Sunday of Joseph (Sermon)

What do dreams Mean?

Genesis 41

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our text for this morning is about Pharaoh's dreams. Pharaoh had two dreams given to him by God, so that he would be able to prepare his people for salvation. The people of Egypt would also prepare for the salvation of Israel's family, all because Pharaoh understood what these two dreams actually meant.

I could recount to you many dreams. You may even think of the many different dreams you have had. You could probably recount several of them in great detail. But have you ever thought about what they mean? Have you ever thought God might be trying to tell you something?

The cup bearer and the chief baker were both given dreams that troubled them greatly. Joseph inquired what their dreams where and told them. The cup bearer would be restored to his post in three days, and the chief baker would be beheaded in three days. These interpretations were found to be true. Joseph told the cup bearer to remember him, when he was restored.

Pharaoh now needs a dream interpreted, and there is no one to interpret his dream. The cup bearer tells Pharaoh about Joseph. Most of the time when people wish to interpret your dream, they are willing to give you their own interpretation. They may even give you something they read in a book concerning dreams. But only a prophet of God can truly say what Joseph says.

Joseph says, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." The dream comes from God, and the answer then is only revealed by God. I am not going to tell you that all dreams come from God, and are pointing to your future or the future of God's people. Most likely they are not, because God has given us a place where his will is revealed.

Joseph learned from his father, while he was young. He was taught how God created heaven and earth. He was taught concerning Noah and the Flood. He was taught how God revealed himself to Abraham. God continued to speak with him even as he is in exile from his family.

Joseph still has the word of God. Pharaoh has this word through dreams. Many prophets received this word through visions. Others hear the words on the lips of others. You have the word of God in a book.

Many people think this is not enough. There are people that desire God to speak to them through miracles. Others just simply want God to express his plan in their dreams. People search for God's word in many and various places. They search there because they have heard stories like this one.

Do not get me wrong, God did reveal to Pharaoh in a dream. God even revealed to Joseph the favorable answer. But God has given us something greater than seeking him out in random and mysterious places. He has given us a book.

You might think it is that simple. But that book is the record. God spoke to his people of old in many and various ways, but in the last days God has spoken to his people by his Son. Jesus says in the Last Chapter  of Matthew, I will be with you always.

Yes, as we read, hear, and learn the Word of God taught in its truth and purity, Jesus is with us. Jesus also instituted Holy Baptism, so that you can be connected with the revelation of God. He has claimed you through his blood. The Holy Spirit has sealed you for the day of redemption.

Jesus even instituted the Lord's Supper, so that you can see and eat his very body and blood. He reveals his plan and purpose for your life. These are all built on the foundation of the Word of God. St John even reminds us that it is God's Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us.

God does not reveal himself through dreams, but the Holy Trinity and his plan of salvation is revealed through the Son, who has been made flesh. God sent his only begotten Son into the Word to save the world. God provides the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. God reveals his plans through the teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Pharaoh needed to find the truth. Pilate has the truth standing right in front of him, and still does not understand. You have received the truth. You have been blessed by the truth. You have been forgiven and redeemed.

Many people think Joseph is the means of salvation for his brothers. Pharaoh is the means of redemption for his people. Pharaoh is given the plan of salvation for his people. He needs to understand this plan, so God sends him a prophet.

You are no different. God has revealed to you his plan of salvation. God sends you all his prophets, to reveal this (some may think simple) plan. God provides them for you in a simple little book. But it does not end there. God provides the sacrifice for your sins. God even provides people to help instruct us in the true faith. He raises up Pastors and teachers for this task.

You may be searching for God any where and every where. But it is here in this place, surrounded by God's word that you he has promised to always be with you. He will be here calling you to faith. He will be here proclaiming to you forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Sunday of Joseph

September 28^th

Collect of the Day:

Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week          Interpretation

Verse of the Week:            Genesis 41:16

CL: Genesis 41:1-40

NT: Hebrews 11:32-40

G: John 3:22-36

OTA: Genesis 41:8-16, 37-42

NTA: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

GA: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Ps: Psalm 126:1-6

Catechism Reading:

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

 These words,

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,"

shows us that in the Sacrament

forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation

are given us through these words.

For where there is forgiveness of sins,

there is also life and salvation.

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things,

but the words written here:

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking,

are the main thing in the Sacrament.

Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say:

"forgiveness of sins."

Who receives this sacrament worthily?

 Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training.

But that person is truly worthy and well prepared

who has faith in these words:

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them

is unworthy and unprepared,

for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe.

