. 395 00:19:45,959 –> 00:19:47,760 So here’s the lesson for us. 396 00:19:47,760 –> 00:19:52,400 How do you get to a place where you can forgive 397 00:19:52,400 –> 00:19:54,699 when you have really been wounded? 398 00:19:55,579 –> 00:19:58,380 The answer is you have to look beyond the secondary causes. 399 00:19:58,420 –> 00:20:00,479 The names and the faces of those who did it. 400 00:20:00,479 –> 00:20:03,219 You have to look beyond what another person has done. 401 00:20:04,500 –> 00:20:07,400 And you have to get your focus on how God, 402 00:20:07,400 –> 00:20:10,119 your gracious and loving Heavenly Father 403 00:20:10,119 –> 00:20:13,500 has been at work in your life even through this. 404 00:20:14,780 –> 00:20:16,560 That’s how you get to forgiveness. 405 00:20:18,199 –> 00:20:22,060 So I told you this is a wonderfully rich chapter. 406 00:20:23,219 –> 00:20:26,420 We spent half of our time on this first observation, 407 00:20:26,520 –> 00:20:31,520 Joseph’s example of forgiveness and reconciliation. 408 00:20:32,219 –> 00:20:36,160 And in all the situations of trouble that we face, 409 00:20:36,160 –> 00:20:40,119 may it be that in God’s great mercy these scriptures 410 00:20:40,119 –> 00:20:43,819 are able to feed and nourish and strengthen us 411 00:20:43,819 –> 00:20:47,439 in the reflection of the forgiveness and the reconciliation 412 00:20:48,420 –> 00:20:53,420 with which Joseph points so wonderfully to Jesus. 413 00:20:54,579 –> 00:20:56,020 That’s the first thing, more quickly, 414 00:20:56,540 –> 00:20:58,079 but here’s the second. 415 00:20:58,079 –> 00:21:01,680 The brothers commission to go and to tell, 416 00:21:02,660 –> 00:21:05,459 what happens after forgiveness? 417 00:21:06,800 –> 00:21:10,339 What’s to happen after we rise up today 418 00:21:10,339 –> 00:21:11,900 from the communion table, 419 00:21:11,900 –> 00:21:14,839 refreshed in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 420 00:21:14,839 –> 00:21:17,180 knowing again that we are forgiven 421 00:21:17,180 –> 00:21:18,979 through the blood of the lamb 422 00:21:18,979 –> 00:21:21,819 and that Jesus is our great intercessor? 423 00:21:21,819 –> 00:21:24,540 What follows the great reconciliation? 424 00:21:24,540 –> 00:21:25,839 Here’s what follows. 425 00:21:25,880 –> 00:21:29,380 The commission to go and to tell. 426 00:21:29,380 –> 00:21:31,900 You have that in verse nine and verse 13. 427 00:21:31,900 –> 00:21:33,479 Notice go in verse nine, 428 00:21:33,479 –> 00:21:36,680 Hurry go to my father and say to him, 429 00:21:36,680 –> 00:21:38,199 thus says your son Joseph. 430 00:21:38,199 –> 00:21:40,560 God has made me Lord in all of Egypt. 431 00:21:40,560 –> 00:21:42,459 Come down now and do not tarry 432 00:21:42,459 –> 00:21:44,300 There to invite the old man to come. 433 00:21:44,300 –> 00:21:45,819 Go and tell him. 434 00:21:45,819 –> 00:21:49,280 Verse 13, you must tell my father 435 00:21:49,280 –> 00:21:52,400 of all my honor in Egypt 436 00:21:52,400 –> 00:21:53,880 and of all that you have seen. 437 00:21:53,939 –> 00:21:57,079 Hurry and bring my father down here. 438 00:21:57,079 –> 00:21:59,140 Now, do you see the point? 439 00:21:59,140 –> 00:22:03,199 As soon as the brothers are reconciled and forgiven 440 00:22:03,199 –> 00:22:06,079 immediately there is work and there is a commission 441 00:22:06,079 –> 00:22:08,160 for them, work for them to do. 442 00:22:09,479 –> 00:22:13,099 It is never when we are reconciled to God in Jesus Christ 443 00:22:13,099 –> 00:22:14,500 that we are simply to settle down 444 00:22:14,500 –> 00:22:16,800 and have a reconciliation party together. 