Vision Beyond Series
Gtcotr/ss112104
Are you getting ready for your greatest adventure?
Your greatest day is yet ahead and the journey is your friend.
Our text today will come from the last chapter in the book of Genesis
Key Scripture: Genesis 49:22 ¶ "Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.
I. Sunday, November 7, 2004
Vision Beyond The Moment
II. Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Vision Beyond An Adventure
III. Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Vision Beyond All Ability
IV. Today
Vision Beyond A Lifetime
Let me fill you in on what has happened leading up to Genesis 50 …
* Abraham, Isaac, Jacob & Joseph, Jacob’s 1st son by Rachael.
* The Pit Genesis 37
* Days of Slavery Genesis 39
* The Prison Genesis 40
* The Palace Genesis 41
* The Reuniting Genesis 42 - 44
* The Restoration Genesis 45
* The Results Genesis 46 - 49
> Jacob is 147 years old and prophesies to all his sons
Key Scripture: Genesis 49:22 ¶ "Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.
* The Rest of the story:
> Joseph is now 110 years old himself and about to die
Genesis 50 (NKJV)
24 And Joseph said to his brethren, "I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
25 Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here."
26 So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
One might say, “Well, that’s the end of the story of Joseph.” Boy would they be wrong.
Joseph is just about to begin his greatest adventure thus far … and it won’t be his last … in fact, I don‘t think we have seen his last yet!
V. Vision Beyond A Lifetime
A. Our key scripture, Genesis 49:22, foretold that Joseph was a fruitful vine, near a spring, and that he would reach over the wall.
1. This wall … one meaning is definitely speaking of:
2. The veil of death - but death only to the mortal body …
B. Joseph made the children of Israel swear to take his bones with them when they left Egypt.
C. It happened:
Exodus 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you."
D. Every step the Israelites made, Joseph was with them.
Note:
From the parting of the Red Sea to the bitter waters of Mara, from the giving of the Ten Commandments to the building of the Tabernacle, from Balaam’s prophecies to the ten spies with a bad report at Kadesh Barnea … Joseph’s bones were there.
He was there for the manna and there for the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. This was a man with a vision, living a dream and participating beyond his lifetime.
Joseph’s body was carried across the Jordan River to the walls of Jericho and to all the battles for the Promised Land. It was not just Joshua and Caleb that survived the journey by faith, but Joshua, Caleb and Joseph.
Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
What a great adventure for a dead man to have, but not his greatest!
VI. Joseph Buried (this is at the end of the book & life of Joshua)
Joshua 24:32 The bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel had brought up out of Egypt, they buried at Shechem, in the plot of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of silver, and which had become an inheritance of the children of Joseph.
If we weren’t careful, we might think that this was the end of Joseph’s journeys. But, don’t count him out yet! He had only been dead for about 200 years here. Surely he has one, at least one more adventure, left in him.
Never underestimate a man with a vision. When he arrives at one destination, he understands, it’s just my next departure point for a greater adventure of faith.
VII. What Was The Vision Beyond His Lifetime?
Allow me to offer to you what was perhaps Joseph’s next greatest adventure: It took place about 1475 years later or about 2000 years ago.
Matthew 27 (NAS)
50 ¶ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
It is quite possible although scholars differ on this point, that just as many believe, Joseph was in this crowd of saints. That’s not hard to imagine or even that he now serves as one of the 24 Elders seen in Revelation 4, we cannot now know for sure.
Shechem is just North of Jerusalem whereas Hebron, the burial place of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is just South of the holy city, Jerusalem.
As recorded, when Jesus died, saints arose and when Jesus was resurrected and appeared to His followers for 40 days, many of the risen holy saints also spent time appearing and ministering to those in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas testifying that this Jesus is Messiah. Jesus appeared to more than 500 people Himself.
It is most considered that these saints were caught up into heaven either at some point before or at the ascension of Christ.
It’s easy for me to believe that Joseph was there and that I will see him again, living his dream. And like Joseph,
Perhaps your greatest day is yet ahead.
What are you doing that will outlast you?
This is the urge many have to have children
To give care to grandchildren
Or involve themselves in the lives of others, making an investment in the future, the future of others.
Are you planning to participate in the Kingdom beyond your lifetime?
Your dream can still come true.
Get a vision for the greatest adventure of your life.
Ask God how you can be a part of the greatest days this world has ever seen and then beyond.
Prepare yourself, a greater day is just ahead.
