WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.600
 Well, please take your Bibles this morning and open them up to Genesis chapter 37.

00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:07.679
!

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.179
 Their story last week in chapter 36.

00:00:33.100 --> 00:00:38.240
 And now the rest of the book of Genesis, starting here in chapter 37, is going to focus in on

00:00:38.240 --> 00:00:39.380
 the story of Joseph.

00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:45.019
 And so if you would, when you found it, Genesis 37, let's stand in honor of the reading of

00:00:45.019 --> 00:00:45.679
 the Word of God.

00:00:53.460 --> 00:00:57.359
 Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings in the land of Canaan.

00:00:57.359 --> 00:00:59.799
 And these are the generations of Jacob.

00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:04.900
 Joseph, being 17 years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers.

00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:09.960
 He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives.

00:01:10.460 --> 00:01:13.200
 And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.

00:01:14.299 --> 00:01:19.159
 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he was the son of his old

00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:21.879
 age, and he made him a robe of many colors.

00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:27.180
 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they

00:01:27.180 --> 00:01:30.020
 hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.

00:01:30.940 --> 00:01:34.840
 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.

00:01:35.580 --> 00:01:36.320
 He said to them,

00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:38.199
 Hear this dream that I have dreamed.

00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:41.019
 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field.

00:01:41.119 --> 00:01:43.519
 And behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright.

00:01:44.179 --> 00:01:47.739
 And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.

00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:49.519
 And his brothers said to him,

00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:51.259
 Are you indeed to reign over us?

00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:53.780
 Or are you indeed to rule over us?

00:01:53.780 --> 00:01:57.280
 So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

00:01:58.379 --> 00:02:01.239
 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said,

00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:03.299
 Behold, I have dreamed another dream.

00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:07.700
 Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.

00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:13.319
 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him,

00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:15.360
 What is this dream that you have dreamed?

00:02:15.860 --> 00:02:20.719
 Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?

00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:25.340
 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:29.300
 Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem.

00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:31.000
 And Israel said to Joseph,

00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:33.560
 Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem?

00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:35.419
 Come, I will send you to them.

00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:36.759
 And he said to him,

00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:38.159
 Here I am.

00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:39.699
 So he said to him,

00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:43.960
 Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.

00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:48.180
 So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:52.460
 And a man found him wandering in the fields, and the man asked him,

00:02:52.700 --> 00:02:53.460
 What are you seeking?

00:02:54.200 --> 00:02:55.860
 I am seeking my brothers, he said.

00:02:56.360 --> 00:02:58.420
 Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.

00:02:59.200 --> 00:03:00.080
 And the man said,

00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:03.700
 They have gone away, for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan.

00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:07.400
 So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

00:03:08.379 --> 00:03:11.219
 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them,

00:03:11.480 --> 00:03:13.920
 they conspired against him to kill him.

00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:15.500
 And they said to one another,

00:03:16.039 --> 00:03:17.199
 Here comes this dreamer.

00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:20.519
 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.

00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:24.000
 Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him,

00:03:24.119 --> 00:03:26.479
 and we will see what will become of his dreams.

00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:30.619
 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying,

00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:32.339
 Let us not take his life.

00:03:33.139 --> 00:03:34.199
 And Reuben said to them,

00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:35.479
 Shed no blood.

00:03:36.079 --> 00:03:38.119
 Throw him into this pit here in the wilderness,

00:03:38.299 --> 00:03:39.699
 but do not lay a hand on him,

00:03:40.099 --> 00:03:43.479
 that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father.

00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.119
 So when Joseph came to his brothers,

00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:47.799
 they stripped him of his robe,

00:03:48.099 --> 00:03:49.759
 the robe of many colors that he wore,

00:03:50.099 --> 00:03:52.639
 and they took him and threw him into a pit.

00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:54.099
 The pit was empty.

00:03:54.339 --> 00:03:55.579
 There was no water in it.

00:03:56.419 --> 00:03:57.639
 Then they sat down to eat.

00:03:58.479 --> 00:03:59.060
 And looking up,

00:03:59.119 --> 00:04:01.919
 they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead

00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:04.979
 with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh

00:04:04.979 --> 00:04:07.000
 on their way to carry it down to Egypt.

00:04:07.539 --> 00:04:09.000
 Then Judah said to his brothers,

00:04:09.459 --> 00:04:12.439
 What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?

00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:14.859
 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites,

00:04:15.020 --> 00:04:16.959
 and let not our hand be upon him.

00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:19.199
 For he is our brother, our own flesh.

00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:21.279
 And his brothers listened to him.

00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:23.980
 Then Midianite traders passed by,

00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:26.740
 and they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit

00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:30.240
 and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver.

00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:32.439
 And they took Joseph to Egypt.

00:04:33.420 --> 00:04:34.959
 When Reuben returned to the pit

00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:36.879
 and saw that Joseph was not in the pit,

00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:39.879
 he tore his clothes and returned to his brothers and said,

00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:42.899
 The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?

00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:46.339
 Then they took Joseph's robe and slaughtered a goat

00:04:46.339 --> 00:04:48.279
 and dipped the robe in the blood.

00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:50.339
 And they sent the robe of many colors

00:04:50.339 --> 00:04:51.879
 and brought it to their father and said,

00:04:52.219 --> 00:04:53.279
 This we have found.

00:04:53.659 --> 00:04:55.980
 Please identify whether it is your son's robe or not.

00:04:56.819 --> 00:04:58.319
 And he identified it and said,

00:04:58.399 --> 00:04:59.680
 It is my son's robe.

00:05:00.159 --> 00:05:02.000
 A fierce animal has devoured him.

00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:04.819
 Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.

00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:09.139
 Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins

00:05:09.139 --> 00:05:11.060
 and mourned for his son many days.

00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:15.480
 All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him,

00:05:15.599 --> 00:05:18.439
 but he refused to be comforted and said,

00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:22.639
 No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son mourning.

00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:25.079
 Thus his father wept for him.

00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:29.339
 Meanwhile, the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar,

00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:33.899
 an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:37.299
 The grass withers and the flower fades,

00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:40.139
 but the word of the Lord endures forever.

00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:44.419
 Father, we pray now as we open up this word

00:05:44.419 --> 00:05:45.879
 and begin the story of Joseph,

00:05:46.159 --> 00:05:49.219
 Lord, would you give us our proper perspective

00:05:49.219 --> 00:05:51.939
 on the suffering that comes into our life?

00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:54.879
 Would we see it in light of the promises you've made to us in Christ?

00:05:55.599 --> 00:05:56.759
 We pray this in Jesus' name.

00:05:57.560 --> 00:05:57.839
 Amen.

00:05:58.759 --> 00:05:59.819
 You may be seated.

00:05:59.819 --> 00:05:59.919
 Amen.

00:06:03.899 --> 00:06:12.979
 God permits what he hates to accomplish what he loves.

00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:19.340
 These ten words changed Joni Erikson Tada's perspective on her suffering.

00:06:19.439 --> 00:06:22.560
 You may be familiar with the story of Joni Erikson Tada.

