Where God Wants Us

Genesis 45:4-15

Introduction:
This being Homecoming, our church met and decided, "You know, we want to get a really special speaker. Why don’t we call the best preacher in the world and ask him to speak."
And they did and he said "No".
So they said, "Well if we can’t have the best speaker, at least we can get the smartest one."
So they called him and he said "No".
And then they said, "Well, if we can’t get the best or the smartest, at least we can get the best looking."
And they called him and he said "No".
And finally one of them said, "Well, we can always ask our preacher." And so they did. And what could I say, I’d already told them "no" three times.
We want to welcome you to our Homecoming celebration this morning. When I started thinking about this service and praying about what God would have me preach, this passage came to mind. The life of Joseph is worthy of our study. As a young man, God gave him dreams that his brothers would bow down to him. As far as his brothers were concerned, that was never going to happen.
His brothers got tired of the special treatment that Joseph received, and one day, they found their opportunity. They thought to kill him, but instead sold him into slavery. Joseph went down into Egypt and found favor in the house of Potiphar, but a false accusation landed him in jail. After he was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream of the coming famine, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge as the second in command over all Egypt.
When the famine came, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy food. The brothers come before Joseph and bowed before him. The dream was fulfilled. On their second appearance, Joseph reveals his identity to the sons of Jacob. There is a reunion for the children of Israel. Joseph lets them know that this was all God’s plan. God had intended to bring them to a particular place. In the same way, as we look at this passage, we are reminded that God has a place for us to serve Him and receive the provisions of His grace.
I. PLACE OF PEACE- (4-6 & 15)
God had orchestrated the events of the world to bring this family back together
Imagine what it must have been like when they realize they are before a brother they mistreated
Now Joseph has all the power, but God has done a work in Joseph’s heart so he isn’t bitter
We can see when Joseph’s first son is born, he names him Manasseah “Cause to forget”
He’s put the past behind him and is moving forward. Ephraim means “Fruitful”
Before we can ever be “Fruitful” we have to “Forget”
“We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment.” – Jim Rohm
The brothers’ first appearance before Joseph shows their crime was very much in their minds
God brought them to this place so they could find release of their sin and let go of secrets
It was the place that the Lies came to an end and they were set free by the truth
They could find forgiveness and renewal and acceptance as part of the family
15 Joseph kissed each of the brothers and wept. Later he gave them gifts and moved them in
Similarly, church is supposed to be a place of peace where the Gospel of Peace is foremost
After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared