Speaker's Notes:

The Feast of Trumpets: Are you ready to rule?

Luis A. Marrero, Split Sermon. September 28, 2019

Themes:

1. To make a parallel of Joseph’s life with our life, where Joseph is a type
2. Living in this world prepares God’s people to rule in the Kingdom of God
3. What does the Feast of Trumpets have to do with Christians today? To remind us, the First Fruits with Christ, that God is preparing us to rule.
4. Key learning
   1. We suffer now to prepare to rule in the Kingdom of God
   2. Have faith and be patient. Our time here on Earth is just a moment compared to eternity.
   3. Remember Joseph and other Bible heroes. They kept the faith. If they could make it, we too can make it. Let’s follow the tradition!

Background story:

What is now a frequent routine in Mike’s life, is that once again he leaves work late in the day, fights traffic, and arrives home tired and so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hardly notices his wife, Sandra, and resents the attention demanded by his teenaged children. Once more, Mike was not promoted because he is not able to work on the Sabbath, a prerequisite to the role which he aspires to. Mike just wants to be left alone and have a space of time to experience “peace and quiet.” However, despite his need for quiet time and peace of mind, this want for relief is very brief. He picks up and glances over the letters left by the mailman; bills he needs to pay, including a mortgage-size student loan that eats a significant chunk of money from his paycheck. Work is grueling and demanding; the odds for being promoted are low, and the market does not provide opportunities for a career change. His purpose for working is to pay bills.

Sandra’s expressive needs starved from a day spent at home alone and with little to no human contact tries to engage him in communication, but without much success. She retreats, feeling rejected; and Mike -- aware that he is not acting as a good provider, husband, and parent – feels guilty and disappointed with himself.

Feeling depleted and defeated, Mike uses his last ounces of energy to kneel before God, to ask Him the question: Why did you call me if I can’t measure up?

What about you?

• Have you ever found yourself feeling worn-out by what appears to be a constant struggle to make ends meet, get along with others, and have enough time to accomplish all that life demands of you?
• Have you experienced workplaces and social environments where keeping the Commandments is a constant challenge?
• Do you at times find yourself, like salmon, swimming against the current?
• Have you wondered why, of all people on Earth, with all your shortcomings, would God choose you?
• And why does this calling entail so much hassle, including standing out as a religious oddity?

Please turn to familiar verses of the biographic history of Joseph in Genesis 39. We will review some of the trials that Joseph, Jacob’s son, had to go through. Also, from his story, we can gain a perspective as to why we face trials, and what God promises if we hold firm to our faith.

We know that Joseph’s brothers sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites, and the Ishmaelites, in turn, sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.

Genesis 39: 1-6: “Now, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man, and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.”

We know that Joseph’s master’s wife tried to seduce him, and when Joseph refused, she falsely accused him of having tried to lay with her. As a result, Joseph ended up in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Notice that God did not intervene to prevent Joseph from going to prison. But while he was in prison, we read in verse 21,

“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” 

But it begs asking the questions: Why would God have Joseph go through so much suffering, such as being betrayed by his brothers, to be separated from the love and safety of his family, and humiliated to live the life of a slave? And is Joseph’s life and experience similar to ours in some way? Is Joseph’s life a type of the Christian experience? We will answer those questions in a few minutes.

For now, let us now turn to the New Testament to review examples where God allowed unfaithful people harm and even killed God’s saints. We will return to Joseph’s biographical story later.

 

Please turn to Matthew 23:33-36 to see how Jesus judged the Pharisees.

33"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34:Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35:And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36:Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.

After the founding of the Church of God on the first Christian Pentecost, the persecution, torture, and murder of true Christians is just what happened. The book of Acts describes these facts.

Speaking about future Christian generations, Jesus predicted that His followers would be hated and, as a result, face abuse. Please turn to John 15:18-25 through John 16:1-4

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

Jesus stated that being a Christian does not guarantee a life without suffering and trials. This was true with Joseph, it was true as it applies to the Prophets, it is true and applicable to the Church of God since the first Christian Day of Pentecost, and it remains true today.  However, we are fortunate that we live in a democracy that protects freedom of religion. Yet, Scripture predicts this is not permanent. The time is coming when we will be tested.