00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:26.400
 She suffered a tragic car accident as a teenager

00:06:26.400 --> 00:06:30.160
 that broke her neck and left her for life,

00:06:30.280 --> 00:06:32.100
 suffering as a quadriplegic,

00:06:32.700 --> 00:06:35.240
 suffering all sorts of physical distress,

00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:37.759
 obviously as a paralyzed teenager,

00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:42.220
 but as well as emotional distress and spiritual distress.

00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:44.300
 She wondered and she asked,

00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:47.980
 well, how could a good God allow something like this to happen to me?

00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:52.680
 How could a good God allow someone like me

00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:54.780
 who has all of my life ahead of me

00:06:54.780 --> 00:06:57.519
 to go through such suffering?

00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:00.639
 And these ten words shared by a friend of hers

00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:02.779
 put everything into proper perspective.

00:07:03.039 --> 00:07:05.399
 God permits what he hates

00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:08.979
 to accomplish what he loves.

00:07:09.859 --> 00:07:11.139
 When you read through the scriptures,

00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:12.879
 you'll notice that believers,

00:07:13.099 --> 00:07:16.139
 they have a kind of strange way of thinking about suffering

00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.419
 and injustice.

00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:20.799
 You read the book of James

00:07:20.799 --> 00:07:22.039
 and you'll see he tells us,

00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:24.019
 count it all joy, my brothers,

00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:26.039
 when you meet trials of various kinds.

00:07:26.039 --> 00:07:26.779
 That's strange.

00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:28.959
 Peter tells us,

00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:32.139
 do not be surprised at the fiery trial

00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:34.019
 when it comes upon you to test you.

00:07:35.039 --> 00:07:35.899
 John tells us,

00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:37.120
 don't be surprised, brothers,

00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:39.120
 that the world hates you.

00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.479
 And Paul tells us,

00:07:41.599 --> 00:07:43.799
 we rejoice in our sufferings.

00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:45.939
 I mean, don't you wish that you knew the secret

00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:47.959
 to how we can actually view suffering

00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:50.099
 and injustice with that kind of perspective?

00:07:51.219 --> 00:07:54.819
 This morning, we get to see the secret

00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:56.699
 from the story of Joseph.

00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:58.000
 And the secret is this,

00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:00.339
 it's the absolute certainty

00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:04.339
 that God is at work in all things,

00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:07.740
 even the hardest things in our life,

00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:09.159
 for good.

00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:12.280
 Now, this seems to be the big picture message

00:08:12.280 --> 00:08:13.280
 of Joseph's story.

00:08:13.380 --> 00:08:14.840
 I'm excited to dive into his story

00:08:14.840 --> 00:08:16.260
 over the next several weeks together.

00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:18.520
 This is an innocent man,

00:08:18.580 --> 00:08:20.439
 a teenager, 17 years old,

00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:24.320
 who faced harsh and unfair circumstances.

00:08:24.320 --> 00:08:26.680
 He's the victim of great injustice.

00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:28.240
 And yet, in all of it,

00:08:28.280 --> 00:08:30.640
 what we see as we walk through Joseph's story together

00:08:30.640 --> 00:08:34.420
 is that our God was at work for good.

00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:36.879
 So let's take a look here this morning

00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.299
 and we'll ask the question,

00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:42.240
 how should believers think about our suffering?

00:08:42.439 --> 00:08:44.179
 And we'll see four answers this morning.

00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:45.759
 This will be our outline if you're taking notes.

00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:50.059
 How should believers think about our suffering?

00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:50.860
 Four answers.

00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:54.120
 First, we should understand

00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:56.180
 that here in a fallen world, believer,

00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:59.580
 people may hate your favor.

00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:03.560
 People may hate your favor.

00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:05.300
 Look there with me to verse one.

00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:07.039
 We see this in verses one through four here

00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:08.379
 at the beginning of the passage.

00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:13.879
 And here we see how loved Joseph is by his father.

00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:16.680
 Joseph, by the time that we catch up with him

00:09:16.680 --> 00:09:17.659
 here in chapter seven,

00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:19.980
 he's now 17 years old.

00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:23.000
 You might remember how he was the only son

00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:25.120
 that Rachel bore to Jacob

00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:28.180
 until finally she gave birth last week to Benjamin

00:09:28.180 --> 00:09:30.519
 and ended up dying in childbirth with him.

00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:32.200
 But we see that Joseph,

00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:34.620
 he holds a special place in his father's heart.

00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:37.480
 I mean, he is clearly his father's favorite son.

00:09:38.420 --> 00:09:40.779
 Jacob loved Rachel more than all his other wives.

00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:41.980
 She was his favorite wife.

00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:44.000
 And now we see that he loved Joseph

00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:45.560
 more than all his other sons.

00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:47.759
 And I'm sure you realize, right, parents in the room,

00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:49.279
 this is not a good idea.

00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:53.200
 We ought not play favorites with your kids.

00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:54.920
 But Jacob does.

00:09:55.060 --> 00:09:58.820
 And we see this tension building up in the family as a result.

00:09:58.899 --> 00:09:59.720
 Look there to verse two.

00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:02.820
 It says that Joseph grew up with his brothers,

00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:05.379
 the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah.

00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:09.279
 And he brought a bad report of them to their father.

00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:12.320
 Younger brother Joseph is a tattletale.

00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:17.440
 And you can just imagine Joseph coming and spilling all the dirt,

00:10:17.540 --> 00:10:19.640
 sharing all those bad things his brothers are up to.

00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:22.300
 And how do you think his brothers are going to feel about that?

00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:23.300
 Right?

00:10:23.420 --> 00:10:25.040
 You probably are familiar with the saying,

00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:27.540
 snitches get what?

00:10:27.760 --> 00:10:27.900
 Help me.

00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:28.560
 Snitches.

00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.500
 Yeah, snitches get stitches, right?

00:10:30.579 --> 00:10:32.359
 Nobody likes to be told on.

00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:35.139
 And here's Joseph, his father's golden child.

00:10:35.239 --> 00:10:38.419
 He's spilling all the family gossip at his father's feet.

00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:40.439
 So that's strike number one against Joseph.

00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:43.439
 Strike number two comes here in verse three.

00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:43.899
 Look there.

00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:50.799
 Verse three says that Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons.

00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:52.740
 And again, this isn't a surprise.

00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.799
 We've seen this building already, haven't we?

00:10:55.579 --> 00:11:00.079
 You remember how when Jacob feared meeting Esau on the way back into town,

00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:04.000
 how he strategically thought about how to handle the situation.

00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:04.620
 What did he do?

00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:07.759
 He put all his other kids at the front of the line

00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:11.479
 and he put Rachel and Joseph all the way at the back

00:11:11.479 --> 00:11:14.000
 so that if Esau came and was angry,

00:11:14.099 --> 00:11:15.579
 he would take care of all of them first

00:11:15.579 --> 00:11:18.799
 and maybe Rachel and Joseph would be able to escape.

00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:20.299
 This is nothing new here.

00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:22.639
 Everybody knows that Joseph is the favorite.

00:11:23.599 --> 00:11:27.039
 And again, we get to see how Israel's sin

00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:31.399
 is having this negative ripple effect on the whole family here.

