Wave of Forgiveness and Faithfulness

Wave of forgiveness and faithfulness

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C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity,

“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.

And then, to mention the subject at all is to be greeted with howls of anger.”

A heart for God

Genesis 45:1-5 (ESV)

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Joseph had a heart for God because God was with him.. God was for him ..he trusted Gods plan

Justice .. Ace… football..

Romans 8:31-32 (ESV)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Creator of all things is coming is coming to your defense sticking up for you ready to push away anyone who would say different..

He is for you… Joseph knew that even in prison, even as a slave..

Even when all seemed hopeless..he had hope because He had a heart for God ..bc he knew God was with him.

Isaiah 49:16a (ESV)

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

In a place of God

Genes 50:15-19 (ESV)

15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?

Favre pic

Kid pic

You have direct access to God and his word…

When we are in a place of God there is nothing for us or those around us to fear…

A heart for Reconciliation

If you break it you bought it

Genesis 45:16-20 (ESV)

16 When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, “Joseph's brothers have come,” it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, 18 and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.’ 19 And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Have no concern for[a] your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”

Jesus taught us to pray Father, forgive us as we forgive

As we reconcile our relationship with God we chould be constantly reconciling with one another..

Mathew 18 is the famous way to reconcile

Listen to what he said to Peter..

Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Story of parable of unforgiving servant

Matthew 18:35 (ESV)

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Jesus teaches us that forgiveness is a lifestyle.. Joseph never take revenge against Potiphars wife or Potiphar for sending him to jail.. he doesn’t get even with his brothers instead over and over he is brought to tears..

Genesis 45:15 (ESV)

15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.

he is brought to tears over them because his heart is for reconciliation

When we forgive it is not about us.. peter was making it about him ..how many times should I forgive? But forgiveness is about loving others, serving others revealing the truth of who Jesus is to forgive us

Ultimately the beautiful picture of Joseph forgiving his brothers is comparable to how Jesus forgives Peter after peter denies him at the cross.. Jesus reconciles with him

A heart of Compassion

Genesis 50:6-9 (ESV)

And Pharaoh answered, “Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear.” 7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. With him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 as well as all the household of Joseph, his brothers, and his father's household. Only their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. 9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen. It was a very great company.

“A German pastor (Helmut Thielicke) who endured the darkest days of the Nazi Third Reich, wrote, ‘One should never mention the words ‘forgive’ and ‘forget’ in the same breath.’  We remember, but in forgiving we no longer use the memory against others.  Forgiveness is not pretending that the offense did not really matter to us. It did matter, and it does matter, and there is no use pretending otherwise. The offense is real,  when we forgive, the hurt no longer controls our behavior.”

Maybe we have compassion for how they were raised foor the guilt they have been holding onto for so long.. for whatever hurt them so bad that they hurt us

A heart that dwells on forgiveness is not rooted in the past

Psalm 86:15 (ESV)

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

There is a relationship between love and forgiveness

Author Jan Karon said that Love is an endless act of forgiveness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]     his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning;     great is your faithfulness.

Pharisees asked Jesus what is the greatest commandment..

What is the greatest commandment?

love God .love each other

wait..thats two..

acutally I argue it is not.. because when you truly love God his love overwhelmes you and you love each other.. you become like him through his Spirit

Proverbs 10:12 (ESV)

12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

A heart for God’s purpose

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[b] should be kept alive, as they are today.21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

this might just be the secret to forgiveness

remember Our God took Joseph through slavery, prison, to a position of power and this is the same God that sent Jesus to die for you!

If you are suffering this morning remember in life when we are followers of Christ he raises us up but we are not delivered from our present situations.. suffering hurt we are transformed by then knowing what man intends for evil God’s purposed for good

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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You’re the life in me

You're the air I breathe

You're the change in me