1 00:00:00,799 --> 00:00:05,151 Genesis 42:1 2 00:00:05,151 --> 00:00:10,596 "When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, 3 00:00:10,596 --> 00:00:13,049 Jacob said to his sons, 4 00:00:13,049 --> 00:00:17,109 'Why do you look at one another?' 5 00:00:17,109 --> 00:00:20,472 And he said, 'Indeed, I have heard 6 00:00:20,472 --> 00:00:23,472 that there is grain in Egypt. 7 00:00:23,472 --> 00:00:27,131 Go down to that place and buy for us there, 8 00:00:27,131 --> 00:00:30,571 that we may live and not die.' " 9 00:00:30,571 --> 00:00:37,113 Let's pray. 10 00:00:37,113 --> 00:00:41,727 Lord Jesus, we ask now, 11 00:00:41,727 --> 00:00:49,479 that You would make Yourself known through this Word. 12 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:53,811 That You would be lifted up and draw all men unto Yourself. 13 00:00:53,811 --> 00:01:10,446 In Jesus' name, amen. 14 00:01:10,446 --> 00:01:13,069 Okay, at this point and time, 15 00:01:13,069 --> 00:01:14,989 the whole world has been cast 16 00:01:14,989 --> 00:01:18,249 into a severe famine. 17 00:01:18,249 --> 00:01:19,820 Jacob and his sons, 18 00:01:19,820 --> 00:01:22,510 who were still living in Canaan, 19 00:01:22,510 --> 00:01:27,840 they are coming to the point of starvation. 20 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:31,155 If things stay as they are, 21 00:01:31,155 --> 00:01:35,390 if Jacob and his sons stay where they are, 22 00:01:35,390 --> 00:01:39,690 they will most certainly perish. 23 00:01:39,690 --> 00:01:42,933 They will all die of hunger. 24 00:01:42,933 --> 00:01:45,753 But then Jacob hears of a hope. 25 00:01:45,753 --> 00:01:47,643 That there is an abundance of grain, 26 00:01:47,643 --> 00:01:50,503 an abundance of corn in the land of Egypt 27 00:01:50,503 --> 00:01:52,683 that they have stored up in provision, 28 00:01:52,683 --> 00:01:56,893 and they are willing to sell to foreigners. 29 00:01:56,893 --> 00:02:03,316 Of course the reason those provisions are there in Egypt - 30 00:02:03,316 --> 00:02:06,306 I trust most of you are familiar with this account, 31 00:02:06,306 --> 00:02:09,829 is because God had sent forth Jacob's son, 32 00:02:09,829 --> 00:02:12,829 and their brother, Joseph into the land of Egypt 33 00:02:12,829 --> 00:02:15,872 to store up all the provisions they need, 34 00:02:15,872 --> 00:02:18,142 in order to survive this famine. 35 00:02:18,142 --> 00:02:21,963 So that they may live and not die. 36 00:02:21,963 --> 00:02:24,100 But Jacob and these brothers, 37 00:02:24,100 --> 00:02:26,170 they don't know that at this point. 38 00:02:26,170 --> 00:02:28,423 They don't know it's Joseph. 39 00:02:28,423 --> 00:02:30,862 All Jacob knows is that there is an abundance 40 00:02:30,862 --> 00:02:33,862 of corn available in Egypt 41 00:02:33,862 --> 00:02:37,565 that they are willing to sell, and if they stay were they are 42 00:02:37,565 --> 00:02:41,273 they will perish in the famine. 43 00:02:41,273 --> 00:02:46,365 As far as Jacob is concerned, Joseph is dead. 44 00:02:46,365 --> 00:02:48,576 The last time he heard, 45 00:02:48,576 --> 00:02:52,006 he was given a robe of Joseph covered in blood 46 00:02:52,006 --> 00:02:59,580 and thought he'd been torn up by animals. 47 00:02:59,580 --> 00:03:01,734 But when Jacob thought he was dead, 48 00:03:01,734 --> 00:03:06,964 God sent forth his son Joseph into Egypt 49 00:03:06,964 --> 00:03:11,523 to make provision that he may live also. 50 00:03:11,523 --> 00:03:16,119 Brethren, I want us to consider this text now 51 00:03:16,119 --> 00:03:18,449 as an allegory, as a picture, 52 00:03:18,449 --> 00:03:22,149 of the gospel of salvation. 53 00:03:22,149 --> 00:03:23,452 You see this famine here 54 00:03:23,452 --> 00:03:25,922 really sums up the condition 55 00:03:25,922 --> 00:03:27,922 of the lost world without Christ. 56 00:03:27,922 --> 00:03:31,035 This famine really sums up 57 00:03:31,035 --> 00:03:34,835 men's hearts without Christ. 