00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:33.719
 He loves Joseph the most.

00:11:34.359 --> 00:11:37.120
 And to make that abundantly clear, just so that everyone can see it,

00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:41.599
 Israel gives him this special multicolored robe.

00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:45.179
 It's like a visual reminder to everyone every day,

00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:47.359
 to all his brothers, everybody that sees him,

00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:51.259
 that I'm special and I'm the one that's loved by my father.

00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:52.779
 You don't have one of those, do you?

00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:53.259
 Right?

00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.919
 And we see in verse 4,

00:11:56.039 --> 00:12:00.120
 when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers,

00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.100
 how did they respond?

00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:02.960
 They hated him.

00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:06.600
 They could not even speak peacefully to him.

00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:08.300
 This is strike number two.

00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:13.120
 They hate that he is so loved by his father.

00:12:13.359 --> 00:12:17.000
 Now, none of us are Joseph.

00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.740
 This story is not ultimately about us.

00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:25.100
 But, if we are in Christ,

00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:28.460
 then we can draw a connection here

00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:30.259
 and draw some similarities here

00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:34.399
 to the experience of Christians here in this world.

00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.840
 You remember John told us,

00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:39.240
 do not be surprised that the world hates you.

00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:42.940
 And one reason why the world might hate you,

00:12:43.060 --> 00:12:44.740
 even if they don't recognize it,

00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:49.740
 is because you, Christian, are so beloved of the father.

00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:53.560
 Now, just think about who you are in Christ for a moment.

00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:55.279
 If you are in Christ,

00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:57.860
 you are a beloved child of God.

00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.539
 And sure, yes, of course,

00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:04.500
 God has a certain general love for all his creation

00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:06.560
 and the most general way of speaking

00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:08.820
 that we are all children of God

00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:10.919
 and that he has created all of us.

00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:12.740
 But the Bible tells us

00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:15.700
 that the Lord has a special, particular,

00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:20.659
 saving, steadfast love for his people in Christ

00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:22.899
 that not everyone in the world shares.

00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:27.639
 Those who are in Christ are children of God.

00:13:28.339 --> 00:13:30.679
 The Bible tells us those who are not in Christ

00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:32.000
 are children of the enemy.

00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:36.039
 The church is the very bride of Christ.

00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.799
 And I can tell you I love all of you,

00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.819
 but I can assure you

00:13:38.819 --> 00:13:41.620
 I don't love you the same way that I love my bride.

00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:46.819
 Ephesians 5 tells us that he loves the church

00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:49.600
 and gave himself up for the church.

00:13:49.660 --> 00:13:51.580
 And sometimes we sing the line in the old hymn

00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:54.040
 that from heaven he came and sought her

00:13:54.040 --> 00:13:56.060
 to be his holy bride.

00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:58.700
 With his own blood he bought her

00:13:58.700 --> 00:14:00.840
 and for her life he died.

00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.440
 We are his own body.

00:14:03.280 --> 00:14:06.560
 He nourishes us and cherishes us

00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:08.900
 and he washes us as with water,

00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:10.260
 with the word of God.

00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.540
 We're told in Ephesians 1,

00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:15.559
 in love he predestined us for adoption as sons.

00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:17.419
 We're told in Romans 8

00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:19.559
 that nothing can separate us

00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:22.919
 from the love of God for us in Christ.

00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:26.599
 This is the special love that God has for his people.

00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:31.459
 We may not be robed in material goods,

00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:33.379
 and some are, some aren't,

00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:36.219
 but the Lord robes his people in joy

00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:40.660
 and in confidence and in hope and in holiness.

00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:43.879
 And one day, church, we will be robed in glory.

00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.920
 But you see, those who don't know him,

00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:49.759
 they don't share this special favor.

00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:54.480
 They don't share this place of privilege.

00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:58.860
 And they don't share this extravagant love of God.

00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:01.360
 And so what happens when you speak to them

00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:04.180
 or to your father about their sin

00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:06.099
 and this thing called repentance of sin,

00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:06.779
 what happens?

00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:08.019
 How do they respond?

00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:11.299
 Some may listen and repent

00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:13.879
 and prove themselves to belong to the Lord,

00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:15.439
 but others, guess what?

00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:17.579
 They will hate you for it.

00:15:19.359 --> 00:15:20.939
 Do you notice that when you come to Christ

00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:22.159
 and some of those relationships

00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.739
 that you had before,

00:15:23.839 --> 00:15:24.779
 they get a little bit tougher,

00:15:25.459 --> 00:15:27.059
 a little bit harder to navigate?

00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:30.939
 There is a spiritual division

00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:33.199
 between those who know the Lord

00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:35.480
 and those who do not know the Lord.

00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.440
 And there's a reason why.

00:15:36.540 --> 00:15:38.420
 Jesus tells us in John chapter 15,

00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.879
 if the world hates you,

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:44.940
 know that it has hated me before it hated you.

00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.280
 If you were of the world,

00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:49.320
 the world would love you as its own,

00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:51.720
 but because you are not of the world,

00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.960
 but I chose you out of the world,

00:15:54.040 --> 00:15:55.300
 we could say with Ephesians 1,

00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:57.820
 I chose you in love out of the world,

00:15:58.300 --> 00:16:01.160
 therefore the world hates you.

00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:02.600
 Don't be surprised by this.

00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.600
 Not only this,

00:16:04.719 --> 00:16:05.199
 but second,

00:16:06.339 --> 00:16:08.299
 we should also know in a fallen world,

00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:11.519
 people may hate your future.

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:15.579
 People may hate your future.

00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:17.339
 Look there with me starting in verse five.

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:19.500
 And here we see strike number three.

00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:23.439
 Joseph has a dream.

00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:26.800
 And it says that when he shares this dream,

00:16:26.880 --> 00:16:27.920
 when he told him his dream,

00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.600
 they hated him even more.

00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:30.960
 What could he possibly say

00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:32.800
 that would make them so angry?

00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:33.680
 Look there to verse seven.

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.660
 He says,

00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:38.220
 we were all there binding up sheaves in the field,

00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:38.840
 and behold,

00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:40.840
 my sheaf stood up,

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:43.820
 and all of your sheaves gathered around my sheaf,

00:16:43.880 --> 00:16:46.680
 and they bowed down to my sheaf.

00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:49.540
 And it seems like they all understand the meaning.

00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:52.760
 Are you really going to reign over us?

00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:56.620
 And so they hated him even more for his dreams

00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:57.919
 and for his words.

00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.720
 But he's not done.

00:16:58.819 --> 00:16:58.919
 I mean,

00:16:58.939 --> 00:16:59.639
 you'd think this guy,

00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:01.460
 maybe he would have gotten the message by now.

00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:03.980
 But verse nine says he dreams again,

00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:06.099
 and he goes and opens up his mouth,

00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:07.500
 and he goes and tells them again,

00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:09.059
 just no awareness at all, right?

00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.299
 And he says,

00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:10.420
 well,

00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.099
 this time,

00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.839
 listen to my dream,

00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.140
 guys,

00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.039
 the sun and the moon

00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:15.240
 and the 11 stars

00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:17.259
 were all bowing down to me.

