The key of knowledge of the whole
scriptures is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ. And blessed is the man or woman
who has had Christ revealed to them. Who is taught of God. Because not everyone has Christ
revealed to them and not everyone is taught of God. Because when
God the Holy Spirit teaches us He teaches us the things of Christ.
Here, not speak of himself, the scripture says, but your guide
and direct us to Christ. Now turn, if you would, to John
chapter five. John chapter five, verses 39
to 46. John chapter five, verses 39
to 46. Or 39 and 46, I'm sorry. 39 and 46. Always remember that when we
see reference made to the scriptures, that they're speaking of the
Old Testament. Because again, the New Testament wasn't written.
So the Lord tells us here, he tells his disciples in John 539,
or actually tells the Pharisees, search the scriptures, for in
them you think ye have eternal life, and they are they which
testify of me. Now that's the Old Testament
scriptures again. Search the scriptures, for in
them you think ye have eternal life, and they are they which
testify of me. So the scriptures, Old Testament
and New, testify of he who is eternal life. the Lord Jesus
Christ. That's who they testify of. They
testify of Him. And then look at verse 46. For
had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me, for he wrote
of me. Again, the Lord is just reiterating
that the scriptures speak and testify of Him, of who He is,
who He is. Now we know that a man or woman
who is born again by the Holy Spirit of God, they're taught
the precious truths that the scriptures proclaim Christ. When
we're born again of the Holy Spirit of God, we're taught that.
We're taught the truth of these words of our master, that in
him, or that the scriptures testify of him. They testify of him.
And we see him in the Old Testament in types, in shadows, but in
the New Testament again, he's the substance. He's the substance. If you're on a corner, if you're
in the front of the building and I'm coming up at the corner
the building, and if the sun is in the right spot, you'll
see my shadow before you see me. And then you'll see me come
around the corner. The Old Testament were about
types and shadows, and Christ is the substance. He's the substance. So they testified of him. Now
Joseph in many ways typified our Lord Jesus Christ, but a
type again can only be taken so far. and then it starts to
break down. And so it can only be taken as
far as it was intended. Now, Joseph was a mere man with
many faults. Just like we have faults, he
was a mere man with many faults. Many faults, many imperfections.
So we cannot dare try to portray Joseph as a perfect type of Christ,
because no one, no one, human-wise, is a perfect type of Christ.
It breaks down, because we're sinners and he's sinless. He's
perfect. He's spotless. He's the lamb
of God. Another example of a type is
the lamb that Abel offered. It pointed right to Christ. It
pointed right to Christ. God's sacrificial lamb and the
blood of Abel's lamb typified the Lord Jesus Christ that has
cleansed his chosen people from all their sins. But we know from
scripture that God was never pleased with the blood of animals.
We know that, turn if you would to Hebrews chapter 10. He was
never pleased with the blood of animals, why? Well, because
the scriptures declare they could never take away sin. So again,
it's not a perfect type, is it? It points to Christ, but it's
not a perfect type. Because the only one who's perfect
is Christ. So these are but types and shadows
and pictures. God's never pleased with the
blood of animals. They could never take away sin, but our
great God was pleased to use Abel's offering to what? Point
us to Christ. He was pleased to use all those
Old Testament sacrifices to what? Point us to Christ. To point
us to Christ. In His supreme sacrifice, in
the fact that He sanctified and perfected His people by the shedding
of His precious blood, look at Hebrews chapter 10, verses 9
to 14. Then said He, Lo, I come to do
Thy will. Christ came to what? Do the will
of the Father. That's why he came. He came to
save his people from their sins. O God, who taketh away the first,
that he may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Look at that. Sanctified in Christ, right there.
Made holy in Christ. That's what sanctified means,
to be made holy. Made holy in Christ. And every
priest standeth daily, ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, And this is speaking of all the Old Testament sacrifices,
and look what it says, which can never take away sins. But
they were pointing to the one who is the supreme sacrifice.