Sunday of Abram (Sermon)

The Groom who claims his Bride

Genesis 12:1-20

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our text for this morning comes from the Old Testament Lesson. This Sunday of Abram we recall his call and the words found in verse 3, "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Traditionally, we remember what God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 26:4 as he gives him the promise of Isaac being born, which says, "I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed."

This promises is recounted to Abram several times, but in all other cases the second part is forgotten, which maybe some of you have already forgotten as well. "him who dishonors you I will curse," and this is why we move to the second half on Genesis 12, and see the fulfillment.

The text follows Abram as he is called by God, to leave his family. We follow him through the promised Land. He then continues past the Negev to Egypt, because there is a famine in the land. In the Land of Egypt, he lies to pharaoh and his people, by telling them that his beautiful bride is not really his. He claims her only as a sister.

Pharaoh then dishonors Abram by taking Sarai as his own wife. Since Pharaoh has dishonored the bride of Abram, curses fall upon the land of Egypt. The people suffer because of this disrespect, disgrace, and abomination before The Lord. Pharaoh immediately recognizes the plagues that have befallen his house are because of God. Pharaoh confronts Abram for his lies. He confronts him, for his sin, and for leading pharaoh into sin.

This is a fabulous story for us to reflect upon. There are a couple of details that may be over looked. First, Abram gains a ton of possessions and wealth through this experience in Egypt. This could parallel the wealth the Israelites will later pillage from Egypt after the exodus.

Second, Abram rejects his wife because she is too pretty, or extremely beautiful. Abram wants to call Sarai his sister, not because he wants to cast her aside for a new or better model. He wants to cast her aside because he is not willing to die for her. Abraham, the man who is praised for not withholding his only Son, is not willing to lay down his life for his bride.

I would image that several of you may have recently given thought to the fact that marriage is connected with Christ and his church. Christ clothes his church with a perfect garment, he even cleanses her of ever spot, wrinkle, or blemish. Christ even lays down his life for his holy bride.

Abram is not here an example of Christ. He is the example of us. We have a beautiful treasure given to us, and we cast it aside for wealth. Or if not wealth, we will cast it aside rather than face persecution, or death. Even when we, not like Abram and Sarai, are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ and the Forgiveness of sins. We hold it back for ourselves. We are not willing to allow someone to know about this treasure, because we fear they will steal it from us.

Abram is set up as the example for us. He is the one who believed and righteousness was credited to him. He is the one who does not withhold his only son. He is the one who leaves everything, his family, his father, and obeys the call of God. He is supposed to be this great example.

Many people even like to point out how God increased his wealth. He had slaves and flocks when he left his father. He increases his wealth and possessions after leaving Egypt. He passes on a huge amount of wealth to Isaac.

But as we have seen, Abram is also a marvelous example of a sinner. He is a sinful man, who is called to father the nation of God's people. This sinner is still told that he will be blessed. He will even become a blessing to others. It is his offspring Jesus Christ who is the perfect one. Jesus is the only one to lead a perfect life. He is the one who lays down his life for you.

Amazing is the parallel. Jesus calls his bride through his many years of instruction. He claims the people of God to be his people. He claims them, not because they are pretty, but in spite of the fact that they are disgustingly ugly.

The religious authorities find his bride desirable. The government finds his bride desirable. Even Satan would claim Christ's bride for himself. But rather than discarding his bride, Christ claims her to be his own. He humbles himself to their power and strength. He is dragged outside of the town and killed. He is killed and these others may fight over ownership of Christ's bride. But Jesus does not stay dead. He is risen, and claims you to be his very own. He claims us to be his holy bride. He takes us from the power of Satan and all others who would try to claim us. He adorns us with his righteousness.

Think of how contrary Abram's words are to Christ.  “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.”

Christ has laid down his life for your sake, and taken it up again so that you might also have life with him.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Sunday of Abram

September 21^st

Collect of the Day:

Grant to us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always such things as are right, that we, who cannot do anything that is good without You, may be enabled by You to live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week          Called by Faith

Verse of the Week:            Genesis 12:3

CL: Genesis 12:1-20

NT: Hebrews 11:17-31

G: John 3:1-17

OTA: Genesis 22:1-24

NTA: Galatians 2:15-3:14

GA: John 1:43-51

Ps: Psalm 105:1-22

Catechism Reading:

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Christian church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean?

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength

believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him;

but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel,

enlightened me with His gifts,

sanctified and kept me in the true faith.

In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies

the whole Christian church on earth,

and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins

and the sins of all believers.

On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead,

and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.

This is most certainly true.