58 00:03:34,835 --> 00:03:37,251 And if that's you, if you stay where you are, 59 00:03:37,251 --> 00:03:40,251 if people stay where they are without Christ 60 00:03:40,251 --> 00:03:43,497 then they will perish, not just in this life, 61 00:03:43,497 --> 00:03:47,207 but you will perish eternally. Forever. 62 00:03:47,207 --> 00:03:52,513 But God, has sent forth His Son Jesus into the world 63 00:03:52,513 --> 00:03:54,891 to make all the provision we need, 64 00:03:54,891 --> 00:03:57,311 so that anyone can come to Him, 65 00:03:57,311 --> 00:04:02,061 and may live and not die. 66 00:04:02,061 --> 00:04:04,269 And so Jacob, 67 00:04:04,269 --> 00:04:05,973 in our text, 68 00:04:05,973 --> 00:04:09,252 he looks around at his sons here. 69 00:04:09,252 --> 00:04:11,239 And he says, "Why do you continue 70 00:04:11,239 --> 00:04:13,839 to look at one another? 71 00:04:13,839 --> 00:04:17,145 Why are you just sitting around doing nothing?" 72 00:04:17,145 --> 00:04:19,505 He says to them. 73 00:04:19,505 --> 00:04:21,388 That's not going to help you is it? 74 00:04:21,388 --> 00:04:23,160 That's not going to help us, 75 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,830 just looking at one another, sitting around doing nothing. 76 00:04:26,830 --> 00:04:29,580 If we carry on doing nothing, Jacob says, 77 00:04:29,580 --> 00:04:31,642 if we stay in the place where we are 78 00:04:31,642 --> 00:04:37,099 then we are going to perish from starvation. 79 00:04:37,099 --> 00:04:39,828 But I have heard that there is grain. 80 00:04:39,828 --> 00:04:43,048 There is an abundance of grain in the land of Egypt, 81 00:04:43,048 --> 00:04:46,048 and they are willing to sell it even to foreigners." 82 00:04:46,048 --> 00:04:50,189 "So go," he tells them, "Go there, go at once! 83 00:04:50,189 --> 00:04:55,469 And get some for us, that we may live and not die." 84 00:04:55,469 --> 00:05:00,107 So what about you? 85 00:05:00,107 --> 00:05:02,557 Do you find yourself this morning 86 00:05:02,557 --> 00:05:08,027 in the position that this text paints? Any of you? 87 00:05:08,027 --> 00:05:10,590 Are you unconverted? 88 00:05:10,590 --> 00:05:14,947 Is your soul in a spiritual famine without Christ? 89 00:05:14,947 --> 00:05:17,546 And you know that if you remain where you are, 90 00:05:17,546 --> 00:05:20,546 if you remain in the state that you are in, 91 00:05:20,546 --> 00:05:24,478 then you are going to perish. 92 00:05:24,478 --> 00:05:26,901 The first type of person here, 93 00:05:26,901 --> 00:05:30,071 I want to address this morning about this, 94 00:05:30,071 --> 00:05:32,881 are those who are like this. 95 00:05:32,881 --> 00:05:35,091 I am talking now about the person 96 00:05:35,091 --> 00:05:37,571 who has not gone to Christ for salvation. 97 00:05:37,571 --> 00:05:41,307 You are unconverted, but you've sat around 98 00:05:41,307 --> 00:05:45,867 doing nothing or very little about it. 99 00:05:45,867 --> 00:05:48,067 Of course, like Joseph’s brothers here, 100 00:05:48,067 --> 00:05:51,395 you may be very busy with hobbies and works 101 00:05:51,395 --> 00:05:54,625 and different things in general life. 102 00:05:54,625 --> 00:05:57,259 I mean these brothers of Joseph here, 103 00:05:57,259 --> 00:06:00,259 they may have had a lot of things that they could get on with 104 00:06:00,259 --> 00:06:04,941 and be very busy with in normal life. 105 00:06:04,941 --> 00:06:07,988 But all those things would not help 106 00:06:07,988 --> 00:06:09,788 their most urgent need 107 00:06:09,788 --> 00:06:18,848 of attending to the food they need to save their life. 108 00:06:18,848 --> 00:06:22,943 And so to you who are unconverted, 109 00:06:22,943 --> 00:06:25,348 To you are not only unconverted, 110 00:06:25,348 --> 00:06:30,028 but doing nothing, or very little about it. 111 00:06:30,028 --> 00:06:33,597 Why stand around looking at one another? 112 00:06:33,597 --> 00:06:36,201 If you remain where you are without Christ, 113 00:06:36,201 --> 00:06:38,481 then you going to perish. 