God's Great Plan

Preservice Reading: Matthew 28:1-10

Matthew 28:1–10 ESV

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Scripture memorization: Genesis 50:19-20

Genesis 50:19–20 “But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:15-4:7

Galatians 3:15–4:7 ESV

To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Sermon:

Well once again, and as always. Good morning church. I was glad when they said to me let us go and worship in the house of the Lord.

I was especially glad. When they said to me, let us go and worship in the house of the Lord on this Resurrection Sunday. The Sunday where we take time to particularly and intentionally remember the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Where we make time to stir our heart and our affections - to remember that glorious day some 2000 years ago. Where we remember that Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, God made man was crucified on a cross. He was dead. He was buried. The stone was rolled over the tomb. And for three days. A darkness lingered. It seemed like all hope was lost.

But then early one Sunday morning. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, we read this earlier. Were walking to the tomb. They were going to pay their respects to what they thought. Was their deceased friend... Rabbi.... Their teacher and a good teacher at that. So they arrive, They hear a sound, a great commotion and the stone is rolled away, and there's an angel sitting on top of the stone. He knows that they cam for Jesus, but he also knows the truth, that they will not find him here… So he says the most important words ever spoken… it changes everything... changed everything for those two Mary's... changed everything for the world Moving forward… the most important, the most powerful... the most

Miraculous moment in the history of all time: the angel tells them: “He is not here. For, he is risen.”

We serve the Risen Savior. Who is alive and well, ruling and reigning, and who will one day return. And this is what we celebrate. On Easter Sunday. So, I was glad when they said to me let us go and Worship in the house of the Lord on Easter Sunday.

But I was also glad when they said, let's go and study Genesis chapter 37 through Genesis chapter 50. This is. Without a doubt, the longest passage I have ever endeavored to preach. This is 37 to the end of Genesis. But it represents. The chapters that are about the life of who may be the most most famous. Character from The Book of Genesis. For certain, the only character from The Book of Genesis that has a Broadway musical written about their life: Joseph.

In particular this section is looking at God's great plan for Salvation, hope, life, and healing. Through The Eyes. Of Joseph.

I will not be reading all of our text for today. Genesis chapter 37 through Genesis chapter 50 that would take quite a long time, and we have a potluck to get to, so we won't read it all - though we will spend the next months slowly working our way through this, and we will eventually read it all. But let's begin our time this morning with the word of prayer.

Dear Lord, we do thank you for your goodness and your grace that calls us to repentance... We thank you for the great love that you have for us that you would send your son, the one who knew no sin, who became sin for us who bore the Wrath that we deserved on the cross. And yet, the one who, on the third day, Rose victoriously conquering sin and death that we might have new life in him. We thank you for the precious gift of Salvation. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. May we see clearly your work of redemption, hope, and healing. I ask that your spirit would Empower us to see and know all that you have said and done. It's in Jesus name that we pray. Amen. And amen.

The heart of this text, the heart of of this sermon, maybe that I want to get across that I see, is the heart of this text. Is understanding that God has a plan that goes so far beyond anything we could ever understand. In fact, it goes likely counter to everything we might think that we know. And the way I want to get us there is to ask a question.... This is… I'm going to map out the whole sermon, that way as we're waiting for the potluck and our stomachs are growling, you'll know how we're going through this process.

First, I want to lay out what I see is the problem of Joseph. And then I would like to tell you three stories. Then, we're done. Keep it simple. Keep it easy. But I think this will illustrate what's so beautiful about what God has

So, first, the “problem” If you will of Joseph.

I'll ask a question this way to start. Who is the most important character? In Genesis. Having preached through everyone but Joseph, here would be the list that I would give you as the short list of candidates for most important. Adam. Noah. Abraham, Isaac Jacob. And Joseph. So, top six.

So, what if we did it this way? Who has the most chapters? About them. In the Old Testament. Well Adam has, and it gets a little foggy on the edges of these because we're dealing with genealogies. Sometimes… So this is how I calculate it.... Adam has 5. Noah has 5. Abraham has 12. Isaac poor, Isaac. He only has 2 where he's the main character doing the main work. Jacob has 10 and Joseph has 12… so maybe Joseph is the main character of Genesis?

To further this scientific inquiry… I pulled up a children's Bible, the the one we actually donated to the children's ministry over here, and I didn't know we donated it. Desiree had done this, and I went to go pull it out of the nursery. It's, like, oh, this says to Jayden for Mom and Dad. So the children's Bible I count in it the number of stories in children's Bible… I acknowledge this is actually not a very scientific way to ask this question, but it's maybe helpful. Adam 2. Noah had 2… Abraham had 7... Isaac had 2 again, and Jacob had 6… Joseph had 11… So again, Joseph Might be our candidate. But if we're just going to go with number of chapters and number of stories in children's Bible.

