Forgiveness Entrusts the Past to God

Forgiven People Forgive

Week 2 — Forgiveness Entrusts the Past to God

Forgiveness does not _______________ the past. Forgiveness _________________ the past to God.  

  1. Fear expects _______________.

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate [שָׂטַם (sa-tam)] us and will pay [שׁוּב (shoov) … וְהָשֵׁ֤ב יָשִׁיב֙] us back in full for all of the evil [רָעָה (ra-ah)] that we did to him.” 16 They sent the following message to Joseph: “Before he died your father commanded us, 17a ‘You are to tell Joseph, “Please forgive the offense [פֶּשַׁע (pe-sha)] of your brothers and their sin [חַטָּאת (chat-tat)], because they did evil [רָעָה (ra-ah)] to you.” ’ Now, please forgive the offense of the servants of the God of your father.” (Ge 50:15–17a)
Esau hated [שָׂטַם (sa-tam)] Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him. Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob.” (Ge 27:41)
But God shows his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Ro 5:8)
Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven us. (Eph 4:32)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (Jn 3:16)
As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he [Lord] removed our rebellious acts from us. (Ps 103:12)
God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. (2 Co 5:21)

  1. Forgiveness _______________ God's _____________.

17b Joseph wept [בָּכָה (ba-cah)] when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down in front of him, and they said, “See now, we are your servants [עֶבֶד (e-ved)].” 19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid [אַל־תִּירָ֑אוּ (el tee-ra-oo)], for am I in the place of [תַּחַת (ta-chat)] God? (Ge 50:17–19)
Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome by his emotions over his brother, and he looked for a place to weep. He went into his room and wept there. (Ge 43:30)
He wept out loud. The Egyptians heard him, and the house of Pharaoh heard about it. (Ge 45:2)
Joseph put his face against his father’s face, wept over him, and kissed him. (Ge 50:1)
After these events the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. He said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Ge 15:1)
Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be overwhelmed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Is 41:10)

When we are _______________ by someone, our sinful nature wants more than _______________. It wants _______________.

Our sinful nature wants to determine:

  • _______ _________they suffer,

  • _________ they suffer,

  • whether they deserve ___________,

  • whether they deserve another ___________.

In other words, it wants God's _______.

’It is finished!’ Then, bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. (Jn 19:30b)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. What event caused Joseph's brothers to fear that he would seek revenge?
  3. What did Joseph say in response to their fear?
  4. Why does a guilty conscience naturally expect punishment rather than grace?
  5. What does Joseph's question, "Am I in the place of God?" teach about forgiveness?
  6. Why is the desire for revenge often really a desire for control?
  7. How does Satan use guilt to weaken confidence in the Gospel?
  8. Think of a situation where you still replay someone else's sin against you. What would it look like to stop trying to hold God's gavel?
  9. Which truth from this sermon most helps you fight bitterness: that Christ has forgiven you, that God is Judge, or that vengeance belongs to Him? Why?

Homework: Genesis 50