They were pointing, there were types pointing to the Lord Jesus
Christ. But this man being Christ, after
he had offered one sacrifice for sin, note that, one. Once. Once. Forever sat down on the
right hand of God. That's where he is right now.
That's where our King is right now. He's sitting down, the work
is finished, and He's sitting down at the right hand of the
Father and He rules and reigns in majesty right now. He's not
waiting to rule. He's not waiting to come back
and establish us. He's already ruling right now.
And He's reigning in majesty and power right now, beloved.
That's our King. That's our Savior. Right now
He's ruling. sat down on the right hand of
God. And remember, in the Old Testament, there was never a
chair in the Holy of Holies for the priest to sit down, was there?
Because they always had work to do. But Christ just sat down,
why? Because the work's finished.
It's done. See, again, those priests could
only, the type could only go so far. Only so far, beloved. Look at this, from henceforth
expect until his enemies be made his footstools. For by one offering
he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Oh, that's
marvelous, isn't it? That's wonderful. All our sins
are forgiven in Christ. And we're still sinners even
though we're saved. But look at that. We are complete in Christ. We are complete in Christ. So
I pray that as we study the life of Joseph, looking at how his
life typified Christ, that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct
us and teach us the things of Christ. In Luke chapter 24, the
scriptures say this, when our Lord was on the road to Arimaeus
with his two disciples, it says, beginning at Moses and the prophets,
he expounded unto them in all the scriptures, which is the
Old Testament scriptures, the things concerning himself. So our Lord Jesus Christ preached
himself to them. He preached himself to them from
the Old Testament Scriptures. And what did our dear brother
Peter preach from the Old Testament Scriptures? Christ. What did our dear brother Paul
preach from the Old Testament Scriptures? Christ. What did
our dear brother John preach from the Scriptures? Christ.
And remember, that's the Old Testament Scriptures, because
there was no New Testament at that time. And I'll tell you
this, if Christ is not preached, then the gospel's not preached.
Plain and simple. If Christ is not proclaimed,
if his finished work is not proclaimed, then the gospel is not preached,
no matter what people say. Because what did Paul say? I'm
determined to what? Preach Christ and him crucified. And Paul was
a very smart man, very well trained. in schooling and all that, and
he says, I don't use words of wisdom. He could have, though,
couldn't he? He could have. He probably could
have been a very eloquent speaker. I don't use words of wisdom.
I preach Christ and Him crucified. Because that's what matters.
That's what matters, beloved. So if Christ is not preached,
then the gospel's not preached. So think of that in light of
what's being proclaimed in churches this morning all across this
country. all around the world. Think about what's being proclaimed
in many churches on this day. And you've come here, you've
been brought here by God to hear Christ and Him crucified. Oh
my, what a blessing. What a blessing we have. So no matter what passage of
scriptures used, the gospel preacher preaches Christ and Him crucified.
Christ in Him crucified. Listen to what Paul wrote, and
he proclaimed this by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God in
1 Corinthians 9, 16. He says this, for though I preach
the gospel, I have nothing to glory of. See, we can't glory
in ourselves. Gospel preachers don't glory
in ourselves. We boast to the one who's done everything for
us and for you, who are believers too. Right? For though I preach
the gospel, I have nothing to glory. For necessity is laid
upon me. Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. Woe unto the
gospel preacher if you don't preach Christ and Him crucified. Oh my. That's why we proclaim
Christ of necessity. It's laid upon us to preach Him,
nothing else. I'm not gonna tell you how to,
50 ways to be a better Christian, or to be a victorious Christian.