445 00:22:18,000 –> 00:22:21,040 There are other people who need to know 446 00:22:21,040 –> 00:22:22,880 that Joseph is alive. 447 00:22:23,819 –> 00:22:25,579 There’s the old man in Egypt 448 00:22:25,579 –> 00:22:26,959 and there’s the extended family 449 00:22:26,959 –> 00:22:29,699 and there’s all the children and they’re without food. 450 00:22:31,020 –> 00:22:36,020 Go and tell, go reconciled brothers, sisters 451 00:22:37,540 –> 00:22:41,420 and tell that the dearly loved son is alive, 452 00:22:41,420 –> 00:22:43,459 that the dearly loved son is exalted 453 00:22:43,459 –> 00:22:47,060 and the dearly loved son wants other people to come 454 00:22:47,060 –> 00:22:49,199 and to be near him. 455 00:22:49,979 –> 00:22:53,079 Now you see how this is a beautiful picture 456 00:22:53,079 –> 00:22:56,619 of the rhythm of the Christian life. 457 00:22:56,619 –> 00:22:57,800 What is the Christian life? 458 00:22:57,800 –> 00:22:59,939 Well there’s worship like we have right now 459 00:22:59,939 –> 00:23:01,459 as we’re gathered here together 460 00:23:01,459 –> 00:23:04,099 and then there’s witness as we go out into the world. 461 00:23:04,099 –> 00:23:06,579 There’s the church gathered, there’s the church scattered. 462 00:23:06,579 –> 00:23:08,680 We come and we go. 463 00:23:08,680 –> 00:23:13,680 There is intimacy with God and there is activity for God, 464 00:23:13,699 –> 00:23:17,300 there is sitting at the feet of Jesus 465 00:23:17,319 –> 00:23:20,800 and there is going out into all of the world. 466 00:23:20,800 –> 00:23:23,660 He brought me into his Banqueting House 467 00:23:23,660 –> 00:23:26,680 and his banner over me is love. 468 00:23:26,680 –> 00:23:30,880 And yet he now sends me out into a famished world 469 00:23:30,880 –> 00:23:34,619 in order to tell others there is a Banqueting House 470 00:23:34,619 –> 00:23:39,619 in which others too may find that there is food. 471 00:23:39,640 –> 00:23:44,640 So when we are forgiven, when we are reconciled to God, 472 00:23:44,920 –> 00:23:48,540 Christ sends us out with this great commission. 473 00:23:49,859 –> 00:23:50,699 Now, think of this. 474 00:23:50,699 –> 00:23:53,140 Joseph and then 11 brothers. 475 00:23:54,500 –> 00:23:56,160 And in the next chapter we’re told 476 00:23:56,160 –> 00:23:59,540 that the family, to which of course you have to add four 477 00:23:59,540 –> 00:24:02,260 of Joseph’s own family, but the family back in Canaan 478 00:24:02,260 –> 00:24:04,140 at this point, 66 people. 479 00:24:04,140 –> 00:24:07,380 So 11 brothers plus 55 others 480 00:24:07,380 –> 00:24:10,780 who are still starving back in Canaan. 481 00:24:12,060 –> 00:24:14,540 For every brother reconciled to Joseph, 482 00:24:14,819 –> 00:24:18,260 there are five other members in their own family circle 483 00:24:18,260 –> 00:24:20,839 who desperately need to know that Joseph is alive 484 00:24:20,839 –> 00:24:25,380 and that he has food and he invites them also to come. 485 00:24:26,640 –> 00:24:28,180 Now, that’s a powerful picture. 486 00:24:29,339 –> 00:24:31,859 For everyone, there’s five in the immediate circle 487 00:24:31,859 –> 00:24:32,699 in this story. 488 00:24:34,819 –> 00:24:37,099 And around us a community of people, 489 00:24:37,099 –> 00:24:39,959 extended family, neighbors, friends, 490 00:24:39,959 –> 00:24:43,199 people who are loved by Christ but they’re dying. 491 00:24:44,780 –> 00:24:49,280 Just as Joseph and the family were dying back in Canaan, 492 00:24:50,699 –> 00:24:53,599 and there is a word of Christ for them, 493 00:24:53,599 –> 00:24:58,199 Joseph says take this word, thus says Joseph. 