What Are You Waiting For?

  -   August 29, 2022

Unexpected Week #4

What Are You Waiting For?

Genesis 45:3-8, 50:14-21

When it comes to connecting with others, one of the biggest obstacles in regards to our walk with Jesus is our unwillingness to forgive

“I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. 4 “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. Genesis 45:3-4

But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 6 This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. 8 So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. Genesis 45:5-8

1.  Forgiveness is up to us, not them

Waiting for someone to say “I’m sorry” is not forgiveness, it’s entitlement

After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. 16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to  say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. 19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. Genesis 50:14-21

When we learn to forgive, fear begins to disappear in our lives

2. Forgiveness is not a one time decision, it’s a process

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,”  Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!  Matthew 18:21-22

3. Forgiveness does not mean complete restoration

You can forgive people but you cannot change them

Some relationships may never be restored

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18

4. Forgiveness frees me, not them

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32