I went through all that stuff. And you know what? I felt worse
off afterwards trying to do all that stuff than I, we were talking
about peace. Vicki and I have often talked
about the peace that the believer has in Christ. And it truly is
a peace that passes all understanding. Why? Because we're not laboring
anymore. We're resting in Christ and Him alone. We're trusting
in Him and Him alone. We've ceased from our labors,
beloved. So in this study, we're journeying through the last 14
chapters of the book of Genesis. Turn, if you would, to Genesis
chapter 45. Genesis chapter 45. We're journeying through the
last 14 chapters of the book of Genesis. And here are some
things to take note of as we go through this chapter. Number
one, the fact that our God is absolutely sovereign. So as we
go through this study, keep that in mind. The fact that our God
is absolutely sovereign. He is sovereign over all. He's
sovereign over circumstances. He's sovereign over people. He's
sovereign over providence. Everything. Everything. Visible
and invisible. He is absolutely sovereign. Absolutely sovereign. And remember
that as we read These things in Joseph's life, remember that
nothing in his life happens by accident. And that all things will work
for the good. Although Joseph might not have always saw that.
I was talking to Brother Norm last night and a dear preacher
friend of ours has Alzheimer's and he's getting a lot worse. And Brother Norm wrote me and
he said, Sometimes the province of God
is a mystery, isn't it? And I said, yeah, we don't understand.
Sometimes we just don't even understand what's happening.
But we know that the scripture says it's working for the good.
Even though we don't understand it, beloved. Even though we can't
see it. Keep him in prayer. It's Brother
Rupert Reichenbach. Keep him in prayer. And Betty, please
keep Sister Betty in prayer. Oh my. Keep him in prayer. But we don't always understand
the circumstances that are unfolding in our lives, do we? Most of
the times we don't have a clue. And nothing happens by accident. Look at this in Genesis chapter
45 verse five. Look at what Joseph told his
brethren. Now therefore be not grieved nor angry with yourselves
that you sold me hither. For God did send me before you
to preserve life. So God sent Joseph in a very
unusual way, sold off into slavery, cast into prison, and then raised
up to be the second most powerful person in all of Egypt. To why? To preserve his people. Now Joseph
had no idea when he first was sold in. Could you imagine that
with your own brothers? You'd probably be in tears, wouldn't
you? people you love and care about. They just toss you into
a pit and sell you to slavers. I can't even imagine it, to be
honest with you. If my two brothers were to do that, I'd be shocked. And I know you would be too if
it was your relatives. We'd be shocked. We wouldn't
know what's going on. What's going on? But God had
a purpose in it all, didn't he? He had a purpose in it all. So
all the things that happened to Joseph, whether we look at
them and think they were good or bad, all happened according
to God's eternal plan. It all happened according to
God's, to accomplish what? To accomplish his will. Think of this, you and I are
sitting here right now, in this room, you're hearing the gospel
preached and I'm saved just like you are, and it's all according
to God's will. Isn't that amazing? Now we suffered
a lot in our lives, probably different things, but the Lord
always watched over his sheep. Isn't that incredible? That's
absolutely incredible, isn't it? And here we are, in 2019, June 9th, here in this building,
hearing the gospel. And rejoicing, aren't we? We're
rejoicing in our Savior. We're rejoicing that He brought
us right here. Right here. And it's all according to His
will. It's all according to His will. It's marvelous. It's absolutely
marvelous. Look at Genesis chapter 45, verses
8 and 9. And again, look at what Joseph
proclaims again, all by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God again.
Genesis 45, verses 8 and 9. So now, it was not you that sent
me hither, but God. but God. And he hath made me
to be a father to Pharaoh, and the Lord of all his house, and
a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go to
my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God
hath made me Lord of Egypt. Come down unto me, tearing not.
Now look at that. It's not you that sent me, but
they threw him in the pit, and they sold him to slavers. It's not you that sent me hither,
but God. I want you to think this. I'm
going to bring this right home. I'm bringing this right home. Think
of in your life. The Lord had your grandfather
moved to wherever he moved to and your parents moved to where
they moved to. OK, and you were born. And you
lived your life where you where you were. Yeah. We're all nodding
our heads, aren't we? I love it. Because we know what's
coming, eh? And God brought you to the place
where you would hear the gospel. And he saved you by his grace.
