MESSAGE: FIVE STEPS FOR KEEPING YOURSELF IN THE LOVE OF GOD
TEXT: GENESIS 50:19-21; JUDE Vs. 21
The funeral for Jacob is over. The eleven brothers of Joseph are afraid. They believe that Joseph might turn on them. But Joseph was not the “Natural man.” He was a spiritual man, he portrays the coming Christ, he is full of grace and truth. In Jude Vs. 21, the Bible says “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
God highlights the life of Joseph. He is not the “natural man,” He is a man who shows amazing grace. His life portrays the coming Lord Jesus Christ who was full of grace and truth. Just see how Joseph responded to his brother-Gen. 50:19-21, “And Joseph said unto them, fear not; for I am in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass. As it is this day, to save much people alive.”
Now therefore fear ye not; I will nourish you and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spoke kindly unto them.” He kept himself in the love of God. Let us learn how to “keep yourself in the love of God”-
I KNOW THAT I AM NOT GOD-Gen. 50:19.
“And Joseph said unto them, fear not, for I am in the place of God?”
- Slowly meditate on these thoughts;
“I am not God.”
- Therefore- I cannot control the circumstances of my life.
- Therefore-I don’t know everything there is to know.
- Therefore you will before me on the day of judgement.
- Therefore-it is for God to forgive you.
- Keep in mind that Pharaoh was worshipped as God.
- Joseph had authority of Pharaoh, but he chose the position of humility. He said, “I am not in the place of God”
I KNOW THAT I LIVE IN AN EVIL WORLD.
Genesis 50:20, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me.”
- This world is an evil place, expect the world to say, “crucify him, crucify him.”
- Who would have thought that the ten brothers of Joseph would have such hatred for him. There is much evil in this world.
- Joseph did not excuse the behavior of his brothers.
- He said “You thought evil against me.”
- You cannot be forgiven until you recognize that what you have done is “Evil.”
- You cannot forgive others, until you confirm that what they have done to you is a “great evil.”
- As a believer in Christ, if you do not anticipate a cross, you will never be able to carry one!
I BELIEVE THAT GOD IS A SOVEREIGN GOD.
“Gen. 50:20, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good.”
- Although this world is under the domination of satan, God is much greater than the devil.
I BELIEVE THAT GOD USES HIS SOVEREIGHT FOR MY GOOD
Gen 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
- Romans 8:28 says that “All things work together for good, to them that love God, to those that are called according to His purpose.”
- If we do not “keep ourselves in the love of God” we will not experience “all things work together for the good.”
- Again the verse says “Those who are called according to His purpose.
- We are not placed here on earth for our own purpose, so what is that purpose?
GOD’S ULTIMATE PLAN FOR MY LIFE IS FOR ME TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS-Gen. 50:21.
“Now therefore fear ye not; I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them and spoke kindly unto them.”
- Joseph recognized that the purpose of life is to know and make Him known.
CONCLUSION
- Let the love of God flow to others.
- Joseph had been betrayed and hated by his brothers.
- They sought death and enslavement, but Joseph did not respond in hate. He said “Let me nourish your little ones…..” This was amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
PRAYER:
God help me to stay in the love of God!
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