Let’s read John 16:1-4: “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

But, to keep things in perspective, remember, people in the world suffer too! Non-believers suffer through self-inflicted reasons as the outcome of breaking God’s Law. We too have the potential to suffer through self-inflicted sin as well as by standing out as True Christians.  The rule of time and chance mentioned in Ecclesiastes 9:11 can happen to all unless God chooses to intervene.

You can check Ecclesiastes 9:11 later when you review your notes.

[Ecclesiastes 9:11 “I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.”]

Notice how Christ explains the time-and-chance phenomenon in Luke 13:1-5

1 here were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

The point is that we are bound to suffer regardless if we are Christians or not! There is, however, a difference between righteous suffering and self-inflicted suffering due to disobedience to God’s Law. But our suffering is for the love we have for the Father and Jesus Christ. And among other reasons, we at times suffer so that we can build faith, perseverance, and character (or always choosing to do the right thing).

Notice what Romans 5:1-4 has to say about suffering and faith.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Notice how James approached temptation and trials: (read to the audience, do not have them turn there)

James 1:2-4

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (ROMANS 5:1 STATE WE SHOULD “REJOICE” AND JAMES TELL US TO “COUNT IT ALL JOY” WHEN BEING TRIED.)

Christ as an Example

Christ volunteered to come to Earth as a human -- leaving behind His Spiritual state -- to set an example for us to follow, including persevering under the most difficult conditions. Following His example includes being patient, persevering by waiting in faith, seeing situations from a long-term perspective, and understanding the big picture and its purpose. It also includes that when making decisions, we are to put love first above all things – for God is love, and all His ways are loving. We are called to learn to wait on God and to do whatever it takes to fulfill His Will. And remember that it is through faith, not works that we can grow and show love toward God and our fellow human beings!

How is Joseph’s Story Similar to ours?

What else is there to our calling? What does God have in store for us? To understand, let’s review and draw out significant elements from Joseph's story. This story, as I will share with you, is a type of the Christian experience.

REVIEW and PARALLEL LESSONS of JOSEPH AS A TYPE

1. Joseph was taken to – and became a foreigner – in a strange and pagan country, just as we are in Satan’s strange and pagan world
2. Joseph was falsely accused just as we Christians, throughout history, have been falsely accused because of our devotion to God
3. Joseph was faithfully patient and did not deviate or lose hope
4. God used Joseph as an instrument to show Pharaoh that the Lord is Sovereign (Genesis 41:38)
5. Joseph became a ruler in Egypt (verse 40)

1. The Saints as Foreigners 

Joseph was taken to – and became a foreigner – in a strange and pagan country, just as we are in Satan’s strange and pagan world)

Speaking of faithful patriarchs of the Old Testament, Paul reminds us in Hebrews 11: 13-16 that:

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, [They took the long-term view] embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  Like Joseph, the patriarchs of old were strangers and pilgrims in the world but had faith that God would keep His promise. We, as true Christians, through baptism, renounced being citizens of the kingdom of Satan to give our allegiance to be citizens of the Kingdom of God.

14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Here, the promise is of new homeland that God has prepared for us.

Joseph was aware of the promise God had made to Abraham and his descendants. We too know that Joseph remained faithful, because Joseph believed – he walked-the-talk. He was steadfast. Joseph looked forward to living in God’s eternal heavenly Kingdom.

Notice where in Ephesians 2:19-22 God states that while on earth as strangers, we are not a people without a home and country.

Ephesians 2:19-22   19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Both Jews and Gentiles have equal standing and citizenship in the Kingdom of God. And just as the patriarchs of the Old Testament, our struggles help us grow into a holy temple in the Lord, for a future and assured dwelling place. Also, as God’s Temple, we are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20.

To review, the first similarity with Joseph’s story is that we too are strangers in a foreign and pagan country or world. The second is….