00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.660
 Can you imagine the brothers?

00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:23.600
 These 11 brothers.

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:24.600
 Now,

00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:26.480
 every word that Joseph is saying at this point

00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:28.300
 is just cranking up the heat right now,

00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:28.460
 right?

00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.220
 Are you kidding me,

00:17:29.300 --> 00:17:29.519
 Joseph?

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:32.380
 These 11 stars are bowing down to you

00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:34.420
 and the sun and the moon,

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.500
 mom and dad too.

00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.580
 And it says,

00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.759
 when he told it to his father

00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.679
 and to his brothers,

00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:41.720
 his father rebukes him

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.079
 and says,

00:17:42.199 --> 00:17:44.279
 what is this dream you've dreamed?

00:17:45.199 --> 00:17:46.179
 Shall I and your mother

00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:46.819
 and your brothers

00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.919
 really come down

00:17:47.919 --> 00:17:49.359
 and bow ourselves

00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.639
 to the ground before you?

00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.399
 And it says,

00:17:51.439 --> 00:17:53.139
 his brothers were jealous of him,

00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:56.240
 but his father kept the saying in mind.

00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.480
 Now,

00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.859
 I make no excuses

00:17:57.859 --> 00:17:59.039
 for what happens next,

00:17:59.119 --> 00:17:59.379
 right?

00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.220
 I mean,

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.399
 the brothers are clearly

00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:02.539
 100% in the wrong,

00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:03.839
 but you can understand

00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.599
 why they're upset,

00:18:04.699 --> 00:18:05.059
 can't you?

00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:06.899
 I mean,

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.399
 who is this guy?

00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.259
 Who does Joseph think he is?

00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:12.500
 He's already got it all.

00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:13.359
 The dad loves him

00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:14.159
 more than all of us

00:18:14.159 --> 00:18:15.279
 and now he's telling us

00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.899
 this dream he has

00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.519
 of all of us

00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.559
 bowing down to him.

00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.220
 Really?

00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.240
 They hate him

00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:25.539
 for what God has revealed to him

00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:27.480
 about his future.

00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.419
 And again,

00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:30.000
 Christian,

00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:31.279
 I don't think we have to work too hard

00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.500
 to draw a parallel

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.779
 to our experience,

00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:34.240
 do we?

00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.859
 A Christian,

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.720
 you understand,

00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:37.480
 don't you then?

00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.700
 That you have ahead of you

00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:41.679
 a glorious future.

00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:44.759
 If you are in Christ,

00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:47.240
 you are destined for glory

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.039
 and we know that

00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:49.359
 without a shadow of a doubt,

00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.579
 if you are in Christ,

00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:52.500
 you are going to be

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:54.179
 with him in glory.

00:18:55.419 --> 00:18:56.720
 We have ahead of us,

00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.519
 we get to inherit

00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.460
 the new heavens

00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.619
 and the new earth,

00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.000
 all the world

00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.879
 renewed

00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:02.579
 and freed

00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.440
 from sin's curse.

00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.859
 That's our future in Christ.

00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.539
 And we can say

00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.419
 even more than that,

00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.240
 we know that

00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.940
 when Christ returns,

00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:10.480
 Christian,

00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.879
 we are going to

00:19:11.879 --> 00:19:14.059
 reign with him

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:15.659
 in the new heavens,

00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.399
 in the new earth.

00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.379
 Paul tells us

00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:19.460
 in 1 Corinthians 6

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.379
 that the saints

00:19:20.379 --> 00:19:21.980
 are going to judge

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.819
 the world.

00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:25.220
 In Daniel chapter 7,

00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:25.859
 you remember

00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.740
 when we went through Daniel,

00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.200
 it tells us

00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:27.700
 the kingdom

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.619
 and the dominion

00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.259
 and the greatness

00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.919
 of the kingdoms

00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:31.200
 under the whole heaven

00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.279
 shall be given

00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.299
 to the people

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.279
 of the saints

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.220
 of the Most High.

00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.180
 That's us, church.

00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.819
 His kingdom

00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:39.299
 shall be an everlasting kingdom

00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.480
 and all dominions

00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.180
 shall serve

00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:42.860
 and obey him.

00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.140
 That is our future

00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.480
 in Christ.

00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:46.180
 But again,

00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.920
 not everyone

00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.960
 shares this future.

00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.140
 And those who don't

00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.360
 may resent you

00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:54.120
 for the future

00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.900
 that you have.

00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.940
 They may mock you.

00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.660
 Are you serious?

00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:58.900
 And what is this talk

00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.660
 of eternal life?

00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.360
 Are you kidding me?

00:20:02.040 --> 00:20:02.480
 You?

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.840
 You who have no money

00:20:04.840 --> 00:20:06.440
 and no status

00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.360
 and no position

00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:07.960
 of authority

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.880
 here on this earth,

00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.060
 you're going to reign

00:20:10.060 --> 00:20:10.519
 over me?

00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.920
 You're going ahead of me?

00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:13.460
 I say,

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.720
 that's exactly right.

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.779
 Earthly status

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:18.279
 and earthly positions

00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.000
 of authority

00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.840
 and earthly accumulations

00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.220
 of wealth,

00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.500
 that matters very little.

00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:23.500
 It matters nothing

00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.440
 in the kingdom of God.

00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.440
 The meek will inherit

00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.960
 the earth,

00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:26.820
 Jesus tells us.

00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:28.640
 God chose

00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.360
 what is weak

00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:29.819
 in the world

00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:31.059
 to shame the strong,

00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:32.159
 Paul tells us.

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.619
 It's incomprehensible

00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.740
 to the natural mind

00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.819
 and people may

00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:38.000
 hate you

00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.659
 for believing it.

00:20:39.699 --> 00:20:39.939
 And we know

00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.779
 the enemy certainly

00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.819
 doesn't love your future.

00:20:43.719 --> 00:20:44.199
 The enemy

00:20:44.199 --> 00:20:45.539
 wants to keep you

00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.379
 from getting there

00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:48.019
 at all costs.

00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.819
 The enemy

00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:51.319
 and all who belong

00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:51.719
 to him,

00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.779
 they work as hard

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:54.119
 as they possibly can

00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.379
 to keep you

00:20:55.379 --> 00:20:56.259
 from reaching

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.240
 your glorious

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.479
 inheritance in Christ.

00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.380
 And so we see

00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:01.620
 people may hate you

00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:02.380
 for the favor

00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:03.140
 you have.

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.779
 You are loved

00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.360
 of the Father.

00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.420
 They may hate you

00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.180
 for the future

00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:07.059
 you have.

00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:07.740
 Your glorious

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.900
 inheritance in Christ.

00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:09.700
 And so,

00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.180
 third,

00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.180
 because of this,

00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.360
 we should realize

00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:14.779
 that here in a fallen world,

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.140
 people may seek

00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:17.420
 your failure.

00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:20.420
 People may seek

00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:22.000
 your failure.

00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.579
 Look there,

00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.980
 starting in verse 12.

00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:26.079
 And this dream

00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:27.640
 that Joseph dreamed

00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.299
 was clearly

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.519
 strike three,

00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.000
 right?

