God's Not Finished | Genesis 50

``A final image of Genesis is a coffin in Egypt, and yet the final message is really one of hope. You see, the story of Scripture ultimately leads to resurrection, to restoration, to to new creation, to to life beyond what we see and touch and taste, in this world. Just like the book of Genesis, our stories rarely end with a neat Instead, they end in death. But for those who belong to Christ, death is not the end. [00:57:20] (41 seconds)  #resurrectionHope

We see human responsibility in the decisions that are made, and we see God's good hand even in the midst of them. Nothing in this story and nothing in your story is wasted. Nothing is wasted. No decision, no action. God's sovereignty does not mean that evil is good, or that suffering is easy, or that pain is small. It's not. But it does remind us that even in the midst of it all, God is up to something. [00:51:51] (31 seconds)  #divineProvidence

The problem that you and I face is not out there. It's not in a big scary world out there. Certainly, there are challenges. But the problem just as much is in here. It's in our own hearts. We are not just victims in a broken world. We, sadly, oftentimes are contributors to it. If that is true, and I believe that it is, then spend your days by the power of God's spirit fighting sin in your heart. Confess it, repent of it, and turn from it. Don't coddle it. Don't get comfortable with it. [00:59:27] (40 seconds)  #heartCheck

This isn't Joseph pretending that evil isn't evil. Joseph names it, You meant evil. He knows his brothers were up to no good. He calls a spade a spade. I think that's important for us to remember as we think about the times when, maybe we're on the wrong end of someone's sinful words or actions toward us. Forgiveness is not denying evil didn't take place. It's not excusing sin. It's not pretending that the wounds that have been inflicted upon us don't hurt. [00:48:08] (42 seconds)  #namingEvilForgiveness

Here, we see that grief is an unwelcome guest in our world. Grief is an unwelcome guest in our world. After 50 chapters, the book of Genesis is going to end unexpectedly. There's no triumphant battle to speak of. There is no victory celebration. There's no awkward family portrait to be passed down from one generation to the next. In fact, there's no neat bow that is placed on God's story. Instead, the book of Genesis ends with a funeral. [00:38:01] (36 seconds)  #griefUnwelcome

Even after years of provision and protection, the brothers still feared Joseph's revenge. They spent time looking over their shoulders, wondering if one day Joseph was just waiting for the opportune time to turn on them. But Joseph refuses to do so. Joseph refuses to play God. Instead, he said, Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? That statement is massive, isn't it? [00:46:50] (35 seconds)  #dontPlayGod

One day, God will restore this creation. Every wrong, every single wrong will be made right. Every tear that we have ever cried will be wiped away. The crooked paths will be made straight. Jesus will reign in perfect justice, and his people will dwell with him forever. That promise is certain because that promise is given by a promise keeping God who does not lie or go back on his word. As we sang earlier, he is is a faithful, God to you and to me. [01:01:29] (39 seconds)  #creationRestored

Joseph believed Egypt was not his home and death was not the end. God would keep his covenant with his people. Joseph died in faith. He trusted in promises that he never fully saw or realized, at least in his lifetime. Joseph gives instructions concerning his bones, which may seem odd to you and, to me, but it was a declaration of faith. Joseph believed that God's promises extended, beyond his lifetime. [00:56:36] (33 seconds)  #faithBeyondDeath