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-Todays teaching will be part eight of a series titled; “Hope for the Discouraged and Depressed.” -On the heels of taking an in depth look at one of the most famous verses in the Bible we now come to the next verse to fill in some of the blanks. -By that I mean, verse 29 has the propensity to give us a much better understanding of the promise we are given, as believers, in Romans 8:28.

-Perhaps a better way to say it is that God has let us in on a little secret of sorts, in that He tells us why it is that He’s chosen to do what He does. -Vs. 29 gives us the “why” behind the “what” of God working all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. -In a word, He’s making us more Christ like, and what comes packaged with that is this process of conforming us, making us, and shaping us.

-For the benefit of those who weren’t with us last week for our study of verse 28, we looked at the life of Joseph as a wonderful example of v. 28. -If there were ever a man through whom we can see God working all for good it would have to be Joseph, who becomes for us a type of Christ. -Lest I get ahead of myself, let me hasten to say, that not only is Joseph a personification of verse 28, he is also a personification of verse 29.

-What we’re about to see in a moment is how that Joseph, in being conformed into the image of Christ, is a picture of Christ pointing us to Christ. -Actually, this was God’s purpose for him all along, and if the truth be known, this is God’s purpose for us as well, in and through our difficulties. -It was in and through betrayal, rejection, temptation, and the false accusation against Joseph that would serve as a catalyst to being conformed.

-By the way, it is understandable for some to think, at first glance, God was being really cruel to Joseph by allowing all of this to happen to him. -However, it’s important to know were Joseph to have had this faulty mindset he would have never made it through all that had happened to him. -Joseph knew God wasn’t being cruel to him, rather, he knew that God was going work good for him, and through him, in what was done to him.

"Satan's aim is to make a man believe that God is cruel and that things are all wrong; but when a man strikes deepest in agony and turns deliberately to the God manifested in Jesus Christ, he will find Him to be the answer to all his problems." Oswald Chambers, "Baffled to Fight Better," p. 30

-We do err when we’re quick too dismiss the problems and difficulties we encounter in life, as these are the instruments God chooses and uses. -The fact of the matter is, we are the clay, and He is the potter, and as such, God is shaping us as His workmanship, or work of art, if you prefer. -Our problem is that we don’t like the process, we just want the end product, and in so doing, we as merely clay fight the potter who’s making us.

Isaiah 29:16 NKJV Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, "He did not make me"? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding"?

Romans 9:20-21 NIV But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" (21) Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

Jeremiah 18:1-6 NIV This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: (2) "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." (3) So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. (4) But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. (5) Then the word of the LORD came to me: (6) "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

-I suppose in all fairness to us as the clay, who really likes being spun around on a potter’s wheel, or worse yet, being placed in the oven, or kiln. -Whether we like it or not, that’s the only way, He Who begun a good work in us can complete, or perfect it. We are purified by those fiery trials.

Isaiah 48:10 KJV Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (7) These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

James 1:2-4 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

-The bottom line is that God will work all things together for good for us, but it comes vis-à-vis His conforming us, so as to mature and perfect us. -This is what Paul is saying in Romans 8:28-29, and it’s what Joseph was saying in Genesis 50:20 about God taking bad, and making good. -It’s on this runway that I wish to bring today’s sermon in for a landing. To do that I’d like to share with you how Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ.

JOSEPH

JESUS

Was loved by his father (Genesis 37:3)

Was the beloved son of the Father (Matthew 3:17)

Suffered as a servant (Genesis 37:2)

Was called the suffering servant. (Zechariah 3:8, Isaiah 42:1)

Loved and exalted above his brethren (Genesis 37:3)

Loved and exalted above the brethren (Hebrews 1:9)

Hated because of his dream of ruling over them (Genesis 37:4,8)

Hated for one day ruling and reigning over all (John 7:3, Luke 19:14)

Was rejected by his brothers (Genesis 37:4)

His own rejected Him, “they received Him not” (John 1:11)

Was likened to a sheaf of wheat (Genesis 37:7)

Was the wave sheaf. (Leviticus 23:11, 12)

Hatred for him grew worse (Genesis 37:4,5,8)

Hatred for Him grew progressively worse through the Gospels.

