God's Sovereignty From Beginning to End

The sermon opens by addressing a common question: why do bad things and suffering happen to me? The pastor emphasizes that while humans cannot know all things from beginning to end, God not only knows but also governs every plan in each person's life. Based on Revelation 22:13 ("I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last"), the sermon explores Joseph's story from Genesis 37-50, demonstrating that adversity and loss do not contradict God's purpose but rather God uses these circumstances to accomplish His purpose and transform His people's character.

The first section teaches about avoiding "sitting in God's seat" or taking His place as judge. When Joseph says "Do not be afraid, for am I in place of God?", he demonstrates a profound understanding that only God is the just, righteous, and ultimate Judge. The pastor explains four reasons why humans cannot sit in God's seat: first, humans are not omniscient so judgment lacks complete data; second, humans are not completely objective so judgment will be biased and self-interested; third, humans are not perfect so judgment easily falls into hypocrisy; fourth, humans are sinners so have no absolute and final authority. The sermon emphasizes that when we decide right and wrong according to our own standards rather than God's Word, we have taken God's seat. Following God's Word and entrusting judgment to Him is the fastest way to develop Christ's character.

The second section focuses on "viewing circumstances from God's perspective." The sermon uses the image of someone lost in a dense forest: if staying on the ground among thick trees, one easily gets lost, but viewing from a high place reveals clear direction. Genesis 50:20 "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" shows two perspectives: the perspective of those on the ground (you meant evil against me) and the perspective from above (God meant it for good). The sermon identifies three common mistaken perspectives: complete pessimism, complete optimism, or the common religious perspective that God shows love only during favorable times. But Scripture teaches that in both adversity and prosperity, God remains present and loves His people. The pastor tells a story about students facing a difficult exam, explaining that failure in the exam might be what God uses to protect them from a wrong path and lead them to a better plan. The example of Jacob—who sinned through deception but from the consequences of that sin, God brought forth Joseph, who saved Egypt and Jacob's own family.

The third section teaches about "acting with God's love." Instead of avenging his brothers, Joseph promises to provide for them and their children, and speaks to them with tenderness and gentle words. The sermon shows that Joseph could not do this without believing the first two lessons. The pastor explains that God's love is inseparable from justice and truth—Joseph tested his brothers for two years to ensure they truly repented and changed. Truth must be spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15-16), not to condemn or shame but with hope of helping the listener change. John 3:16 reveals that precisely because God loves the world, He reveals the truth. The sermon concludes that God's true love—our Lord Jesus Christ—is the perfect combination of both love and truth, two sides of the same coin.