The Awakening of Grace

Genesis 45:1–28 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. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 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. 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. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him. When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, “Joseph’s brothers have come,” it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, 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.’ 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. Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ ” The sons of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. To each and all of them he gave a change of clothes, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five changes of clothes. To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way.” So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Good Morning! We are coming to the close of this sermon series on the lIfe of Joseph…"Our Mess His Masterpiece." And today we are going to be talking about the “Awakening of Grace.”

› Introduction

Good Morning! We are coming to the close of this sermon series on the lIfe of Joseph…"Our Mess His Masterpiece." And today we are going to be talking about the “Awakening of Grace.”

In a book called The Grace Awakening, Chuck Swindoll tells about a Missionary family who left their Work because of Condemnation from other Missionaries.

They had a theological disagreement over Peanut butter? You heard me right.

You see, the Mission field where they were serving didn't have access to Peanut Butter.

So, that particular family arranged for a friend to send them Peanut Butter from the States every now and then.

The problem was that the other Missionaries considered it a mark of their true spirituality that they did without Peanut Butter.

They explained, “We believe that since peanut butter is not available here, we should give it up for the cause of Christ.”

Well, the new family disagreed. And the end result was that they were pushed out of that mission...

This is quite an incredible and sad story.....But, It illustrates how fragile relationships can be ?

Before we become too critical...

We all have struggles with the "Peanut butter" Jars… If there are more than two people in the room the chances are there is possibility for conflict..

We just put different labels on the jar .... We might have the label - “ You hurt my Feelings".. “You under-appreciated me”...I didn't get what I deserved…”You didn’t return the favor”

Relationships are impacted when there is an absence of Grace..

When we do this we

There are many things that can get in the way of relationship.. but more often than not we allow Peanut butter Jars to get in the way....

.... Max Lacardo said.. that as christians we should.

Immerse (ourselves) in the curriculum of grace. - Max Lucado

Grace is foundational and part of the Christian curriculum…Grace must be important the apostle Paul mentions grace over one hundred times in his writings.

...We are saved by Grace...We grow in Grace… we are to stand in grace and we end in Grace.....

What is grace? The typical definition of Grace is "unmerited Favor..".

Grace is a gift of favor... but it is more powerful that that because Grace... has power.... there is the Outworking of grace is operational ... there is the movement of Grace...

• Grace is a gift of favor... but it is more powerful that that because Grace... has power.... there is the Outworking of grace is operational ... there is the movement of Grace...

Grace confront and bring us to the place of a Spiritual Renewals and restoration.

Grace doesn’t avoid but rather confronts and helps us deal with unresolved conflicts — Grace deals with our vertical relationship with the Father and with our horizontal relationships with each other..

As we come to the Conclusion of our Story of Joseph.. We see How the Grace of God not only confront but Grace Also Awakens.. It was Grace brought Josephs brothers to the place of awareness of their sin.. and brought them to the point of repentance.. Repentance is essentially changed heart..

At the end of their is this watershed moment — when Judah the oldest brother stands up and takes responsibility for his family and protects the well being of Benjamin... Judah Pleads with Joseph to rather take Him than have Benjamin remain... I just want to read the conclusion of Judah's passionate plea...

Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”

Genesis 44:33–34 ESV

33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”

• Judah taking responsibility for Benjamin paves the way for reconciliation...

Joseph, has been silent and has listened to Judah’s plea, Joseph has seen that the brothers have passed the test he put them through— The test was whether or not they would abandon Benjamin as they had done with him... He wanted to see if they had Changed...

During all of this time Joseph’s emotions have been welling up within him as he struggles inwardly with the desire to be reconciled with them.

What follows in Chapter 45 is the results of being Awakened to Grace.

T/S When we allow the Grace to work in our lives…

Everything has been moving towards this watershed moment when Joseph is going to disclose his identity to his brother.

So.. Joseph has been holding in all these feelings but as soon as Judah finished speaking.... Joseph lost control of himself..

Genesis 45:1–4 ESV

1 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.

ESV

The whole time Joseph had holding back his emotions… - Joseph can’t fight back his emotions anymore…and he can feel his emotions coming to the surface… to the point where he is going to be unable to hold back his feelings and so he orders his servants and officials out of the room… It’s now just him and his brothers…

1 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.

The whole time Joseph had holding back his emotions… - Joseph can’t fight back his emotions anymore…and he can feel his emotions coming to the surface… to the point where he is going to be unable to hold back his feelings and so he orders his servants and officials out of the room… It’s now just him and his brothers…

Joseph begins to weep…the GR it means he literally “gave voice to his weeping” He wept so loud that the whole house of Pharaoh heard it… now there are couple of thoughts --- one is that people in house hold heard him crying which is probable.. the other is that the news or the report of Joseph’s weeping spread through the palace to the Egyptians.... this seems to be consensus.

The point is that this was a huge moment… Now, can you imagine being one of the brothers watching this Egyptian Ruler… sobbing… then it all makes sense when Joseph reveals his identity.... I am Joseph...

Can you imagine the brothers reactions when they hear Joseph real identity.

Jewish legends ( this is legend not Bible) say that the brothers were so shocked that that their souls left their bodies and that it was only by a miracle of God their souls came back!

needless to say they are dumbfounded when Joseph then asks is my father still alive?

- ... they were shocked and stunned…that nobody could answer the question! What hit immediately was fear.. the bible says they became DISMAYED - …

Here they are face to face with Joseph the one whom they had abandoned in a rain pit…they can only imagine what Joseph might do them….. They are totally at the mercy of Joseph…

They became DISMAYED - … Here they are face to face with Joseph whom they had abandoned in a rain pit…they are dumbfounded and frightened.... They are totally at the mercy of Joseph…

But instead of retaliating with revenge… Joseph invites them to come close…

Joseph tells the brothers to step up towards him…

We know as the readers that Joseph was not wanting to pass Judgement but to offer them mercy and forgiveness… He wanted to restore the relationship… Joseph makes the offer of Grace… come close to me...