114 00:06:38,481 --> 00:06:40,886 But there is grain, there is life in Egypt, 115 00:06:40,886 --> 00:06:43,666 because God sent a greater than Joseph, 116 00:06:43,666 --> 00:06:45,666 Jesus Christ His Son, 117 00:06:45,666 --> 00:06:51,154 into this world, to live in place of and to suffer and die for you 118 00:06:51,154 --> 00:06:56,406 and to offer the free gift of everlasting life 119 00:06:56,406 --> 00:07:00,807 to anyone who will come to Him for salvation. 120 00:07:00,807 --> 00:07:04,115 You see God has sent Jesus before you to make provision. 121 00:07:04,115 --> 00:07:08,710 All that is needed, that you may live and not die. 122 00:07:08,710 --> 00:07:11,670 Jesus has provided all this and it’s available to you, 123 00:07:11,670 --> 00:07:18,094 so why stand around doing nothing? 124 00:07:18,094 --> 00:07:23,008 There are some people who know they need to be saved. 125 00:07:23,008 --> 00:07:26,198 They know they’re not right with God. 126 00:07:26,198 --> 00:07:30,636 But like Joseph’s brothers here, Jacob’s sons, 127 00:07:30,636 --> 00:07:38,966 they sit around doing nothing about it. 128 00:07:38,966 --> 00:07:41,048 Like Joseph's sons, again, 129 00:07:41,048 --> 00:07:45,688 they may be very busy with normal life. 130 00:07:45,688 --> 00:07:48,772 But as far as attending to the most urgent need, 131 00:07:48,772 --> 00:07:51,102 that they need to be reconciled with God, 132 00:07:51,102 --> 00:07:53,791 they just sit around looking at one another 133 00:07:53,791 --> 00:07:56,521 and don't do anything. 134 00:07:56,521 --> 00:07:58,029 And yet, if that's you, 135 00:07:58,029 --> 00:08:01,029 then just like these sons here, if you stay where you are 136 00:08:01,029 --> 00:08:03,350 you're going to perish. 137 00:08:03,350 --> 00:08:06,636 Not just in this life, but for eternity. 138 00:08:06,636 --> 00:08:08,596 Going to a place of outer darkness, 139 00:08:08,596 --> 00:08:10,886 where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. 140 00:08:10,886 --> 00:08:15,376 A place of everlasting torment, where there is no respite 141 00:08:15,376 --> 00:08:21,466 not even for a moment! 142 00:08:21,466 --> 00:08:24,730 Forever. 143 00:08:24,730 --> 00:08:28,418 Day or night, forever. 144 00:08:28,418 --> 00:08:31,054 But then, there's another type of person, 145 00:08:31,054 --> 00:08:34,054 and perhaps this describes some here. 146 00:08:34,054 --> 00:08:36,824 This one also not right with God. 147 00:08:36,824 --> 00:08:39,684 But whereas the first person is more or less 148 00:08:39,684 --> 00:08:42,564 otherwise getting on with their life, 149 00:08:42,564 --> 00:08:44,268 not really doing anything about it, 150 00:08:44,268 --> 00:08:49,806 this type of person is deeply burdened about it. 151 00:08:49,806 --> 00:08:52,162 They are in despair about their soul. 152 00:08:52,162 --> 00:08:53,824 They fear the harvest has passed, 153 00:08:53,824 --> 00:08:56,824 the summer has ended, and they are not saved. 154 00:08:56,824 --> 00:08:59,948 And so day after day, even in this life now, 155 00:08:59,948 --> 00:09:02,194 they are tormented in their soul 156 00:09:02,194 --> 00:09:05,604 that they are not right with God. 157 00:09:05,604 --> 00:09:07,874 They stand condemned before Him 158 00:09:07,874 --> 00:09:10,374 awaiting the judgment seat. 159 00:09:10,374 --> 00:09:13,430 But still these people, 160 00:09:13,430 --> 00:09:15,630 like the sons of Joseph here, 161 00:09:15,630 --> 00:09:17,280 are doing practically nothing 162 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:20,436 or are not doing the right thing about it. 163 00:09:20,436 --> 00:09:23,020 They just sit around in their despair 164 00:09:23,020 --> 00:09:26,800 looking at one another, doing nothing. 165 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:29,656 And yet if they remain where they are, 166 00:09:29,656 --> 00:09:33,356 they will most certainly perish! 