494 00:24:58,199 –> 00:25:01,839 There’s a word of Christ that we are to take 495 00:25:01,839 –> 00:25:03,540 and we’re to bring it to people in need. 496 00:25:03,540 –> 00:25:06,500 We’re to say that the dearly loved son of God 497 00:25:06,500 –> 00:25:07,939 is highly exalted 498 00:25:10,040 –> 00:25:12,739 and he has provision for all who will come 499 00:25:12,939 –> 00:25:16,199 and he invites you to come and to find food, to find bread. 500 00:25:17,760 –> 00:25:19,520 What a good application of this story 501 00:25:19,520 –> 00:25:20,880 for each of us this week. 502 00:25:20,880 –> 00:25:23,800 To try and write down the names of five people 503 00:25:23,800 –> 00:25:25,839 who are in our circle of influence 504 00:25:27,140 –> 00:25:31,239 and need to know that God’s dearly loved son 505 00:25:31,239 –> 00:25:33,239 is highly exalted 506 00:25:33,239 –> 00:25:36,339 and invites them also to come. 507 00:25:37,780 –> 00:25:41,839 And I just love this little piece as Joseph sends them off. 508 00:25:41,839 –> 00:25:43,780 Do you notice verse 24? 509 00:25:45,420 –> 00:25:47,619 He sends them away with this great commission 510 00:25:47,619 –> 00:25:51,420 and as they departed, he said to them, 511 00:25:52,119 –> 00:25:54,719 “‘Do not quarrel on the way.’ 512 00:25:54,719 –> 00:25:59,439 “‘Do not quarrel on the way.’” 513 00:25:59,439 –> 00:26:01,280 Well, you know why he said that. 514 00:26:02,579 –> 00:26:04,160 Joseph has forgiven his brothers. 515 00:26:04,160 –> 00:26:05,959 Now they have to forgive each other. 516 00:26:07,140 –> 00:26:08,500 They mustn’t get on the road 517 00:26:08,500 –> 00:26:10,060 and immediately start arguing about 518 00:26:10,099 –> 00:26:12,319 who was more to blame about these past sins 519 00:26:12,319 –> 00:26:13,680 that had now been forgiven. 520 00:26:15,040 –> 00:26:17,000 They must not divide over their past sins 521 00:26:17,000 –> 00:26:18,260 and their past ways, 522 00:26:18,260 –> 00:26:22,099 they must now unite around their future calling 523 00:26:22,099 –> 00:26:24,579 on which the lives of many dearly loved people 524 00:26:24,579 –> 00:26:25,619 now depend. 525 00:26:27,640 –> 00:26:30,699 Quarreling between brothers and sisters in Christ 526 00:26:30,699 –> 00:26:35,640 that the communion table ought to provoke us to resolve 527 00:26:37,060 –> 00:26:39,500 is always a distraction from the work 528 00:26:39,500 –> 00:26:42,300 that Jesus Christ has given us to do. 529 00:26:43,300 –> 00:26:45,140 If the brothers go home quarreling 530 00:26:45,140 –> 00:26:46,699 and arrive there with old Jacob 531 00:26:46,699 –> 00:26:48,180 and they’re all falling out with each other, 532 00:26:48,180 –> 00:26:50,819 what credibility will there be for their message. 533 00:26:50,819 –> 00:26:54,040 Divided brothers cannot be effective in communicating 534 00:26:54,040 –> 00:26:55,619 the good news to Jacob. 535 00:26:55,619 –> 00:26:57,119 Those who have been forgiven, 536 00:26:57,119 –> 00:27:01,140 those who have been reconciled are commissioned. 537 00:27:01,140 –> 00:27:06,140 Go and tell and do not quarrel on the way. 538 00:27:06,579 –> 00:27:07,420 The way. 539 00:27:08,780 –> 00:27:11,099 And that leads to the third and the last thing 540 00:27:11,099 –> 00:27:12,339 and it’s simply this. 541 00:27:12,339 –> 00:27:16,420 I want you to see here Jacob’s journey 542 00:27:16,420 –> 00:27:18,020 from doubting to faith. 543 00:27:18,020 –> 00:27:21,239 So we looked at Joseph’s marvelous example 544 00:27:21,239 –> 00:27:23,979 of forgiveness and reconciliation. 