08/23/15 God s Mercy and Grace Text: Genesis 42 Particularly 42:24-28 Opening: This past week I have been reminded on a number of occasions of God s mercy in both my own personal time with God and our family time with God. One such reminder came through the verse, Lamentation 3:22-23, It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. What is amazing about those words, penned by the prophet Jeremiah, is that he uttered them after the destruction of the city of Jerusalem which was the chastening of God upon the nation of Israel because of their sin in turning from Him. Yet, in spite of all the death and destruction that was around him, Jeremiah said, It is of the Lord s mercies that we are not consumed Jeremiah knew that it could have been worse! Job, in spite of all that he was allowed to go through said, Thou hast granted me life and favour [mercy], and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. Job 10:12 This morning we again find ourselves in Genesis chapter 42 in the midst of the drama that had been caused by Joseph s 10 brother s choice to live by their feelings. Yet, in spite of that, we still see Gods mercy and His grace demonstrated by Joseph s treatment of his brothers. A couple of quick definitions are needed before we go any further: Mercy God s unmerited & undeserved favor. I like to define it in this way, Mercy is not getting something that we deserve! Grace Individuals often use the word grace as an acrostic to define it: God s Riches At Christ s Expense. I often will define grace in this way, Grace is getting something that we do not deserve. Mercy and Grace are the two sides of the same coin.
1. Joseph feared God. (42:18) a. Joseph had a right relationship with God. b. And, because of that relationship, Joseph didn t fear God s wrath and judgment. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 c. Instead he feared disappointing God. He wanted to please God. Illustration: Dad fed the dog when he told me. I disappointed my father which was worse than any punishment he could have given me. Application: Do you fear God this morning? I mean, are you fearful of His wrath and judgement? Could it be that you have never received Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18 d. Joseph s treatment of his brothers was not dictated by his feelings. It was dictated by who his God was, his relationship with God, and his desire to please God. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 Application: The command to treat others with kindness should not be based upon our feelings. It must be based upon God and what God has done for us!
2. Joseph wept. (42:24) a. In this verse we see the mercy the unmerited and underserved compassion - that Joseph extended to his brothers. b. Joseph s brothers did not deserve his kindness or his compassion. c. In fact, in the world s eyes, Joseph would have been justified he had every reason to be angry with his brothers. They would have deserved everything that they got, right? d. In fact, most of us in the same situation, would have probably made a list of all the things that we were going to do to get even. (That wouldn t be difficult for some who probably would have spent the previous 20+ years working on such a list.) e. But Joseph did not do that. In fact, not only did Joseph weep but he also communed with them. f. That s in stark contrast to Genesis 37:4 which says that Joseph s brothers could not speak peaceably unto him. g. Joseph demonstrated to his brothers the same mercy which God has and desires to demonstrate to us. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Psalm 86:5 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:15 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 3. Joseph filled their sacks with corn, restored their money, and gave them provision for the return trip. (42:25) a. And not only that but, instead of keeping 9 and allowing 1 to go home, he was keeping only 1 and allowing the other 9 to return home. b. Considering all that Joseph could have done I believe the brothers were having a pretty good day! c. In this verse we see the grace that Joseph extended grace to his brothers.
d. There are two types of grace that each of us can & should experience. i. The first is saving grace. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:4-9 ii. The second is sustaining grace. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Application: Which type of grace do you need to experience this morning God s saving grace or His sustaining grace? Whichever it is God is waiting to bestow it upon you if you will humble yourself and seek His face! But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5
4. Joseph s brothers were afraid. (42:28) a. Because of their sin and their guilt which we looked at last week they could not see the mercy and grace that Joseph was extending to them. b. The reason many individuals today do not see God s mercy and grace is because sin has blinded them. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 c. The reason that Christians, at times, cannot see God s mercy and grace at work in their lives is because of sin. Sin will hinder God s work of grace in your daily life. Closing: So, what would you do with 100 Chick Fil A sandwiches? I didn t eat any of them! Instead I went to the Pines Apartments and started going door to door giving folks an invitation to church and then asking if they would like some lunch. One individual tried to grab some sandwiches out of another person s hand. When he said, Got any more? I said, How do you ask? (And this was a grown man an adult.) One individual said, I was hungry and I didn t have any money. (That s a wonderful picture of an individual without Christ. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. John 4:13-15 Many gave me the look of, What s the catch?!? One individual said, No thank you. My mom s busy and can t come to the door! This morning, God offers each of us mercy and grace. Will you accept it?