We'll unite together in prayer, we'll seek the Lord and then again Genesis chapter 45, we're in another section now where Joseph is telling his brethren. So the title of the message is to tell of Joseph and this will be the first message. I'll give you the first point with four points underneath and then we'll come and look at the rest, God willing, on another occasion. But we'll seek the Lord together in prayer. Our Heavenly Father and our Eternal God, as we come before Thee just now, we pray, Lord, for help in the ministry of the Word. It is our desire that we will see none save Jesus only. It is our desire, Lord, to make much of that blessed man of Calvary. And while, O God, we thank Thee for Thy Word and even the very life of Joseph and the instruction that we receive from him, Yet, Father, we rejoice that right from Genesis through to Revelation, Thy Son is in every page, and therefore we pray, even as we seek to preach on Joseph, help us, O God, to make more of Thy beloved Son, the only Redeemer of God's elect. Bless us, we ask of Thee, in Jesus' name. Amen. Genesis chapter 45. Let us read verse 9 down to verse 15. Hast ye, go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt. Come down unto me, tarry not, and thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thy and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herd, and all that thou hast. And there will I nourish thee, for yet there are five years of famine, lest thou in thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty. And behold your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that is in my mouth, that speaketh unto you. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt. and of all that ye have seen, and ye shall haste and bring down my father Heather.' And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover, he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them, and after that his brethren talked with him." In chapter 45 of Genesis, once Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and forgave their offenses against him, Joseph had a work for his brothers to do. He said unto them, Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt. Joseph's words are beautiful and wonderful. In fact, everything that Joseph tells his brothers to say unto their father is summarized in verse 26. Joseph is yet alive. And that is the theme really of the rest of this book, or the life of Joseph, and certainly the end of chapter 45. Everything now centers that Joseph is alive. Remember, to Jacob, Joseph is dead. He concluded that a wild beast had devoured him, and he's been living with a heavy heart for 22 years, believing that his son is dead due to the very deception of his brothers when they brought back that message. However, the message is now, go up to my father. and say unto him, thus saith..." So here's a word from the throne. Here's a word from the Son. "...Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me Lord of all Egypt." It was a message of life, a message of hope, and a message of revival. You see, if the brothers had gone back to their father, and failed to speak of a living and a reigning Joseph, their message would have been worthless. They would have perished in the famine. However, it was a message to the heart. As verse 27 states, whenever Joseph or Jacob hears this message that his son is alive and there is a word from the son, we read, this spirit of Jacob, their father, revived. That means to come alive again. Joseph is downcast. He's broken hearted. He's just going through day by day, getting through with a heavy heart. My son is dead. But now he hears the son is alive and he is revived. He's brought back to life again. and there's a joy there's a spring in a step and from that point he has a desire to go and to meet with his son and to spend time with his son oh that's another message for another time but joseph is sending his brothers with a royal message thus saith thy son." It gives witness. Joseph is alive. Joseph is exalted. Joseph is sitting upon a throne. The message must be given without delay. Notice, Joseph said to his brothers, haste ye and go. And the word haste as you have before you means to hurry. Go quickly. This is urgent. This message must be told without delay. Go quickly. Go now. Tell thy father. Give father a word from me. The message was about the living son named Joseph. He is alive. And therefore, believer, as we have been learning in the book of Genesis, the life of Joseph, lessons that apply practically to the Christian life, Yet, we've also learned that there is a great type or symbolism that points to the Lord Jesus Christ, greater than Joseph. And what lessons we have here as we think of Christ. Because Christ is the one who forgives us of our sin, who forgives us of our offences and trespasses against him. and having forgiven us of our sin he calls us to follow him in royal business as his ambassadors and to give forth the message that not only that Christ is alive again The Lord said in John chapter 20 verse 21, as my father has sent me, even so send I you. He gave his disciples a royal message, thus and thus saith the Lord. And we have a royal message. Thus and thus saith the Lord. Our message comes not in the demonstration of men, but in the power of the Holy Ghost. We're to go into all the world and preach the gospel that Jesus Christ is alive forevermore, and that he lives in the power of an endless life, and he is in heaven. It is Christ that died. He is the life, the hope that revives the hearts of God's people and redeems the hearts of sinners. Christ died, yea rather is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, whoever liveth to make intercession for us. Oh, such a message must be given. You see, if we only tell of Christ's death, and not His resurrection, then our faith is in vain and without hope. But since Christ has