Joseph was not wanting to pass Judgement but to offer them mercy and forgiveness… He wanted to restore the relationship… Joseph makes the offer of Grace… come close to me...

but these brothers had no clue...

One commentator said that Joseph has to bridge the gap between himself and his brothers… For us as Christians Joseph is this type of Christ the forerunner of our faith.. who has gone before us…and like Joseph JESUS has made a way of salvation.

Jesus bridged the gap..

… Paul tells us in … that at one point Before Christ… we were distance from Christ we aliens and foreigners to God’s covenant… we were more than that because we were dead in our trespasses and sin… we walked according to the course of this world … following the prince of disobedience… as result we with the rest of mankind were destined for the wrath of God..

Where before Christ we dead in our trespasses and sin… we walked according to the course of this world … following the prince of disobedience… as result we with the rest of mankind were destined for the wrath of God.. But God who is rich in mercy has demonstrated his love…But Christ bridged the gap..

But God who is rich in mercy has demonstrated his love…while we still sinners Christ died for you and I,,

Jesus bridged the gap..he invited us to step up.. to draw near!

Ephesians 2:13–14 ESV

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

• What happens when we draw close to Christ?

Joseph discloses his true identity… He reveals both his humanity and his royal … “Joseph made himself known to his brothers.” This is a great truth.. No one could reveal Joseph to them but himself....

we might have family friends associates and neighbours that DONT know Christ.. We need to pray that Jesus will disclose Himself to them in his humanity and is his Divinty..

.. No one could reveal Joseph to them but himself.... Christ is the one who makes himself known to us… Christ invitation is to come to him… and when we take up the offer.... He reveals himself…

not only are we awakened to his person..

Christ is the one who makes himself known to us… Christ invitation is to come to him… and when we take up the offer.... He reveals himself…

when we draw close to God

We are Awakened to His Infinite grace

When the brothers draw Close to Joseph Joseph immediately calms their fears.. do not be troubled. God from a distance might look unapproachable.. some what harsh... putting us through tests challenges...But all the time God has been working His story to resolution... the brothers might have expected to receive justice.. In stead they find Grace.. and kindness...

When we approach Christ…we should do so with confidence knowing that it is throne of grace.. it's a throne of Favor!!

What we might have interpreted as Harshness... was in fact his loving kindness... that is drawing us to himself..so that he might show them mercy and grace..

This is what the book of Hebrews teaches us.. .

ESV. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Just as Joseph went before his brothers to preserve and save Israel... So, Christ has gone on before us... that we might receive Mercy... (underserved love)... that we might find grace in the time of Need...

Here is this God moment…where Joseph is visibly touched.. … the bible says Joseph could not control himself… Remember in 2017 when the Oroville spill way sprung a leak? Set in emotion the biggest evacuation in CA history 188 000 people displaced.. inorder to fix the problem they had to release the pressure… 100 000 Cubic feet per second.

Now Joseph had … pressure building up in his life for over 23 years of his life.. All of his feelings … rejection, isolation, hurt , being forgotten.... now get this he had delt with it with verically… he names his one son Mannassa .. the Lord made me forget! But there was still unresolved healing needEd between himself and his brothers..

It is almost like this dam wall… pressure building over the past 23 years of his life.. All of his feelings … rejection, isolation, hurt , being forgotten.... all this weight pressing on the walls of his heart…

Something was going give way…. We read earlier that Joseph wept so loud out loud..

Gregg Levoy, writing in Psychology Today, reports that crying can actually remove chemicals that build up during emotional stress.

According to Levoy, the amount of manganese stored in the body affects our moods, and the body stores thirty times as much of manganese in tears as in blood serum.. when we cry we release manganese

The Scripture speaks of a blessed weeping. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” ( KJV)

Augustine, in Confessions

The tears … streamed down, and I let them flow as freely as they would, making of them a pillow for my heart. On them it rested.—

God is bringing Wholeness to his family… Perfect love drives out our fears..

He tells them to not grieve (sorrowful) or be angry.. with yourselves.. --- with yourselves - speaks to their own estimation of themselves.... (part of emotional healing is being able to forgive yourselves... treat yourself with kindness)... love keeps no records of wrong...

T/S When we allow the Grace to work in our lives…

1. An Awakening will Heal our Emotions .

Ravi Zacharias is prominent Christian speaker and apologist... He brilliant when it comes to defending the faith... Ravi was once was giving a lecture at Ohio State U. As he was being driven to the auditorium, the driver went past the new Wexner Art Center.

The driver said, "This is a brand new art building for Ohio State U. It a most fascinating building.It is designed in the post-modernist view of reality.

The building doesn't make sense. There is no pattern to it. There are staircases that don't go anywhere. There are pillars that don't join any surfaces. It is a random, mindless design.” The architect said he designed the center to reflect what life was about. It didn't go anywhere, it was mindless, senseless.

Ravi turned to the man describing it and said, "Did he do the same thing with the foundation?"

You can get away with doing random, senseless things with the infrastructure, but you can't do that with the foundation..

Our worldview is the foundation ...

Every brick of your knowledge has to be built on some ultimate foundation. It can’t just be bricks all the way down.....

When we don't have a foundation nothing really makes sense... Once you begin tampering with the foundations, you begin to see the serious effects on the rest of the building... If Joseph had had Solid foundation he would have been in serious trouble...because he held onto some core believes when he had these reversals of fortunes,

Joseph had a solid foundation that kept him over 23 years of his life... Joseph saw the world through God's providential hand... nothing happened by accident.. That God was ultimately in control...

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 should be kept alive, as they are today.

. Joseph believed....that God was involved in life...

So Joseph has Revealed himself to his brothers and he sees that they are distressed... Joseph comforts them...

Genesis 45:5–7 ESV

And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.

