March 17, 2024 | Dave McGinley
Passage: Genesis 50:15-21
MESSAGE NOTES:
Can God work in this broken world?
They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. Genesis 37:18
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” Genesis 50:15
So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Genesis 50:16-17
But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? Genesis 50:19
Joseph knows who he is.
Joseph knows what God can do.
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. Genesis 50:20
Joseph trusts that God is good and does good.
So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:21
God does work in this broken world.
“May Christ shield me today. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen."
1. Know who you are
2. Know what God can do
3. Trust that God is good and does good
Jacob is a broken man who has broken relationships.
Jacob had a broken relationship with his brother.
Jacob has a broken relationship with his dad.
“I will kill my brother!” Genesis 28:41
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” Genesis 28:18
“If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear, so that I return safely to my Father’s house, then the Lord will be my God.” Genesis 28:20-21
Jacob had a broken relationship with God.
“Jacob was left alone and a Man wrestled with Jacob until daybreak.” Genesis 32:24
Israel means “he struggles with God.”
When we lose ourselves, when we die to ourselves and abandon our schemes, then we win.
Jacob named the place Peniel, “It is because I saw God face to face.” Genesis 32:30 -- The Man is God!
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 -- We are Jacob.
Hold on to God. He has blessed you and He will bless you.
Series Information
It is easy to mistake the Old Testament for being the part of the Bible all about rules and a frustrated God working on a broken world. But what if we took time to see how God's plan of forgiveness and restoration started at the very beginning - all the way back in Genesis?
As we begin our 40-day journey toward Easter on February 18th, join us in our series Broken. During this series, we will explore key figures in Genesis and see how God takes broken people, brings forgiveness and ultimately brings restoration to them and us through Jesus.
