Father, Son, Spirit - The Lord of Sovereign Love

Finding the Way from Fear to Faith

(Genesis 50:15-21, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, November 8, 2015)

(15) The Fact of Fear

[15] 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.”

Did Joseph's brothers have a reason to be afraid? The facts of what they had done to Joseph were troubling. They had betrayed their brother very badly, and they brought much unjust suffering into his life. Based on the truth of the events that had taken place, there can be no doubt that they had reason to fear. But had they forgotten one most important fact: the character and love of the one they were afraid of? Had they forgotten who Joseph was?

(16-17...) Fear Speaks

[16] 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.”

Fear can be a powerful motivator. In this case it caused them to send a message that appears suspicious. Was this actually the instruction of Jacob, or was this just fear talking? Joseph had carried the weight of their evil actions in his own sufferings for many years. Now they asked for his agreement to carry one more load upon his strong shoulders. Would he give up any plan that he might have to make them pay for the evil they had done? They admitted their sin before him. They even fulfilled his youthful prophetic dream again and gave themselves to him as servants. Would he now bear the burden of forgiveness?

[Watch out for ungodly fear. Fear leads to forgetfulness of what is most true and further leads to the forsaking of your most sacred commitments.]

(...17-21) Fear's Antidote

Joseph wept when they spoke to him. [18] His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” [19] But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? [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. [21] So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Joseph turned away their fears with a good word from a true man of faith. He displayed character in humbling himself before God as he spoke to them. His message to them was true. God was sovereign even over their worst moment. Though they meant evil against their brother, “God meant it for good.” God had provided for many “that many people should be kept alive.” Joseph would follow the Father in heaven and “provide for you and your little ones.” He would stay at his post.

The apostle Peter gave a very similar message at a key moment in the history of the New Testament church. In explaining the love of Christ, the Son of God to those assembled at Pentecost in Acts 2, he spoke of the cross this way: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:22-24 ESV)

How can we follow in the way of faith and put off ungodly fear? We need to remember the character of the best Man of faith. The Lord Jesus knows how to lead fearful people by the hand and to take us to the place of faith. His provision for us and our loved ones is very real. He is worthy of our trust and our praise. By the Spirit of God countless numbers of sinful people have been made great, simply by being willing to keep on going in His true calling in their lives. They have seen the sovereign hand of the Almighty in their twisted pathways to the present, and said “Yes” to His call to persevere in costly obedience.

[Illustration: The life and death of Chuck Colson as presented by Eric Metaxas in his book, Seven Men.]

Notice from Colson's life:

Prayer Number One as a marine

Pride

Blind Loyalty

Dirty Tricks

Prayer Number Two on the side of the road

Hebrews 1 in prison

Romans 8 and the work of the Spirit of God

“Stay at your post” at his funeral

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 150:3-5
[3] Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
[4] Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
[5] Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Gospel Reading—Matthew 26:47-56 – Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus