The Joseph Journey (3)

Satan’s Deception May Be Jesus’ Salvation

When marketing for commercials companies will often create tunes of something they want you to remember. In writing sermons we are taught to do the same thing. I am not going to discuss what I think good or bad about the company, but whatever your opinion you could probably repeat the slogan in your sleep. It has become so widely known that my kids, every time they see a billboard or the nationwide sign, they will repeat: Nationwide is on your side.

However, although it has nothing to do with the company, not everyone who you believe is on your side can be on your side. You do something insanely stupid while driving your vehicle any insurance company will drop you like a bad habit. Insurance companies want to ensure people who are low risk because if they don’t have to pay out they are making money and that is the goal of any business. To make money.

Many of us see our current circumstances in a negative light even though the turn in our events are to be positive in nature. I believe it’s because what we know, we value, and we desire, and what we don’t know frightens us. Everyone one of us is taken through a different journey. I find it hard to believe that verse

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

ALL THINGS

It’s hard as a pastor to explain this verse. It’s easy to cheer and to clap and to worship at this verse, but often times this verse is the toughest verse to carry.

The term all things has been a cross that I have had to walk with and through too many times in my life and If I were to be honest I still don’t fully understand. I find it hard to explain when someone who just lost a family member comes to me asking

How will God use this for good?

When someone gets diagnosed with cancer—How will this be used for good. When someone falls into financial trouble—how will this be used for good?

I think—at least to some extent our scripture this morning will help us to better understand Romans 8:28

Genesis 37:

Genesis 37:31–35 ESV

Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.

Not everyone who is, was, or who you thought to be on your side IS on your side. (And That’s OK)

The important thing to remember through this sermon and in your life is that at times it’s ok for you to leave people and people to leave you. Solomon says

For everything there is a season-King Solomon

This temporary loss seemingly destroys an old man. He is torn in such a way that healing seems almost impossible and yet, we know because we have the entire story that everything does turn out for the good of those who trust God. We know that this separation is a small step into the future Salvation of Israel. This separation Stops Israel and everyone else from dying of starvation. Because of this pain, lived out over many years, mankind survived a devastating plague.

Some may ask why did God allow the plague, but I answer he didn’t. When Adam ate the apple he gave control of the World over to Satan.

We already discussed in weeks past that Jacob was an enabler to his son’s pride. This is one of the many reasons that this relationship had to be severed for a time. Not everyone who is removed from your life is meant to stay permanently gone. Sometimes they must leave for a time and then be reintroduced into your life later. This is true for people, places, and things.

God started a defensive strategy for an attack only He knew would come.

We talked last week during Easter how Jesus said:

John 16:7 ESV

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

John 14:3 ESV

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Jesus had to leave for a time in order to bring maximum benefit to us His people, but He said He will come back for us. There is a period of time that in order for the church to grow Jesus had to leave. If this wasn’t true he would have stayed. If we believe that Jesus is perfect in every way as the bible states than we must believe that the choices he makes are the perfect choices for everyone involved.

One of the biggest kick backs I get when it comes to people believing in Jesus is this:

I can’t see Him. I can touch Him, I can’t smell Him. I can’t taste Him. —therefore He must not exist.

This is a lie because of what I know about Jesus is that if you needed it to believe in Him he would provide it.

We see this in the story of the beggar who went to Heaven and the rich man who went to hell. The rich man cries out to Abraham to send the beggar to His family to bring them salvation so they wouldn’t have to endure the same torment He is experiencing. Abraham’s reply is very telling.

Luke 16:31 ESV

He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Then we have the fact that Jesus came back specifically for Thomas

John 20:26–28 ESV

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Notice the specific mention of Thomas this time. Thomas wasn’t with them last time and He stated before

John 20:25 ESV

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

God knows what you need when you need and he will go through Heaven and Hell to make sure you receive it.

Some may question why then, if everyone gets what they need to receive Jesus, do people still not believe?

There is a catch—Like the rich man’s family not everything that is spoken or thought is true. Abraham knew they wouldn’t change. .

Because it’s up to them.

If everyone of us was put through the exact journey Joseph endured it is statistically unlikely that the results would be the same. Meaning:

The journey that built Joseph would serve to only break many of us.

Don’t Let temporary pain or set backs keep you from what God is doing in your life. Understand that nothing on Earth, no joy, no pain, no sorrow, no success is forever while we reside in our temporal bodies. Only when we get to Heaven will we understand an eternal joy.

Win or lose and good soldier doesn’t morn an attack—he learns from it.

Daniel

Daniel 4:35 ESV

all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

If we believe the entire bible is from God and 100% true than we can connect to

Us to God: What have you done? God to Us: I worked things together for your good!

The key is to remember in the tough times

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Because No matter the journey-No matter the Pain. Remember this:

-The Lord is with (You) and (you) will prosper- IF you trust in Him