The End Of The Story.

The End Of The Story.

Genesis 50.20

The end of the story is what makes a story good or bad, happy, or sad?

What if I told you the story of a man hated by his own family, sold into slavery, taken to a foreign land, thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and forgotten by man, and, it seems, by God.

What kind of story would you say it is? A sad story. The story of injustice and oppression… A tragedy.

But the story is from the book of Genesis. And the man is Joseph. And before it ends, Joseph will be released from prison, given a position of great honor, saving Egypt from famine, and being reconciled to his family.

There are many comparisons (Over 100) in the lives of Joseph, and Jesus:

* Relationships with their father.

* Hated, despised, and humiliated.

* Sold for money.

* A life of servanthood.

* Resisted temptation but falsely accused.

* Foretold the future.

* Provided for people in need.

* Promoted to honor etc.

Again, Joseph will be released from prison, Now would you say the story is sad and tragic?

-I think you would agree with me that this story is one of triumph!

Hear Joseph’s testimony of the whole scheme.

Genesis 50:20NIV ”You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.“

Remember this, The parts of a story (your story), are not all of equal weight. A happy story with a tragic ending is not a happy story, but a tragic one.

-A tragic story with a triumphant ending is not a tragic story, but a triumphant one!

1 John 5:4-5NIV ”for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.“

This I know, You can never judge a story by its beginning, or middle, or by any of its parts before it’s ending.

The apostle Paul wrote from prison in, Philippians 1:6NIV ”being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.“

~It is the ending of the story that determines everything that went before it!

Again, Remember the nature of the story is determined by its end… So too the story of your life.

Remember this, “You can never judge your story by your current circumstances or problems.’ ‘

It doesn’t matter where your story is presently, As long as your on earth, you have not seen the end of the story.” P.H

Although they were filled with trails, and grief.

The last days of Jesus were not the end of the story!

Monday- The temple courts had devolved into a marketplace for the buying and selling of animals to be sacrificed on the Temple altar.-What was once a sacred place had become a pigsty.

Tuesday- Tuesday was a busy day.-

-Jesus spent all day in Jerusalem sparring with religious leaders, teaching parables, and healing the sick.

Wednesday- The highlight of the day occurred during the evening. Jesus was anointed by Mary in Bethany -Matthew 26:6-13.

Thursday- Jesus and His disciples observed the Passover and the Lord’s Supper in the Upper Room. Judas betrays Jesus.

-Gethsemane, Jesus receives the bitter-cup of suffering for all humanity.

Friday- Judas hanged himself. -Jesus was condemned and crucified.

On Friday, here’s the seven last words from the cross:

1. Matthew 27:46, tells us that about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

2. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing, Luke 23:34.

3. Jesus told the thief on the cross, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise," Luke 23:43.

4. Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit, Luke 23:46.

 5. "Dear Woman, here is your son!" and “Here is your mother”, John 19:26-27.

6. “I am thirsty,” John 19:28.

7. “It is finished,” John 19:30. -The end of the story is being completed!

Saturday- Jesus was in the tomb. Fear, hurt, sorrow, denial, disbelief, it’s not real.

Sunday- Resurrection day! -This is the day that changed everything. -The end of your story can now be made complete!

Mark 16:5-6 And the angel said to the women, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, he was crucified. He has risen. 6 He is not here; see the place where they laid him,”

Hear me well, “The end of your story has not been told yet!” P.H

From the book of Job, Job was tested in every area, Job losses his finances, his house, his livestock, his family, and finally, his health.