died, since Christ is alive, we preach a reigning and a glorious Christ, and with such a message about a risen Savior, a living Savior, a victorious Savior, a conquering Savior, a ruling Savior, a Savior upon the throne of glory, We must go quickly and we must share that message with urgency to troubled souls that Jesus is alive and because he lives, all who trust in him shall live also. His throne is one of grace, one of mercy, one of pardon to any sinner who comes to faith alone in Him. Have you come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? What are you depending upon for heaven? If it's not a glorious Christ, if it's not a living Christ, then you will perish in your sin. If you're depending upon the world's philosophies, if you're depending upon another time. I urge you men and women, young people, come now, receive the message, Jesus is alive. And because He is alive, that is your hope of eternal salvation. Refuse the living Christ, refuse the reigning Christ, refuse the victorious Christ, and you seal your eternal damnation. Because only a living Christ can save. Notice what Joseph's brothers were to tell concerning Joseph. Now, as you know, my bad habits, I'll preach one point, a sub-point, and give you the other three points next week. But the first point that we'll only look at today, they were to tell of Joseph's sovereignty. That was the first thing they were to tell of, Joseph's sovereignty. And there's four simple thoughts under that that I want to leave with you. Notice the giver of his sovereignty. Verse 9, Thus saith thy son, Joseph, God hath made me Lord of all Egypt. Joseph starts his message by who he wants his brothers first to speak about, and it centres upon God. God hath made me Lord of all Egypt. Joseph, in the message that he gives, centres upon God first. Joseph acknowledges God in all his ways. He acknowledges that all that has happened to him and where he is right now is because of God. The very fact that Joseph is Lord of all Egypt is because of God. He gives God all the glory for great things he has done. Remember, whenever Joseph was in prison, Genesis 39 verse 21, the Lord was with Joseph. In Genesis 41 verse 16, when he interpreted Pharaoh's dream, he said, it is not me. In other words, it's not me that will give the answer. God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. God will speak through me, but it's God's message to give, not mine. Though his brothers sold him into Egypt. In Genesis 45 verse 7, Joseph said, God set me before you. Even though Pharaoh gave Joseph a position in Egypt, yet Joseph said in verse 8, God hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and so the very foundation of his message rests upon God, while there were in his life men and people who influenced his life for good or for evil. Yet above all, God was in control and God has been sovereign over the life of Joseph. All that has happened, all that's taken place, the people who have come and gone from the highs, the lows, whatever you want to mention. God has been sovereign and God has brought him through it all. He's never left him nor forsaken him. And now in Egypt, Joseph is Lord over all Egypt. And he says, God hath made me. Joseph, his first 26 states, is governor over the land of Egypt. Why? Because of God. Verse 8, God made me a father to Pharaoh, and the Lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. And therefore, believer, learn from the life of Joseph. In all things give glory to God. Yea, from the life of the Apostle Paul, that in all things he will have the preeminence. He has done all things well. Put him first, not only in word, Deed but practice, be living examples to glorify God. That is what the Lord Jesus taught his disciples when he taught them to give the glory to God. He said in Matthew 6, Verse 33, But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. He taught them in prayer in Matthew chapter 6 verse 9. Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name and then he went on to say give us this day our daily bread and so on in the saving of sinners he made much of god's grace and john 6 verse 37 all that the father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no eyes cast out." So there we have the Saviour, as He lived and taught His own disciples, put God first in everything. The point is, believer, whenever you talk about the day that you were saved, give glory to God. The family that you're blessed with, the job that you have, the promotion that you have received, the finances that are in your bank account, little or large, the health that you enjoy, the place that you live, the church growth, the ministry, all from a human point of view, give glory to God. Can I say, In the exams that some students have had in this congregation, I say to you, I know many of you have had good success. Talking to you, your parents, give God all the glory. Yes, you have studied well. Yes, you have done your bit. You have been faithful in your studies. But God must be put first in all thanksgiving. In fact, when we went down the other day, when Joshua received his results, and I'll not pick on him, but when he received his results and all the rest, we went into the car. Well, before we went in to get his results, I said, just remember, God is in control. and then he got his results and after we went back to the car and we had a time of prayer together and I prayed with him and I made the point, put God first in everything. And that's what he must do. That's what Joseph did. That's what the Savior did. The message that he gives his brothers to tell Father, it begins, God hath made me Lord of Egypt where I am. All that's happened to me, the promotion, the elevation, the success, whatever you want to mention, it's all been because of God. So above all, give God the thanks. The psalmist said, Psalm 68, verse 19, blessed be the