Joseph: From Dream Chaser To God Chaser – Week 7 (11/06/2022)

Joseph: From Dream Chaser To God Chaser – Week 7 (11/06/2022)

November 6, 2022

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.”

• Forgiveness was granted and yet they were in the bondage of their past.

Forgiving Yourself

• Holding yourself accountable to a life sentence for the sin you have committed BUT paid for by the blood of Christ.

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12 NLT)

For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will KNOW ME already,” says the Lord. “And I will FORGIVE THEIR WICKEDNESS, and I will NEVER AGAIN REMEMBER THEIR SINS.” (Jeremiah 31:34 NLT)

• Forgiveness when we are in fellowship with Him.

So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” AND JOSEPH WEPT WHEN THEY SPOKE TO HIM.

• Joseph wept because he had already forgiven them, 17 years ago.
• Forgiveness was important to Joseph because he knew that unforgiveness would disrupt his fellowship with God.
• Unforgiveness would stop the connection between your calling and your destiny.

Jesus removed all the limitations on forgiveness

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN. (Matthew 18:21-22 NKJ)

• Forgiveness is without limits.

And forgive us our debts, AS we forgive our debtors. (Matthew 6:12 NKJ)
• “As”: same manner or in the same measure.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJ)

Context: Not Salvation but fellowship.

What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is a decision to no longer credit an offense to an offender.

#1 UNILATERAL FORGIVENESS

• The word unilateral means you only.
• It is when you make a decision to forgive, and the person has not even asked for it, not even requested or not even repented for what they did to you.
• Forgiveness so that you can move forward.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34 NKJ)
• They did not ask for it. They did not repent from it. Jesus granted forgiveness because He wanted to remain in purposes of God.

#2 TRANSACTIONAL FORGIVENESS

• Transactional Forgiveness is when the desire is for reconciliation and restoration.

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (1 Corinthians 5:18 NKJ)

• Transactional forgiveness so that we can be reconciled with God.
• Jesus has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. (Matthew 5:23-24 NLT)

• Reconciled with God and reconciled with one another.
• Transactional forgiveness is when the person who has offended you is willing to confess and repent in order to reconcile.

PROVE by THE WAY YOU LIVE that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. (Luke 3:8 NLT)

• Bear fruits worthy of repentance.

Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:19-20 NKJ)

• Unilateral forgiveness: I have forgiven because I have to move forward.

Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:21 NKJ)

• Transactional forgiveness. I love you, I value our relationship. I will take care of you.

Joseph had 2 sons and we can read about this in Genesis 41:51-52.

#1 Manasseh: God has helped me to forget my troubles.

• Joseph named his son Manasseh, because he needed to be reminded that God has put on a path where he is no longer hostage to his past.

#2 Ephraim: God has helped me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

• Joseph named his son Ephraim, because he needed to be reminded that God could bless him and prosper him even in a place that has been so painful.

CONCLUSION:
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?

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