167 00:09:33,356 --> 00:09:36,928 You know, it always amazes me that some people 168 00:09:36,928 --> 00:09:39,496 when you're telling them the gospel, 169 00:09:39,496 --> 00:09:41,736 to believe on Christ for salvation, 170 00:09:41,736 --> 00:09:45,422 you're giving them promises of Scripture and reasons, 171 00:09:45,422 --> 00:09:47,834 it always amazes me that some people 172 00:09:47,834 --> 00:09:50,834 are like a factory of excuses 173 00:09:50,834 --> 00:09:55,440 of why they cannot just trust Christ and be saved. 174 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:57,664 It's as if they purposely try and find 175 00:09:57,664 --> 00:10:00,664 and twist as many Scriptures as they can 176 00:10:00,664 --> 00:10:05,176 to use against them and torture themselves with. 177 00:10:05,176 --> 00:10:09,382 It's as if they get some kind of perverse joy 178 00:10:09,382 --> 00:10:17,238 being imprisoned in what John Bunyan called "Doubting Castle." 179 00:10:17,238 --> 00:10:19,526 But let me ask this, let me throw a question 180 00:10:19,526 --> 00:10:23,616 for those types of people if there are any here: 181 00:10:23,616 --> 00:10:28,310 What are you hoping to gain by that? 182 00:10:28,310 --> 00:10:30,936 That was Jacob's question here. 183 00:10:30,936 --> 00:10:32,570 What do you hope to gain 184 00:10:32,570 --> 00:10:38,590 by sitting around doing nothing but despairing? 185 00:10:38,590 --> 00:10:42,650 What are you hoping to gain by that? 186 00:10:42,650 --> 00:10:45,040 But with some people though, like this, 187 00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:48,040 it's almost as if they think that by their despairing 188 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:51,064 that will earn them some merit. 189 00:10:51,064 --> 00:10:54,686 They think it's a kind of mark of holiness, 190 00:10:54,686 --> 00:10:57,686 all their despairing, as if it's a qualifier to salvation, 191 00:10:57,686 --> 00:11:02,322 the more guilt-ridden and miserable they can become. 192 00:11:02,322 --> 00:11:06,660 But that's nothing more than self-righteousness isn't it? 193 00:11:06,660 --> 00:11:09,792 That's all it is. The person who is trying to be 194 00:11:09,792 --> 00:11:12,792 more guilt-ridden and miserable in their attempt to become 195 00:11:12,792 --> 00:11:15,234 more holy and gain salvation, 196 00:11:15,234 --> 00:11:17,004 that's nothing more than a Pharisee 197 00:11:17,004 --> 00:11:19,004 who would sit on the street corners 198 00:11:19,004 --> 00:11:20,514 with people coming both ways, 199 00:11:20,514 --> 00:11:22,298 to get the attention there. 200 00:11:22,298 --> 00:11:25,406 Painting his face to show all his suffering 201 00:11:25,406 --> 00:11:29,766 and how miserable he supposedly was. 202 00:11:29,766 --> 00:11:36,102 It's just self-righteousness. 203 00:11:36,102 --> 00:11:38,518 You see, I mean when those types of people 204 00:11:38,518 --> 00:11:43,118 who are always wanting to find verses that they can twist 205 00:11:43,118 --> 00:11:45,892 and use against them, and use as an excuse 206 00:11:45,892 --> 00:11:50,752 as to why they cannot come to Christ. 207 00:11:50,752 --> 00:11:57,194 And they are so against someone giving them a simple explanation. 208 00:11:57,194 --> 00:11:59,378 That's just disobedience 209 00:11:59,378 --> 00:12:02,496 and self-righteousness. 210 00:12:02,496 --> 00:12:04,368 But you tell those people, 211 00:12:04,368 --> 00:12:06,028 perhaps some here have been told, 212 00:12:06,028 --> 00:12:09,208 that there is enough grain in Egypt. 213 00:12:09,208 --> 00:12:11,862 Go to Christ! God has sent His Son into the world 214 00:12:11,862 --> 00:12:13,852 to make all the provision you need 215 00:12:13,852 --> 00:12:15,502 in order to be saved! 