Falsely Accused and Hated

2. Joseph was falsely accused just as we Christians, throughout history, have been falsely accused because of our devotion to God.)

We already covered how Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, and by Potiphar’s wife. Let’s review what happened to Jesus, and what He predicts would happen to us.

(Read, do not have brethren go to John)

John 15:18-19:  18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, (Once more, notice how Christ reminds us we are foreigners in this world) but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Once more, just as Joseph was a foreigner in Egypt and had to endure life as a slave and later a prisoner, so are we, as Christians, challenged and standing out as odd people; people who are outside of mainstream religion. We stand out because we are not of this world. While today we enjoy the freedom to practice our faith, we know this is not going to last. The time is coming when the Church of God – and any other non-mainstream religion -- will once more be accused and persecuted.

Joseph was faithfully patient and did not deviate or lose hope

3. Joseph was faithfully patient and did not deviate or lose hope)

When we read the story of Joseph, notice there is nothing in Scripture that states that Joseph complained to God or felt discouraged by his circumstances. Rather, he plowed ahead knowing God’s Will was going to be done. He remembered the dreams he had as a child that someday he would be a ruler where his family would bow down to him. He knew God is True to His Word, and Joseph relied on God. This is an inspiring and encouraging example of having faith and practicing patience.

What is ‘patience’? How does Jesus define “the patience of the saints?”

Revelation 14: 12: Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments and the faith of Jesus.

This is precisely what Joseph did, and what we must continue to do – to be patient and not deviate from doing God’s Will.

Joseph as an instrument of God

The fourth point:

4. God used Joseph as an instrument to show Pharaoh that the Lord is Sovereign [Genesis 41:37-39])

After interpreting the dream of seven years of plenty and seven years of famine and proposing a solution, this is what Pharaoh decided:

Genesis 41:37-39:  37 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

Again, Joseph was an ambassador of God’s Kingdom. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (refer, do not read). His behavior was consistent with God’s Will, and the Lord granted Joseph the wisdom required for him to excel.

(Do not refer, read only) In Matthew 5:14, Christ states: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Standing out as a light -- and as Ambassadors of Christ -- is a testimony to the world that we hold God’s values and way of life. God is presenting us – as an exhibit to the world -- of Godly behavior; what pleases God, and what His children as citizens of the Kingdom of God do. God expects us to be models and to represent Him the same way Joseph and later Jesus – the most perfect example -- did. Through our example we are to lay out and showcase the Way, and to reveal the True God and Savior.

Joseph became a ruler in Egypt

5. Joseph became a ruler in Egypt (verse 40)

So, after all the abuse and humiliation Joseph went through in a foreign and pagan country, and remaining steadfast to God’s Way, what was the outcome? And are we destined to a similar outcome?

Genesis 41:40-44

40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So, he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent, no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

How is Joseph's rulership over Egypt a "type" for Christians?

Our Calling and the Feast of Trumpets 

We just read in Genesis 41:37-44, how Joseph was promoted to rule over Egypt second only to Pharaoh. We too, through the Feast of Trumpets, are reminded that we will rule with Christ over the nations.

Let us recall the promises God made to us. Please turn to

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Our calling is to overcome. Fighting and resisting sin, and being exposed to the evil of this world is part of our training, and the price is a crown. Let’s turn to:

Daniel 7:22 …until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

Verse 27: Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

Revelation 3:9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Let us remember, brethren, when Christ returns, on the Last Trump, we will meet Christ in the clouds. He will give us a new name, and He will give us authority over the nations.

1. Key learning
   1. We suffer now to prepare to rule in the Kingdom of God. We are challenged with difficulties to experience in the flesh the consequence of sin and to realize that only God’s Way brings the best in us and others.
   2. We are called to be Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, and to be models and showcase God’s Way.
   3. We are called to have faith and to be patient. Our time here on Earth is just a moment compared to a never-ending eternity of glory and an exciting life. Jesus explained that patience entails keeping the commandments. Let us remain faithful to God’s Commandments.
   4. Remember Joseph and other Bible heroes. They kept the faith. If they could make it, we too can make it. Let’s follow the tradition!