545 00:27:25,280 –> 00:27:28,780 And we felt as those who were forgiven by Christ 546 00:27:28,780 –> 00:27:32,300 and reconciled to God that in the joy of this mercy 547 00:27:32,300 –> 00:27:35,219 that we don’t deserve, we’re given this grat commission 548 00:27:35,239 –> 00:27:39,119 in which we’re sent out to go to other dearly loved people 549 00:27:39,119 –> 00:27:41,380 and to say he’s alive and he’s exalted 550 00:27:41,380 –> 00:27:44,140 and he invites you also to come. 551 00:27:45,939 –> 00:27:48,140 And then the last snapshot today is simply this. 552 00:27:48,140 –> 00:27:51,380 They get back and what happens when they tell Jacob, 553 00:27:51,380 –> 00:27:55,199 well, I want you just to see lastly Jacobs’ journey 554 00:27:56,099 –> 00:28:00,140 from doubting to faith. 555 00:28:00,140 –> 00:28:02,859 Now, picture with me for a moment the scene 556 00:28:02,859 –> 00:28:05,959 when the brothers returned home to Jacob. 557 00:28:07,060 –> 00:28:10,900 Simply for the old man to see them coming on the horizon 558 00:28:10,900 –> 00:28:14,160 would have been for him the most marvelous relief. 559 00:28:15,180 –> 00:28:17,880 I mean, first it meant that there was food coming 560 00:28:17,880 –> 00:28:19,699 and that meant that he and the wives 561 00:28:19,699 –> 00:28:24,339 and the little children were going to be sustained. 562 00:28:25,439 –> 00:28:27,000 Second, as they come back, 563 00:28:27,000 –> 00:28:28,540 and he counts how many there are, 564 00:28:28,540 –> 00:28:30,900 he realizes, hey, Simeon’s back. 565 00:28:30,920 –> 00:28:32,819 Remember, Simeon had been detained 566 00:28:32,819 –> 00:28:35,060 all of this time in Egypt. 567 00:28:35,060 –> 00:28:37,540 And now Simeon is restored to his father. 568 00:28:37,540 –> 00:28:38,739 But most of all, of course, 569 00:28:38,739 –> 00:28:40,400 what was in his mind and heart was, 570 00:28:40,400 –> 00:28:43,199 would Benjamin come back, the dearly loved son, 571 00:28:43,199 –> 00:28:45,000 and there he is. 572 00:28:46,459 –> 00:28:47,459 But there was more. 573 00:28:48,939 –> 00:28:53,619 And these brothers come back with this astonishing news 574 00:28:53,619 –> 00:28:57,380 and they tell the old man that Joseph is alive 575 00:28:58,719 –> 00:29:00,699 and he cannot believe it. 576 00:29:01,520 –> 00:29:03,680 Cannot believe it. 577 00:29:03,680 –> 00:29:05,420 Notice verse 25. 578 00:29:06,640 –> 00:29:10,839 They went up out of Egypt and they came to the land of Canaan 579 00:29:10,839 –> 00:29:12,260 to their father Jacob. 580 00:29:12,260 –> 00:29:13,780 And they told him, 581 00:29:15,160 –> 00:29:17,859 ”Joseph is still alive 582 00:29:19,000 –> 00:29:23,939 and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” 583 00:29:26,040 –> 00:29:29,260 And Jacob’s heart became numb 584 00:29:30,239 –> 00:29:33,760 for he did not believe them. 585 00:29:35,079 –> 00:29:36,180 Now, notice this. 586 00:29:36,180 –> 00:29:39,500 It doesn’t say he didn’t believe them 587 00:29:39,500 –> 00:29:42,140 because his heart was numb. 588 00:29:42,140 –> 00:29:46,599 It says his heart became numb 589 00:29:46,599 –> 00:29:50,900 because he did not believe them. 590 00:29:50,900 –> 00:29:52,380 In other words, and this may be true 591 00:29:52,380 –> 00:29:54,819 of someone in the congregation here even today, 592 00:29:54,859 –> 00:29:57,140 the reason he had no feeling 593 00:29:58,260 –> 00:30:00,880 was that he did not believe 594 00:30:00,880 –> 00:30:03,140 that the dearly loved son was alive. 595 00:30:04,540 –> 00:30:07,280 Now, of course, you find exactly the same thing 596 00:30:07,280 –> 00:30:08,459 in the Easter story. 