00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.940
 His brothers have had

00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.440
 enough.

00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:33.140
 They go out to pasture

00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.319
 their father's flock

00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:34.900
 in the field

00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:36.000
 and Israel sends

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.940
 Joseph out

00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:38.160
 to join them.

00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:38.759
 Why?

00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:40.200
 So that the tattletale

00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.160
 can report back.

00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:41.779
 How are they doing?

00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.500
 How are they doing

00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.099
 what I've asked them

00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:44.480
 to do?

00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.380
 And so he goes,

00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.299
 but apparently

00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.140
 it says he has a hard

00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:49.240
 time finding them

00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.880
 because they're not

00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.519
 in Shechem

00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.240
 where they're supposed

00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.660
 to be.

00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:53.660
 They're over in Dothan,

00:21:54.100 --> 00:21:55.560
 which is not in Alabama.

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.820
 That's about a day's

00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:58.259
 journey north of Shechem.

00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.720
 Already he's got

00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.360
 a little bit of dirt

00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.400
 to share on his brothers.

00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:03.180
 So he goes

00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.259
 and he finds them

00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.540
 and verse 18

00:22:05.540 --> 00:22:06.500
 says that his brothers,

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.560
 they see him

00:22:07.560 --> 00:22:08.380
 from afar

00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.820
 and before he makes

00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:10.820
 his way to them,

00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.860
 they start to talk

00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.779
 amongst themselves

00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:14.660
 and they conspire

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.100
 against him

00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:17.500
 how to kill him.

00:22:17.560 --> 00:22:17.860
 They said,

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.360
 here comes this dreamer.

00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:21.759
 Let's kill him

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.359
 and throw him

00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.159
 into one of the pits

00:22:23.159 --> 00:22:23.939
 and then here's

00:22:23.939 --> 00:22:24.379
 what we'll do.

00:22:24.439 --> 00:22:25.519
 We'll say that a fierce

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.559
 animal has come

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.899
 and devoured him

00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.939
 and we'll see

00:22:28.939 --> 00:22:29.719
 what becomes

00:22:29.719 --> 00:22:31.199
 of his dreams.

00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.579
 Except Reuben

00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.399
 speaks up

00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:34.979
 and why he's

00:22:34.979 --> 00:22:35.519
 the only one

00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.199
 I don't know

00:22:36.199 --> 00:22:36.839
 but I'm grateful

00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:38.259
 for Joseph's sake

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.899
 that he does

00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.359
 and he says,

00:22:39.479 --> 00:22:40.019
 no, no, no, no, no,

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.000
 shed no blood.

00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.259
 Just throw him

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.719
 in the pit

00:22:42.719 --> 00:22:43.199
 but don't lay

00:22:43.199 --> 00:22:44.079
 a hand on him

00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.919
 and we're told

00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.659
 he said this

00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:46.959
 because his intention

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.840
 was to come back

00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:49.240
 and to rescue him

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.940
 and to bring him

00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.840
 back to his father

00:22:50.840 --> 00:22:52.019
 but regardless,

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.579
 all the brothers agree

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.779
 they think it's a good plan

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:56.299
 and so Joseph comes,

00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.120
 they strip him

00:22:57.120 --> 00:22:57.819
 of his robe,

00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:59.000
 they take him,

00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.860
 they throw him

00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.920
 into the pit

00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.680
 and they leave him

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.299
 for dead.

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.840
 This is a terrible

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.500
 injustice,

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.079
 isn't it?

00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.840
 Joseph has done

00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:09.880
 nothing wrong,

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.779
 he's an innocent man,

00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:12.039
 he's their own brother,

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.920
 can you imagine?

00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:15.820
 And before you say,

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:17.580
 well, that's crazy,

00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.420
 I mean it is crazy,

00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.680
 before you say

00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.500
 I would never do

00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.420
 anything like that,

00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:21.900
 do you remember

00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:23.500
 how all this started?

00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:25.660
 They didn't just

00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.759
 wake up one day

00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:28.000
 and decide to throw

00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.940
 their brother in a pit,

00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.560
 this has been festering

00:23:30.560 --> 00:23:31.580
 in their hearts

00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:33.360
 for a long time,

00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:33.880
 hasn't it?

00:23:35.100 --> 00:23:36.539
 This tiny spark

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.420
 of jealousy

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:39.300
 and pride

00:23:39.300 --> 00:23:42.100
 turns into hatred

00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:43.099
 hatred,

00:23:43.179 --> 00:23:44.339
 hatred turns

00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.399
 into a plot

00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:46.119
 to betray

00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:47.539
 and to murder

00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.319
 their brother,

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.439
 turns into this

00:23:49.439 --> 00:23:51.099
 premeditated deception

00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:51.619
 that they're going

00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.500
 to have to tell everyone

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.679
 to cover it all up,

00:23:53.959 --> 00:23:55.159
 you see this small

00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:56.679
 spark of sin

00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:58.000
 left unaddressed

00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:59.179
 has now turned

00:23:59.179 --> 00:24:00.439
 into this raging

00:24:00.439 --> 00:24:02.159
 fire that is burning

00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.419
 everything down

00:24:03.419 --> 00:24:04.119
 around them

00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.480
 and that's how sin

00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:05.799
 works,

00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.179
 isn't it?

00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.500
 And on top of that,

00:24:08.639 --> 00:24:10.039
 look at verse 25,

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.059
 they don't even seem

00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:12.559
 bothered by any

00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.159
 of this that they've

00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:13.379
 done.

00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.419
 Verse 25 says

00:24:14.419 --> 00:24:15.359
 they throw their

00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:16.500
 brother into a pit,

00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.779
 they leave him for dead

00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.500
 and what do they do?

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:20.079
 They sit down to eat

00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:22.299
 and their sin

00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.359
 has blinded them

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:25.019
 to what they've

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.000
 just done

00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.419
 but they're not

00:24:26.419 --> 00:24:26.899
 finished yet,

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.220
 are they?

00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:29.279
 As they eat,

00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:30.539
 they look up,

00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.539
 they see a caravan

00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.419
 of Ishmaelites

00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:33.519
 coming from Gilead

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:35.359
 and Judah has

00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.619
 this bright idea.

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.440
 Verse 26,

00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:39.480
 he speaks up

00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:39.820
 and he says,

00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.980
 what profit is it

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.200
 if we just kill

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.720
 our brother

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.940
 and conceal his blood

00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.759
 and you wonder,

00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.279
 there's this moment

00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.740
 of hope,

00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:48.120
 maybe just for a moment,

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.420
 is Judah going to be

00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:50.240
 the one to speak up

00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.180
 and stop all of this?

00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.480
 Judah,

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.600
 who's the ancestor

00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.440
 of Christ,

00:24:54.620 --> 00:24:55.620
 maybe he'll put

00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:56.380
 a stop to it,

00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:56.640
 right?

00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:58.240
 No,

00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.100
 look what he says,

00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.140
 what profit is it

00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.880
 if we just kill

00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.400
 our brother

00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.960
 and conceal his blood?

00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.460
 Let's sell him instead

00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.980
 to the Ishmaelites.

