Genesis 37 Sermon NOTES
Here’s my sermon on Genesis 37 “Painful Paths of Providence” preached at Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville.
Audio here.
Genesis 37 “Trusting God in Painful Providence”
Intro: 2 Worldviews—Secular (no God, we’re on our own); Christian: God loves, cares, rules over all.
–Providence: the outworking of God’s plan in all of history and in our lives—no accidents; God’s complete control.
-Paths of Providence: Pleasant and Painful. PLEASANT examples; PAINFUL examples.
-God does not sin, but uses even the sins of others to bring about his good purposes.
OUTLINE: I. A Painful Providence (Gen 37); II. Providence & Gospel; III. Trusting God in Painful Prov.
I. A Painful Providence: Genesis 37
-Jacob’s family of 12 sons in the land, Joseph is 17 (1-2a)
-Tension between Joseph and brothers: tattletale, Jacob’s partiality, robe, dreams, “hated him” (2b-11)
-Dreams predicted that the brothers and his parents would bow down to him, note Jacob’s response (11b)
-Joseph travels north to find his brothers, who plot to murder him, but instead sell him into slavery (12-28)
-Reuben tries to rescue; later, Judah decides its better to make some cash and sell into slavery
-Brothers deceive their father Jacob with the robe (29-35)
-Joseph ends up in Egypt, under an officer of Pharaoh named Potiphar (36)
QUESTION: Where do we see providence? ANSWER: Later made explicit… (Joseph’s story…)
àGenesis 45:5-9 “God sent me… God made me…”; àGenesis 50:20 “You meant it…God meant it…”
GOD’S PLANàJoseph to go to Egypt to save God’s people and many other
A PAINFUL PROVIDENCEàJoseph sold into slavery (God uses the sins of others)
WALTON: “God’s sovereignty and blessing can be found in what appear to be the most heinous crimes and the most disastrous circumstances. This does not mean that God approves of the crimes or that he enjoys bringing disaster into our lives. It is simply a testimony to his ability to bring good out of evil. …there is no choice that we can make, however sinful or fallen, that can interfere with his plan. In fact, often enough, as in the case of Joseph, those choices end up furthering his plan.”
SUMMARY: In Genesis 37, we see the providence of GodàGod is in control! It was God who sent Joseph to Egypt.
- Providence and the GOSPEL
God is not only in control, but is also gracious, kind and loving. àWE SEE THIS IN THE GOSPEL!
Gospel: Good news from God about God, telling us about God’s loving salvation of His people through Christ.
-Providence and Gospel: Acts 2:22-24à God’s “definite plan and foreknowledge”… “You crucified through hands of sinful men”
-God used the evil actions against His Son to bring about Salvation for His people!
SUMMARY: God is not only in absolute control, He is also gracious, kind and loving.
III. It is Good for us to Trust in God, even in PAINFUL PROVIDENCE
Christian life is not free from pain and perplexity. We walk by faith, trusting in God’s providence and grace.
-Apostle Paul’s Own Experience of Painful Providence
-2nd Missionary Journey, Romans Letter (Rom 15:24-25)
–Paul’s PLAN: go to Jerusalem, then head to Rome and Spain
-GOD’S PLAN: Arrest, Jail, Delay, then arrival
-Good came out of Evil: Paul preached to high officials; wrote prison letters
-Paul’s perspective: 2 Cor 4:8 (don’t lose heart); Phil 1:12-14 (good came)
-Our Experience of Painful Providence:
Individuals: immigration; people moving away; job loss; relation strife; health issues; financial challenges
-Our Church: Venue Change; Craig’s death; Hard Soil; Smallness of CCF after 10 years.
QUESTION: How can we trust in God, even in painful providence?
àANSWER: Remember His Goodness! He is in control AND good.
–Rom 8:28—A KEY verse to hold onto in painful providence
–All things together for good! For God’s glory and our sanctification.
-God’s Word is truer than our feelings or Opinions!
-CLING to this verse, preach it to yourself in PAINFUL PROVIDENCE
***It is good to trust God, even in painful providence.
CLOSE: My own experiences of trusting God (25 years); END with “God moves in a mysterious way”
