Embracing Forgiveness: Lessons from Joseph's Story

Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound and challenging concept of forgiveness through the story of Joseph in Genesis 45. Forgiveness is not a natural human instinct; our natural response to being wronged is often to seek revenge or harbor bitterness. However, Joseph's story illustrates that God's narrative is far greater than our own, encompassing unexpected and undeserved forgiveness. Joseph, who had every reason to hold a grudge against his brothers for selling him into slavery, chose instead to forgive them, demonstrating a heart transformed by God.

Forgiveness, as we discussed, involves overlooking someone's wrongs and debts, and it is a gift that goes against our natural inclinations. It is important to note that forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation or continuing to endure abuse. It is about releasing the burden of anger and bitterness, which often harms us more than the person who wronged us.

We also touched on the difficulty many people, including Christians, have in accepting forgiveness. Some believe they don't need it, while others feel their sins are too great to be forgiven. The gospel, however, assures us that forgiveness is available to all through faith in Jesus Christ, who bore our guilt and shame on the cross.

The story of Joseph and his brothers is a powerful reminder that God's grace and forgiveness are available even to those who least expect it. Joseph's act of grace—inviting his brothers to come close and not be distressed—mirrors the grace God extends to us. This grace is not just about removing guilt but also about showing love and mercy.

We concluded with a poignant story of modern-day forgiveness, illustrating that true forgiveness often requires divine help. The story of Eric, a pastor who forgave the man responsible for his wife and unborn child's death, shows that forgiveness can lead to healing and transformation for both the forgiver and the forgiven.

### Key Takeaways

1. Forgiveness Defies Natural Instincts: Forgiveness is about giving what we naturally do not want to give and receiving what we do not expect to receive. It goes against our instinct to seek revenge and instead calls us to release anger and bitterness. This is vividly illustrated in Joseph's story, where he forgives his brothers despite their betrayal. [22:14]

2. Forgiveness and Reconciliation Are Not Synonymous: Forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation or continuing to endure harmful behavior. It is about releasing the burden of anger and bitterness. Joseph's story shows that while he forgave his brothers, it did not mean he ignored their past actions. [23:38]

3. The Struggle to Accept Forgiveness: Many people, including Christians, struggle to accept forgiveness. Some believe they don't need it, while others feel their sins are too great. The gospel assures us that forgiveness is available to all through faith in Jesus Christ, who bore our guilt and shame on the cross. [32:21]

4. Grace Goes Beyond Forgiveness: Grace is not just about removing guilt but also about showing love and mercy to the guilty party. Joseph's invitation to his brothers to come close and not be distressed exemplifies this grace. God's grace is available to us, and we are called to extend it to others. [36:24]

5. Divine Help in Forgiveness: True forgiveness often requires divine help. The story of Eric, who forgave the man responsible for his wife and unborn child's death, shows that forgiveness can lead to healing and transformation for both the forgiver and the forgiven. This level of grace and forgiveness is only possible through God's love. [40:17]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[19:17] - Introduction to Forgiveness
[20:40] - Defining Forgiveness
[22:14] - The Natural Instinct Against Forgiveness
[23:38] - Forgiveness vs. Reconciliation
[25:04] - Joseph's Story: Context and Background
[26:34] - Joseph's Emotional Forgiveness
[28:05] - The Brothers' Shock and Fear
[29:35] - Struggling to Accept Forgiveness
[32:21] - The Gospel's Assurance of Forgiveness
[33:05] - The Story of the Terminally Ill Son
[35:44] - God's Story of Forgiveness and Grace
[36:24] - Joseph's Act of Grace
[39:46] - Jesus' Example of Forgiveness
[40:17] - The Story of Eric and Matthew
[44:55] - The Christian Calling to Grace
[45:35] - Reflecting on Our Need to Forgive
[47:06] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 45:1-15

