Sermon--God's Timing

 

Genesis 45:3-15

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near, I pray you, unto me. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be plowing nor reaping. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.  

Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me; tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; for there shall yet be five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and his brethren wept upon his face. And Joseph embraced his brethren, and kissed them: and he wept.  

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Joseph's Reconciliation with His Brothers

Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, was envied and sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He rose to prominence in Egypt, becoming second only to Pharaoh. Years later, when a famine struck the land, Joseph's brothers, now desperate for food, traveled to Egypt to buy grain. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph was the governor.

When Joseph recognized his brothers, he initially feigned anger and accused them of being spies. However, he soon revealed himself and embraced them, overwhelmed with emotion. He forgave them for their betrayal and assured them that God had a plan for their lives.

Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers was a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and mercy. It showed that even in the face of great hardship and betrayal, God can turn circumstances around for good.

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The Implications of Colossians 1:16 for Understanding the Nature of God

Colossians 1:16 ("For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.") presents a profound understanding of God's nature. Here are some key implications:  

1. God as the Creator of All

• Omnipotence: The verse directly attributes the creation of everything to Christ, emphasizing God's infinite power and ability.
• Sovereignty: As the Creator, God is the ultimate authority and controller of all that exists.
• Uniqueness: The idea that there is no other creator suggests God's absolute uniqueness and singularity.

2. The Divine Nature of Jesus Christ

• Co-eternity: The verse implies that Jesus Christ, as the Creator, exists eternally alongside God the Father.
• Divine Equality: His role in creation positions Jesus as equal to God, challenging any notions of a lesser or subordinate deity.
• Divine Agency: Christ is not merely a passive instrument of creation but an active agent, demonstrating His divine personhood.

3. The Purpose of Creation

• Divine Glory: The phrase "for him" suggests that the ultimate purpose of creation is to glorify God.
• Humanity's Purpose: As part of creation, humanity is also created for God's glory and to fulfill His divine plan.
• Harmony and Order: The creation of all things indicates God's desire for a harmonious and orderly universe.

4. The Intimacy of God with Creation

• Immanence: The fact that God is the Creator implies His presence and involvement in the world, not merely distant detachment.
• Interconnectedness: All of creation is interconnected and dependent on God, highlighting the intimate relationship between the Creator and His creation.

In conclusion, Colossians 1:16 provides a rich understanding of God's nature as the all-powerful, sovereign Creator, the divine nature of Jesus Christ, the purpose of creation, and the intimate relationship between God and His creation. This verse offers a profound theological foundation for understanding the Christian faith.

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    Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;"   

Psalm 37:7 - "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him that prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."  

Isaiah 40:31 - "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, and will not tarry."  
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."  

    Lamentations 3:25 - "The LORD is good to those that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him."

New Testament

    Luke 2:13 - "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."   

John 7:30 - "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come."

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." 

 
1 Corinthians 7:35 - "And this I speak for your own profit, not that I may cast a snare upon you, but that ye may walk honestly, and attend upon the Lord without distraction."

Galatians 6:9 - "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Ephesians 1:11 - "In whom we have also obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to his purpose, who worketh all things after the counsel of his will."

Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  

Colossians 1:16 - "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him."  

2 Timothy 1:12 - "For this cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 

 
Titus 1:3 - "But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour."  

Hebrews 10:36 - "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."

James 1:3 - "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

1 Peter 5:6 - "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:"

Revelation 22:6 - "And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets hath sent his angel to shew his servants the things which must shortly be done."  

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You're absolutely right! Jeremiah 29:11 is a powerful verse that offers comfort and hope.

Let's explore the meaning and implications of this verse:

The Context of Jeremiah 29:11

• Exile and Hope: Jeremiah was writing to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. They were facing a difficult time, far from their homeland and facing an uncertain future.
• God's Sovereignty: This verse is part of a larger message from God assuring the exiles that He has a plan for them and that their suffering is not in vain.

The Meaning of "Expected End"

• Hope and Assurance: The "expected end" refers to a positive outcome that God has planned for His people. It suggests that their trials and tribulations will ultimately lead to a place of peace, prosperity, and restoration.
• God's Timing: While the exact nature of this "expected end" may not be immediately clear, the verse emphasizes that God has a specific plan and timing for it to occur.

The Significance of God's Thoughts

• Loving Care: God's thoughts toward His people are described as "thoughts of peace, and not of evil." This shows that His intentions are always good and that He cares deeply for their well-being.
• Sovereignty and Control: The verse implies that God is in complete control of the situation and that His plans will ultimately prevail.

In essence, Jeremiah 29:11 is a message of hope and assurance that God is sovereign, loving, and has a plan for His people. Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, believers can trust that God's ultimate intentions are good and that He will bring about a positive outcome in His time.

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