Crosstown OKC Sermons

Lasting Transformation is found in the gospel, lived out in community and while being on mission.

The book of Genesis ends with the deaths of Jacob and Joseph, both of whom express interest in their physical remains resting in the Promised Land rather than in Egypt. Within the context of Genesis this is not surprising, because the emphasis is on God's promise, a promise which is not about "going to heaven when you die" but about Israel's fate in the land God promised to them. Assured of God's love for them, God's people dare to believe that even after they die God will finish the plan that he started in the beginning.

As Jacob nears the end of his life, he passes on the patriarchal blessing to Joseph and predicts the future for each of his twelve sons. We get a sense of what is coming in the rest of Israel’s history, replete with the surprising twists and turns that have characterized the lives of the three patriarchs in Genesis. Hope that Israel’s God will be faithful to his promise to his people lives on, along with the prospects that the entire world will be blessed because of it.

Convinced that Joseph was still alive, Jacob moves his family to Egypt. The reunion of father and son is a touching scene, but a larger story in unfolding. Israel has arrived in Egypt where they will flourish and become a mighty nation and where God will begin to demonstrate his saving power through them.

The 4th part of the Genesis story is coming to a climax. Joseph sees his dreams come true. Judah’s character is transformed and we see redemption in his words and life. Joseph tests his brothers to see if their jealousy is gone and their honesty is real. As Joseph is revealed, we see the coming of peace and unity to the brothers, and of revival to the nation. There is real reconciliation and a new beginning.

When ten of Jacob's sons went to buy food in Egypt, they came face to face with the brother they had betrayed and sold as a slave many years earlier. Although they did not recognize him, their encounter with Joseph would bring them face to face with the sin they had committed against him. Joseph set up a test which would give his brothers the chance to demonstrate that they were now willing to come clean and be transformed into the people God intended to use for his saving purposes.

When Pharaoh had a couple of disturbing dreams, Joseph was summoned to explain to him the divine message. Disaster was on the way, and someone wise and discerning would be needed to make a plan for survival. When Pharaoh promoted Joseph into leadership, not only did Joseph himself finally receive vindication, but the entire world would also be given hope for surviving the looming disaster.

It is easy to lose faith when troubles abound. Yet Joseph continues to demonstrate faithfulness to God and hope in him even in the deep pit. He knows that power belongs to God, and so do plans and dream interpretations. In a rare instance, he defends himself and proclaims his innocence. But he has not forgotten his dreams, and he receives assurance as he sees his interpretations of dreams come to fruition. But once more, hope of freedom is deferred.