October 2, 2011
Scripture: Exodus 12:1-5
Scripture: Exodus 12:23 - 25
Prayer
Hymn 330 - Come to the Saviour, make no delay
Prayer
Last time we saw how Joseph made himself known to his brothers. We looked at it from the evangelical stand point. We saw that there is more to being a Christian than having our sins forgiven: God wants to bless us.
Genesis 45
Some of Joseph’s first words to his brothers were “Haste ye.” Those words aren’t used very much today; he was telling them to hurry. What were they hurrying about? They were to go and tell their father that Joseph was still alive. They had a story to tell their father, didn’t they? Like them, we have a story to tell, about how Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins. When we get saved, it should be our desire to see other people get saved too.
Joseph told his brothers to go and bring their father and families to Egypt, because he was going to give them the land of Goshen. Goshen was a beautiful part of Egypt. As a type, Egypt is a picture of the world. Even though there is much evil in the world, we don’t have to be a part of that. “Goshen” means “nearness”; and in a world that is so far away from God, we can get near to Him. How important are the times we spend in the word and in prayer. Can’t you hear Jesus, as Joseph said, “Come near unto me.”?
Suppose Joseph was talking to me when he said, “Thy children, and thy children’s children.” Who would he be talking about? He would be talking about my children and grand-children. It was his brother’s families that Joseph wanted to come and live in Goshen. The message for us is to draw near to the Lord. The Lord wants to bless us, but he will not bless us if we aren’t walking near him.
Joseph promised his brothers that he would nourish them. What did Joseph have? He had all the store-houses in Egypt. He told his brothers that he would give them the best things. We have a verse in the Bible that says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:19). What does it mean “according to his riches”? Let’s say someone asked a billionaire to give to a charity, and he gave $100 dollars. He gave out of his riches, but not according to them. To give according to them, he would have given much more. The Lord has given to us according to His riches. Precious!
Luke 7: 28-49
Last time we saw that Jesus called John the greatest of all the prophets, and yet the least in the kingdom of God was greater than he. This was a period of transition to a new dispensation, if you will. Jesus told Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). God was making this possible through the Lord.
In our portion today we see two groups: the Publicans and Sinners, and the Pharisees and Lawyers. The publicans and sinners justified God, because they had been baptised with John’s baptism of repentance. John had told them of their condition before God, and they had accepted it. Getting baptised by John was the only right thing to do at that time. John had been raised to prepare souls for Christ. Those who agreed with his teaching had been baptised. The Pharisees, being legalists, rejected the counsel of God against themselves. As legalists they they were satisfied with their ability to keep the law. It was hard to accept the John’s hard message, and so they rejected it. It’s much the same today. In order to be reached, people need to know their need of a Saviour, and their need of salvation. They need to know their condition and their state in the eyes of God.
When he lived in Montreal, Brother Norman dealt with a fellow who sold business material. He was a Pharisee type of person, and proud of the fact that he was the superintendent of a large Sunday School. One time, there was a evangelistic campaign in Montreal and this man heard a preacher in the forum. “How was it?” Brother Norm asked him. “Aww,” said the man disgustedly, “He just about called us all sinners.” This reminds us of the Pharisee attitude. We can imagine John standing up, saying, “Oh, generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”, and then giving a scathing sermon. Some took his hard message, and some didn’t. Our old nature doesn’t like a mirror.
John’s preaching was rigid as he prepared people for the Lord; but the Lord was different. He preached grace. He demonstrated it, too; and not just to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. The difference between these two ministries is stark. In vv.31-32 Jesus drew an analogy that showed the contrast between himself and John. The Pharisees didn’t respond to either message. The Lord wanted their hearts, and He wants His heart to affect our heart and conscience.
V33-34. Some people rejected John because he didn’t eat or drink, and rejected the Lord because He did! They were so steeped in the law that they rejected grace. Grace befriends the publican and sinner; the law doesn’t. We’ll get an illustration of this with Simon and the woman.
The Lord showed wisdom; and where it was accepted, it was justified. Those - like the woman we’ll read of - who admit they’re sinners, and accept Christ’s work, will become children of God.
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his house for a meal. While Jesus was there, a woman who was well known as a sinner came in with a alabaster box of ointment. She was as much a sinner as Simon was a Pharisee. She fell down at Jesus’ feet, crying; and then she washed His feet with her tears, kissed them, and anointed them. The Lord saw a broken heart that was open to Him; but all Simon could see was proof that the Lord wasn’t a prophet. If He was, then He would know all about this woman and wouldn’t let her to touch Him! But the Lord didn’t come to call the righteous; He came to call sinners like that woman, and ourselves. When she broke that box a sweet odor filled the room; and when a sinner comes to God, a sweet odor ascends to Him as well.
Hymn 13 - Grace! ‘tis a charming sound
Prayer