In fact, Joseph life. If you're thinking through, like, what stories do I likely know from Genesis, the majority of them are likely Joseph like. This is why they wrote a Broadway play about him.

In short, Joseph becomes a central figure and and polarizing it, and he helps us to understand. Genesis. And so we, we want to look and say, well, he's the most important, but yet this in likely not the way we should ascertain the most important… Lets look elsewhere in Scripture…

Is Joseph the most important tribe of Israel?

That is, In fact, a trick question... there is no tribe of Joseph. His inheritance. His tribe-ship is divided between his two sons. We have two half tribes Ephraim Manasseh. Those are his children. You can go to the Book of Joshua and be, like, well, what land did Joseph get in the promised land? none! It goes to his sons. Maybe they have influential roles though?

Tribe of Benjamin tribe of Judah. These are the kingly tribes.

Levi is the priestly tribe...

Joseph… he has very little direct influence after this… God is the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob.…

He's not the the one through whom God is going to bring. Blessing and salvation in very particular ways. So the problem is: WHY DOES HE GET SO MUCH COVERAGE?

A partial answer is that He is. A valuable part of God’s Great plan! but I could push it farther… a lot of people are… Melczidak is a HUGLY important part of God’s plan and he doesn’t even get his own chapter… Why do we spend all this time with this man who's just a part of God's plan? He's not the end result of the plan. He's not Abraham, he's not Isaac, he's not Jacob, why are we going to spend all this time talking about him?

Well, now I'd like to tell you. A story.

There was once a young man. By the name of Joseph. His life from the get-go was difficult. He was born into a… let's say difficult family situation. He was for a long time, the only son of the favorite wife of his father. Yet, he was the youngest son. His father would have 10 other Sons from three other women before ultimately, Joseph would be born.

And so for a long time. Joseph's life would have been… Six Brothers to this woman. Two brothers to this woman, two brothers to this woman. And then you have. Jacob. Rachel. And Joseph. And Dad - Jacob here - played favorites... He Made Joseph. Wonderful coat of many colors, showing his favor. But eventually at some point after living this way as the only son rather of the favorite wife. His mom would get pregnant again.

But while she's in labor. Giving birth to Joseph's brother Benjamin. His mom passed away.

And his life just becomes. Strange and probably feeling rather broken…Throughout this he is having dreams. Dreams from God. That he will be blessed that will be given Authority and power. And Joseph can't help himself. For better or worse, right or wrong. He begins to share these dreams. God's going to do something God thinks I'm important. I'm going to be I'm a big deal. So infuriates his brothers. So, they go to kill him. Again… his life liktle feels here, strange and broken...

Now, at some point... Discretion wins outs. The murderous intent is subdued, such that they decide not to kill him, but just.... Treat him as if he were dead. And so they sell him off to slavery in Egypt. So, Joseph's life, the favorite child of the favorite wife he loses his mom. He loses his family. He finds himself alone. A slave in Egypt. At this point, probably, maybe, he begins doubting.

Did God really give me those dreams? Did God really shine his favor upon me?

But yet, to his credit Joseph. Works diligently. In Potiphar's house. Does well for himself. He shows himself to be a hard worker, a diligent worker. In fact, we could say it this way God's favor is upon him. He's blessed in the things that he does. Those things that he sets his hand and heart and head to. He's prosperous.... So he does well in Potiphar's house.... He Does well enough that Potiphar's wife… she sets her eyes upon him.

But Joseph knowing that this is another man's wife, this is also his masters wife… and it is NOT his wife… so he will not engage in the sort of relationship that she seeks. Which only makes her mad. So she lies. She says that he's taken advantage of her. And she's going to be believed, because after all, he is a slave and a servant. And so Joseph is thrown into Egyptian prison. And there he languishes.. again here likely life is feeling strange and broken...

Then, while he languishes. Ultimately, God's favor still shines through, and he's put in charge of the prisoners in the prison. But he's still in prison. And two of Pharaoh's servant. He begins to interpret their dreams. They have weird dreams, and Joseph says, hey, you congratulations, your dream means you'll be free to go.… This other guy. You're doomed. You're not going to make it, but at least, you know, in the dream. and as he interprets these dreams, he tells them just don't forget about him. Remember what I've done for you. They don't.… I mean, one dies, but the other one doesn't remember. Again,… here life likely feels strange and broken.…

Until one day Pharaoh himself. The most powerful man in the world. Begins having dreams. And they're weird. They involve. Cows. Eating other cows. Some are fat, some are sickly. Long story short... These dreams mean you're going to have seven years of Plenty, and then seven years of famine, so you better get ready Pharaoh. Because seven years of famine is going to be rough. But pharaoh doesn't know this. He starts talking around like I have these crazy dreams. And now we remember Joseph.. Joseph's called out of prison. He interprets Pharaoh's dreams once again, God blesses Joseph. And so he moves from his father's house to slavery to prison to. Now, he's been promoted to the place where in the whole world only Pharaoh has more power and authority. He's second in command. Only to pharaoh… maybe here the brokenness feels resolved… but the world is still strange...

