A NEW WAY TO SPELL
FORGIVENESS
GOING BACK
- Joseph’s
brothers – returning to
- Genesis
43: 18 - Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house; and they said,
"It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the
first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and
take us for slaves with our donkeys."
Key Emotion: ANXIETY
- Unresolved guilt ALWAYS magnifies anxiety
- They had sold their brother ( Joseph) into slavery, and now that was what they feared for themselves
- Unresolved guilt BLINDS us from seeing God’s hand of blessing in our lives.
RELEASE OF
EMOTIONS
Genesis 43: 29-As he
lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, he said, "Is this your youngest brother, of
whom you spoke to me?" And he
said, "May God be gracious to you, my son." 30Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his
brother, and he sought a place to weep; and
he entered his chamber and wept there.
What can you say about emotions?
1. PUT in us by God
2. POWERFUL - Great men and women of faith had times when they exploded emotionally before God
3. POTENTIAL TO DESTROY to destroy
4. PART of
the fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians
5. POUR out your heart to God
ATTITUDE
Genesis 45: 1-9
- Greatness is revealed mainly in our attitudes
- Joseph is full of forgiveness
- “The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure contemptuous treatment without resentment” Elbert Hubbard
How could Joseph, and how could we, show such forgiveness?
1. POWERFUL- faith in God
2. PERSPECTIVE - “But God…” vs. 8 Joseph didn’t see his brothers as enemies, because his perspective had been changed
CLIMAX
Genesis 50:20 - "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.
Joseph was able to see God’s PLAN and God’s HEART
He could never have spoken such words of reassurance if he had not FULLY
FORGIVEN his brothers
ENCOUNTER
- Portrayal of the GRACE of God
- Comes to our rescue in the person of His Son Jesus Christ
- Picture of Christ at the Cross
- Bearing the sins we committed
- Buying us
Grace is something you can never get but only be given. There’s no way to earn it or deserve it or
bring it about. There’s only one catch.
Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you’ll reach out
and take it.
How to let Go of Past Hurts
1. RELINQUISH your right to get even – Romans 12: 19
2. RESPOND to evil with good – Romans 12:21, Matthew 5:44
3. REPEAT steps 1 and 2 as long as necessary – Matthew 18:
21-22