597 00:30:08,459 –> 00:30:10,339 I mean, there’s just all kinds of ways 598 00:30:10,339 –> 00:30:13,939 in which this chapter is a foreshadowing of Easter Day. 599 00:30:13,939 –> 00:30:17,300 You remember when the women came to tell the 11 disciples 600 00:30:17,300 –> 00:30:18,699 that the tomb was empty 601 00:30:18,699 –> 00:30:21,140 and they had seen the angel appear to them. 602 00:30:21,140 –> 00:30:23,719 And Luke tells us chapter four in verse 11 603 00:30:23,719 –> 00:30:28,719 that these words seemed to the disciples like an idle tale 604 00:30:30,479 –> 00:30:32,800 and they did not believe them. 605 00:30:34,800 –> 00:30:37,520 So what turned Jacob around? 606 00:30:38,560 –> 00:30:41,339 He’s presented with this most marvelous good news, 607 00:30:41,339 –> 00:30:42,540 the greatest thing he’s ever heard in his life 608 00:30:42,540 –> 00:30:44,219 and he doesn’t believe it. 609 00:30:46,199 –> 00:30:47,599 What’s gonna turn him round? 610 00:30:48,920 –> 00:30:52,640 What’s gonna take him from a heart that is numb 611 00:30:52,680 –> 00:30:55,239 to a heart that burns within him? 612 00:30:55,239 –> 00:30:57,599 What’s gonna take him from doubt to faith? 613 00:30:57,599 –> 00:31:00,719 How is that gonna happen for a person today? 614 00:31:02,540 –> 00:31:07,040 Notice there are two things, words and wagons. 615 00:31:10,079 –> 00:31:11,739 Words and wagons. 616 00:31:11,739 –> 00:31:12,579 It’s in the Bible. 617 00:31:12,579 –> 00:31:13,400 You look at it there. 618 00:31:13,400 –> 00:31:14,280 Verse 27. 619 00:31:15,300 –> 00:31:20,300 When they told him all the words of Joseph, 620 00:31:20,540 –> 00:31:21,540 of Joseph. 621 00:31:22,500 –> 00:31:23,520 There’s your words. 622 00:31:23,520 –> 00:31:24,540 Which he had said to them 623 00:31:24,540 –> 00:31:29,260 and when he saw the wagons 624 00:31:29,260 –> 00:31:32,719 that Joseph had sent to carry him, 625 00:31:32,719 –> 00:31:37,459 the spirit of their father, Jacob, revived. 626 00:31:38,739 –> 00:31:41,859 Think about these two things in these last moments. 627 00:31:41,859 –> 00:31:44,979 All the words of Joseph. 628 00:31:45,119 –> 00:31:47,540 In other words, 629 00:31:47,540 –> 00:31:50,459 the old man in his sorrow 630 00:31:50,459 –> 00:31:54,260 needed more than a headline 631 00:31:54,260 –> 00:31:56,140 for his numbed heart 632 00:31:56,140 –> 00:31:59,420 to be warmed and to be revived. 633 00:31:59,420 –> 00:32:02,119 Remember this when you’re sharing the gospel. 634 00:32:02,119 –> 00:32:04,660 We need great patience. 635 00:32:04,660 –> 00:32:07,219 Many times, people who are hearts are numb 636 00:32:07,219 –> 00:32:09,219 need much more than the headline. 637 00:32:09,219 –> 00:32:11,400 He heard the headline, he couldn’t believe it. 638 00:32:11,880 –> 00:32:15,420 What he needed was a fuller explanation. 639 00:32:15,420 –> 00:32:19,560 He needed, notice, all the words of Joseph. 640 00:32:19,560 –> 00:32:20,540 So what’s that? 641 00:32:20,540 –> 00:32:21,819 All the words of Joseph 642 00:32:21,819 –> 00:32:24,959 is everything from verse 4 to verse 13. 643 00:32:24,959 –> 00:32:27,880 In other words, he needed an orderly setting out 644 00:32:27,880 –> 00:32:30,199 of the whole story of 645 00:32:30,199 –> 00:32:32,920 God’s amazing kindness and grace. 646 00:32:32,920 –> 00:32:35,160 Not just the headline. 647 00:32:35,160 –> 00:32:37,839 That includes verse 4, 648 00:32:37,839 –> 00:32:39,199 all the words of Joseph. 649 00:32:39,239 –> 00:32:40,239 So that includes, 650 00:32:40,239 –> 00:32:43,520 I am Joseph, who you sold into Egypt. 651 00:32:43,520 –> 00:32:44,640 The brothers told him that. 652 00:32:44,640 –> 00:32:45,479 In other words, 653 00:32:45,479 –> 00:32:48,479 they, at last, made a full confession to the old man. 654 00:32:48,479 –> 00:32:51,760 Musta taken some time to get through all of that. 655 00:32:51,760 –> 00:32:53,300 It includes verse 9. 656 00:32:53,300 –> 00:32:56,199 God has made me Lord of all Egypt. 