Lord, who daily loatheth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10, verse 31, whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Joseph, when he tells his brothers and gives that message, tell them, God hath made me Lord over Egypt. I am where I am because of God. the giver of this sovereignty. It was God who put Joseph where he was. Notice the greatness of his sovereignty. Verse 9, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me Lord of all Egypt. In his exultation Joseph possessed power, position, and praise. All the kingdom of Egypt was given into his hands, and the surrounding areas who came seeking bread. Remember, from the natural order of the offense, whenever Pharaoh appointed Joseph Lord of Egypt, we read in Genesis 41 verse 41, Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. Of course it was, in fact, as we look, God who did this, God who was overall ordering and arranging the steps. Again, Genesis 41 verse 40, Pharaoh said, Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled. Verse 43, Joseph had his own chariot to parade around the land of Egypt. Every place that is food shall trod, all the people within the kingdom were given unto him to rule, to execute power over the affairs of the kingdom, and for the advancement of the kingdom in Egypt. Even when the famine spread throughout all the lands, Joseph had all power to go and gather a bountiful supply and open up the storehouses. All were blessed because of Joseph. Whenever the brethren came, they knew Joseph's name as Joseph. But having spent time in his presence, they learned about his greatness. They learned about his many titles and his many names. In Genesis 41, verse 43, he is called ruler over all the land of Egypt. In Genesis 41 verse 45 he was given that name Sath-Nath-Paneim which means the saviour of the world, the revealer of secrets, the bread of life. Again Genesis 42 verse 30 he is called the lord of the land. In Genesis 45 verse 8 He is called Lord of all his house. In Genesis 45 verse 9, he is called Lord of all Egypt. And that title Lord refers to master. Again Genesis 45 verse 26, he is called governor over all the land of Egypt. And so whenever the brethren were to go back to their father, they were to give a message. of the greatness of Joseph, the full responsibility and the administration that he had been given, the authority that he had. the rule that he had. Over all the land of Egypt, Joseph had stewards. He had servants to obey his command. He ruled by his word, and they who obeyed him were blessed. He ruled faithfully. He was faithful in all things, and he did all things well. He went out from Pharaoh's presence and gathered in a bountiful supply. And as people kept coming, he kept giving and giving and giving again. Like the prophet Daniel, Joseph did his work well within an ungodly kingdom, that the king would have no damage. Joseph did nothing to harm or to shame Pharaoh. All his ways were upright, all his deeds were upright. Even Pharaoh had to say in Genesis 41 verse 39, there is none so discreet and wise as the word. Joseph sent his brothers to tell his father, God hath made me lord of all Egypt. They were the speak of his greatness, his rule, his majesty. What a view we have of the Lord Jesus Christ and His exaltation, for His kingdom is great. It is an everlasting kingdom. Hebrews chapter 3, verse 1 and 2. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him that appointed him even as Moses, who was faithful in all his house. Moses was a faithful servant over his house, but Christ is the faithful son over his eternal and spiritual kingdom. Christ today, in his exaltation, rules over his eternal kingdom from heaven. He is seated at God's right hand, blessed forevermore. Likewise, believer, it would be right to say, the more we spend time in the presence of the Savior, the more we learn about him. Just as Joseph's brethren stood in the presence of Joseph, and they learnt more about him. All these different names and titles and his greatness, his position. So we learn more about the Saviour. Oh yes, when we were saved, we may learn that His name is Jesus, or He's called Jesus Christ. But then as we grow in grace, as we spend time in His presence, we learn He is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Master, the Shepherd, the Bishop, the Redeemer, the Mediator, the Advocate, Jehovah, the Branch, the Servant, the Righteous One, the Just, the Holy One, and many more titles we could mention. We learn more and more and more of His greatness. We learn also that God has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name. And at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. The point is, believer, as Joseph's brethren were to go back and tell their father about Joseph, he is alive. They were to speak of his greatness, his exaltation. They were to speak, he is the Lord of Egypt. And therefore, believer, when you go and speak about Christ, lift him up, exalt him far above all, make known his mighty works, his salvation, the greatness of his sovereignty, the greatness of his power. We serve a great saviour, and London needs a great saviour. Therefore, make much of Jesus Christ, because if he be lifted up, he will draw all men on to himself. But notice also they were the tale of the glory of his sovereignty. Verse 13, Ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, of all that ye have seen. The word glory, as you have before you in verse 13, means glorious, means honor, it means splendor. Tell them of all my splendor, all my honor. Joseph is a glorious ruler, worthy of all honour. He was able to do what he set out to do, provide bread in the famine and to save lives by a mighty provision. Remember when Joseph was enthroned, we read in Genesis 41 verse 42 that Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in festers