Rebuked by his natural father (Genesis 37:10)

Rebuked by his mother and father at the temple. (Luke 2:48)

Israel would bow down to him (Genesis 37:10)

All Israel will eventually bow down to Him (Romans 11:26)

His father “observed the saying” (Genesis 37:11)

His mother “pondered His saying.” (Luke 2:19, 51)

Sent on a mission to His brethren (Genesis 37:13-14)

Was sent to earth for His brethren (Galatians 4:4-5)

Sent to Shechem a worldly and wicked place (Genesis 37:14)

Sent to the world a wicked place (John 3:16)

Sent because his brothers may be lost (Genesis 37:14-15)

Sent to seek and save those who were lost (Luke 19:10)

A plot to kill him when they saw him from afar (Genesis 37:18)

They plotted how they might kill him (Matthew 21)

Wanted to kill him for his prophetic dreams (Genesis 37:20)

Crucified Him for His words spoke from God. (John 12:48)

Reuben tries to appease his brothers (Genesis 37:21-22)

Pilate tries to appease the Jews (John 19:11)

Reuben tried to save him at the last minute (Genesis 37:21)

Pilate tried to stop Christ’s death (John 19:4)

Was cast into an empty pit (Genesis 37:24)

Was placed into an empty tomb (Mark 15:46)

Was stripped of his coat (Genesis 37:23)

Was stripped of His robe (Matthew 27:28)

They sat down after leaving him for dead (Genesis 37:25)

Sat down after He was crucified (Matthew 27:36)

Was betrayed and sold for pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28)

Was betrayed and sold for pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15)

They said; “He’s our brother and our flesh” (Genesis 37:27)

“We’re members of His body, flesh and bones” (Ephesians 5:30)

Had his coat dipped in blood (Genesis 37:31)

“Dressed in a robe dipped in blood” (Revelation 19:13, Isaiah 63:2)

They lied about his death because he was alive (Genesis 37:32)

They we’re paid to lie about Him, He was alive (Matthew 28:13-15)

All things committed to him by his master (Genesis 39:8)

All things committed to Jesus by His Father (Luke 10:22)

Had his garments taken off (Genesis 39:13)

Had his garments taken off (John 19:23)

Was falsely accused (Genesis 39:14)

Was falsely accused (Luke 23:14)

Did not defend himself against the charges (Genesis 39:20)

Did not defend himself against the charges (Matthew 27:12-14)

Was given favor in the sight of God and man (Genesis 39:21)

Was in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52)

Was in prison next to two criminals (Genesis 40:3)

Was on the cross with two criminals (Luke 23:39-43)

One prisoner perishes, one is saved (Genesis 40:13)

One thief perishes, the other is saved (Luke 23:43)

Foretells the raising up after three days (Genesis 40:13)

Foretells His raising to life after three days (Matthew 16:21)

Tells the cupbearer to remember him after he’s raised up (Genesis 40:14)

Tells them to remember Him with the cup after He’s raised (Luke 22:19)

Tells him he’s done nothing to be put in the dungeon (Genesis 40:15)

Pilate tells them He’s done nothing to be put on the cross (Luke 23:4)

Two dreams with two elements; the cup and the bread (Genesis 40:16,17)

Two elements at the last supper; the cup and the bread (Luke 22:17-19)

Was clothed in the right garments and brought to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:14)

Clothes us in His righteousness when brought to Him (Galatians 3:27)

Points to God as the only one with the interpretation (Genesis 41:16)

Jesus always pointed to the Father for the glory (Matthew 5:16)

Prophetically reveals a seven year famine (Genesis 41:27)

Is prophetically revealed in the seven year tribulation (Revelation 5:5)

Was “a man in whom is the Spirit of God” (Genesis 41:37)

Was given the Spirit of God without limitation (John 3:34)

Went from the dungeon to the throne (Genesis 41:40)