00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:06.580
 Come on guys,

00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.199
 he's our own flesh

00:25:07.199 --> 00:25:08.059
 and blood after all,

00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:08.240
 right?

00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:11.259
 So they take Joseph

00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:12.059
 out of the pit,

00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:13.019
 they sell him

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.419
 to the Ishmaelites

00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.579
 for 20 shekels

00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.119
 of silver,

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.460
 which by the way

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.299
 in today's dollars

00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:18.679
 would amount

00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.839
 to about $500

00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:22.659
 and they take Joseph

00:25:22.659 --> 00:25:23.859
 to Egypt

00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:24.399
 and Reuben,

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.319
 when he comes back,

00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:26.599
 he's devastated

00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:28.599
 and they have to come up

00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.819
 with this deception

00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:31.599
 to lie to their father

00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:33.039
 when they do this,

00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.480
 their father as well

00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.559
 is devastated

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.419
 as much as anybody

00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.419
 tried to comfort him,

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.399
 he won't receive it.

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.599
 He said,

00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.379
 I'll just die

00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.019
 in mourning.

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.659
 Do you see the impact

00:25:42.659 --> 00:25:43.839
 that sin has had

00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:45.200
 on this entire family?

00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.500
 Joseph's own brothers

00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.899
 have sought

00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:51.099
 to destroy him,

00:25:51.179 --> 00:25:52.379
 they wanted to make certain

00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.259
 that his dreams

00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:55.279
 did not come true

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.399
 and again,

00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.299
 Christian,

00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.419
 draw the connection

00:25:59.419 --> 00:26:00.559
 to us in Christ.

00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:03.879
 are we surprised

00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.539
 when the world

00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.639
 around us

00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.980
 hates us?

00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.200
 Don't you realize

00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.119
 that since you now

00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.980
 belong to Christ,

00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:14.019
 the enemy hates you

00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:15.700
 and wants to destroy you?

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.579
 Don't you realize

00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.359
 that we face

00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:21.379
 a great and powerful enemy

00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.000
 that the enemy

00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.639
 and all who belong to him

00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:25.759
 actively seek your downfall?

00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:28.019
 The way the New Testament

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.440
 talks about the Christian life,

00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:31.080
 we're not in peacetime,

00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.580
 Christian.

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.460
 We are in wartime.

00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.480
 The enemy wants to keep you

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.759
 from the love of God

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.960
 if that were at all possible.

00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.940
 He wants to keep you

00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.880
 from your inheritance

00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:42.860
 if that were at all possible.

00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.799
 And one tool

00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.400
 in the toolbox

00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.420
 that they use,

00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.360
 one of their primary weapons

00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.120
 that they use,

00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.299
 is suffering

00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.500
 in the life

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:53.080
 of the believer.

00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.559
 In their hands,

00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:55.480
 suffering

00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:56.920
 is a means

00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:58.440
 to destroy you

00:26:58.440 --> 00:27:00.059
 and stop the spread

00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:01.140
 of the gospel

00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.380
 through you.

00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:02.940
 But,

00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.940
 Christians

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.839
 think about suffering

00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:08.299
 differently.

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.900
 We know

00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:12.460
 because we're told

00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.559
 in the pages of Scripture

00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.500
 nothing

00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:16.000
 can separate you

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.259
 from the love of God

00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.480
 in Christ Jesus

00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.019
 our Lord.

00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.920
 Not even the worst

00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.059
 imaginable suffering

00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.779
 in your life.

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:23.899
 we're told

00:27:23.899 --> 00:27:25.240
 nothing can keep us

00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.019
 from this glorious

00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:27.259
 inheritance ahead of us.

00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.180
 It is kept

00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.839
 in heaven

00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.779
 for you

00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:31.220
 who by God's power

00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.180
 are being guarded

00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.319
 through faith

00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.500
 but for a salvation

00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.680
 ready to be revealed

00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:36.619
 in the last time.

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.440
 I love the story

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.440
 of Acts chapter 5.

00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.059
 Peter

00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.240
 and the apostles

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.960
 they're filled

00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.099
 with this new boldness

00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:44.399
 to go and preach Christ

00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:45.960
 and the high priests

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.740
 and the Pharisees

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.799
 they're all telling them

00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.619
 they've got to stop

00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:49.660
 talking about Jesus.

00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:52.380
 And so they beat them up

00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.759
 and they charge them

00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:55.259
 not to talk about Jesus anymore

00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:56.120
 they let them go

00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:57.340
 they just tear them

00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:58.060
 to bits

00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:59.200
 and how do they respond?

00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.600
 It says in verse 41

00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:03.440
 they left the presence

00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.220
 of the council

00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.720
 rejoicing

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:07.300
 that they were counted

00:28:07.300 --> 00:28:08.620
 worthy to suffer

00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.560
 dishonor

00:28:09.560 --> 00:28:10.220
 for the name.

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.140
 And every day

00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:12.759
 in the temple

00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.700
 and from house to house

00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.900
 they did not cease

00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:16.000
 teaching and preaching

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.160
 that the Christ

00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.779
 is Jesus.

00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.240
 they rejoiced

00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.119
 that they were counted

00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:22.319
 worthy to suffer

00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:24.019
 for the name of Christ.

00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:25.579
 How can they see it that way?

00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:29.079
 It's because in all of this

00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:30.339
 we know

00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:31.480
 fourth

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:33.039
 and finally

00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:35.700
 in all things

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.579
 God

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.359
 seeks

00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.639
 your welfare.

00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.740
 In all

00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.460
 things

00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:41.879
 believer

00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:43.559
 God

00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:44.379
 seeks

00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:45.680
 your

00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.480
 welfare.

00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.019
 this is the perspective

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:49.180
 that we're called to have.

00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.660
 Let's finish our verses.

00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:53.380
 We're told

00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.200
 count it all

00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.720
 joy

00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.160
 brothers

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:56.160
 when you meet trials

00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:57.220
 of various kinds.

00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:57.700
 Why?

00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:58.799
 For you know

00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.500
 that the testing

00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.299
 of your faith

00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.839
 produces

00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:02.259
 steadfastness.

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:04.440
 Do not be surprised

00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.500
 at the fiery trial

00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.519
 when it comes upon you

00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.279
 to test you

00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.440
 as though something

00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:09.559
 strange were happening

00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.180
 to you

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.480
 but rejoice

00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.500
 in so far

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.380
 as you share

00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:15.059
 Christ's sufferings

00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:16.460
 that you may also

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.619
 rejoice and be glad

00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.379
 when his glory

00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.240
 is revealed.

00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:20.799
 We rejoice

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.799
 in our sufferings

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.200
 why?

00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:23.200
 Knowing that

00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:23.720
 suffering

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:25.179
 produces endurance

00:29:25.179 --> 00:29:26.259
 and endurance

00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.259
 produces character

00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.279
 and character

00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.159
 produces hope

00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:29.960
 and more than that

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.399
 he says

00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:31.220
 I consider

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.159
 that the sufferings

00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:33.119
 of this present time

00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.099
 are not worth

00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.659
 comparing

00:29:34.659 --> 00:29:35.779
 with the glory

00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.419
 that is to be

00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:36.879
 revealed

00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:38.059
 to us.

00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:40.019
 Church

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.480
 we know

00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.339
 we rejoice

00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.399
 to know

00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.099
 that our God

00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:43.740
 is at work

00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:45.259
 in every moment

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.480
 of our lives

00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.719
 even the most

00:29:47.719 --> 00:29:49.179
 difficult moments

00:29:49.179 --> 00:29:50.099
 of our lives

00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:51.199
 for good.

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.559
 I hate to spoil

00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.699
 how all this story

00:29:54.699 --> 00:29:55.319
 works out

00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.759
 but we have to go there

00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:58.279
 because it helps us

00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:59.740
 frame this whole story

00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.279
 of Joseph

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.559
 in chapter 50

00:30:01.559 --> 00:30:02.139
 verse 20

00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:03.419
 all the way at the end

00:30:03.419 --> 00:30:04.639
 but we get the point.

00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.319
 Chapter 50

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.500
 verse 20

00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.980
 Joseph gives us

00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.439
 the Christian perspective

00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:12.200
 on our suffering

00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.860
 and he says

00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:14.519
 to his brothers

00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:16.440
 you meant evil

00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.299
 against me

00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:19.019
 but God

00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.840
 meant it

00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.900
 for good.

00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:23.620
 You meant evil

00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:24.460
 against me

00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:26.299
 but God

00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.460
 meant it

00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.700
 for good.

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.580
 His brothers

00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.180
 meant evil

00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.900
 against him

00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.840
 but even

00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.740
 in this

00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.360
 don't you see

00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:35.360
 God is at work

00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:36.259
 for good.

00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:38.519
 God is at work

00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.360
 to save

00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.019
 Joseph.

00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.959
 He worked

00:30:40.959 --> 00:30:41.399
 even through

00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:41.899
 the greedy

00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:42.899
 hearts of his brothers

00:30:42.899 --> 00:30:43.679
 to have him

00:30:43.679 --> 00:30:44.639
 sold into slavery.

00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.539
 He was at work

00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.839
 even in their plans

00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:49.240
 he had bigger plans

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.000
 to send Joseph

00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.599
 ahead of them

00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.259
 to Egypt

00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.579
 not only just

00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.359
 to save Joseph

00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:54.059
 but to save

00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.219
 all of his family

00:30:55.219 --> 00:30:55.919
 from a famine

00:30:55.919 --> 00:30:56.379
 that they have

00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:57.459
 no idea

00:30:57.459 --> 00:30:58.279
 is right around

00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:58.759
 the corner.

00:30:59.959 --> 00:31:00.599
 And you zoom out

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:02.039
 even bigger than that

00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.959
 go to Exodus

00:31:02.959 --> 00:31:04.259
 and what do we see there?

00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:05.699
 We see God's plan

00:31:05.699 --> 00:31:06.839
 is to bring his people

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.959
 into Egypt

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.900
 so that he might

00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:09.559
 redeem them

00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:10.740
 out of Egypt

00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.920
 he might display

00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.700
 his glory

00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.600
 in Egypt

00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:15.700
 and call them

00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.220
 to himself

00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.220
 as his own people

00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:19.079
 God is at work

00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:20.279
 in all of it

00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.720
 to point us forward

00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.579
 to an even greater

00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.519
 act of redemption

00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.220
 in the gospel

00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:24.980
 of Christ.

00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.940
 Now how much

00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.680
 of this do you think

00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.819
 Joseph was aware of

00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.279
 in the moment

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.860
 while he's down

00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:30.319
 in the pit?

00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.640
 None of it.

00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:34.220
 But church

00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.039
 we have the bigger

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:36.019
 picture here

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:38.279
 God is always

00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:40.000
 doing infinitely

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.980
 more than we

00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.779
 possibly are

00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.599
 even remotely

00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.700
 the slightest bit

00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.319
 aware of

00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:45.180
 at every moment

00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:45.740
 of our life.

00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:48.200
 God is working

00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.019
 redemption

00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.899
 here

00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:51.200
 even in this

00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:52.099
 act of horrible

00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:53.119
 evil.

00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.659
 He's at work

00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.379
 to magnify

00:31:55.379 --> 00:31:56.559
 the glory of his name

00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.639
 even in this

00:31:57.639 --> 00:31:58.279
 dark moment

00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:59.279
 where sin

00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:00.279
 and evil

00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.500
 and injustice

00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.659
 and suffering

00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.559
 seem to take

00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.519
 center stage.

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.319
 God

00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:06.220
 permits

00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.420
 what he hates

00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.940
 to accomplish

00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:11.019
 what he loves.

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.420
 What could that

00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:14.180
 possibly be?

00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.619
 Two aims

00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:17.480
 of God

00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.420
 in our suffering

00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:20.119
 the display

00:32:20.119 --> 00:32:20.980
 of his glory

00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:23.039
 and the eternal

00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.500
 good

00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.680
 of his people.

00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.799
 The display

00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.619
 of his glory

00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:29.420
 and the eternal

00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.000
 good

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:31.279
 of his people.

00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:32.639
 I'm so thankful

00:32:32.639 --> 00:32:33.299
 aren't you?

00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:35.819
 God loves

00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:36.619
 our eternal

00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.139
 good

00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:37.720
 more than

00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.299
 our temporary

00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:38.879
 comfort.

00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.399
 The thief

00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:43.079
 takes a knife

00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:44.079
 he takes

00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:44.559
 suffering

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.279
 like a knife

00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.919
 and he cuts

00:32:45.919 --> 00:32:46.759
 us to kill

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.059
 us

00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.779
 but the Lord

00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.879
 like a skilled

00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:49.500
 surgeon

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.339
 takes that

00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:51.259
 same knife

00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:51.940
 and he cuts

00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.180
 us to heal

00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:53.740
 us

00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:55.460
 to make us

00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:55.980
 well

00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:57.599
 and to make

00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:58.480
 us whole

00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.420
 and to make

00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.299
 us like

00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.940
 Christ

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.640
 who is

00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.220
 by the way

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.019
 right at the

00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.519
 heart of

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.360
 Joseph's story.

00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.880
 Do you see how

00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:05.420
 all this points

00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:05.860
 forward to

00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:06.120
 Jesus?

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.680
 Joseph's story

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.599
 is ultimately

00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.519
 about

00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.579
 Jesus.

00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:14.399
 Jesus Christ

00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:15.019
 is the beloved

00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.699
 son

00:33:15.699 --> 00:33:16.759
 of the

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.199
 father

00:33:17.199 --> 00:33:17.939
 robed

00:33:17.939 --> 00:33:18.879
 in glory

00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:19.559
 his only

00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.279
 begotten

00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:20.899
 son.