And it was all ordained by our great sovereign God. Isn't that
wonderful? It's absolutely wonderful. Wonderful. And he gave us ears
to hear and eyes to look to Christ. And it's marvelous. And it's
all the work of God. It's so encouraging, isn't it?
Because you know that He did all that and He will keep us
until He takes us home to glory. And then we will be with Him
forever. Forever. All by His power and
all by His will. And remember that, by His sovereign
will. It was His sovereign will to
save you and to save me. We could just sit right there
and not get, I don't think we're ever gonna get over that, beloved.
I don't think we're ever gonna get over that. Even in glory,
unto him. Unto him who purchased us with
his blood. Be all the glory, right? All the glory, all the
glory, Lord. Oh, it's marvelous. Look at that. But God made me a father to Pharaoh,
and lord of all his house, and a ruler over throughout all the
land of Egypt. Haste ye, and go to my father,
and say unto him, thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made
me lord of all Egypt. Do you see who Joseph gives all
the glory to? Right to God. He didn't say, well, it was your
will to throw me into the pit, and it was the slaver's will
to purchase me. And does he? He doesn't say anything
like that at all. He says, this was God's will. And he brought me to this place
by his sovereign mercy and grace. This is mercy. This is mercy,
beloved. God hath made me Lord of all
Egypt, and come down unto me, tearing not. And we'll also see
that the wisdom of the world is foolishness in this study. Now, Egypt was one of the most
advanced civilizations of its day. one of the most advanced
civilizations of its day, in the ancient days. But what were
they? They were idolaters. They had
so many different things they worshipped, they were idolaters,
beloved. Therefore, their wisdom was worldly
wisdom. It was worldly wisdom. And we're
seeing this study that the wise men of Egypt could not interpret
Pharaoh's dream. But what did God do? God gave
Joseph the interpretation to his dream. Because God knew that Joseph
was one of his people. He was one of his chosen people.
He had revealed himself to him. And therefore, he revealed the
interpretation of Pharaoh's dream to Joseph. And we'll see that
in this study. All according to God's will and
purpose. All according to God's will and purpose. Turn, if you
would, to Psalm 110. Psalm 110. Listen to the scriptures
and know that the knowledge of God is revealed to the born-again
blood-washed believer, because again, we're taught of God, we're
taught of God. It's God who makes us his people.
It's God who reveals his counsel and purposes and truth known
to his people. It's the Holy Spirit who does
all this. He doesn't reveal them to the wise or to the mighty,
does he? No. He doesn't reveal them to the
great people of the world, no. No. He reveals these truths to
his people, to his people. Look at Psalm 111, sorry, 111,
I'm sorry, I think I said 110, didn't I? Psalm 111, verse 10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom. A good understanding have all
they that do his commandments. His praise endureth forever.
Well, how do they have a knowledge of who he is? How do they have
an understanding of who God is? Because God's revealed that to
us. He's given us that knowledge, hasn't he? He's given it to us. And in Psalm 9.10 says, and they
that know thy name will put their trust in thee, for thou, Lord,
hast not forsaken them that seek thee. And then the scripture
says this, look at Psalm 25.14. Look at Psalm 25.14. Look at
this. And this isn't with everyone. But this is with God's people.
Look what it says in Psalm 25, 14. The secret of the Lord is
with them that fear Him. Oh, and He will show them His
covenant. Has He not revealed Christ to
us? Has He not shown us the everlasting
covenant which is only in Christ and Him alone? In which the Father
chose a people in eternity and the Son redeemed them and the
Holy Spirit regenerates them? We didn't know that before the
Lord saved us. We had no clue about that stuff. Turn, if you
would, to Colossians 1. Colossians 1, we see it here
in the New Testament, too. Look at this in Colossians 1.