216 00:12:15,502 --> 00:12:17,702 So go to Him at once! 217 00:12:17,702 --> 00:12:20,702 You don't need to bring anything with you. 218 00:12:20,702 --> 00:12:23,478 But they say: 219 00:12:23,478 --> 00:12:27,662 "But what if I've committed the unpardonable sin?" 220 00:12:27,662 --> 00:12:29,436 How many times have I heard that one? 221 00:12:29,436 --> 00:12:32,436 Well, what if you haven't? 222 00:12:32,436 --> 00:12:35,880 My Bible says the words of Jesus Christ say: 223 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:40,408 "He who comes to Me I will in no wise cast out." 224 00:12:40,408 --> 00:12:43,922 That is, He does not turn away anyone 225 00:12:43,922 --> 00:12:50,592 who truly comes to Him for salvation. 226 00:12:50,592 --> 00:12:54,778 Notice, there's no exception clause there as well. 227 00:12:54,778 --> 00:12:55,914 He does not say: 228 00:12:55,914 --> 00:13:00,444 "He who comes to Me I will not cast out, except..." 229 00:13:00,444 --> 00:13:03,442 You see it's not like when you read a document, 230 00:13:03,442 --> 00:13:05,912 you can receive this. 231 00:13:05,912 --> 00:13:07,912 It's seems like you receive a document 232 00:13:07,912 --> 00:13:09,842 saying you're entitled to something, 233 00:13:09,842 --> 00:13:12,002 but when you read the small print, 234 00:13:12,002 --> 00:13:15,002 there is an exception clause in there that basically says 235 00:13:15,002 --> 00:13:18,746 "except the people like you." 236 00:13:18,746 --> 00:13:23,220 There's no exception clause with that promise of coming to Christ! 237 00:13:23,220 --> 00:13:25,947 He says: "If you will come to Me to receive 238 00:13:25,947 --> 00:13:28,947 this salvation that I have won for you, 239 00:13:28,947 --> 00:13:31,018 if you will find your hope in Me, 240 00:13:31,018 --> 00:13:35,158 then I will not turn you away. Never!" 241 00:13:35,158 --> 00:13:37,448 Not now, not at the judgment. 242 00:13:37,448 --> 00:13:40,222 "It's yours," He says! You can have it! 243 00:13:40,222 --> 00:13:46,136 "I've done everything needed for your salvation!" 244 00:13:46,136 --> 00:13:48,906 "Come and get it," He says. 245 00:13:48,906 --> 00:13:52,581 "I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven! 246 00:13:52,581 --> 00:13:58,111 If anyone eats of this Bread, he shall live forever!" 247 00:13:58,111 --> 00:14:00,394 You see, Jesus, He does not say: 248 00:14:00,394 --> 00:14:02,884 "He who comes to Me I will not cast out 249 00:14:02,884 --> 00:14:05,622 except those who think they have committed 250 00:14:05,622 --> 00:14:08,102 the unpardonable sin." Does He? 251 00:14:08,102 --> 00:14:11,103 So that rules that one out, if you want to come to Him. 252 00:14:11,103 --> 00:14:14,291 There's no exception clause! 253 00:14:14,291 --> 00:14:15,953 But of course, 254 00:14:15,953 --> 00:14:19,635 You know, with those people 255 00:14:19,635 --> 00:14:21,375 who come to me and say: 256 00:14:21,375 --> 00:14:23,948 "Well, what if I've committed the unpardonable sin?" 257 00:14:23,948 --> 00:14:27,518 I generally explain to those types of people 258 00:14:27,518 --> 00:14:30,047 that if you're burdened about it, 259 00:14:30,047 --> 00:14:33,247 if you're burdened you think you committed the unpardonable sin, 260 00:14:33,247 --> 00:14:35,544 then that's proof you haven't. 261 00:14:35,544 --> 00:14:39,262 Because those to whom Jesus accused that of, 262 00:14:39,262 --> 00:14:41,392 they were Pharisees. 263 00:14:41,392 --> 00:14:43,686 And they were not burdened about it, were they? 264 00:14:43,686 --> 00:14:47,300 They were laughing and mocking at the thought of the idea! 265 00:14:47,300 --> 00:14:50,200 And so, if someone is truly burdened about it, 266 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,200 then that's proof they've not. 267 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:57,956 But my point is, you give someone a simple scriptural explanation like that, 268 00:14:57,956 --> 00:15:03,345 to Mr. or Mrs. Despair, but they won't accept it 269 00:15:03,345 --> 00:15:09,547 because they are so determined to hang on to their despair. 270 00:15:09,547 --> 00:15:11,575 Does that paint anyone here? 271 00:15:11,575 --> 00:15:14,435 So determined to hang on to a place of despair. 