Joseph: Living the Dream
When You Can’t Forgive Yourself:
How to Experience Total Forgiveness
Genesis 50
On September 6, 2018 a tragic event that happened in Dallas. Botham Jean who was a worship leader in his church moved into the South Side Flats apartments in Dallas while also working for the Price Water House accounting firm there.
At about 10 p.m. at night, Amber Guyger, a former Dallas Police Officer returned home. By her explanation, she walked into the apartment above hers, allegedly thinking it was hers when it was actually her apartment, and thinking it was an intruder, shot and killed Botham.
Amber who admittedly distracted by sending a sexually explicit message just before the shooting, was said to have her mind on autopilot and fatigued when she noticed that the door was not completely shut and when she shoved it open, pulled out her gun, and saw a large silhouette and shot.
Amber was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her negligence resulted in the death of Botham but I want you to see how Botham’s brother responded at her sentencing.
Video – Botham Jean’s brother – ABC News- “I forgive you” hug. (2:02)
It is notable that after this occurred, Amber admitted to not only even owning a Bible. The Judge who had one on the stand said this: “You can have mine. I have three or four more at home. This is the one I use every day. This is your job for the next month. This is where you start, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world …”
Here’s a picture of Amber leaving the courtroom with the Bible in hand.
Transition:
When God gets involved in our failures and mistakes; miracles happen, not just in courtrooms, but in the hidden rooms of our heart.
Today as we meet Joseph’s brothers, we find that deep in their heart, they still felt that they were not forgiven. This is proven as their father Jacob dies and they felt that now their brother Joseph would retaliate.
For 17 years the brothers had lived in Egypt, yet for the entire time, they still sensed that they were not forgiven. The reason? They still had not forgiven themselves.
Today, there are many people that have brought their sins to Jesus, been born again, but still feel condemned, unsaved, and have a fear of facing judgment.
Likewise, many often look back at their checked past and still condemn themselves. Satan rewinds the memories in their mind of their mistakes and failures; and while their soul has been set free; their mind isn’t--- and they consistently condemn themselves.
If you ever struggle with self-condemnation; I want you to know that God wants you to be set free and through Joseph’s example of forgiveness; God helps us learn how to forgive ourselves. God wants us to experience “total forgiveness.”
Transitional Sentence: How can I experience “total forgiveness?”
I. Accept the Fact: Guilt is Godless
Vs. 15-19- “When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying, 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, ...
Explanation:
One of the greatest results of guilt is that it causes us to struggle with trust.
If you understand God, you will understand that He deeply desires not only for our sin to be taken away’ but He also desires for our guilt to be taken away.
To do this, when we are forgiven, he wants us to adopt a new identity, an identity of being forgiven. He notes this in Bible verses such as:
1. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus not only died for your sins, He took your sins upon Himself so He could give you His righteousness—His right standing with God.
2. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
I like to say that “God throws our sins in the sea of forgetfulness and puts up a no fishing sign.”
Yet, one of the most godless acts we can participate in is to consistently remind God of what He has already forgotten.
Joseph had made a choice to forgive and seek to forget his brothers sins against him. We know this because of Genesis 41:51 that tells us that Joseph named his first-born son, Manasseh. The verse says: “Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget
all my trouble and all my father’s household.”
In other words, he not only brought his pain to God; he brought his brain to God. He did not want to have the sins of his brothers against him on his mind all the time. When his mind shifted to his troubles; He gave his brain to God. He refused to allow it to be the workshop of the devil.
Yet, his brothers still had Satan at work in the upstairs shop. (Tell your neighbor; it’s time to evict Satan from upstairs)
Notice what was happening upstairs with Joseph’s brothers: Upstairs, Satan was manufacturing doubt and this is how he does it:
a) He generates the “look what I have done’s” - The fact is: We are all sinners and
forgiveness is hard to believe. It is unexpected and surprising. He causes us to think that
condemnation is reasonable; and that forgiveness is unreasonable. Well it is. It makes no
sense to the human mind but thank God it makes sense to Him. Amen? It made so much sense
to God that he designed and directed Jesus to the cross to die for you and me. (They
recognized their performance)
b) He generates the “what if’s”- vs. 15- “What if Joseph bears a grudge?” (They recognized
the position of Joseph.) He deserved every right to condemn them. The Father wanted them
forgiven, but did Joseph? The reality was revealed that “yes, Joseph wanted them forgiven as
well.
One of my favorite verses about Jesus is Hebrews 12:2 that says: “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross and despised the shame...”