Paul wrote of the mystery of salvation in and through Christ,
which is only revealed to God's people. It's revealed to God's
people. Colossians 1 says this in verses
24 to 28. who now rejoices in my sufferings
for you and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions
of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake which is the church
where I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God which
is given to me for you to fulfill the word of God look at this
even the mystery which had been hit from ages and from generations
ages Think of all those countries that were just left in darkness.
Think of for ages people left in darkness. God always had a
remnant, didn't he? We know that. But think of God
chose Israel and left the Hittites in darkness, left the Egyptians
in darkness, left the Persians in darkness, left the Syrians
in darkness. He chose us. He redeemed us. He regenerated us. And He's left
others in darkness. And it's all according to His
mercy and His grace. Even the mystery which hath been
hid, and it was hid from us too, wasn't it, before we were saved?
It was hid from us. Even the mystery which hath been
hid from ages and from generations, but now is what? Made manifest
to His saints. Well, the mystery is about Christ. And about what He's done. Look at this in verse 27, to
whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of
this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you. The hope
of glory. That's it. Whom we preach. Preaches Christ. We don't preach
nothing else. Preaches Christ. Whom we preach,
warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that
we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Complete in
Christ. And we will see the truth of
the verse that we often look to for comfort, and often quote,
we will see the truth of this unfold in this study too, which
says this, and we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God. To them, a lot of people just
stop right there. You ever notice that? People stop there. They
go, oh, and we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God. There's no period in the text. There's
a comma. It's Romans 8, 28. There's no period. There's a
comment. It says, to them who are the called according to his
purpose. To them who are the called according
to his purpose. All things work for good in the
believer's life. to them who are the called according
to his purpose. His purpose. So we'll see the
truth of that verse unfold before us as we go through the scriptures.
Because again, we're gonna see Joseph get cast into a pit, sold
to slavers, thrown in jail. We're gonna see a lot of stuff
happening. And we're gonna look at some of it and go, wow, but
we're gonna see how it unfolds for the glory of God. It absolutely
unfolds for the glory of God. So we see it demonstrated in
the life of Joseph. We see the goodness of God demonstrated
by his providential work in Joseph's life. And as we study the life
of Joseph, always remember this truth. Always remember that God
is absolutely sovereign. He's absolutely sovereign and
he's working out his will, beloved. Listen to the words of a song
that William Cowper wrote. And he suffered in the pit of
despair, but the Lord saved him, and then he rested on God's absolute
sovereignty. He penned these words, God moves
in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps
in the sea and rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable minds
of never failing skill, he treasures up his bright designs and works
his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage
take. The clouds ye so much dread are
big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. Judge
not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace.
Behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower. blind unbelief is sure to err
and scan his work in vain. God is his own interpreter and
he will make it plain. And he does. He does, beloved. So let us never forget the God
honoring truth of God's absolute sovereignty as we go through
this study. Everything that took place in
the life of Joseph from the time he was born until his departure
from this life was all ordained by our great God. Our King. Why? For His glory, His honor,
and His praise. Turn, if you would, to Genesis
Chapter 15. And look at what our great God tells Abram. Look
at this. Genesis Chapter 15. And then put your finger in Exodus
Chapter 12. Exodus Chapter 12. Genesis Chapter 15 and Exodus
Chapter 12. Our God always works out His
will. Genesis 15 verses 13 to 16. And He said unto Abraham,
knowing of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a
land that is not theirs, and shall serve them, and they shall
suffer, or they shall afflict them for four hundred years.
And also that nation whom they shall serve will I judge, and
afterward they shall come out with a great substance. And thou
shalt go to thy fathers in peace, and thou shalt be buried in a
good old age. But in the fourth generation
they shall come hither again, for the iniquity of the Amorites
is not yet full. John Gill says this. of the 400
years spoken of in verse 13. These 400 years before observed
are to be reckoned from the birth of Isaac to the Israelites going
out of Egypt. Isaac was 60 years of age when
Jacob was born. And Jacob, when he went down
into Egypt, was 130, which make 190. And the Israelites were
in Egypt 210 years, which complete sum of 400. 400 years. Let's read the verse again, Genesis
chapter 15. And also, verse 14, and also
that nation whom they shall serve will I judge, and afterward they
shall come out with great substance. Now turn to Exodus chapter 12.