of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck." So you remember, whenever the brothers see Joseph, they see one clothed in honour, in glory, in splendour. Oh, the regala that he wears is glorious. The ring that was given symbolized authority, office, office. The robe symbolized his appointment to office. And the gold chain, it symbolized his accomplishment in office. Joseph would not fail. Joseph could not fail, and Joseph did not fail in all that was given him to do. In his humiliation and in his sufferings, he was God's prophet to deliver God's message. As God's priest, he was there to pray for the people. And as a king, he was there to rule over all that was given to him. Now in his exaltation, as he is enthroned, he still fulfills his role as a prophet, a faithful messenger, as a priest robed in glorious garments, and a king to govern. In fact, Joseph acts for all whom he represents, and all that he does is for those whom he will save from perishing in the famine. Therefore, what a picture we have of a greater than Joseph, the Lord Jesus Christ, glorious in his person, worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. Hebrews chapter 13, verse 21 states, of Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Hebrews chapter 8, verse 1, who is set at the right hand of the throne of majesty in heaven, Hebrews 12 verse 2, He is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Christ continues as our prophet to deliver the word of God, to give the word of God through His servants. He continues as our priest in heaven to make intercession. He continues as our King to rule and reign. He's able to do all that He set out to do and provide redemption for all who come to Him by faith. He will never leave His seed begging bread, or He will never leave nor forsake His people. His supplies are infinite. He gives, He gives, and He gives again. There is an abundance of supply in Jesus Christ. Because He is the glorious Saviour, full of honour, full of majesty, One who deserves all praise and all power. Notice finally, they were to speak of the gaze of His sovereignty. Verse 13, Ye shall tell my Father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen." Now that's the key. All of the brothers were to tell concerning Joseph what God had given him, what God had done for him, where God has put him. They were to do so by what they had seen. This is not something they've heard from someone else. They're not going to tell, you know what, I've heard this about Joseph. Dad, we've heard about Joseph. Now, it may be true, it may not be true, but we've heard this. You best come down and see for yourself. Certainly not. They're going back to tell their dad all that they have seen. We have seen his glory in Egypt. Joseph is alive. He's a great ruler. He's clothed in majesty and garments with a ring. They're telling what they have seen. They're telling what they have witnessed. They will speak of all they have experienced. They've gazed upon His greatness. They've gazed upon His glory, His rule, His reign. They've sat at His table. We've looked at this in previous studies. They've faced it at the table prepared, and their eyes have been focused upon Him. And so they behold him in all his splendour, all his beauty, as he revealed himself unto them. And they are to go back, and to tell their father of a glorious Joseph, a glorious son, clothed in royal majesty, honour, and praise. They will talk of all his wondrous love and care. Therefore, believer, Peter said in 1 Peter 1, verse 8, Whom having not seen ye love, in whom though now ye see him not yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. We see Christ through the eye of faith as revealed by the written Word of God. We gaze upon him as revealed by the Holy Spirit revealing His greatness and His glory. We can talk of His saving grace, His transforming power, because He has saved our soul. You know what you were before. You were saved by the grace of God. All that you were involved in, the sinful life that you live, the things that you got involved in, But now the Lord has saved you. You don't need to go and tell others, come and see Jesus Christ because I know someone whose life's been transformed. You can go and say, come and hear about Christ being preached because he saved my soul. He's redeemed me, a fallen sinner who once hated him, who blasphemed him like Joseph's brothers, who betrayed him, who sold him, who said all manner of evil against him. But now they've been forgiven, and now they've been given a message, go to Father, make haste, go quickly, and tell them I'm alive. And tell them God has made me ruler of Egypt, and tell them of my glory. Because that glory, as we will learn in the next number of messages, there is a bountiful supply, not only for Jacob to come, But for all the family and the children and the children's children, there's a message for them all. And so you can speak of the work that he has begun within you. One day, faith will give way to sight, and we will behold the King in his beauty, and it will be face to face with Christ our Saviour. But until then, speak much of him. Make haste. Go quickly and tell of a glorious saviour, a ruling saviour, a living saviour. They spoke of his sovereignty. Next time we'll look that they were to tell of his summons, that he was to come quickly. They were to tell of his sufficiency and they were to tell of his supply. I trust you know the saviour as your own personal saviour. If not, come to him this day, because only a glorious Christ, a living Christ, is able to save your soul. And for you, believer, I encourage you, invite others to God's house. Give gospel leaflets to others. Speak much of Christ. Bring people in to hear the preaching of the gospel. and see sinners saved for God's own honour and God's own glory. Do what Joseph's brothers did. They brought others to Joseph to learn of the supply.