657 00:32:56,199 –> 00:32:58,319 The amazing story of how Joseph, 658 00:32:58,319 –> 00:32:59,560 the dearly loved son, 659 00:32:59,560 –> 00:33:00,839 went to the lowest point 660 00:33:00,839 –> 00:33:03,119 and now was raised to the highest place. 661 00:33:03,119 –> 00:33:04,979 They had to explain all of that. 662 00:33:06,040 –> 00:33:07,020 Verse 5. 663 00:33:07,020 –> 00:33:10,900 God sent me before you to preserve life. 664 00:33:10,900 –> 00:33:13,380 That there may be survivors. 665 00:33:13,380 –> 00:33:17,199 The brothers told Jacob of how God, in his mercy, 666 00:33:17,199 –> 00:33:21,219 had led them there and had orchestrated all these events 667 00:33:21,219 –> 00:33:23,239 so that the line of Jacob, 668 00:33:24,199 –> 00:33:26,420 to which God had promised blessing, 669 00:33:26,420 –> 00:33:27,780 would not be snuffed out, 670 00:33:27,780 –> 00:33:29,260 and the great promise 671 00:33:29,260 –> 00:33:30,859 of blessing coming to the world 672 00:33:30,859 –> 00:33:34,040 through this line would indeed yet be fulfilled. 673 00:33:34,780 –> 00:33:38,119 It includes verse 20. 674 00:33:38,119 –> 00:33:41,359 Have no concern for your goods, Joseph told them. 675 00:33:41,359 –> 00:33:46,020 For the best of all the land of Egypt is yours. 676 00:33:46,020 –> 00:33:48,180 In other words, they had to sit down with this man 677 00:33:48,180 –> 00:33:50,219 who they were asking to leave everything, 678 00:33:50,239 –> 00:33:52,640 and they had to say to him, 679 00:33:52,640 –> 00:33:56,160 now don’t worry about what you have to leave behind, dad. 680 00:33:57,280 –> 00:34:00,959 Don’t be afraid to let go of what is familiar. 681 00:34:00,959 –> 00:34:02,060 You’re an old man now. 682 00:34:02,060 –> 00:34:03,560 You’re going to another place. 683 00:34:03,560 –> 00:34:06,380 It’s gonna be a better place. 684 00:34:06,380 –> 00:34:08,179 You’re leaving behind famine 685 00:34:08,179 –> 00:34:10,280 and you’re going to a land of plenty. 686 00:34:10,280 –> 00:34:13,540 You are leaving behind great sorrow 687 00:34:13,540 –> 00:34:16,919 and you are going to see the face of your dearly loved son. 688 00:34:16,919 –> 00:34:18,760 They had to explain all of that. 689 00:34:20,100 –> 00:34:22,659 Verse nine, they had to explain the great invitation. 690 00:34:22,659 –> 00:34:27,659 Your son says to you, come down to me and do not tarry. 691 00:34:27,739 –> 00:34:29,020 Do not delay. 692 00:34:30,699 –> 00:34:33,379 Gradually, as they go through the whole story 693 00:34:33,379 –> 00:34:36,000 that we’ve been studying together for months 694 00:34:37,340 –> 00:34:40,139 and they’re feeding the truth into the old man 695 00:34:41,419 –> 00:34:44,179 and he begins to see that there is this marvelous, 696 00:34:44,179 –> 00:34:45,979 marvelous story of grace 697 00:34:45,979 –> 00:34:49,620 and that the dearly sun loved son is alive 698 00:34:49,620 –> 00:34:53,560 and he is exalted and that he is indeed saying, 699 00:34:53,560 –> 00:34:57,060 I want you to be with me. 700 00:34:58,419 –> 00:35:00,600 Here’s the best part of the good news, 701 00:35:01,520 –> 00:35:04,679 that this exalted son loves you 702 00:35:05,780 –> 00:35:08,280 and he wants you to be near him. 703 00:35:08,280 –> 00:35:10,600 Father, Jesus says, 704 00:35:11,780 –> 00:35:13,479 I desire that they also, 705 00:35:13,479 –> 00:35:15,840 whom you have given to me will be with me. 706 00:35:15,840 –> 00:35:17,379 That’s what I want, Jesus says. 707 00:35:17,379 –> 00:35:18,340 I want them with me, 708 00:35:18,340 –> 00:35:19,419 the ones I love. 709 00:35:19,419 –> 00:35:21,100 It’s right out of Joseph. 