Listen: Not only did the Heavenly Father want us to be forgiven and guiltless; Jesus did. It was literally “the joy” set before Him.... He wanted to be able to stand at the right hand of God and be your advocate for sin. He wanted to stand in your place and assure your forgiveness!
c) He generates the “why always?” The fact is, I am sure that the brothers kept sinning against
Joseph. In verse 16 we read: “So they sent a message to Joseph...” Did you read the message?
It was a lie. They were lying to Joseph. They had not stopped sinning. Isn’t telling lies
reminiscent of what these boys did when sold Joseph off to slavery. They lied to Jacob making
it appear that he was dead; now they are still telling lies!
How many times will Joseph have to forgive these guys? How many times will they doubt
Joseph’s word? His promises? His assurance of their forgiveness? How many times will he
have to say, “You’re forgiven?”
Illustration: Most famous apologies
I was reading this week of the most famous apologies in history.
1. The #1 goes back a long way in history. In 1077 Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV apologized
to Pope Gregory the VII for church-state conflicts and to prove his remorse he actually stood
three days barefoot in the snow to prove his sorrow.
2. #2 hits closer to home. It was the apology of Bill Clinton to his wife, family, and Monica
Lewinsky for his sexual behavior in the Oval Office with Ms. Lewinsky,
3. #3 was a tie between Tiger Woods apology to his family saying: “I have let my family down,
and I regret those transgressions of my heart.” And the apology of Will Smith to Chris Rock
for slapping him and shouting from his table after Chris made a joke about Will’s wife.
Application:
In Egypt, the brothers apology was the best know apology of the day. The Pharaoh heard the apology, Joseph (The Prime Minister) heard the apology, the governmental leaders heard the apology everyone heard about Joseph’s story of forgiveness as the Hebrews moved into Goshen.
Yet, although everyone around knew Joseph’s forgiveness was sincere; the brothers just could not accept it.
Joseph wanted his brothers to experience total forgiveness. He wanted it to be sincere, but also sincerely accepted. He wanted God’s forgiveness to go full circle. He wanted them to forgive themselves.
II Corinthians 7:10 says: “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
In other words; Godly conviction leads to true repentance and salvation; but worldly guilt produces death.
Guilt is godless; but grace is sufficient. It heals and give assurance and hope.
Transitional Sentence: How can I experience “total forgiveness?”
II. Accept the Gift: God’s Abundant Grace
vs. 19 –“But Joseph said to them, Do not be afraid for am I in God’s place?”
Explanation:
When it came to Joseph, the way he learned to forgive was to remove himself from God’s place.
Joseph turned over the brothers sins to the Lord and allowed God deal with their sins instead of him. He knew God was bigger than their sin. He knew God would make the right decisions on how to respond to their sin so he let God be God.
Often, when it comes to others sins against us, we want to take God’s position. We want to punish them. We want to make them pay. We want retaliation.
Joseph’s brothers assumed that deep down; that is what Joseph would want as well. Yet, they failed to understand what Joseph had done; He put God in his place.
In verse 19 when his brothers begged for mercy Joseph said to them: “ But Joseph said to them, Do not be afraid for am I in God’s place?”
When God is in His rightful place; people get forgiven. People get let off the hook. People get the grace they don’t deserve. Do you know why? It’s not because grace is cheap and forgiveness is no big deal; no, it’s because Jesus got into this place on that Old Rugged tree; He took our place and that’s where everyone can receive forgiveness.
Psalm 103: 10,12 says: “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve . . . He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:10, 12 NLT).
Joseph was 1800 years from Calvary; but because He put God in His rightful place; he allowed God to put His brothers in their place; a place of grace. A place of undeserved grace.
There’s this guy in the Bible, King David, who committed adultery and then, to cover it up, had the woman’s husband murdered. Those are pretty big sins—murder and adultery.
Did David deserve to be forgiven? No. Did David deserve mercy? No. But did God forgive him? Yes, He did, because when God is in the place; forgiveness happens.
Look at your neighbor and say: “Forgiveness happens.” Aren’t you glad it does? God’s throne is a place of grace.
Hebrews 4:16 says: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.”
David knew that God is a good God, and so he asked for mercy. He prayed: “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2 NLT).
If you are struggling to forgive yourself you need to read , you need to read Psalm 51. The entire psalm is based on who God is, not who you are.
Let me make this really clear: God forgives you not because you’re good but because he is good and when Joseph gave God His rightful place; Joseph was good; just like God is.
Illustration: Wilson Bentley- Snowflakes
Wilson Bentley was a young man who grew up in a farm in Jericho, Vermont. As a young boy he developed a fascination with snowflakes. Actually, an obsession.