(ESV)

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. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Years ago, Rabbi Harold Kushner wrote a remarkably wide-selling book titled When Bad Things Happen to Good People. It sold more than a half a million copies before going to paperback and was on the New York Times best-seller list for a whole year.

The whole point of his book was to say God is all loving but not all powerful; that God is good, but not sovereign.

So, when bad things happen to good people, it is because events are out of God’s control. Kushner advised his readers to “learn to love [God] and forgive him despite his limitations.”

What ever Kushner described, it was not the God of the Bible, the God displayed in Joseph’s life.

Joseph lived with the worldview that even though he didn't always understand what happened to him... God in his essence and nature is alway in control ... God took evil things and turned them around for good...

Paul expressed the same sentiment in Romans..

(ESV) 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 ESV

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

who is the we? Here..we know..,those who have experiences his rescue..

Joseph never dismissed pain and suffering.. Joseph know that it rains both on unjust and the just.. He had gone through his own crucibles…he had been in the refiners fire and had come out as pure gold.. Joseph worldview included a world of suffering!

Joseph named his one son Epharaim.. God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction..

Joseph names one son Epharaim.. God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.. Joseph saw sover

The relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a theological mystery that is something ultimately beyond human comprehension

The debate between Calvinism and Arminianism has waxed and waned over the years… both by theologians and laymen have been divided over the issue…

How do you reconcile God’s sovereignty with human accountability.. Divine will vrs Free Will…

While we are not going to solve the Theological question… Joseph accepts these two ideas to be able to exist along side each other.....

Joseph says to the brothers....

… You sold me… you intended evil..

Joseph dose not for one minute diminish the brothers responsibility....and their personal accountability for sin...

but at the same time Joseph reminded them, “God sent me.” there was not one moment that the Lord lost control over the situation…

Joseph Reveals how God Goodness is weaved into their story regardless of all the offenses..God is all about the outcome...

God had a higher purpose in mind...

Joseph continued, “God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance”

God's Big Plan also included the salvation of His brothers..

Joseph has gone a head of them and paved a way for their deliverance… God sent Joseph Ahead of them that they would live in Egypt-- so that he would provide fully for them..... They would be near Joseph where he could provide for them and Keep them from poverty...

The brothers were being invited to explore the wonderful workings of the Lord and more over to see how an understanding of the Lord can deal with bitterness and put sweetness in its place… .

Joseph brothers responded to His invitation --- there was forgives and healing

ESV

Genesis 45:15 ESV

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

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

What a beautiful family Portrait of healing.. brothers restored - Joseph shows his affection to his brothers… He kissed each brother… now this cultural thing.... more tears are shed…Tears come when our emotional life is impacted... healing balm for the soul. A big indicator that the relationship was restored… is that communication is restored… the brothers are in good talking terms… they talk and talk and talk....

T/S When we allow the Grace to work in our lives…

1. An Awakening will Heal our Emotions .

2. An Awakening will Impact our World View.

One of the major themes in Genesis is the great commision.. .. Through the sending of ABRAHAM all the nations of the world are going to be blessed.. Jacob and Joseph are part of the Abraham covenant narrative.

A great start had been made in restoring the family of Jacob to its proper condition, but there was still much to be done. God is not only about bring healing to this family and us and changing their world view.. God desires to bring healing to the whole family…to their children and their children's children… there is a sensemof urgency.. Jacob is old…and needs to reached.

Genesis 45:9–13 ESV

9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’ 12 And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.”

ESV

if you havent seen whats happening with rapper Kanye West.. He has had an awakening in his life. he just release a gospel album.. Jesus is King…and good things are happening I think what happening has potential to bring much need awakening in our youth.. on Sunday he had this interview with James Corbin… “plane karioke”… James asks how he can explain to people the change in his life… he talks about two states of mind.., when you are awake and when you are asleep.. there those who walking dead and those who are alive…Now it might be too early to see what happens.. but I'm optimist!,

Now hurry up and go to my father - Come down to me...

The revelation of Joseph is an Awakening --- two decades of darkness.. Jacob living in the Grip of Fear... suffering the loss of Joseph and living in fear over the loss of Benjamin... The brother living in the Grip of Guilt...

But now light has shone upon the darkness... Jospeh commissions his brothers to Go to your Jacob and your family… and share the Good news ---that Joseph is no longer dead but he is Alive.. hat God has raised him up to Chief ruler in Egypt...

Evangelism is one of those words we struggle we first of all we need to understand the Evangel part of the word… Evangel is the Good news… It is the place of wholeness and Healing… It’s spiritual healing where we were once dead in sin but have been made alive… That’s the awakening… It is also the part where we became whole… God dealt with our emotional life… Deals with our relationships…

When you have had that watershed moment… Joseph Brothers had just seen Joseph Alive… they have experience his forgiveness and restoration.... After 23 years of emotional guilt a huge weight had been lifted… Now, Hurry to Jacob.... After what they had just experienced…they weren’t going to drag their feet.... they couldn’t wait to get to Jacob and tell him that Joseph is Alive.... When we have encounter with Jesus Christ…when he Awaken us… when we see and our eyes are opened… We ourselves become new creations… Here is the thing --- You think that Norwex cleaning products or tuper ware…Spark is going to change your life....

What happens when your Spiritual man is Awakened to the Life Flow of God Spirit… What happens when you Emotions get healed.... The message is simply this....

Look what God has done! Joseph was thought to be dead but he is Alive… It is missional in the sense that yes we need to God.... but it is also Bring Back the next Generation....Bring back you children and your grand Children..

CONCLUSION —

What happens with Awakening of grace ?

1. Emotional wounds are healed and Relationships are restored.

ESV

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

2. Communities are Impacted

The Report was heard… News spreads… Pharoah is moved to act..

When Pharoah hears of this joyful reunion... It brought joy... it Pleased Pharoah and his servants.. We told that Pharaoh was so touched that he send wagons and clothes to bring Jacob back to Egypt... In the Egyptian culture.. nomadic shepherds were looked down upon... and Pharaoh gives Joseph's family favor... allowing them to live in Goshen.. to pastures their cattle....

