Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

Free Grace Media

Of Princeton, New Jersey

 

AuthorClay Curtis
TitleWhen Sinners Come to Christ
Bible TextGenesis 46:30-47:12
Synopsis In our text, Joseph’s brethren have come to Joseph like a sinner comes to Christ. Then Joseph teaches his brothers everything that will happen. Here we will see a few of the things that sinners are taught through faith when sinners comes to Christ. Listen.
Date07-Feb-2016
Series Popular Bible Stories
Article Type Sermon Notes
PDF Format pdf
Word Format doc
Audio HI-FI Listen: When Sinners Come to Christ (32 kbps)
Audio CD Quality Listen: When Sinners Come to Christ (128 kbps)
Length 38 min.
 

 

WHEN SINNER’S COME TO CHRIST
Genesis 46: 30-47: 12

Genesis 46: 30: And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.

 

When sinners come to Christ—through God-given faith—then a sinner is prepared to die. Salvation is all of God’s grace, all through God-given faith in Christ, all by Christ our Righteousness.  When sinners come to Christ in true saving faith then we can say, “Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.”

 

Are you prepared to die? All who die without coming to Christ are ill-prepared for death because they are not prepared for judgment.  All who die without coming to Christ shall be cast out forever! But the sinner who comes to Christ is fully prepared to die. Why? What happens when a sinner comes to Christ?

 

That is our subject “When Sinners Come to Christ.”  What happens when a sinner believes on Christ?  What happens when a sinner casts all their care on Christ?  When a sinner comes to Christ then through faith Christ teaches us what he has and shall do for us as our Mediator, Prophet, Priest and King before God our Father.

 

It is only through faith—only when the irresistible grace of God has made us come to Christ—truly believing on Christ—that Christ makes us to behold the glory of God.  Christ told Martha, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (Jn 11: 40) It is through the gospel that Christ the Faithful One teaches those God has given faith, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.”  (Rom 1: 17) May God cause us to believe on Christ and behold his glory now through God-given faith!

 

In our text, Joseph’s brethren have come to Joseph like a sinner comes to Christ. Then Joseph teaches his brothers everything that will happen. In this, in type, we learn a few of the things that sinners are taught through faith when sinners comes to Christ.

 

CHRIST TEACHES WHAT HE WILL DO

 

When a sinner comes to Christ—through faith—Christ teaches us what he will do and say before God on our behalf—Genesis 46: 31: And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up, and shew Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father’s house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;

 

Joseph taught his brothers—his father’s house—who came to him. And Joseph taught them that he would represent them to Pharaoh, “Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father’s house, I will go up and shew Pharaoh.”

 

When God gives a sinner faith to believe on Christ, through faith, Christ teaches each believer. He teaches his Father’s house, God’s elect. And Christ teaches us that he is our only Mediator with God.

 

1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

 

Christ is the only one who brings his people to God.

 

1 Peter 3:18: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:…

 

So Christ is the only Mediator—the only go-between—between God and his people.  Christ suffered to bring all his Father’s house to God our Father.  God was in Christ reconciling his people unto himself.  Christ declared God just and the Justifier of all who believe on Jesus.  Therefore through faith Christ teaches the believer, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (Jn 14: 6)

 

CHRIST TEACHES WHAT HE WILL SAY

 

When a sinner comes to Christ, Christ teaches us what he will say to God the Father on our behalf. He will declare to God that we have come to him. Joseph said he would tell Pharaoh—Genesis 46: 31:..My brethren, and my father’s house,…are come unto me;”

 

God sent Joseph to Egypt for Joseph to make all Joseph’s brethren come unto Joseph. Likewise, God sent Christ into this world for Christ to make all Christ’s brethren come unto Christ.  And they shall! Christ said,

 

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Joh 6:37)

 

Christ said,

 

“No man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” (Jn 6: 65)

 

The way God draws sinners to believe is by making us see our sin in light of Christ and his righteousness. This is how God makes us thirsty.  That is why Christ said,

 

“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” (Jn 7: 37)

 

Sinner, God is not keeping you from Christ!  It is true God receives all the glory for drawing his child to Christ because God’s irresistible grace is the only way we will come to Christ.  But only you are keeping you from Christ!  Only your unbelief keeps you from Christ. Only your self-rigtheousness keeps you from Christ!

 

No sinner will never be taught of Christ until we come to Christ, believing on him.  Has God given you the gift of faith in Christ? Has God drawn you to Christ? Has God made you thirsty to come to Christ and drink? Through faith all of this good news is taught to us and is life springing up as living water. Christ said,

 

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7: 38)

 

CHRIST TEACHES US TO CONFESS

 

When a sinner comes to Christ—through faith—Christ teaches us to confess our sins to God. Joseph said he would tell Pharaoh—Genesis 46: 32: And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. 33: And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? 34: That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

 

Joseph would first tell Pharaoh that these were his brethren and that they were shepherds—an abomination to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Yet, Joseph was not ashamed to call them brethren. Scripture says of Christ and all who he sanctifies—

 

Hebrews 2: 11: For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

 

Then these brethren themselves were taught to confess to Pharaoh that they were an abomination. This confession was a must because it was by this confession that Pharaoh would separate them and give them the land of Goshen to dwell in.  Goshen was the very best land. It was the king’s land. How does a confession of abomination equate with receiving the best land? Remember the Lord’s parable of the Pharisee and the publican? The Pharisee would not confess to God that he was an abomination.