We see what God says will come to pass, beloved. They spoiled
the Egyptians. They spoiled the Egyptians. Exodus
chapter 12. It's all part of His eternal
purpose. Look at verses 33 to 36. And the Egyptians were urgent
upon the people that they might send them out of the land in
haste. For they said, we be all dead
men. Remember the firstborn had been
wiped out. All those plagues that had fallen
upon Egypt. And the people took their dough
before it was leavened. being bound up in their clothes
upon their shoulders and the children of Israel did according
to the word of Moses and they boiled of the Egyptian jewels
of silver, jewels of gold and remnant and the Lord gave people
favor in the sight of the Egyptians so that they lent them such things
as they required and they spoiled the Egyptians just like God said
would happen. Look at that. So we're seeing this study again
that Joseph's brothers sold him to a band of Ishmaelites who
were on their way to Egypt, and that took place in fulfillment
of what God told Abraham before Isaac was born. Isaac was the
grandfather of Joseph, and Joseph sat on the throne of power as
prime minister over all of Egypt, and his evil brothers stood before
him, and Joseph made himself known to them. We see all that
through this study. They stood in front of him with
great fear. Could you imagine you're standing in front of your
brother who you cast into a pit and sold to slavers, and he's
the second most powerful man in Egypt? He could destroy you
with a word. Could you imagine the fear that
fell upon their hearts? Listen to what Joseph says to
them, though. Fear not, for I am in the place of God. Oh my, God
give us grace to say that, eh, when we're going through things.
Oh my, I'm in the place, fear not for I am in the place of
God. But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God made
it good. God made it unto good to bring to pass as it is this
day to save much people alive. Genesis chapter 50 verses 18
to 20. Now think of that. Think of how Joseph typified
our Lord Jesus Christ in that portion right there. What man
meant for evil, God used for good. Turn, if you would, to
Acts chapter 22. Acts chapter 22. I'm not gonna get to all what
I'm gonna do today, but that's okay. Acts chapter 22. Think
of this in light of our Savior's death on the cross, which we
know was all according to the determinate counsel and foreknowledge
of God. Acts chapter 22 verses, or Acts
chapter 2, I'm sorry, I'm adding numbers here. My dyslexia is
going crazy today. Acts chapter 2 verses 22 to 24. He, man of Israel, hear these
words, Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by
miracles and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst
of you, as you yourself also know. Him being delivered up
by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. So what
man meant for evil is falling out according to the determinate
counsel and foreknowledge of God. That's what this verse proclaims. Ye have taken, and by wicked
hands have crucified and slain, whom God hath raised up, having
loosened the pains of death, because it was not possible that
he should be holding of it. My, oh my. So we see again, God's
providential hand working out his purpose, all according to
his will, all according to his will. And it is our Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for us, and think of
his birth, His perfect life, His death, was all planned and
purposed by God to redeem us from all our sins. The God-man,
the Lord Jesus Christ, the sinless one, did all this in our place,
beloved. Oh my, what a Savior. What a
Savior. What a Savior we have. He's glorious,
beloved. He's absolutely glorious. Heavenly
Father, we thank you for allowing us to come here today, and we
know it's all by your hand and by your purpose and by your will.
We glory in you, Lord Jesus, in how magnificent you are, in
what you've done for us, and in the fact that you revealed
yourself to us, we who are but sinners, saved by thy grace and
thy grace alone. We marvel that we're saved. We
know what we are. We know how much we struggle.
And yet, Lord Jesus, we are complete in Thee. What a wondrous salvation. What a wonderful Savior you are.
We give you all the glory and honor and praise in Jesus' name.