The Grace of God Is For Us (Genesis 50:14-20)

Sermon on 28 May 2023 by Pastor Justin

Genesis 50:14-20 - “After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” This story is about how God brought Joseph through an unexpected journey. The grace of God grants us peace. Genesis 18:9-14 - ““Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked. “She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied. Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”” We are saved by grace in faith through Christ alone. We cannot have peace without Jesus because peace comes from Jesus. The world needs Christ’s peace. There is no peace in this world until you have Christ. If we focus on man’s methods, we often miss the miracles of God. The grace of God is with you. Exodus 3:12 - “God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”” ‭‭ Exodus 4:12 - “Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”” The grace of God is with you and will keep you. John 1:17 - “For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” Grace means unmerited favour because of God’s love for us. His mercy renews every morning. The Holy Spirit presents you a new white canvas. He will strengthen you. This is a season of enlarging your territory. It’s not about buying more property or opening more accounts, but opening your heart. Grace and truth came through Jesus. Grace will always tell us that Christ is in us, but the law will demand holiness. Whoever believes and calls on His name will be saved. Only those who are humble will have the grace of God. Joseph is one of Jacob’s sons. God gave him a gift to interpret dreams. His brothers did not like him and plotted to kill him. In the end, they sold him to Egypt under Potiphar. Genesis 39:2 - “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.” Genesis 39:21 - “But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.” When Joseph looks back on his life, he sees the grace of God. Even if you are alone, look back and see how the grace of God lifted you. Genesis 50:15-19 - “But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?” Genesis 50:20 - “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Romans 8:28 - “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” God has a plan according to His purposes. No matter what happens, we stand on victory ground. What is our response to God’s grace? 1. It is our duty to always show grace to others. Genesis 50:17 - “to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.” You can only show the grace of God because you are saved. When you are forgiven, you are loved. You show grace to people who are difficult to love. It is easy to love people who love you too. Am I in the place of God? Genesis 50:19 - “But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?” Romans 12:19 - “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” Billy Graham once said that ‘It’s the Father’s job to judge, the Spirit’s job to convict, and my job to love.’ John 16:8-11 - “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.” It is our aim to show grace through loving and forgiving others. Matthew 5:16 - “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Love the unlovable and forgive the unforgivable. Ephesians 4:31-32 - “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” 2. It is our duty to invite people into a grace-filled relationship with God. Grace can only be expressed to others if you see God’s family holistically. Matthew 6:9 - “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 - “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” Growth takes place when we are together in our pursuit of God. Acts 2:44 - “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.” To the world, a family church is a small church. But according to the Bible, it’s where people are united and know everyone. Believers were invited into the family of God, into a grace-filled relationship with God. Are we guilty of keeping God’s grace to ourselves? Don’t limit your invitation to followers of Jesus only. 3. It is our duty to always allow the grace of God to use us. Genesis 50:20 - “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” God brought me to this position so I could be a blessing to many people. 1 Peter 3:9 - “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.” We must allow the grace of God, which is for us to use us! 2 Timothy 2:21 - “If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” In light of God’s grace and mercy, how is God using me today? Have you been useful? Offer yourself as a living sacrifice. Die to your pride and offer yourself to God. If we are full of pride and malice, the grace of God cannot move in us. The grace will only descend upon you when you are humble. Romans 12:1 - “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” God is with you. God is for you. God sees your situation. Grace sustains you. Grace brings you peace. Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Joshua 1:9b - “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”” ‭‭ The reality is that the Holy Spirit is in us. God has brought you to this position to be a blessing. He is preparing you for the next season. He is strengthening you so that you can stand strong in the grace of God. Amen.