(Genesis) Genesis 50:14-20
God has a far-off purpose that we cannot see, and He permits trouble to happen to accomplish a good purpose in our lives.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joseph from the Bible. He highlights how Joseph's brothers had evil intentions towards him, but God turned their actions into something good. The preacher emphasizes that God has a greater purpose in our lives, even when we face troubles and difficulties. He encourages the audience to trust in God's plan and not to fear, as Joseph forgave his brothers and saved many people. The sermon concludes with the message of repentance and the importance of seeking forgiveness from God.
Full Transcript
And now, verse 14, And Joseph returned into Egypt, he and his brethren, and all that went up with him, to bury his father, after he had buried his father. And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive I pray thee now the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin, for they did unto thee evil.
And now we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. You see, evidently these brethren, before old Jacob died, they came to him and said to him, What'll happen to us when you die? And Joseph will turn on us.
And against us at that time. Well, he said, Then here's my message that I want you to give to Joseph. And he'll not, I'm sure, persecute you, or attempt to get even.
Finally, the confession of these brethren, bring from Joseph, you see here, this matter just weeping because of it. Because they are now repenting of it. And verse 18, And his brethren also wept, and fell down before his face.
And they said, Behold, we be thy servants. You see, the prophecy that he'd had, of the sun, moon, and stars falling down before him, has certainly come true. Verse 19, And Joseph said unto them, Fear not, for am I in the place of God.
And Joseph will give God the glory in every case. Notice, But as for you, Now here's a remarkable verse of Scripture. Verse 20, But as for you, ye thought evil against me.
But God meant it unto good to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Friends, God has a far-off purpose that you and I do not see. And that respects your life and my life today.
And I must confess how human I am about this, because I tell you, I can't see any farther than my nose when trouble comes to me. And my question is, why does God permit it to happen? Well, He's got a good purpose in view. And He's not going to let it happen to you unless it will accomplish a good purpose in your life.
Sermon Outline
- The Brethren's Fear and Confession
- Joseph's Response to Their Confession
- God's Purpose in Trouble
- God has a far-off purpose that we cannot see
- He permits trouble to happen to accomplish a good purpose
Key Quotes
“But God meant it unto good to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” — J. Vernon McGee
“You see, the prophecy that he'd had, of the sun, moon, and stars falling down before him, has certainly come true.” — J. Vernon McGee
“And He's not going to let it happen to you unless it will accomplish a good purpose in your life.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should seek forgiveness when we have wronged others, just like Joseph's brethren did.
- God's purpose in our lives is often beyond our understanding, but we can trust that He is working everything out for our good.
- We should not fear trouble or hardship, but instead trust that God is using it to accomplish a good purpose in our lives.