Sermon Tone Analysis

Alien Nation pt.

3: Class is in Session

A nation is founded on and built out of the faith of those who bring it into being.

A nation must be sustained by that same faith in forthcoming generations.

When faith falters, the nation will not be far behind

A nation is founded on and built out of the faith of those who bring it into being.

A nation must be sustained by that same faith in forthcoming generations.

When faith falters, the nation will not be far behind

Intro - In this section we see this principle.

We are a foreign nation within this nation.

We are immigrants here for a time.

We are foreign nationals.

The ways of this nation are not our ways.

We must persevere and by the power of the Holy Spirit survive the spiritual famine of this land through the source God has provided in Jesus Christ...

TR: Let’s see how these words ring true in this last section of chapter 47...

The Starved

Genesis 47:12-

The severity of the famine was felt throughout the entire region

Both Canaanites and Egyptians where selling all that they had in order not to starve to death

v. 15, seems to state that the Egyptians were the ones that eventually sold themselves into slavery.

indentured servitude was a way of keeping people alive.

This is unlike African American slavery that was forced, this was voluntary.

cf.

v. 19

The famine was so severe that people sold themselves into servitude to Pharaoh.

Think of the dynamic at play politically

First, Egypt was ruled by a foreign people called the Hyksos.

They were not Egyptians

Secondly, the Egyptians were having to ask for food from a people that they despised, Joseph being a Hebrew.

We see Joseph as another archetype of Jesus in this way:

The only provision for life is going to come from someone that you once despised, Jesus Christ.

Once you have become desperate enough, even the abominable is attractive.

Yet many of us attempt to mitigate the starvation because we refuse to submit to something that is repulsive to us.

We would rather die in isolation and pride than bow to the life giving source God has arranged.

Salvation is free but it will cost you everything.

Allow your circumstance to drive you into the only place of provision in God’s chosen vessel, Jesus Christ.

God has prepared a salvation for you.

But it’s not going to come from someone attractive, appeasing the senses, etc.

It’s going to come at a cost of personal comforts and selfish pride.

TR: If you come out of the famine, and are connected with the source, you will be stuffed.

The Stuffed

Genesis 47:

Genesis 47:20-

Notice who went into slavery…the Egyptians

Notice who didn’t go into slavery…the Hebrews

The Egyptian natives now are in slavery to a foreign Pharaoh and having to beg for sustanence from a Pharaoh face in Joseph.

After a period of time, Egyptian natives once again ruled in Egypt and at that point oppressed the Hebrew people mightily.

Imagine the animosity developed here as the Egyptians saw the Hebrews flourish and be stuffed while they starved.

Egyptians had to pay taxes and were slaves to Pharaoh while the Hebrews didn’t pay taxes and were free men.

He said, “Yes.”

And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon?

From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax?

From their sons or from others?”

And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.

However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel.

Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

- Mat. 17:25-27

This famine along with the favor of God created a separate class of people in the free Hebrews vs. the enslaved Egyptians.

What does this teach us though?

The Hebrews well being is directly connected with their connection to Joseph, God’s vessel of provision.

Even while in an alien nation, the God’s people can prosper as long as they stay connected with the source.

See while others connect to the provision out of obligation, the children of God connect to the provision through affiliation.

We are his kinsmen!!!

There is nothing required of us other than to work because we are connected by blood to God’s vessel of provision.

So while others are starved, WE ARE STUFFED!!! What others seek for we are FREELY GIVEN!!!

The Egyptians had to beg and plead for sustenance from someone they despised in their heart; while the Hebrews only had to go to their kinsmen, whom they betrayed to death but now is found alive, and seek free provision which actually multiplied and GREW THEM!!! Do you see the principle that God is getting across?

One means of provision is by the will while the other is by relationship.

Either you are an indentured slave or you are a free son.

Either way you are dependent on God’s means.

TR: However, to offset this comfortable living Israel was entering into, Jacob had a not so subtle reminder for Joseph & his people...

The Statement

Jacob made Joseph make a vow

The vow was to take his bones back to Canaan, where Abraham and Isaac were buried.

This is because there was a strong connection both with ones ancestors as well as the promise of God.

See, no matter the comfort level the Hebrews/Israelites achieved in that place, they were constantly in need to be reminded that they weren’t staying.

Not even their bones were staying.

Joseph said something similar later, namely that when God brings his people out of Egypt, to take Joseph’s bones with them.

No part of you is to remain in a foreign land.

This is why we are a family displaying Christ’s love to Kansas City.

The love of Christ is foreign to this city.

Example of Uber driving and the conversations about God I have.

Listen when we leave this place there will be nothing left.

There is no dual citizenship, no multiple identities, etc.

We are completely and utterly from another place.

Jacob made it clear to his entire family that he wanted NO PARTS of this land permanently.

He saw the comfort in the land but didn’t want his people to settle!

To be connected with those that have come before you is far more important!

We have struggled with this identity in America.

The idea that you are the latest in a long line of descendents that have placed their faith in Yahweh.

Not based on your genetic lineage but based on your spiritual one.

You represent them and it is their legacy along with the Lord’s that you either honor or decimate with your life.

We do this in the theological book reading community.

First thing I do if I find an interesting book is look on the back to see the author’s qualifications.

Either that or I’ll see who they are culturally related to and that gives me an idea of what to expect.

There is a connection there.

There is a lineage there of discipleship and commitment.

God has made you to return to the source!

The only rest you will ever find will be with Him and He welcomes it.

No matter where your feet may wander, no matter how severe the famine is, or how comfortable you become, you will never find rest in this alien nation, this alien world.

Your place, your promised place of dwelling, is with Yahweh God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.