3. Hardened Hearts are transformed

Jacob is an example of the transformation of a Skeptic… Skepticism is an intellectual position of Doubt about the nature of reality or particular phenomena..

For 23 years Joseph has believed that his son was dead… Jacob is a Skeptic he had held that position of Doubt about nature of reality...

Genesis 45:25–26 ESV

25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. 26 And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them.

gen 45:35

First Jacob is skeptical he is doubting what the brothers are telling hims .. his heart is numb...

When Jacob hears that Joseph is alive he doesn’t believe the message.. Why? Because the evidence he has been looking at all pointed to that conclusion… When he saw Joseph’s garments soaked in blood…

Jacob’s mind this is conclusive evidence… … Jacob had believed what he saw… The fact was that Joseph had alive the whole time... He did not have all the information… and as a result He believed Joseph to be dead for two decades..

Just picture Jacob for a minute… the brothers arrive.. and they all waring these beautiful garments… They left has Bedowin shepherds and come back looking like princes of Egypt…

Boise says that the brothers returning to Egypt with “carts from Egypt.. would be the the equivalent as a jumbo jet landing among some remote indigenous tribe…

Then they tell him Joseph is Alive… this was too much to believe… this was unbelievable… but s then he’s these gifts from Pharoah being paraded in front of Him… Something changes in Joseph…

Genesis 45:27–28 ESV

But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

gen 45:

It was overwhelming Evidence…that Joseph was alive… Then there is this moment ENOUGH… I believe…

Then they tell him Joseph is Alive… this was too much to believe… this was unbelievable… but s then he’s these gifts from Pharoah being paraded in front of Him… Something changes in Joseph…

It was overwhelming Evidence…that Joseph was alive… Then there is this moment ENOUGH… I believe…

We told that the SPIRIT OF JACOB WAS REVIVED... As all the gifts were paraded before Jacob... (goodness of God goes before him). ...Jacob spirit was revived... I have heard enough - my son Joseph is still alive… Now what is incredible is that when Joseph sends the brothers.. it appears that JACOB is in his death bed.... later we learn that Joseph lived 17 years longer in Egypt .

The narrator uses Jacobs other name ISRAEL... IT IS ENOUGH... my Son is still alive..... Evangelism is simply … come and see one whom you have assumed dead is alive...

like Jacob... their hearts are numb... because dead people don't live.. What convinced Jacob... Was the evidence of Gifts... as they came before him... all the evidence collectively points to the Resurrection...

v

Good Morning, we are coming to the close of this sermon series on the lIfe of Joseph… Where we are going to be looking at the “Awakening of Grace.”

1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 689: Waking up on Christmas

Patti White Bull, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was in a coma for sixteen years. But on Christmas Day, she awoke and resumed normal activities: she dressed herself, walked without support, and talked in complete sentences. Unlike most coma patients, who awaken gradually, White Bull became fully conscious and showed no signs of any mental or physical disability.

Neurologist Randy Chestnut of Oregon Health Sciences University says White Bull’s awakening is “extraordinary but not out of the realm of possibility.” He speculates that decreased brain stimulation may have been caused by a kind of brain-stem blockage that finally shifted.

We are going to to looking at this final scene in the life of Brothers…

We speak of positional grace or STANDING in Grace - talking about where we are in relationship to God’s love…

There is Grace found in Salvation… we are justified by faith through grace...

The Outworking of Grace…or the BREAKING IN OF GRACE… or t

last week we talked about the “Breaking in of grace”…

How God’s Grace (Favor) can confront us to bring us to the place of guilt and Awakening…Grace doesn’t avoid but rather helps us deal with unresolved conflicts — both with this vertical relationship with the Father and also with our relationships with each other..

It was God’s unmerited favor that brought Josephs brothers to the place of awareness of their sin.. awaken by to their sin against Joseph...

It was the Goodness or the favor that brought the brothers to the place of awareness of their sin.. awaken by to their sin against Joseph...and brought them to confession and repentance... The watershed moment of the story is when Judah the oldest brother stands up and takes responsibility for the well being of Benjamin... Judah’s confession and actions paved the way for reconciliation...

Where at the end of their is this watershed moment — when Judah the oldest brother stands up and takes responsibility for his family and protects the well being of Benjamin...

Judah’s confession and actions paved the way for reconciliation...

When Judah the stands up and takes responsibility for the safety of Benjamin... this is the pivotal turn in the story... God used Joseph as an instrument of grace... to awaken the conscience of these brothers... 20 years they had buried they had buried their secret about Joseph...

this is the pivotal turn in the story... God used Joseph as an instrument of grace... to awaken the conscience of these brothers... 20 years they had buried they had buried their secret about Joseph...

What follows in Chapter 45 is the results of being Awakened to Grace.

The grace of God brought them to place of awareness of their sin.. awaken by guilt...and brought them to confession and repentance... When Judah stands up and takes responsibility for the safety of Benjamin... this is the pivotal turn in the story... God used Joseph as an instrument of grace... to awaken the conscience of these brothers... 20 years they had buried they had buried their secret about Joseph...

These steps paved the way for reconciliation... What we see text is the results… and we witness what can happen when we we allow grace to work in our lives..

T/S When we allow the Grace to work in our lives…

Joseph, who has listened in silence to Judah’s plea, sees that the brothers have passed the test he put them through—whether or not they would abandon Benjamin as they had done with him.

Joseph has been holding in all his emotions... he nearly lost it when first when he first saw his brothers... But now when they returned with Benjamin it had been two years……

During all of this time Joseph’s emotions have been welling up within him as he struggles inwardly with the desire to be reconciled with them. So.. Joseph has been holding in all these feelings but as soon as Judah finished speaking.... Joseph lost control of himself..

Genesis 45:1–4 ESV

1 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.