He still Longs for home. Still a foreigner and a stranger in a place that is not his.… but in the background… God's been working something out. His brothers and family, they didn't have this dream. They didn't know. Seven years of famine was coming. And so, while Joseph presiding over All of Egypt, and Egypt is blessed and prosperous because they planned ahead. They knew this famine was coming, and they are the only people that feels like in the whole world are prepared. So in trape Joseph's brothers.

They need help.

They think likely Joseph's dead, and they sold him into slavery at best. He's languishing somewhere as a slave or dead in a ditch. Probably. So they don't recognize him. Joseph Takes a page, maybe from his dad's Playbook. He does some trickery. Some scheming some planning? But ultimately he provides for his brothers. And his family is reunited, his father overjoyed, the son he thought was dead Is resurrected... It's a fitting thought on this Sunday, maybe? But then his dad dies. a broken and strange world continues to feel broken and strange…

Then, the brothers begin to remember. We're kind of jerks. We beat up. Our brother threw him in a well sold him into slavery and told our dad he was dead. Now, he's the second most powerful man in the world dad's gone. What if Joseph Was just trying to be nice to us while Dad was alive. And now he can… like, He has all the power and authority he could kill us… and it is at that thought that the the story of Joseph. That ends with this:

Genesis 50:19–20 “But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

So heres the point of this story… Joseph somehow gained this insight and. And understanding. Into the way of the whole world. His brothers... They meant a lot of evil. They beat him up, threw him in a well sold him in slavery. The result of that for Joseph likely throughout the bulk of his life felt like evil. Outcast to my own family. I'm a servant and a slave. I'm thrown into prison. And yet, his perspective is somehow this: God knows what he's doing. God knows what must be done. In order to keep it about that, many should be kept alive. And so, Joseph has this understanding that, though I may suffer, though I may have troubles, God is still Sovereign, and God is still blessing, and God is still keeping. And ultimately, God is the one. Who will work it about? So that me, my brothers, and many more people will be kept alive. Joseph understands that God's plan. Is greater. And more important. Than what he may desire. And so Joseph, somehow, in the midst of all his trials, learns to trust God's plan. Why does Joseph get the bulk of the story… well there is certainly more to it that this,,, but maybe because he learned the most important lesson in life that the book is trying to teach us in a way that no one else did!

Second Story: about a man named Jesus of Nazareth.

He's a little different than Joseph. Because. He, in fact, is God... God condescends down into creation. Taking humble means. Living in a humble estate. He's born. Of the Virgin Mary. The god of the universe. Held in the arms of Mary. He grows in stature and wisdom. Understanding. In Grace. Until one day. He's invited to a wedding in Canaan. And there he turns water to wine. And announces. The kingdom is here.

He Begins calling his disciples. Begins performing Miracles. He begins teaching. And preaching. His message. In short: the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Every miracle proves he has Authority and power. If we looked at Joseph and said man, this guy's the second most powerful man in the world, we look to Jesus and say, this is the most powerful man in the universe. Who is he? The disciples would say… who is he that even the wind and waves obey him. Who is he that even the demons obey him? Who is he that even sickness and death obey him? He Cast out demons, heals the blind, gives the death hearing... feeds the multitudes... walks on water... Miracle after Miracle.

He teaches the Kingdom of heaven. It's like a mustard seed... the Kingdom of Heaven. It's like a pearl of great price, the Kingdom of Heaven that he is building. And as he builds his kingdom as he grows in stature, the disciples get more and more excited… Until one day. One Sunday morning. The Sunday before Passover Jesus says… it's time we're going to Jerusalem. And then he marches on a donkey. The disciples excited... everyone is excited… The crowds, the whole city's excited. They're casting their blankets. They're laying down Palm fronds. Hosanna is the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. And he comes in,

And everyone thinks the the Messiah is here. The one who will overthrow the bonds that we have that will overthrow all of this, the evil that is against us. And it comes in. He goes to the temple. and he begins teaching in the temple....

Things don't sound like everyone expected. Cleanses the temple. Curses a fig tree… Forget about the Romans, we're dealing with fig trees! What's going on here...

