Extreme Forgiveness – Genesis 50:18-21

Genesis 50:18-21 says, “Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. “So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Observation: Jacob/Israel has died. The sons of Israel are left to the will of Joseph, the Pharaoh’s right hand man. Now consider this: Joseph’s brothers did horrible things to Joseph (first tried to kill him and ended up selling him into slavery). What would you do to your brothers if they had done such things? At the very least I would scare the heck out of them in one way or another. The sons of Israel were all pretty much punks except for Judah (read the final blessings from Israel to his sons). They all deserved punishment. And now that Israel was dead, Joseph could do as he pleased because he no longer had to worry about upsetting his father, Israel. But instead, Joseph says one of the most powerful statements in the Old Testament: “…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” What!? after all that he went through he was able to not only FORGIVE but he was able to see the GOOD in what they had done. Now, it’s impressive enough to truly forgive someone, but he also looked for God’s purpose in it all. Joseph must have been an amazing man!

Application: I have forgiven people who have done things like calling me names, making up lies, going against my authority, you know, the normal kind of stuff. But I have never truly had to forgive someone that has wronged me in the way the Joseph was wronged. So I can’t even say how I would react to such a thing. Some application #1 is to forgive. But now you’re telling me that if something happens to me like what happened to Joseph, I need to ask God what his intentions were and how they apply to my life? Folks, I gotta be honest here, the prospect of such things makes me nervous.

Prayer: God, I mean this prayer…please help me to have the strength to forgive when the time comes. And please let me have the ability to see your hand at work in everything in my life…good and bad!

Introducing the hardcore, non-sugar coated Jesus Christ

Luke 19:26-27 says, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”

Observation: Have you ever noticed that Jesus, as much as he was loving and compassionate, he was a hardcore preacher of truth? The words, “sugar coating” or the act of taking something that may not taste good and coating it with sugar so it was more palatable, did NOT exist with Jesus. Obviously, he didn’t have the time required to sugar coat truth and try to be Mr. Popular. In this passage he pretty much says this, “You have responsibilities while I am away, but when I get back you better have done what I have asked of you. Be my disciples and more will be given, but if you do nothing, much will be taken…your eternal soul!”

Application: Now days we as Christians and the church sometimes get caught up in trying to sugar coat the truth so that we can get the message to more people and they are willing to accept it. But have we gone too far? Jesus pretty much said it how it was. I think he knew that no matter how much he sugar coated things, that in the end, if they didn’t like what they heard they wouldn’t follow through with anything. So he took the 3 or so years of his public ministry and laid it all out…the good, the bad, and the ugly. He knew that those who needed what he had to say would do something with it. And those who would do nothing with it…well they would still be judged. What do I do with this? I think the best application of this parable/passage is to have a sense of urgency in the ministry God has given me. Maybe I should be less concerned with sugar coating Jesus, and just preach him to everyone I can. Paul said that while we can plant and water seeds of truth in people, only God can make them grow. I need to “invest” what God has given me while he is away…with urgency. The return on the investment is my faithfulness, not how many people I can talk into hearing what I have to say.

Prayer: Much has been given to me, let me do something with it. Don’t let me get caught up in the stuff that would distract me from your purpose in my life…like gossip, slandering, maligning, anger, ungodly frustration, discord, discontent, ego, pride. God, let me have a single mind and focus…to do much with what you have given me and asked of me. In Jesus name!

Stop acting your age and grow down!

Luke 18:14-17 says, “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Observation: Being a children’s pastor I have used this passage many times to show the importance of children to God. But it is so much more than His love for children, He loves everyone equally. Jesus was trying to drive home a point, and it began when he was teaching humility in vs. 14. He drives it home with the illustration to have the attitude of a child. If you don’t have kids, you’ve at least been around kids. They have this cool innocence that impresses me. But even more than the innocence of a child, I love the attitude of a child when it comes to the simplest things of this world. The BIble Knowledge Commentary says it best, “Children come with expectation and excitement. They come realizing that they are not sufficient in themselves. They depend totally on others. If these same attitudes are not present in adults, they can never enter into the kingdom.”