Gen 45:1-4

The whole time Joseph had holding back his emotions… - Joseph can’t fight back his emotions anymore…and he can feel his emotions coming to the surface… to the point where he is going to be unable to hold back his feelings and so he orders his servants and officials out of the room… It’s now just him and his brothers…

rs...

We first thing we read is that Joseph began to weep…the GR it means he literally “gave voice to his weeping” He wept so loud that the whole house of Pharaoh heard it… now there are couple of thoughts --- one is that people in house hold heard him crying which is probable.. the other is that the news or the report of Joseph’s weeping spread through the palace to the Egyptians.... The point is that this was a huge moment…

... He begins to start to weep and he makes everyone go out of the room....basically everyone in in Pharaohs court the servants and officials.... Everyone leaves except the brothers.. then he makes himself know to his brothers...

Now, can you imagine being one of the brothers watching this Egyptian Ruler… sobbing… then it all makes sense when Joseph reveals his identity.... I am Joseph...

He wept so loud that the whole house of Pharaoh heard it…

.except the brothers.. then he makes himself know to his brothers... He wept so loud that the whole house of Pharaoh heard it… Here is this moment had arrived for Joseph to make himself known to his brothers…

Here is this moment had arrived for Joseph to make himself known to his brothers…

but now he cant control his emotions back.... He begins to start to weep and he makes everyone go out of the room..except the brothers.. then he makes himself know to his brothers... He wept so loud that the whole house of Pharaoh heard it.

Can you imagine the brothers reactions when they hear Joseph real identity. Joseph then asks is my father still alive?

Can you imagine.. "I am Joseph" - it must of taken the breathe out of them because no one could answer.. they could not answer or react to Joseph.... they were stunned... the wind was knocked of them... the next emotion is that they became alarmed... emotions are these triggers these alarm systems.... warning systems... when they came face to face with the Truth... Here they had been lying about Joseph and Judah has basically confessed --

- it must of taken the breathe out of them because no one could answer Joseph’s question...... they were shocked and stunned...

They became DISMAYED - … Here they are face to face with Joseph whom they had abandoned in a rain pit…they are dumbfounded and frightened.... They are totally at the mercy of Joseph…

they are dumbfounded and frightened.... They are totally at the mercy of Joseph…

But instead of retaliating with revenge… Joseph invites them to come close…

When we draw Close to God he draws near to us… His response is immediate he moves towards us…

They were dismayed…at the news.. They were totally at the mercy of Joseph… But instead of retaliating with revenge… Joseph invites them to come close…

It

Joseph didn't look like a Hebrew he was shaven, he was waring expensive linen.. gold chains... signet ring... But when they approached Joseph... they could see the family resemblances…

When we draw Close to God he draws near to us… His response is immediate he moves towards us…

. tells us that when we draw near to God that he will draw near to us...

Jacob life is quickened..

It begins with a Step up...

Joseph sees there response and says step forward -- come to me -- draw near -- movement towards Joseph --

Joseph tells the brothers to step up towards him...

James 4:8 ESV

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Joseph was not wanting to pass Judgement but to offer them mercy and forgiveness… He wanted to restore the relationship… Joseph makes the offer of Grace… come close to me...

We see the self disclosure of Joseph... revelation of Joseph... picture of drawing near to God... God from a distance might look unapproachable.. some what harsh... putting us through tests challenges...But all the time God has been working His story to resolution... What we might have interpreted as Harshness... was in fact his loving kindness... that is drawing us to himself... The invitation is to come near to God.

on one hand grace confronts our sin but at the same time the purpose of grace is to bring cleansing and healing…

He invites them near to himself... they could get a close look at him.. Joseph didn't look like a Hebrew he was shaven, he was waring expensive linen.. gold chains... signet ring... But when they approached Joseph... they could see the family resemblances… Joseph discloses himself to his brothers…

When we draw Close to God he draws near to us… His response is immediate he moves towards us…

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Joseph was not wanting to pass Judgement but to offer them mercy and forgiveness… He wanted to restore the relationship… on one hand grace confronts our sin but at the same time the purpose of grace is to bring cleansing and healing…

One commentator says that Joseph has to bridge the gap between himself and his brothers… Joseph is a type of Christ… and we that this what transpired on the cross… Paul tells us… that at one point we were distance from Christ we aliens and foreigners to God’s covenant.

Where before Christ we were dead in our trespasses and sin… we walked according to the course of this world … following the prince of disobedience… as result we with the rest of mankind were destined for the wrath of God.. But God who is rich in mercy has demonstrated his love…But Christ bridged the gap..

Ephesians 2:13–14 ESV

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

What happens when we draw close to Christ?

Ephesians 2:4–7 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:4

Before Christ we were separated from Christ and his covenant…

Ephesians 2:13 ESV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

we were far off.. but we have been brought near through

Joseph immediately calms their fears.. do not be troubled. God from a distance might look unapproachable.. some what harsh... putting us through tests challenges...But all the time God has been working His story to resolution... What we might have interpreted as Harshness... was in fact his loving kindness... that is drawing us to himself...

The invitation is to come near to God.

1. We have an Awakening of His person..

This is the Demonstration of Kindness…

Paul tells us in letter to the Romans that we need to be careful that we don’t presume or take God’s kindness for granted… God’s kindness is meant to lead us to Repentance.

Joseph discloses his true identity… … “Joseph made himself known to his brothers.” J... No one could reveal Joseph to them but himself.... Christ is the one who makes himself known to us… Christ invitation is to come to him… and when we take up the offer.... He reveals himself…

2. We are Awaken to His Infinite grace

The revelation of Christ is the revelation of the infinite grace of God. When the brothers draw Close to Joseph He immediately calms their fears.. do not be troubled. God from a distance might look unapproachable.. some what harsh... putting us through tests challenges...But all the time God has been working His story to resolution... What we might have interpreted as Harshness... was in fact his loving kindness... that is drawing us to himself...

Here Joseph discloses his true identity.

When the brothers draw Close to Joseph He immediately calms their fears.. do not be troubled. God from a distance might look unapproachable.. some what harsh... putting us through tests challenges...But all the time God has been working His story to resolution... What we might have interpreted as Harshness... was in fact his loving kindness... that is drawing us to himself...

With the Revelation of Christ

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

What happens When we get a Revelation of Christ...

He invites them near to himself... they could get a close look at him.. Joseph didn't look like a Hebrew he was shaven, he was waring expensive linen.. gold chains... signet ring... But when they approached Joseph... they could see the family resemblances…

3. We are Awakened to his Healing Power.

First

What happens with Awakening is our Emotions get healings.... Feeling of Dismay… hurts… I truly believe that the tears and crying of Jacob are significant… If you didn’t have insight into all the events of Joseph’s life you would assume that nothing is wrong… His exterior life is all in tack he money power and influence… We get some insight into the human heart…

is our Emotions get healings.... Feeling of Dismay… hurts… I truly believe that the tears and crying of Jacob are significant… If you didn’t have insight into all the events of Joseph’s life you would assume that nothing is wrong… His exterior life is all in tack he money power and influence… We get some insight into the human heart…

We seeing something Amazing happening with (play clip)

Here is this God moment…where Joseph is visibly touched.. … the bible says Joseph could not control himself… It is almost like this dam wall… pressure building over the past 23 years of his life.. All of his feelings … rejection, isolation, hurt , being forgotten.... all this weight pressing on the walls of his heart…

Something was going give way…Joseph wept so loud that whole of the Egyptian household heard his tears… Tears mark deep emotion… and represent deep healing..

Gregg Levoy, writing in Psychology Today, reports that crying can actually remove chemicals that build up during emotional stress. According to Levoy, the amount of manganese stored in the body affects our moods, and the body stores thirty times as much of manganese in tears as in blood serum. Biochemist William Frey says the lacrimal gland, which determines the flow of tears, concentrates and removes manganese from the body. Frey has also identified three chemicals stored up by stress and released by crying.

The Scripture speaks of a blessed weeping. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” ( KJV)

The tears … streamed down, and I let them flow as freely as they would, making of them a pillow for my heart. On them it rested.—Augustine, in Confessions

4. We are Awakened to God’s love.

It is almost has the flood gates of his heart were opened… the Dam wall broke… everything that He had been feeling… rejection, isolation, hurt , forgotten....

Tears mark deep emotion of both sorrow and joy... As men we are often taught to hide our emotions… Next time you find yourself tearing up think of Joseph… he was a mans man…

When Joseph declares himself the brothers are filled with apprehension or alarmed.. bewildered and terrified.... God is bringing Wholeness in the emotional life of both Joseph and his family… Perfect love drives out our fears..

He tells them to not grieve (sorrowful) or be angry.. with yourselves.. --- with yourselves - speaks to their own estimation of themselves.... (part of emotional healing is being able to forgive yourselves... treat yourself with kindness)... love keeps no records of wrong...

It is almost has the flood gates of his heart were opened… the Dam wall broke… everything that He had been feeling… rejection, isolation, hurt , forgotten....

He tells them to not grieve (sorrowful) or be angry.. with yourselves.. --- with yourselves - speaks to their own estimation of themselves.... (part of emotional healing is being able to forgive yourselves... treat yourself with kindness)... love keeps no records of wrong... Jesus would heal people and then command them to sin no more... in other words... walk in freedom...

One of the greatest things we can do for ourselves and others... is receive his acceptance... we accepted in the beloved...

How much of the sicknesses we suffer is related to our emotional health? One of the greatest things we can do for ourselves and others... is receive his acceptance... we accepted in the beloved...

? One of the greatest things we can do for ourselves and others... is receive his acceptance... we accepted in the beloved...

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 2: Genesis 16–50 Comment

At last the emotional embrace. But only Joseph and Benjamin are said to have wept, suggesting that the other brothers are too stunned or still too distant from Joseph to weep for joy. But at last they talk to him, ending twenty-two years of noncommunication

T/S When we allow the Grace to work in our lives…

1. An Awakening will Heal our Emotions.

Genesis 45:6–8 ESV

For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Gen 45:

When you think of the story of Joseph it could be another story of human tragedy of lives ruined through damaged relationships. But Joseph tells us a different story…

One of God’s sovereignty at work in the midst of human brokenness..

The relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a theological mystery that is something ultimately beyond human comprehension

The debate between Calvinism and Arminianism has waxed and waned over the years… both by theologians and laymen have been divided over the issue… How do you reconcile God’s sovereignty with human accountability.. Divine will vrs Free Will… Is God’s grace Irresistible…or resistible? While we are not going to solve the Theological question… Joseph brings these two ideas together… You sold me… Joseph dose not for one minute diminish their responsibility.... there is personal accountability for sin... but at the same time he reminded them, “God sent me.” there was not one moment that the Lord lost control over the situation…

General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, is a great example. He did not allow himself to be sidetracked in theological debate when he became aware of London’s desperate and destitute masses. He put it all together when he insisted, “Work as if everything depended on your work, and pray as if everything depended upon your prayer.”

Joseph Reveals how God Goodness is weaved into their story regardless of all the offenses..

Joseph continued, “God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance”

but at the same time he reminded them, “God sent me.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 1: Genesis The Need to Reconcile

General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, is a great example. He did not allow himself to be sidetracked in theological debate when he became aware of London’s desperate and destitute masses. He put it all together when he insisted, “Work as if everything depended on your work, and pray as if everything depended upon your prayer.”

Joseph continued, “God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance”

David Platt Sermon Archive He Is the Ever-Subtle King

It’s what we just read in Genesis 50:20. God intended this. God meant this. God purposed this. God did this. You might write down, when you get to Psalm 105:16 and 17, looking back on this story, the psalmist says (paraphrased), “God is the one who summoned a famine on the land, broke all supply of bread, and sent a man—Joseph—ahead to be sold as a slave.” God did it all. Divine sovereignty. God did it all.