And then he is eating dinner on Thursday night with his disciples Really with friends, Loved ones, and confidants. not just any dinner.. It's a Passover meal. but not a normal passover because he starts talking kind of crazy… one of you is going to betray me. One of you close and loved ones who is sharing this meal with me will betray be.… What's going on here...

Then it goes to the garden to pray. and AS SOON as he finishes praying... Here Comes Judas with solders and those of the Pharisees. They put them on trial. The one who, just five days ago, we were celebrating Hosanna in the high, as blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Now, he has this this sham trial. He's a blasphemer. He's a liar. He's sowing Discord and disunity. Crucify him they want to kill him… What is going on here...

turns out… They can't. Only Rome has the power to do this, so they'd bring him before Pontius Pilate. Pontius Pilot, who can find no fault in this man? And yet, as a wise astute. Politician. He sees the way the crowd's going. You don't want to lose this crowd. So, it gives them an option Jesus or Barabbas. Who, who would you like? I will free one… and one of them one's dying. This dirty rotten scoundrel Barabbas or the one you were celebrating who has done no wrong… Jesus. The crowd chants... we want Barabbas crucified Jesus, crucify him. The crowd hates him more and more… What is going on here…

So all day Friday. He's whipped. He's beaten. A Cat of nine Tails rips the flesh from his back. He's forced to carry his cross when he can't. They get someone else to finish it for him. And then they hang him there on the cross to die. Slowly suffocating. Life squeezed from his lungs literally. To. Ultimately, he cries, it is finished, and he breathes his last… the miracle worker, the messiah, the healer and teacher is murdered.. what is going on here...

Why did this happen?

It's because Jesus understood God's plan.

Matthew Chapter 16… I Want us to see something very, very clearly here?

Immediately after Peter Realizes who Jesus is, he confesses: You are the Christ, the son of the Living God.

From that time. Jesus began to show his disciples That he Must. Go to Jerusalem.

Why would Jesus endure this? He knew what was coming. This is part of the story I just told you… we must understand. Jesus knew it was coming from the moment he started this journey. He knew where it would end, and he knew it would end on the cross. WE have been asking… what is going on here… But Jesus knew EXACTLY what was going on here…

He began to show his disciples HE MUST go to Jerusalem. HE MUST suffer many things from the elders. HE MUST suffer things from the chief priests and the scribed. HE MUST be killed.

Why this was God's plan?

But he also taught. That HE MUST go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders. The chief priest describes and be killed, and on the third day HE MUST Be raised.

Jesus, understood God’s great plan!

In a small way, just like. Joseph. Spend time languishing in prison. Rejected by his brothers. Lost by his father, left for dead. So too, Jesus would have to endure.

But if Joseph? Had to endure this so that many would be kept alive as they are today. Jesus would endure this so that many. Would receive eternal life. As they have today. Jesus had a Heavenly perspective

as this passage In Matthew goes on. Peter in, in verse 22, Peter's like, Jesus, you know, this is not how this is going to work. You're not going to die. You're not going to suffer. And Jesus then tells Peter… who just Peter had the highest point of his life. You are the Christ, the son of the Living God. Now, the lowest: get behind me, Satan.

Why? Why does Jesus call Peter Satan? Matthew 16:23 - for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man? You got to have a Heavenly perspective on these things. The purpose of going and dying was so that he could be resurrected. The reason this must happen is because God's plan is greater and bigger, though counterintuitive to anything we can imagine. Joseph not for one second as he languished in prison. Thought, I think this is what God wants for me in my life. This is great. And yet, he endured, and God blessed him.

Jesus had his mind set upon higher things the the path that was set before him. The glory set before him was greater than anything he would have to endure… So he went to the cross. But on the third day, he rose. Again.

Here's your third story:

There was once a young man.

A scared young man. He was scared because he understood that the wages of sin is death… and he knew he had earned a lot of those wages… and yet he would not understand God’s plan...

So he was A man with no hope, not vision for what the world could mean or what value he had or could bring… A Man who felt the brokenness of the world, but also who understood that the brokenness around him was largely of his own doing. What a wretched man Am I he would say: the things I do not want to do, i do, the things I want to do, I do not do. Not just that… that is best case scenario… more true, in the moments when he would look at his heart with clear eyes… What a wretched man am I, he would think., for the things that I should want to do, I have absolutely no interest in and the things I should not want to do my heart and time and attention is drawn to...

After trying a host of things to help him feel better...

He tried his own strength and might.. sought a righteousness that he could muster in his own strength and might.… but he was still broken and sinful....

he tried ignoring the brokenness… pretending like everything was ok

he tried comparing himself to those around him… At least I’m not like...

But then he had a realization:

Ephesians 2:4–5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”

Ephesians 2:7–10 “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

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