Application: When I was a child I remember fishing with my grandpa and dad. One thing that the adult always must do for a child is tie on the hook and bait it correctly. A child must rely completely on the adult otherwise the fishing experience will be unsuccessful. I always assumed that if I was with my grandpa I would always catch a fish because he was a master fisherman. It was a given that we would have a great time. I want that same attitude today, but with God. I want that feeling of going out to catch a fish…knowing that if he ties the hook and is present, I can’t fail. I want to rely on God for everything in my life. I can’t fail when I know that a part from him, I am nothing, but with him, all things are possible.

Prayer: God, continue to teach me humility. Give me the heart of a child. Vs. 27 says that with God all things are possible. Let me have that child-like faith and expectation. And that in itself is the success, trusting in him with all things.

Drop the legalism and start forgiving one another…!

Luke 17: 1-5 says, “He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. “And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Observation: One of the most famous passages in the Bible for Christians because we are so fearful that we could cause another “little one” (child in the faith) to sin. It says that if we, Christ’s disciples, were to do such a thing, it would be better for us to die prior to causing a child in the faith to sin than actually causing them to “stumble.” But look at the passage immediately following: If someone sins against us we are too essentially forgive them every time they ask. I’m not going into a long observation about the first part of this passage (causing someone to stumble) because that is not the point of my SOAP. It is the second part I want to apply to my life.

Application: I have been a Christian for 25 years. I have heard time and time again that if I cause someone to stumble, I will be in a heap of trouble. I have heard it in sermons, books, and other Christians. reminding me. As a matter of fact, we get so stinking legalistic that we as Christians monitor each other as to make sure we don’t cause someone else to stumble. If I stub my toe and say the “S” word, and another child in the faith hears me, maybe I cause them to sin?! Point is we get consumed with this passage. BUT LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING 2 VERSES!!!! Vs. 3-4 says that if someone sins, rebuke them (correct them) and if they repent, FORGIVE them. And if they do it again…forgive them again. But why don’t we talk about this passage as much as the 2 verses prior? I think because it is easier for me to make sure I don’t cause someone to stumble than it is to be like Christ as forgive them over and over if necessary. We (I) am good at holding a grudge and not forgiving if I feel that I am sinned against. But Jesus tells me to forgive them, again, and again, and again. Legalism is always easier because it is a set of standards that we try to hold against one another. But forgiveness can only be done by the one who invented it…Jesus!

Prayer: God, take away my legalistic tendencies and let me be like Jesus…full or forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Because I received it from him, so I should give it!

How to hear God’s voice!

Luke 16: 27-31 says, “And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ “But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

Observation: Jesus is telling parables to his disciple and lays out something that almost seems to say, “You want miracles, but you don’t need them because you have the Word.” At the end of CH 16 he’s talking about Lazarus and the rich man. They both die. Rich man goes to hell, Lazarus (poor man) goes to heaven. Rich man asks that Lazarus return to earth to warn his family that if they too don’t believe in God they will end up in hell (he figures that if a dead man returns to earth, everyone would have to believe that!). God (as Abraham) tells Rich man that his family have the writings of Moses and the prophets (The Bible) and that should be enough to believe. Have you ever heard a friend say they are waiting to hear from God by “putting a fleece before God.” Judges 6:14-16 Gideon wanted a “sign” from God. Today, we too want signs from God. Why? Because our faith is not enough. We are the same as the rich man, we want a miracle to prove what God is saying is true. There is nothing wrong with a good ol’ fashion miracle, but Jesus himself was teaching his disciples that the Word (testimony) of God should be enough to believe.

Application: So how are we to know what God is asking of us just from his Word? Faith. God will speak to your heart, then you can use his Word to test what God is saying. If it aligns up, you’re probably good to go. If you are still not sure, ask another person you know who is hearing from God. They can give you wisdom. I think God speaks in 3 ways today: The Spirit in your heart, The Word, and other Godly people who are digging into God’s word and hear from him. So do you need to make a big decision and you are waiting for a “sign from above” but it’s not coming? Maybe God is wanting you to kick in your faith life. Trust in him, spend time with him, listen to him, and it’s hard to go wrong.

Prayer: God, let me live a life of FAITH that doesn’t always need the signs. Let me be in your word and trust you to lead me in every decision.

Salted or Unsalted Chips?