710 00:35:22,860 –> 00:35:26,159 I want them to see my glory as the highly exalted son. 711 00:35:26,159 –> 00:35:30,239 It’s the glory with what you have loved me 712 00:35:30,260 –> 00:35:34,040 before the foundation of the world. 713 00:35:34,040 –> 00:35:36,780 It would have taken a while to tell all that story. 714 00:35:38,199 –> 00:35:41,260 A bit like the two on the road to Emmaus needed to hear it. 715 00:35:41,260 –> 00:35:43,560 Do you remember and they’re so despondent 716 00:35:43,560 –> 00:35:45,320 their hearts are kinda numb. 717 00:35:47,219 –> 00:35:51,000 And Jesus comes alongside them and he explains to them 718 00:35:52,000 –> 00:35:54,600 all that is said regarding himself 719 00:35:54,600 –> 00:35:55,879 right throughout the Scriptures. 720 00:35:55,879 –> 00:35:57,760 Beginning at Moses, now all of the prophets, 721 00:35:57,760 –> 00:36:00,179 when you have just loved to have heard Jesus 722 00:36:00,959 –> 00:36:04,000 and go through all of that and hearts are thawed 723 00:36:04,000 –> 00:36:06,639 and they begin to see the big story of grace 724 00:36:06,639 –> 00:36:10,000 and they say, did not our hearts burn within us 725 00:36:10,000 –> 00:36:13,879 even while he talked to us on the way. 726 00:36:13,879 –> 00:36:16,239 The numb heart becomes the burning heart 727 00:36:17,399 –> 00:36:19,760 as the great picture of God’s amazing grace 728 00:36:19,760 –> 00:36:22,520 is unfolded to people 729 00:36:22,520 –> 00:36:26,439 whose initial reaction was not to believe 730 00:36:27,399 –> 00:36:29,439 and yet now come to see 731 00:36:29,439 –> 00:36:32,679 the marvelous things that God has done. 732 00:36:32,679 –> 00:36:35,260 The words, all the words of Joseph, 733 00:36:35,260 –> 00:36:39,199 we wanna be people who take the words 734 00:36:39,199 –> 00:36:41,899 of the Lord Jesus Christ, his promises, 735 00:36:41,899 –> 00:36:44,560 his invitation, the great good news 736 00:36:44,560 –> 00:36:48,820 and bring it to people in a very needy place 737 00:36:49,679 –> 00:36:52,199 and show the love of Christ 738 00:36:52,199 –> 00:36:55,540 who invites all to come to him 739 00:36:55,580 –> 00:36:56,540 and that’s the last thing, 740 00:36:56,540 –> 00:37:01,540 when he heard the words and when he saw the wagons. 741 00:37:05,100 –> 00:37:07,419 I have to say I’ve puzzled for quite a long time this week. 742 00:37:07,419 –> 00:37:09,340 What in the world is the wagons all about? 743 00:37:09,340 –> 00:37:10,379 And then it dawned on me it’s 744 00:37:10,379 –> 00:37:12,139 actually really very simple. 745 00:37:12,139 –> 00:37:13,219 Verse 19. 746 00:37:14,580 –> 00:37:16,600 Take wagons pharaoh says 747 00:37:16,600 –> 00:37:17,860 from the land of Egypt. 748 00:37:17,860 –> 00:37:19,260 Why? 749 00:37:19,260 –> 00:37:22,459 For the little ones, for the wives 750 00:37:23,379 –> 00:37:24,979 to bring your father 751 00:37:25,780 –> 00:37:26,620 and come. 752 00:37:28,139 –> 00:37:32,639 See knowing that your stearly loved son 753 00:37:32,639 –> 00:37:35,479 is alive in a far country 754 00:37:36,739 –> 00:37:40,899 is not much hope to you or comfort to you 755 00:37:40,899 –> 00:37:43,659 if you do not have a way of getting there to see him. 756 00:37:44,939 –> 00:37:47,620 How in the world can the old man get to Egypt? 757 00:37:47,620 –> 00:37:49,179 He can hardly walk. 758 00:37:50,300 –> 00:37:53,000 And he’s got an extended family of 66 people 759 00:37:53,000 –> 00:37:55,100 and little kids running around the place 760 00:37:55,100 –> 00:37:58,239 and they can’t make a journey of several hundred miles. 761 00:37:59,360 –> 00:38:01,280 Joseph is highly exulted. 762 00:38:01,280 –> 00:38:05,780 Joseph is alive, but how am I going to get to see him? 763 00:38:07,439 –> 00:38:09,840 And Jacob hears all the words, 764 00:38:09,840 –> 00:38:12,000 this marvelous story of grace. 765 00:38:12,000 –> 00:38:13,159 And then picture this. 766 00:38:13,159 –> 00:38:16,159 He looks outside of the tent and what’s there? 767 00:38:16,159 –> 00:38:20,280 Wagons, and why are they there? 768 00:38:20,280 –> 00:38:23,439 To take you to see this dearly loved son. 769 00:38:23,439 –> 00:38:27,179 Wagons are the means that God provides 770 00:38:27,179 –> 00:38:29,739 to get a person to Jesus. 771 00:38:29,739 –> 00:38:32,179 And when he saw the wagons, we read, 772 00:38:32,179 –> 00:38:34,399 the spirit of Jacob revived. 773 00:38:34,399 –> 00:38:35,939 Think about your own life. 774 00:38:35,939 –> 00:38:38,219 What were the wagons that brought you to Jesus? 775 00:38:38,219 –> 00:38:40,580 God put you in a Christian home, perhaps, 776 00:38:40,580 –> 00:38:43,679 you were at college, and he brought you your path 777 00:38:43,679 –> 00:38:46,879 to cross with a Christian friend or even a roommate. 778 00:38:46,879 –> 00:38:48,800 Something happened in your life 779 00:38:48,800 –> 00:38:50,620 that just brought you up short 780 00:38:50,620 –> 00:38:52,959 and it led, through different circumstances, 781 00:38:52,959 –> 00:38:54,419 to you coming to meet someone 782 00:38:54,419 –> 00:38:56,159 who shared the gospel with you. 783 00:38:56,159 –> 00:38:57,500 Something happened. 784 00:38:57,500 –> 00:39:00,939 It was the wagon, thank God for the wagons 785 00:39:00,939 –> 00:39:03,219 that brought us to Jesus Christ. 786 00:39:05,100 –> 00:39:07,860 And Joseph made the journey from doubt to faith, 787 00:39:07,860 –> 00:39:11,500 when he heard the words, when he saw the wagons, 788 00:39:11,500 –> 00:39:13,120 I couldn’t get there. 789 00:39:14,760 –> 00:39:19,060 I wanna be a wagon to bring people to Jesus, don’t you? 790 00:39:19,060 –> 00:39:22,020 Isn’t that a great prayer for us as a church today? 791 00:39:22,159 –> 00:39:25,320 Lord, make this church a wagon 792 00:39:26,139 –> 00:39:30,080 to bring people to Jesus. 793 00:39:30,080 –> 00:39:33,239 What a transformation in the life of Jacob. 794 00:39:34,679 –> 00:39:36,280 The man who once said, 795 00:39:36,280 –> 00:39:38,939 my life is only gonna be sorrow all the time 796 00:39:38,939 –> 00:39:41,080 until I go down to the grave. 797 00:39:42,239 –> 00:39:44,040 And there’s a new light in his life now, 798 00:39:44,040 –> 00:39:46,500 there’s a new hope in his life now. 799 00:39:47,939 –> 00:39:50,120 And it can be the same for you, why? 800 00:39:50,979 –> 00:39:54,239 Because the dearly loved son of God is alive 801 00:39:55,300 –> 00:40:00,179 and he is exalted and in his great love, 802 00:40:00,179 –> 00:40:05,179 he invites every one of us to come to him. 803 00:40:05,580 –> 00:40:07,060 Let’s pray together. 804 00:40:07,060 –> 00:40:10,659 Oh, Lord, please make us those who know 805 00:40:10,659 –> 00:40:14,439 and reflect much of forgiveness and reconciliation. 806 00:40:16,379 –> 00:40:19,239 Make us as your forgiven and reconciled children, 807 00:40:19,620 –> 00:40:22,100 those who feel the great privilege 808 00:40:22,100 –> 00:40:24,060 that is ours to go and to tell 809 00:40:25,780 –> 00:40:29,000 and grant that as we tell all the words of Jesus 810 00:40:30,340 –> 00:40:32,419 to those who do not yet believe 811 00:40:33,899 –> 00:40:37,379 that we would be privileged to be wagons, 812 00:40:38,600 –> 00:40:40,879 to bring people to the Savior. 813 00:40:40,879 –> 00:40:42,979 For these things we ask in Jesus’ name 814 00:40:42,979 –> 00:40:46,199 and all of God’s people together said, Amen.