272 00:15:14,435 --> 00:15:17,281 Again, it's nothing more than self-righteousness. 273 00:15:17,281 --> 00:15:20,602 It spits on the cross, counts it as nothing, saying: 274 00:15:20,602 --> 00:15:26,572 "What Jesus did was not enough to save me." 275 00:15:26,572 --> 00:15:32,153 Let me ask those people in their despairing. 276 00:15:32,153 --> 00:15:34,498 What have you gained? 277 00:15:34,498 --> 00:15:37,308 What have you gained by your sitting around 278 00:15:37,308 --> 00:15:43,518 doing nothing but despairing and not trusting on Christ? 279 00:15:43,518 --> 00:15:45,395 Just sitting around despairing, 280 00:15:45,395 --> 00:15:49,915 does that get you any closer to salvation in Christ? 281 00:15:49,915 --> 00:15:54,102 You're most certainly deceived if you think it does. 282 00:15:54,102 --> 00:15:56,707 As Charles Spurgeon rightly said, 283 00:15:56,707 --> 00:16:00,007 speaking of John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress": 284 00:16:00,007 --> 00:16:02,705 "Giant Despair never help one person 285 00:16:02,705 --> 00:16:06,165 back on the road to the Celestial City 286 00:16:06,165 --> 00:16:10,427 and he never does." 287 00:16:10,427 --> 00:16:12,470 If anyone has sat around despairing, 288 00:16:12,470 --> 00:16:15,470 then you must come to your senses. 289 00:16:15,470 --> 00:16:21,179 That has never done you any good, nor will it ever. 290 00:16:21,179 --> 00:16:27,087 And if you remain where you are, you will perish. 291 00:16:27,087 --> 00:16:32,042 Let me ask you this though. 292 00:16:32,042 --> 00:16:34,648 How much corn, how much grain do you think 293 00:16:34,648 --> 00:16:39,348 these brothers got by their despairing? 294 00:16:39,348 --> 00:16:44,017 All their despairing never got them one grain of corn, did it? 295 00:16:44,017 --> 00:16:46,850 And it won't do you any good either. 296 00:16:46,850 --> 00:16:48,600 Jacob says to them here: 297 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:50,420 "Look guys, you've waited long enough! 298 00:16:50,420 --> 00:16:53,532 I have heard there is grain in Egypt. 299 00:16:53,532 --> 00:16:56,532 Go. Go get it! 300 00:16:56,532 --> 00:17:01,163 If we remain where we are, we're all going to perish." 301 00:17:01,163 --> 00:17:04,223 And so to the despairer, 302 00:17:04,223 --> 00:17:06,834 you've already waited long enough. 303 00:17:06,834 --> 00:17:08,474 Why remain as you are? 304 00:17:08,474 --> 00:17:13,509 If you remain where you are, it's not going to help you. 305 00:17:13,509 --> 00:17:15,034 There is corn in Egypt. 306 00:17:15,034 --> 00:17:19,074 There is salvation in Christ, so don't delay it any longer. 307 00:17:19,074 --> 00:17:27,013 Go to Him! Go to Him now. 308 00:17:27,013 --> 00:17:28,668 Let me say this here though, 309 00:17:28,668 --> 00:17:30,018 I mean surely it's the case 310 00:17:30,018 --> 00:17:33,568 if someone sees their need, they will go. 311 00:17:33,568 --> 00:17:36,242 I mean, if someone knows 312 00:17:36,242 --> 00:17:39,438 they are going to die from a famine, 313 00:17:39,438 --> 00:17:41,435 and they know that there is abundant food 314 00:17:41,435 --> 00:17:44,435 available somewhere to them, 315 00:17:44,435 --> 00:17:48,097 then they're going to go, aren't they? 316 00:17:48,097 --> 00:17:49,907 If someone knows themselves to be ill 317 00:17:49,907 --> 00:17:53,369 with a terrible disease, 318 00:17:53,369 --> 00:17:57,467 and that they're going to perish if things stay as they are, 319 00:17:57,467 --> 00:18:00,620 if they know that there's a remedy somewhere, 320 00:18:00,620 --> 00:18:03,620 they're going to go. 321 00:18:03,620 --> 00:18:06,014 If someone is desperately thirsty even 322 00:18:06,014 --> 00:18:10,865 to the point of if they do not drink, they will die, 323 00:18:10,865 --> 00:18:15,225 if someone offers them a drink, they will drink. 324 00:18:15,225 --> 00:18:19,120 You see, my point is the one 325 00:18:19,120 --> 00:18:23,862 in self-righteous despair is just playing games. 