 

Lu 18:13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 

Christ teaches his child that we must confess our sin to God. And all who confess that we are an abomination confess we need Christ our Savior. Therefore, these will go down to our house justified by God. We receive the best land—the land of Goshen—Christ our Justification.  So we see, when a sinner comes to Christ, through faith, Christ teaches us and teaches us what he shall do for us before God.

 

CHRIST FULFILLS HIS WORD

 

When a sinner comes to Christ believing on Christ then he sees that Christ makes good on every word of promise which he teaches us in his word—Genesis 47: 1: Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.

 

Joseph taught his brethren what he would do then Joseph made good on his word. Joseph drew near to Pharaoh on behalf of his brethren like he said he would. So does Christ draw near to God just as he promises each believer he shall.

 

1 John 2: 1: If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

 

Romans 8: 34: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again,who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 

Hebrews 7:25: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 

Joseph taught his brethren he would tell Pharaoh that his brethren were come unto him. So Joseph did what he promised his brethren he would do. He told Pharaoh they are come out and are now come into the land of Goshen. Again, Goshen was “the best land”—lush green pasture where the king’s cattle were kept.

 

When a sinner comes to Christ, just as Christ teaches us he will do, Christ himself draws near to God and declares to God our Father the success of his irresistible grace. He declares that his people are come out of this world of sin and are come into Christ the best land, into Christ our green pasture, into Christ where the king’s sheep are kept safe.

 

CHRIST PRESENTS US TO GOD

 

When we come to Christ, casting all our care upon him, then Christ presents the believer to God. We see it in Joseph and his brethren—Genesis 47: 2: And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.

 

Colossians 1: 21: And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22: In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard,…(Col 1:21-23)

 

Those given faith by God, continue in faith in Christ by God’s preserving grace. We are reconciled by Christ, taught effectually by Christ, and shall never be moved away. Christ is our only hope! Christ make good on every promise he teaches us through faith. Christ presents us to God in perfection by presenting himself to God in perfection. In the last day, Christ shall present all his people holy, unblameable and unreprovable in his sight.

 

CHRIST MAKES US OBEDIENT

 

When a sinner comes to Christ, through faith, Christ makes his people willing in the day of his power to obey him—Genesis 47: 3: And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. 4: They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

 

Joseph taught his brethren to confess what they were and so they did. They confessed truthfully that they were shepherds—an abomination.  They confessed themselves Pharaoh’s servants, confessed themselves sojourners, confessed they had no pasture and no food and they asked mercy that they might dwell in Goshen. They were obedient to Joseph and confessed all that Joseph told them to confess.

 

By Christ’s power working in us, sinners are made to obey Christ. We come to God confessing we are an abomination—sinners. We confess we are God’s servants. We confess the famine of sin has left us with no pasture and no bread. We confess we are so-journers in the earth, desiring only to dwell in Christ forever!

 

The preacher can urge sinners to do this. But only Christ can make you do this from a true broken and contrite heart. Sinner, come believing on Christ and Christ will teach you everything to do and say and Christ will make you willing to come to God confessing all your sin and all your need. He will teach you this through the gospel like he is doing even now.  The difference will be that he will do it effectually in the heart.

 

CHRIST RECEIVES BLESSINGS FOR US

 

When a sinner comes to Christ then through faith Christ gives us communion with God our Father and blesses us—Genesis 47: 5: And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: 6: The land of Egypt is before thee; In the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle…

 

Notice Pharaoh communicated all this to Joseph and did this all for Joseph’s sake. God our Father speaks to his Son, our Mediator. Then through Christ, God gives his blessings to those who believe on Christ and our heavenly Father does it for the sake of Christ his Son. Pharaoh gave all the land to Joseph and Pharaoh commanded Joseph to give the best to his brethren. God gives all the inheritance to Christ. Then for the sake of Christ, God makes the believer joint-heirs with Christ.

 

Romans 8: 16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

Pharaoh even charged Joseph to make some of his people under-shepherds to care for Pharaoh’s sheep. For the sake of Christ, God even charges Christ to make some of his people under-shepherds to care for God’s sheep.  (Eph 4: 8-12) The apostle Peter charged the under-shepherds, God’s preachers,

 

1 Peter 5: 2: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3: Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 

CHRIST FULFILLS GOD’S WILL

 

When a sinner comes to Christ, through faith, we find that Christ fulfills this will of God toward his people. Joseph did to his brethren everything Pharaoh told him to do.

 

As Pharaoh gave to Joseph and commanded Joseph to give his brethren, so Joseph gave them the best land to his brethren—Genesis 47: 11: And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. Christ freely gives believers the best land—Christ himself, free justification, free righteousness, free sanctification, free redemption, free acceptance with God forever! All of this is Christ himself!

 

As Pharaoh commanded, Joseph gave them the best food—Genesis 47: 12: And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families. Christ nourishes all who believe on him and Christ is our Bread.

 

John 6: 50: This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51: I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

 

REVIEW

 

We have seen here that there is no understanding of God’s word except through faith in Christ—Christ is our Wisdom, our Prophet. There is no coming to God the Father except through faith in Christ—Christ is our Mediator. There is no confession of sin except through faith in Christ—Christ is our Great High Priest and Advocate. There are no blessings from God the Father except through faith in Christ—Christ is our Provider, our King. And every blessing is not only given by Christ but Christ is the blessing—Christ is All! Has God given you faith in Christ? Come to Christ and you will find all these things to be true. Only then is a sinner prepared to die and live forever in Christ our Life.  Amen!