Luke 14:34 says, ““Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?”

OBSERVATION: Jesus is walking down the road and a large crowd begins to gather along with his disciples. he’s giving them instruction on how to be his disciple. He lays out the big picture when he tells them that if they don’t hate their families they can’t follow him (he didn’t literally mean this because that would have violated the law, and Jesus taught to fulfill the law) so he was trying to make a point. He also talks here about the price of carrying the cross. He shoots off a few more of these powerful illustrations. But, I love what he ends with because he starts talking a language that all of us 21 century fast-food fans can understand…salt.

Salt was used for two important things in the days of Jesus…to make things taste better and for preserving foods (and human bodies…mummies).  So salt makes things taste good and it preserves. This is not the first time he has taught about salt. (Matthew 5:13 ““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”) So the whole point of using salt as the illustration had a two part meaning.

APPLICATION: Jesus wanted his disciples to know that there are certain characteristics when it comes to being a disciple. Just as salt has specific uses, like making chips and french fries taste better, we are to bring about a good taste to the message of Cross to those around us. How? In the way that we represent the gospel. When I say “represent” think of it as “re-present.” We are presenting the gospel to those around us, but if we do not have the characteristics of a disciple, we will be useless and thrown out. What are the characteristics? It starts with submission, love, trust, and obedience. A disciple is a follower. What did Jesus say about being a follower? We see that he teaches many things about what it means, but the whole point is to be sold out in life for him. Salt makes chips taste good, so disciples bring life and preservation to those around us.

PRAYER: God, do I make the gospel tasty to my friends, neighbors, co-workers? Don’t let me loose my usefulness.

Jesus is the un-coolest dude ever!

Luke 13:23-27 says, “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. “Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’;and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’”

OBSERVATION: Can you imagine being a child of Father Abraham hearing such words? The crowds had assumed that because they were physically related to Abraham they would be able to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yet, he was teaching almost the exact opposite of what they wanted to hear. While we know there was great fruit of Jesus’ ministry during this time, we also know me met a ton of opposition. It’s almost like the whole purpose of a Pharisee was to discredit what he was teaching because he would totally upset the status quo of the religious standards at the time. Jesus lays out two of the craziest statements in my opinion in this passage. First, he tells the parable (a earthly story with a heavenly meaning) about the gates of Heaven and that we should want to go through the unpopular gate because many will want to enter through and will not be permitted. Second, he says the first will be last and the last will be first. That would totally rock anyone’s understanding of what it meant to be a child of God at the time.

APPLICATION: I remember when I was a child and all the kids would fight to be the first in line, thus becoming the line leader. Those were the good ol’ days. If you had the fortunate opportunity of being the line leader there were certain fringe benefits with the position. Being the first to race to the jungle gym, first to get pizza at lunch, first to the bathroom, and the ability to lead other kids in your footsteps were just a few of those benefits. But, if we apply what Jesus said, we would learn that while my earthly benefits were plentiful, I would be wise to accept my place in the back because those rewards were irrelevant in the bigger picture. I’m reminded of what Luke 14:11 says, ““For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” I have always wanted a good reputation and sometimes gone overboard in making sure people know I have my act together…at least on the surface. But, if I apply these passages to my life I must know that God will be responsible for letting people know what they need to know about me.

Back to why Jesus is so un-cool. He is totally counterculture. He is the exact opposite of what the religious leaders thought was cool. We was probably more like a nerd. Why? Because so few were following him and he knew way more about God’s word than they did. Today, some kids pride themselves in being un-cool, which in itself turns into a click…the un-cool kids (which makes them cool). But none of that even matters. This gives me a peace for a few reasons. 1) They masses will never really like what Jesus has to say. 2) Sometimes I take responsibility when others don’t like what I preach, but that is not my responsibility, I’m only to preach. 3) When I feel that my walk is strong but others aren’t following, I can know that Jesus pretty much said that is how it’s going to work anyway.

So the moral of this story: Love God, Love Others, you’ll probably be a nerd but that’s ok.

PRAYER: God, you know one of my struggles is impressing others and trying to be spiritually popular and cool. Remind me that your son was un-cool, and in your eyes, the Fonzy of Christians. I just want to be madly in love with you.