Now, on the other hand, it’s not that the brothers had no part in it. So there’s divine sovereignty here—at the same time, there is human responsibility. So here are the friends: divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

Joseph gives credit to God for putting him in charge of Egypt.. God is called Elohim - The sovereign creator God who rules over the universe..

Joseph changes the perspective of their failures... What you intended for evil --- God used for Good...

Joseph gives credit to God for putting him in charge of Egypt.. God is called Elohim - The sovereign creator God who rules over the universe..

God has set.. placed caused, appointed, planted...

... because you sold me... you did me wrong... God has sent me... before you.. to preserve life... It's bigger story than their family --- It goes back Abraham covenant...

Jospehs offer is not only to come close and receive Healing and forgiveness… It is also an invitation to come under Joseph’s rule because he has prepared gone a head of them and paved a way for their deliverance… When we come to the Kingdom of God we come under his Rule and reign… their is the parallel between what Christ has provided for us and what Jacob has done for his brothers..

God sent Joseph Ahead of them that they would live in Egypt-- so that he would provide fully for them...

tells us that we have certain promises that Jesus Christ made a way through a different order of priesthood.. No longer the temporary levitical priesthood but through everlasting priesthood… Where Jesus has gone as a forerunner… we now can draw close to him.

Under Joseph’s Rule —

. They would be near Joseph where he could provide for them and Keep them from poverty...

2. He could provide for them is they were close..

3. Keep them from poverty...

The brothers were being invited to explore the wonderful workings of the Lord and more over to see how an understanding of the Lord can deal with bitterness and put sweetness in its place… . We know that these brothers responded to Joseph’s invitation --- there was forgives and healing

1. Take ourselves out of the Center (Not you but God)

Genesis 45:15 ESV

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

Genesis 45:1 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.

5

Gen 45:115

What a beautiful family Portrait of healing.. brothers restored - Joseph shows his affection to his brothers… He kissed each brother… now this cultural thing.... more tears are shed…Tears come when our emotional life is impacted... healing balm for the soul. A big indicator that the relationship was restored… is that communication is restored… the brothers are in good talking terms… they talk and talk and talk....

The brothers were being invited to explore the wonderful workings of the Lord and moreover to see how an understanding of the Lord can deal with bitterness and put sweetness in its place. .,

2. God's Ultimate plan to bring many to himself.

We see that there is more weeping and cleansing between the brothers… and real healing of some deep emotional hurts

the brothers are in good talking terms… breakdown of relationship is scene in communication.... What is one of the first things that breaks down is taking…

Joseph reveals to his brothers that was in fact alive... God had raised him up for the purpose of saving the remnant of Israel. Restoration of the brothers from those who were far to those who are close.,

3. Focuses on What God has done

T/S When we allow the Grace to work in our lives…

1. An Awakening will Heal our Emotions.

2. An Awakening will Impact our World View.

Waking up offers one of the most basic pictures of what can happen when God takes a hand in someone's life. There are classic alarm-clock stories, Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, blinded by a sudden light, stunned and speechless, discovered that the God he had worshipped had revealed himself in the crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth. John Wesley found his heart becoming strangely warm and he never looked back. They and a few others are the famous ones, but there are millions more.

And there are many stories, thought they don't hit the headlines in the same way, of the half-awake and half-asleep variety. Some people take months, years, maybe even decades, during which they aren't sure whether they're on the outside of Christian faith looking in, or on the inside looking around to see if it's real.

As with ordinary waking up, there are many people who are somewhere in between. But the point is that there's such a thing as being asleep, and there's such a thing as being awake. And it's important to tell the difference, and to be sure you're awake by the time you have to be up and ready for action, whatever that action may be.

A great start had been made in restoring the family of Jacob to its proper condition, but there was still much to be done. God is not only about bring healing us and changing our world view.. God desires to bring healing to the whole family...

Genesis 45:9–13 ESV

Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.”

Gen 45:

Now hurry up and go to my father - Come down to me... The revelation of Joseph is an Awakening --- two decades of darkness.. Jacob living in the Grip of Fear... suffering the loss of Joseph and living in fear over the loss of Benjamin... The brother living in the Grip of Guilt...

God sent me before you.. to preserve your life... they were not done with the famine they still had 5 years to go...

But now light has shone upon the darkness... What we see in our text is great commission language… Now that the brothers have seen Jospeh Go to your Jacob and your family… and share the Gospel…

Now hurry up and go to my father - Come down to me... The revelation of Joseph is an Awakening --- two decades of darkness.. Jacob living in the Grip of Fear... suffering the loss of Joseph and living in fear over the loss of Benjamin... The brother living in the Grip of Guilt... But now light has shone upon the darkness...

Now your Eyes see --- and the eyes of my brothers see.... What happens next is this beautiful scene... of tears and reconciliation...

. [==

1. Gives a Sense of Urgency (Jacob is dying)

Evangelism is one of those words we struggle we first of all we need to understand the Evangel part of the word… Evangel is the Good news… It is the place of wholeness and Healing… It’s spiritual healing where we were once dead in sin but have been made alive… That’s the awakening… It is also the part where we became whole… God dealt with our emotional life… Deals with our relationships…

We are living in a day that we need another Great Awakening… We see hat happened to these brothers when they had expereinced such love and forgiveness

When you have had that watershed moment… Joseph Brothers had just seen Joseph Alive… they have experience his forgiveness and restoration.... After 23 years of emotional guilt a huge weight had been lifted… Now, Hurry to Jacob.... After what they had just experienced…they weren’t going to drag their feet.... they couldn’t wait to get to Jacob and tell him that Joseph is Alive.... When we have encounter with Jesus Christ…when he Awaken us… when we see and our eyes are opened… We ourselves become new creations… Here is the thing --- You think that Norwex cleaning products or tuper ware…Spark is going to change your life....