326 00:18:23,862 --> 00:18:26,547 If they're really serious, they will see their need 327 00:18:26,547 --> 00:18:29,147 and can have it fulfilled. 328 00:18:29,147 --> 00:18:30,617 So stop playing games! 329 00:18:30,617 --> 00:18:33,921 Stop sitting around playing games, if that's you! 330 00:18:33,921 --> 00:18:35,678 There is life in the world, 331 00:18:35,678 --> 00:18:38,678 because God has sent Christ into the world! 332 00:18:38,678 --> 00:18:43,675 So go to Him at once! 333 00:18:43,675 --> 00:18:48,609 I remember - I'm quoting Spurgeon a lot, but he's good - 334 00:18:48,609 --> 00:18:51,619 but he once said, I'm paraphrasing I should say, 335 00:18:51,619 --> 00:18:52,765 but he once said: 336 00:18:52,765 --> 00:18:55,774 if you're seeking salvation, if you're wanting to be saved, 337 00:18:55,774 --> 00:18:58,506 then don't try and gather up all the Scriptures 338 00:18:58,506 --> 00:19:03,276 that you think are against you. 339 00:19:03,276 --> 00:19:06,776 That's not the way to do it. 340 00:19:06,776 --> 00:19:08,618 As I said, it amazes me how people 341 00:19:08,618 --> 00:19:10,188 claim they want to be saved 342 00:19:10,188 --> 00:19:12,558 and they're constantly twisting Scriptures 343 00:19:12,558 --> 00:19:15,685 and gathering up ones to try and use against them. 344 00:19:15,685 --> 00:19:20,783 As if these are Scriptures of why they can't be saved. 345 00:19:20,783 --> 00:19:22,778 But that's not the way to go about it 346 00:19:22,778 --> 00:19:24,227 Spurgeon said. 347 00:19:24,227 --> 00:19:25,695 He said what you need to do 348 00:19:25,695 --> 00:19:27,920 is you need to go and look for the promises 349 00:19:27,920 --> 00:19:29,608 that offer you salvation freely 350 00:19:29,608 --> 00:19:30,989 and stand upon them. 351 00:19:30,989 --> 00:19:34,203 Take them to the Lord. 352 00:19:34,203 --> 00:19:36,402 If you're hungry, 353 00:19:36,402 --> 00:19:39,926 you look for something that can fill you, don't you? 354 00:19:39,926 --> 00:19:41,789 If you're hungry, you don't go and look 355 00:19:41,789 --> 00:19:43,397 for something that can poison you 356 00:19:43,397 --> 00:19:48,697 or make you ill. 357 00:19:48,697 --> 00:19:50,589 If you're hungry, you don't go 358 00:19:50,589 --> 00:19:52,355 rooting through the kid's toys 359 00:19:52,355 --> 00:19:54,124 to get one of those toy hamburgers 360 00:19:54,124 --> 00:19:59,378 and find one of them, do you? 361 00:19:59,378 --> 00:20:03,451 But that's what people are stupid enough to do with salvation. 362 00:20:03,451 --> 00:20:05,310 Instead of going to the promises 363 00:20:05,310 --> 00:20:07,806 and the invitations of Christ to be saved, 364 00:20:07,806 --> 00:20:15,098 they try and find verses that are against them. 365 00:20:15,098 --> 00:20:17,028 He who comes to God must first 366 00:20:17,028 --> 00:20:18,175 believe that He is 367 00:20:18,175 --> 00:20:20,254 and that He is a rewarder 368 00:20:20,254 --> 00:20:23,557 of those who diligently seek Him. 369 00:20:23,557 --> 00:20:26,730 There are some who spend all their time 370 00:20:26,730 --> 00:20:29,362 insulting and slandering the character of God, 371 00:20:29,362 --> 00:20:31,564 as if He's not willing to save them. 372 00:20:31,564 --> 00:20:34,951 As if He's a punisher of those who seek Him. 373 00:20:34,951 --> 00:20:37,818 But no, Jesus Christ, He stretches out His arms 374 00:20:37,818 --> 00:20:39,393 upon that cross and says 375 00:20:39,393 --> 00:20:43,201 this is how willing I am to receive you 376 00:20:43,201 --> 00:20:46,553 and save you if you'll come to Me. 377 00:20:46,553 --> 00:20:49,090 So, find those promises in Scripture. 378 00:20:49,090 --> 00:20:51,802 That you can come to Christ and be saved. 379 00:20:51,802 --> 00:20:55,445 Notice, Jacob heard, it says there 380 00:20:55,445 --> 00:20:56,821 that there was this grain; 381 00:20:56,821 --> 00:20:58,838 that there was this hope in Egypt. 382 00:20:58,838 --> 00:21:02,005 Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God 383 00:21:02,005 --> 00:21:03,269 or the words of Christ. 