00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:21.799
 Jesus is

00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.220
 the one

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.859
 who was

00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.720
 prophesied

00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:24.559
 over and

00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.259
 over and

00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.119
 over again

00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:26.839
 that this

00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.699
 Messiah will

00:33:27.699 --> 00:33:28.699
 be exalted

00:33:28.699 --> 00:33:29.439
 as king

00:33:29.439 --> 00:33:30.119
 over all

00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:30.699
 the earth

00:33:30.699 --> 00:33:31.919
 and Jesus

00:33:31.919 --> 00:33:32.480
 is the one

00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.039
 who came

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.819
 humbly

00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:34.639
 to his own

00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.159
 brothers

00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:35.639
 and how

00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:36.000
 was he

00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.460
 received?

00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.220
 He was

00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:38.579
 welcomed

00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.839
 with hatred

00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:41.639
 and envy

00:33:41.639 --> 00:33:42.500
 and betrayal

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:44.019
 and greed

00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.859
 and ultimately

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.579
 Jesus was

00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.659
 delivered over

00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:48.460
 to death.

00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:48.980
 Those who

00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:49.659
 did not

00:33:49.659 --> 00:33:50.339
 belong to

00:33:50.339 --> 00:33:50.579
 him

00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.679
 hated him

00:33:51.679 --> 00:33:52.639
 and rejected

00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:53.099
 him

00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:54.059
 and crucified

00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.619
 him

00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:55.480
 and put him

00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.139
 down in the

00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:57.720
 pit of death

00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.460
 but praise

00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.079
 God

00:33:59.079 --> 00:34:00.559
 and the

00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.000
 greatest

00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.759
 injustice

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.799
 in the world

00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.839
 in the death

00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.480
 of Christ

00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.919
 was at the

00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:06.839
 very same

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.339
 time

00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.179
 the greatest

00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.039
 good ever

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.739
 accomplished.

00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.759
 The greatest

00:34:11.759 --> 00:34:12.440
 moment of

00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.039
 darkness

00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.639
 putting the

00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.199
 son of God

00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:14.699
 to death

00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.500
 was at the

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.500
 very same

00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.199
 time in the

00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:17.899
 plan of God

00:34:17.899 --> 00:34:18.759
 the greatest

00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:19.719
 victory.

00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.480
 Satan's

00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:21.940
 plan of

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.480
 destruction

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.399
 was at the

00:34:23.399 --> 00:34:24.199
 very same

00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:25.359
 time God's

00:34:25.359 --> 00:34:25.919
 great plan

00:34:25.919 --> 00:34:26.519
 of redemption

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.139
 for sinners

00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:27.819
 like us.

00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.739
 He died

00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:30.339
 that he might

00:34:30.339 --> 00:34:31.460
 conquer death.

00:34:32.299 --> 00:34:32.919
 He became

00:34:32.919 --> 00:34:33.879
 sin so that

00:34:33.879 --> 00:34:34.359
 he might

00:34:34.359 --> 00:34:35.299
 rescue us

00:34:35.299 --> 00:34:35.639
 from the

00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.179
 powers of

00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:36.539
 sin.

00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.840
 he was

00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.460
 raised to

00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.099
 new life

00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:39.460
 so that

00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:40.039
 in him

00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.579
 we too

00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.019
 might be

00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.679
 raised to

00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:42.079
 newness

00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.679
 of life.

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:44.480
 What man

00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.000
 meant for

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.480
 evil

00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.900
 God

00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.380
 meant

00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:48.820
 for good.

00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:51.440
 This Christ

00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:52.719
 is risen

00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:53.400
 and reigning

00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.259
 now and one

00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:54.940
 day we know

00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.759
 church he will

00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:56.639
 come again

00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:57.940
 and every

00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:59.000
 knee will

00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.400
 bow

00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:01.179
 and every

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:01.779
 tongue will

00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:02.500
 confess that

00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.420
 Jesus Christ

00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.220
 is Lord

00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:05.400
 to the glory

00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:06.320
 of God

00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:07.519
 the Father.

00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.740
 Do you

00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.200
 know this

00:35:11.200 --> 00:35:12.159
 Savior by

00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.539
 faith?

00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.420
 If not

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.320
 what keeps

00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.720
 you from

00:35:16.720 --> 00:35:17.659
 coming to

00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:18.440
 him now?

00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.860
 The truth

00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.539
 is we will

00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.519
 suffer in

00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:23.139
 this life.

00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:23.639
 I'm sure you

00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:24.079
 all have

00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.940
 stories of

00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.240
 your own

00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:25.760
 life right

00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:26.260
 now of

00:35:26.260 --> 00:35:27.079
 suffering and

00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:28.500
 injustice but

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.800
 in him and

00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:30.860
 only in

00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.700
 him can we

00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:32.299
 have this

00:35:32.299 --> 00:35:33.719
 perspective on

00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.379
 our suffering

00:35:34.379 --> 00:35:34.919
 that whatever

00:35:34.919 --> 00:35:35.879
 we face here

00:35:35.879 --> 00:35:36.500
 and now we

00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.559
 believe all

00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.819
 things work

00:35:38.819 --> 00:35:39.779
 together for

00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:41.359
 good for

00:35:41.359 --> 00:35:41.739
 those who

00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:42.399
 love God

00:35:42.399 --> 00:35:43.399
 and are

00:35:43.399 --> 00:35:44.779
 called according

00:35:44.779 --> 00:35:45.119
 to his

00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:45.579
 purposes.

00:35:46.759 --> 00:35:47.079
 Father we

00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:49.439
 praise you for

00:35:49.439 --> 00:35:49.980
 this hope that

00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:50.599
 we can have in

00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:51.179
 the face of

00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:53.659
 great injustice

00:35:53.659 --> 00:35:55.179
 and great

00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:55.799
 suffering.

00:35:56.899 --> 00:35:57.219
 Lord whatever

00:35:57.219 --> 00:35:58.379
 trials are

00:35:58.379 --> 00:35:58.859
 brought into

00:35:58.859 --> 00:35:59.519
 our life

00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.399
 Lord in your

00:36:00.399 --> 00:36:01.339
 hands God

00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:02.200
 are meant

00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:02.940
 for good.

00:36:03.720 --> 00:36:04.140
 While the

00:36:04.140 --> 00:36:05.240
 enemy would

00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:05.640
 seek to

00:36:05.640 --> 00:36:06.360
 destroy us

00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:06.940
 Father you

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.780
 seek to

00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.940
 mold us

00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:09.440
 into the

00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:09.820
 image of

00:36:09.820 --> 00:36:10.380
 Christ and

00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:10.700
 so we

00:36:10.700 --> 00:36:11.320
 rejoice in

00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:12.079
 our sufferings

00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:13.579
 yet we

00:36:13.579 --> 00:36:14.680
 pray Father

00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:15.120
 for the day

00:36:15.120 --> 00:36:15.640
 when Christ

00:36:15.640 --> 00:36:16.120
 would come

00:36:16.120 --> 00:36:16.559
 and put an

00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.180
 end to

00:36:17.180 --> 00:36:17.860
 all our

00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:18.519
 suffering and

00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.360
 all our

00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:20.019
 trials and

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.800
 we would be

00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:21.380
 with you

00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:22.420
 free from

00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:22.960
 sin and

00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.500
 death forever.

00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:24.400
 We praise you

00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:24.880
 for this in

00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:25.400
 Christ Jesus

00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:25.780
 name.

00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:26.720
 Amen.