What happens when your Spiritual man is Awakened to the Life Flow of God Spirit… What happens when you Emotions get healed.... The message is simply this....

and to be honest there is the cringe factor that we might associate with.... knocking on doors… handing out pamphlets… The Good News is that is mans interpretation of Evangelism....

we have images of JW knocking on doors…

Look what God has done! Joseph was thought to be dead but he is Alive… It is missional in the sense that yes we need to God.... but it is also Bring Back the next Generation....Bring back you children and your grand Children..

Go tell Jacob that Joseph is alive!”

Go.. missional language.. Go --- bring Back..the generation...

bring back you children and your grand Children..

2. The Gospel needs Proclaimation

3. The Gospel needs Demonstration

CONCLUSION —

What happens with Awakenings?

Restoration of Relationships

Genesis 45:15 ESV

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

2. Communities are Impacted

The Report was heard… News spreads… Pharoah is moved to act.. We know hearts are changed when they respond.How will they know we are Christians? By our love for one another... our ability to reconcile.. Joseph's story goes through out the palace... When Pharoah hears of this joyful reunion... It brought joy... it Pleased Pharoah and his servants... These are good stories... The rejoicing of the Prodigal --- Once was lost but now is found... . If you reconcile you have gained a brother.... Pharaoh wants to bless this family....

Pharoah sends gifts with the brothers back to Canaan... Provisions and clothes for everyone... Benjamin gets 5 changes of clothes

3. Hardened Hearts are transformed

1. Hardened - -23 year unbelief

2. Awakened and Revived.

I never want to knock someone for being an Atheist, Agnostic, or a Skeptic… We don’t do ourselves any favors as Christians when we ignore science...We don’t dismiss intellectualism and rationalism…but as Christians we acknowledge that Science does not give us enough.... The issue of Design in creation… speaks to a creator and we just can’t dismiss that...

We don’t dismiss intellectualism and rationalism…God has given us free choice and I personally believe that grace can be resisted..

Jacob is an example of the transformation of a Skeptical mind… For 23 years Joseph has believed that his son was dead… Jacob is a Skeptic who is changed into a believer.

Jacob is a Skeptic who is changed into a believer.

First Jacob is in disbelief.. his heart is numb...When Jacob hears that Joseph is alive he doesn’t believe the message.. Why? Because the evidence he has been looking at all pointed to that conclusion… When he saw Joseph’s garments soaked in blood… Jacob’s mind this is conclusive evidence… When it comes to Evolution theory this the same impact on Skeptic.. it’s conclusive… therefore… conclusive evidence… Jacob had believed what he saw… The fact was that Joseph had alive the whole time... He did not have all the information… and as a result He believed Joseph to be dead for two decades..

Just picture Jacob for a minute… the brothers arrive.. and they all waring these beautiful garments… They left has Bedowin shepherds and come back looking like princes of Egypt… Then they tell him Joseph is Alive… this was too much to believe… this was unbelievable… but something was different about his son’s their countenance had changed… they all agreeing with each other… then he’s these gifts from Pharoah being paraded in front of Him… It was overwhelming Evidence…that Joseph was alive… Then there is this moment ENOUGH… I believe…

He has believed Joseph to be dead for two decades..

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Four: The Son of Man Triumphs! (Luke 24)

Luke 24:41 describes a perplexing emotion: “they believed not for joy.” It was just too good to be true! Jacob had this same feeling when he got the news that Joseph was alive

. We told that the SPIRIT OF JACOB WAS REVIVED... As all the gifts were paraded before Jacob... (goodness of God goes before him). ...Jacob spirit was revived... I have heard enough - my son Joseph is still alive...

He has believed Joseph to be dead for two decades... But when he saw the evidence... the wagons, and all the gifts... We told that the SPIRIT OF JACOB WAS REVIVED... As all the gifts were paraded before Jacob... (goodness of God goes before him). ...

But when he saw the evidence... the wagons, and all the gifts... We told that the SPIRIT OF JACOB WAS REVIVED... As all the gifts were paraded before Jacob... (goodness of God goes before him). ...

.

. Jacob spirit was revived... I have heard enough - my son Joseph is still alive...

The narrator uses Jacobs other name ISRAEL... IT IS ENOUGH... my Son is still alive..... When it comes to the Resurrection of Jesus... Skeptics might agree that there is a historical Jesus... just like any other religious leader... What they would deny is that Jesus rose from the Dead... like Jacob... their hearts are numb... because dead people don't live.. What convinced Jacob... Was the evidence of Gifts... as they came before him... all the evidence collectively points to the Resurrection... Enough to motivate Joseph..

Waking up offers one of the most basic pictures of what can happen when God takes a hand in someone's life. There are classic alarm-clock stories, Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, blinded by a sudden light, stunned and speechless, discovered that the God he had worshipped had revealed himself in the crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth. John Wesley found his heart becoming strangely warm and he never looked back. They and a few others are the famous ones, but there are millions more.

And there are many stories, thought they don't hit the headlines in the same way, of the half-awake and half-asleep variety. Some people take months, years, maybe even decades, during which they aren't sure whether they're on the outside of Christian faith looking in, or on the inside looking around to see if it's real.

As with ordinary waking up, there are many people who are somewhere in between. But the point is that there's such a thing as being asleep, and there's such a thing as being awake. And it's important to tell the difference, and to be sure you're awake by the time you have to be up and ready for action, whatever that action may be.

The Awakening of Grace

1. An Awakening will Heal our Emotions .

We are Awakened to His person.

We are Awakened to His Infinite grace

We are Awakened to His Infinite grace

We are Awakened to his Healing Power.

We are Awakened to God’s forgiveness

2. An Awakening will Impact our Worldview.

3. An Awakening will Reset the priority of Evangelism .

1. An Awakening will Heal our Emotions.

2. An Awakening will Impact our World View.

3. An Awakening will Reset the priority of Evangelism.