Went from the tomb to the throne (Revelation 5:1)

Rode in the “second chariot” as they paid homage (Genesis 41:43)

The “second Person” of the trinity, and we pay homage (Matthew 3:17)

They were to bow their knee before him (Genesis 41:43)

Every knee will bow to Him (Philippians 2:10)

Is given authority over all people in the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:43)

Was granted authority over all people (John 17:2)

No one could do anything without his permission (Genesis 41:44)

Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5)

Given a new name when he was raised up (Genesis 41:45)

Given a new name at His ascension (Philippians 2:6-9, Revelation 3:12)

Was given an Egyptian bride (Genesis 41:45)

Was given a gentile bride (John 3:29, Revelation 5:10)

Was 30 years of age when he began his work (Genesis 41:46)

Was 30 years of age when he began his ministry (Luke 3:23)

Born sons come to him before the “7” year famine (Genesis 41:50)

Born again sons of God come to Him before the “7” year tribulation

Firstborn son named “forget’ (Genesis 41:51)

First born sinners but our sins are remembered no more (Psalm 103:12)

Second born son named “fruitful” (Genesis 41:52)

The second birth is fruit of righteousness through Him (Philippians 1:11)

Pharaoh told them to do whatever he says to do (Genesis 41:55)

Jesus’ mother told them to do whatever he says to do (John 2:5)

Was the only bread of life source for the world physically (Genesis 41:57)

Is the only source for the bread of life for the world spiritually (John 6:33)

Was clothed in the right garments and brought to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:14)

Clothes us in His righteousness when brought to Him (Galatians 3:27)

Points to God as the only one with the interpretation (Genesis 41:16)

Jesus always pointed to the Father for the glory (Matthew 5:16)

Prophetically reveals a seven year famine (Genesis 41:27)

Is prophetically revealed in the seven year tribulation (Revelation 5:5)

Was “a man in whom is the Spirit of God” (Genesis 41:37)

Was given the Spirit of God without limitation (John 3:34)

Went from the dungeon to the throne (Genesis 41:40)

Went from the tomb to the throne (Revelation 5:1)

Rode in the “second chariot” as they paid homage (Genesis 41:43)

The “second Person” of the trinity, and we pay homage (Matthew 3:17)

They were to bow their knee before him (Genesis 41:43)

Every knee will bow to Him (Philippians 2:10)

Is given authority over all people in the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:43)

Was granted authority over all people (John 17:2)

No one could do anything without his permission (Genesis 41:44)

Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5)

Given a new name when he was raised up (Genesis 41:45)

Given a new name at His ascension (Philippians 2:6-9, Revelation 3:12)

Was given an Egyptian bride (Genesis 41:45)

Was given a gentile bride (John 3:29, Revelation 5:10)

Was 30 years of age when he began his work (Genesis 41:46)

Was 30 years of age when he began his ministry (Luke 3:23)

Born sons come to him before the “7” year famine (Genesis 41:50)

Born again sons of God come to Him before the “7” year tribulation

Firstborn son named “forget’ (Genesis 41:51)

First born sinners but our sins are remembered no more (Psalm 103:12)

Second born son named “fruitful” (Genesis 41:52)

The second birth is fruit of righteousness through Him (Philippians 1:11)

Pharaoh told them to do whatever he says to do (Genesis 41:55)

Jesus’ mother told them to do whatever he says to do (John 2:5)

Was the only bread of life source for the world physically (Genesis 41:57)

Is the only source for the bread of life for the world spiritually (John 6:33)

All who come to him will live and not die (Genesis 42:2)

All who call upon Him will be saved (Romans 10:13)

Brothers come to him in the midst of the famine (Genesis 42:2)

Israel comes to Him in the midst of the tribulation ((Daniel 9:27)

10 brothers are brought to him for provision (Genesis 42:3)

10 Commandments bring us to Him for justification (Galatians 3:24)

Benjamin had no part in denying or betraying him (Genesis 42:4)

The Apostle Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5)

