Adversity, Fear & Grace

Adversity, Fear, ü and Grace 43:11-14 A father’s guidance and seemingly hesitant submission to “El-Shaddai”, which means, “God Almighty”. ü 43:15-22 A Brothers Reunion saturated by fear ü 43:23-25 Theology lessons from an Egyptian steward The Big Idea: Life is full of facing hard things that have no immediate and ü obvious explanation. Both adversity and unexpected grace can produce fear inside us. When properly understood, grace strips away our fears. God has planned and invites you to a banquet of grace. Will you come? 43:26-29 Catching up on family news ü 43:30-34 A Banquet of Grace o Compassion and love for the guests o Generous and even extravagant gifts o A gathering of the undeserving o The Host is gradually revealing himself. Brothers are astonished at his knowledge of the details of their lives. (v. 33) o A celebration of joy and shalom Genesis 43 February 11, 2018 An Outline of Genesis 43 A Picture of Surrender to “El-Shaddai” (vv. 1-14) A Picture of Peace that Comes from the Lord’s Generous Grace (vv. 15-34) ü ü 43:1-5 Temporary relief in Canaan, where Jacob and his 9 sons are. The fear of the patriarch is on display. Spiritual Lessons We Need to Learn: • 43:6-10 Jacob is suddenly referred to by the name God gave him – “Israel”, which means, “wrestle with God; may God prevail.” 5 “Macro Reasons” God Allows Adversity in the Lives of His Children (John Piper) o Repentance: Suffering is a call for us and others to turn from treasuring anything on earth above God • • • o Reliance: Suffering is a call to trust God and not the life-sustaining props of this world. o Righteousness: Suffering is the discipline of our loving heavenly Father so that we come to share his righteousness and holiness. Hebrews 12:5, 10-11 o Reward: Suffering is working for us a great reward in heaven that will make up for every loss here a thousand-fold. 2 Corinthians 4:17 – “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” o Reminder: Suffering reminds us that God sent his Son into the world to • suffer so that our suffering would not be God’s condemnation but his purification. Philippians 3:10 “. . . that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings.” www.crossrdschurch.com I can take a blessing of God (like Benjamin) and elevate it to the place of an idol. Full faith in God is when give up our idols and trust and treasure the Lord more than anything else. Life is full of “common grace”, but joy is multiplied in my life when I know who gave me those gifts. God is working through Joseph to move this family to genuine reconciliation: o True Repentance § Turning fully away from their sin (not just enough to get the pressure off) § Turning to full trust in El-Shaddai o An experience with Grace § Receiving undeserved gifts § Receiving forgiveness § Receiving Joseph back into their lives This is all a Picture of Salvation in Christ “ May God Almighty [El-Shaddai] grant you mercy…” Genesis 43:14