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Joseph take when he revealed his identity to his brothers? (Genesis 45:1-3)
2. How did Joseph's brothers react when he revealed himself to them? (Genesis 45:3)
3. What reasons did Joseph give for not being angry with his brothers for selling him into slavery? (Genesis 45:5-8)
4. How does the story of Joseph illustrate the concept of forgiveness as discussed in the sermon? [22:14]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is forgiveness described as going against our natural human instincts? How does Joseph's story exemplify this? [22:14]
2. What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation according to the sermon? How does Joseph's relationship with his brothers illustrate this distinction? [23:38]
3. Why do some people, including Christians, struggle to accept forgiveness? How does the gospel address these struggles? [32:21]
4. How does Joseph's invitation to his brothers to come close and not be distressed reflect the concept of grace? [36:24]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to forgive someone. What were the barriers to forgiveness, and how did you overcome them, if at all? [22:14]
2. Have you ever experienced a situation where you forgave someone but did not reconcile with them? How did you handle the ongoing relationship, if any? [23:38]
3. Do you struggle with accepting forgiveness for yourself? What steps can you take to embrace the gospel's assurance of forgiveness? [32:21]
4. How can you show grace to someone who has wronged you, similar to how Joseph showed grace to his brothers? [36:24]
5. Think about a person in your life who you need to forgive. What practical steps can you take this week to begin the process of forgiveness? [40:17]
6. How can you seek divine help in forgiving someone who has deeply hurt you? What prayers or spiritual practices might assist you in this process? [40:17]
7. Reflect on the story of Eric and Matthew. How can their example of forgiveness and grace inspire you to handle your own situations of hurt and betrayal? [40:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Forgiveness Defies Natural Instincts
Forgiveness is about giving what we naturally do not want to give and receiving what we do not expect to receive. It goes against our instinct to seek revenge and instead calls us to release anger and bitterness. This is vividly illustrated in Joseph's story, where he forgives his brothers despite their betrayal. Joseph had every reason to hold a grudge against his brothers for selling him into slavery, yet he chose to forgive them, demonstrating a heart transformed by God. [22:14]

Forgiveness involves overlooking someone's wrongs and debts, and it is a gift that goes against our natural inclinations. It is important to note that forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation or continuing to endure abuse. It is about releasing the burden of anger and bitterness, which often harms us more than the person who wronged us.

Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you have been wronged. How can you begin to release the anger and bitterness you feel towards that person today?

Day 2: Forgiveness and Reconciliation Are Not Synonymous
Forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation or continuing to endure harmful behavior. It is about releasing the burden of anger and bitterness. Joseph's story shows that while he forgave his brothers, it did not mean he ignored their past actions. [23:38]

Forgiveness is a personal act of releasing someone from the debt they owe you, but it does not necessarily mean that the relationship will be restored to what it was before. Reconciliation requires both parties to work towards rebuilding trust and understanding. Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers was a personal decision to let go of the past, but it did not erase the reality of their betrayal.

Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV): "Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive but not necessarily reconcile with? How can you release the burden of anger and bitterness towards them today?

Day 3: The Struggle to Accept Forgiveness
Many people, including Christians, struggle to accept forgiveness. Some believe they don't need it, while others feel their sins are too great. The gospel assures us that forgiveness is available to all through faith in Jesus Christ, who bore our guilt and shame on the cross. [32:21]

The struggle to accept forgiveness often stems from a misunderstanding of God's grace. Some people believe that their sins are too great to be forgiven, while others think they don't need forgiveness at all. The truth is that God's forgiveness is available to everyone, regardless of the magnitude of their sins. Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to cover all our sins, and through faith in Him, we can receive the forgiveness we so desperately need.

1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Reflection: Do you struggle to accept God's forgiveness? What steps can you take today to embrace the forgiveness that Jesus offers?

Day 4: Grace Goes Beyond Forgiveness
Grace is not just about removing guilt but also about showing love and mercy to the guilty party. Joseph's invitation to his brothers to come close and not be distressed exemplifies this grace. God's grace is available to us, and we are called to extend it to others. [36:24]

Grace is a powerful force that goes beyond mere forgiveness. It involves showing love and mercy to those who have wronged us, even when they do not deserve it. Joseph's act of inviting his brothers to come close and not be distressed is a beautiful example of grace in action. God's grace towards us is not just about removing our guilt but also about embracing us with His love and mercy. As recipients of God's grace, we are called to extend that same grace to others.