His brothers bow down to him (Genesis 42:6)

Israel, His brothers, will be saved and bow to Him (Romans 11:26)

His brothers don’t recognize him (Genesis 42:8)

His own didn’t recognize or receive Him (John 1:11)

Brothers keep lying about his death (Genesis 42:13)

Jews keep lying about his death and resurrection (Matthew 28:12-15)

Brothers are released from prison on the third day (Genesis 42:17)

Jews will be restored on the third day (after 2,000 years) (Hosea 6:2)

Reuben says: “his blood is now required of us” (Genesis 42:22)

They said; “Let His blood be upon us” (Matthew 27:25)

Wept over his brothers (Genesis 42:24)

Wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41)

Judah becomes surety for Benjamin (Genesis 43:8)

He becomes surety of the New Covenant (Hebrews 7:22)

Brothers delay in coming to him (Genesis 43:10)

Israel delays coming to their true Messiah (Romans 11:26)

Was offered gifts, of spices and myrrh (Genesis 43:11)

Was offered, gold, spices and myrrh (Matthew 2:11)

Was said that God Almighty would show mercy before him (Genesis 43:14)

Because of His mercy we are righteous before Him (Titus 3:5)

They stood before him (Genesis 43:15)

They will “stand before Him” (Daniel 11:16)

Desires to break bread with his brothers in his home (Genesis 43:16)

Desires to break bread with us in His kingdom (Luke 22:16)

Has an animal slain to make ready for a feast (Genesis 43:16)

Taught prodigal son parable; an animal is slain for a feast (Luke 15:20)

His steward tells them; “Peace be with you, be not afraid” (Genesis 43:23)

After His ascension said; “Peace be with you.” (John 20:26)

Prophecies about him are fulfilled (Genesis 43:28)

The spirit of Prophecy is Him (Revelation 19:10)

Is gracious and kind to his brothers in spite of their sin (Genesis 43:29)

While we were sinners He died for us for His love for us (Romans 5:8)

Weeps a second time (Genesis 43:30)

Weeps two times (John 11:35-Lazarus & Luke 19:41-Jerusalem)

Says, at the supper; “serve the bread” (Genesis 43:31)

Says, at the last supper, “take this bread.” (Luke 22:19)

They looked in astonishment at each other because of him (Genesis 43:33)

They were astonished with Him and marveled (Matthew 8:27)

His cup was silver and would lead to their redemption (Genesis 44:2)

His cup was for redemption, of which silver is a picture (Ex.35:25-28)

Drunk from a cup used for discerning the will of the gods (Genesis 44:5)

Drunk from a cup of suffering as the will of Father God (Matt.26:39,42)

11 of them are innocent of betraying him at his table (Genesis 44:8)

11 of them were innocent of betraying Him at His table (Mark 14:17)

Judah becomes their advocate (Genesis 44:18)

From the Lion of the Tribe of Judah comes our advocate (1 John 2:1)

Judah offered himself as a substitutionary sacrifice (Genesis 44:33)

From Judah, offers Himself as the substitutionary sacrifice (Eph.5:2)

Couldn’t refrain himself longer and cut the process short (Genesis 45:1)

For the sake of the elect, the days are cut short (Matthew 24:22)

Stops hiding himself when there’s confession (Genesis 45:2)

Stops hiding His face when there’s confession (Hosea 5:15)

In the end he is revealed to his brothers (Genesis 45:3)

In the end He will reveal Himself to Israel (1 Peter 1:20)

We’re dismayed when they looked at him (Genesis 45:3)

Will mourn when they look at him (Zechariah 12:10)

Said; “come near to me” (Genesis 45:4)

Said; “come unto me” (Matthew 11:28)

Was sent to Egypt to save (Genesis 45:5)

Was sent to the world to save the lost (Luke 19:10)

Israel believed and said of Joseph; “it is enough”

To all who believe, He says; “it is finished” (John 19:30)

Israel said; “my son is yet alive” (Genesis 45:28)

They said; “Jesus, the Son is alive” (Luke 24:23)