Most people would go indoors in snowstorms; not Wilson. He would run outside when the snowflakes started falling, catch them on black velvet, look intently at them under the microscope, and take photographs of them before they melted.
He wrote: “ Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; images of God person and character in some way. It seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind.
Application:
If you want an image of God’s person and his character; I urge you today to catch a glimpse of the God of Joseph. The one who was in the rightful place of his heart; which transferred God’s grace to his brothers.
*Notice what God did as he directed Joseph’s life from the throne of his heart.
a) He removed their transgressions.
b) He recycled their sin and created something good from it. Verse 20: “As for you, you
meant evil against me, but God meant it for good...”
c) He removed their fear. Verse 21: “So therefore do not be afraid...”
Listen: Look deep into Joseph’s heart and you’ll find God in His rightful place; and when you do; you will find forgiveness from the God who is, and always longs to be a God of grace for you and me.
Transitional Sentence: How can I experience “total forgiveness?”
III. Celebrate Your Forgiveness: Live by Grace
vs. 21-26- “...so he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
Explanation:
Living knowing we are forgiven is a cause for celebration. As a matter of fact, that’s part of what we are doing in worship today. We are celebrating our forgiveness.
God allowed the rest of Genesis to be a celebration of forgiveness. Notice what is celebrated when forgiveness is experienced:
1) Real fellowship is generated.
In response to the forgiveness of Joseph, we read in verse 21 that Joseph: “comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” As I did a Hebrew analysis of this verse, the language communicates that he “kept on comforting them and speaking kindly to them.”
The idea is that Joseph never quit. His forgiveness was not only complete; but was endless and it kept on being expressed to the brothers all the way up to the time of Joseph’s death.
In other words, once Joseph forgave them; there were no take backs.
The remainder of Joseph’s life is recorded as we read about what Joseph and his brothers enjoyed and celebrated together.
Verse 22 reads: Joseph stayed in Egypt with his brothers. Their fellowship was unhindered.
It is interesting that Archeologists have uncovered the area on Goshen where the Israelites lived. The name today is Avaris. In that area there is evidence of an ancient palace. Artists have taken what they have found there and recreated it into a drawing.
Show picture- Archeology of Palace/The settlement of Avaris w/Joseph’s place
Behind this area was a tomb with a statue that was discovered that most believe was Joseph’s tomb before his bones were removed and taken back to the Promised land. Strangely enough, the statue had a coat of colors.
Even the archeological evidence gives proof of the peace that was celebrated when forgiveness went full circle.
2. A real future is activated.
Joseph saw family grow as God promised. Verse 23 says that: “Joseph saw the
third generation of Ephraim’s sons; also the sons of Machir (Joseph’s grandson), the sons of
Manasseh were born on Joseph’s knees.”
In Hebrew culture, when a child was born, it was placed on the knees of its Dad; but Manasseh
loved and honored Joseph so greatly that he had his sons placed on Joseph’s knees; a sign that
the boys would love and honor him as their Dad; even though he was their granddad.
Ultimately, his boys would make up two of the largest tribes in Israel.
3) Real trust is authenticated.
Joseph trusted his brothers- There’s something interesting in the final statements. When Joseph was about to die, look at who he entrusted his final wishes to.
In verse 24 we read: “Joseph said to his brothers, I am about to die....”
He not only told them that God would take care of them but made them and their families
promise to carry his bones back to Israel in faith to Israel.
Today, if you would like to visit Joseph’s tomb you will have to go to Shechem.
Show picture- Joseph’s tomb in Shechem/Israel.
Exodus 13:19 tells us: “Moses took the bone of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”
Moses was from the Tribe of Levi, and from Levi to Moses there were 10 generations. Yet, none of them forgot Joseph. They learned and celebrated about the grace of God shared through Joseph so much that when the time came for the Exodus, Moses went out back behind the palace, retrieved the bones of Joseph, and ultimately they were transferred after all those years to Shechem; the place where Joseph was originally sold off into slavery.
Conclusion:
Joseph’s bones returned to the place where he became a slave. Today in Israel, his tomb is visited often, and his bones remain buried. Yet, here’s the good news. A recent report, was done of Jesus’ tomb and this is the official report that was given:
“We haven’t discovered the bones of Jesus. We know precisely where the Biblical Patriarchs are buried. We know where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are buried. We know where Joseph are buried. We have the bones. We know precisely where Buddha’s bones lie and where Mohammed is buried. We know exactly where most of the religious figures in history are buried. But we haven’t found the bones of Jesus.”
Do you know why? Because you can’t find the bones of a living man and because He lives. He can still forgive, save, and give you grace to be forgiven and forgive yourself