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV): "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: How can you show grace to someone who has wronged you? What specific actions can you take to extend love and mercy to them today?

Day 5: Divine Help in Forgiveness
True forgiveness often requires divine help. The story of Eric, who forgave the man responsible for his wife and unborn child's death, shows that forgiveness can lead to healing and transformation for both the forgiver and the forgiven. This level of grace and forgiveness is only possible through God's love. [40:17]

Forgiveness is not always easy, and sometimes it requires divine intervention. The story of Eric, a pastor who forgave the man responsible for his wife and unborn child's death, is a powerful example of how God's love can enable us to forgive even the most grievous offenses. True forgiveness can lead to healing and transformation for both the forgiver and the forgiven. It is through God's love and grace that we can find the strength to forgive and experience the freedom that comes with it.

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need divine help to forgive? How can you seek God's strength and love to help you forgive today?

Quotes

1. "Forgiveness is this idea that we overlook somebody else's wrongs, that we overlook someone's debt. Forgiveness is this idea that we give up something that we don't want to give. Forgiveness is this idea that we take away the guilt from the guilty party. This whole concept of forgiveness is incredible because it runs exactly against what we naturally want to do. It runs exactly against what our natural human instinct is." [22:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Forgiveness doesn't always mean, or forgiveness definitely doesn't mean continuing to put up with abuse. Forgiveness doesn't always mean reconciliation. You can forgive somebody and still not have them be a part of your life, and I think that's important for us to remember. The reality is, is most of the things that we need to forgive people for aren't illegal acts or abusive acts that have been done against us." [23:38] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God brings Joseph to a place of forgiveness. In this text, we get this powerful, an incredible scene. A scene that is filled with so much tension and emotion. And so Joseph, he orders everybody out of the courts because he wants this to be a moment between him and his brothers. And when everybody is finally out of the room, it says that Joseph begins to break down. Joseph weeps. He wept so loudly that we are told that the Egyptians heard about it, that Pharaoh's household heard about it." [26:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The gospel says that there is forgiveness and that there's a way to forgiveness and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. There's forgiveness for each and every single one of us here. It's just not through faith. It's not through a way that we often expect because the gospel says that it's not about faith in us and our abilities. The gospel says that it is all about faith in Jesus Christ and in what he has already done for us on the cross." [33:05] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The gospel promises that our guilt will be removed because Christ took our guilt and he took our shame to the cross. The gospel says that by faith we won't be treated as sinners because Christ was treated as a sinner for us." [33:05] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "God's story includes forgiveness, even for those who don't deserve it and those who don't expect it. God's story is greater than our story. It's greater because it includes unexpected forgiveness. And it's greater because it includes, it includes undeserved grace." [35:44] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Grace isn't just about removing the guilt from the guilty party, but it's about showing love and mercy to that guilty party. And that's exactly what Joseph does in our text today. Look, starting in verse four. It says this. Then Joseph said to his brothers, come close to me. When they had done so, he said, I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold to Egypt. And now do not be distressed. Do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." [36:24] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "God does not pour out grace upon grace in our lives so that we can just sit in a corner and say, you know what, it's all mine. God does not show us and allow us to experience his goodness and his greatness so that we can just enjoy it by ourselves. I look at our world today and I believe that forgiveness and grace is one of the greatest forms of evangelism in our world." [39:04] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "It is impossible to achieve this level of grace and forgiveness ourselves. But it's only when the love and the grace of God flows to us. The Christian calling is all about grace. It's all about living in that grace. It's the only thing that allows us to live this life with a little bit of a glimpse of the bigger picture. With a little bit of a glimpse of eternity. It's the only thing in this life that allows us to face the trials, to face the hurts and the hardships." [44:09] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "God's grace allows us to see that He is guiding and leading our lives, not just here on earth. But He is leading us on a road to glory. Even though we don't deserve to be on that road. My prayer this morning is that we all might take time to reflect on our lives today. My prayer this morning is that we all might take time to reflect on our lives today. is that we all might ask ourselves, who have maybe I offended that I need to reach out and apologize to?" [45:35] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?