384 00:21:03,269 --> 00:21:07,805 The context there of the Word of God is the gospel; 385 00:21:07,805 --> 00:21:13,231 the gospel message. 386 00:21:13,231 --> 00:21:17,166 So, what about these promises? 387 00:21:17,166 --> 00:21:19,301 I just mentioned one didn't I? 388 00:21:19,301 --> 00:21:21,056 Jesus says, "he who comes to Me, 389 00:21:21,056 --> 00:21:24,518 I will in no wise cast out." 390 00:21:24,518 --> 00:21:26,638 Anyone who truly wants salvation, 391 00:21:26,638 --> 00:21:28,659 that is, He says come to Me. 392 00:21:28,659 --> 00:21:30,307 You can come to Me and find it. 393 00:21:30,307 --> 00:21:33,884 Find your all in all in Me. 394 00:21:33,884 --> 00:21:35,242 Let me ask you this: 395 00:21:35,242 --> 00:21:38,593 Do you believe God is all knowing? 396 00:21:38,593 --> 00:21:40,631 Of course, He is. 397 00:21:40,631 --> 00:21:44,167 Well, when Jesus made that generous offer of salvation, 398 00:21:44,167 --> 00:21:45,804 that of everyone who comes to Him 399 00:21:45,804 --> 00:21:47,286 may receive eternal life, 400 00:21:47,286 --> 00:21:49,112 and He will refuse none, 401 00:21:49,112 --> 00:21:52,298 He knew exactly what state you would be in 402 00:21:52,298 --> 00:21:54,838 when you heard this. 403 00:21:54,838 --> 00:21:57,380 And so, knowing that you were going to be here, 404 00:21:57,380 --> 00:22:00,309 He didn't think: well, I better put an exception clause in 405 00:22:00,309 --> 00:22:02,779 in case they think this invitation 406 00:22:02,779 --> 00:22:05,854 applies to them. 407 00:22:05,854 --> 00:22:07,798 No, He made this generous offer. 408 00:22:07,798 --> 00:22:09,424 That you can find salvation in Him 409 00:22:09,424 --> 00:22:13,178 without exceptions. 410 00:22:13,178 --> 00:22:14,940 But Mr. Despair says, 411 00:22:14,940 --> 00:22:17,229 but I've tried and tried to come to Christ, 412 00:22:17,229 --> 00:22:19,920 and He didn't take me. 413 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:21,844 Well, firstly, no, you haven't. 414 00:22:21,844 --> 00:22:23,972 Because Jesus says if you really came to Him 415 00:22:23,972 --> 00:22:26,090 and trusted in Him, 416 00:22:26,090 --> 00:22:30,835 then He would not turn you away. 417 00:22:30,835 --> 00:22:33,118 But, you see that person has been 418 00:22:33,118 --> 00:22:35,193 part trusting in their despairing 419 00:22:35,193 --> 00:22:36,922 and their miserableness, 420 00:22:36,922 --> 00:22:44,272 as if it would part pay for their sins. 421 00:22:44,272 --> 00:22:47,536 But secondly there, 422 00:22:47,536 --> 00:22:51,854 there is no trying to trust Christ, is there? 423 00:22:51,854 --> 00:22:54,087 Because to come to Him is synonymous 424 00:22:54,087 --> 00:22:55,347 with believing Him; 425 00:22:55,347 --> 00:22:57,733 to trust Him is synonymous with believing Him. 426 00:22:57,733 --> 00:23:01,487 So, to say you've tried to believe Him - 427 00:23:01,487 --> 00:23:04,522 that's the ultimate insult isn't it. 428 00:23:04,522 --> 00:23:07,247 If someone says I'm trying to believe you, 429 00:23:07,247 --> 00:23:08,920 but I just can't. 430 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:11,371 I'm really trying hard to believe you, 431 00:23:11,371 --> 00:23:13,763 but I just can't. 432 00:23:13,763 --> 00:23:15,597 Well, what they're doing there, 433 00:23:15,597 --> 00:23:20,525 they're insulting you as a big liar. 434 00:23:20,525 --> 00:23:25,797 I don't know what Jesus has done to deserve that. 435 00:23:25,797 --> 00:23:29,202 You see, if that's you, you need to repent 436 00:23:29,202 --> 00:23:31,612 of all your trying and calling God a liar. 437 00:23:31,612 --> 00:23:33,256 Why not give up all your trying 438 00:23:33,256 --> 00:23:36,112 and just trust Christ at once? 439 00:23:36,112 --> 00:23:38,520 Believe Him. 440 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:41,635 So, why not stop looking around 441 00:23:41,635 --> 00:23:44,154 gazing, despairing, doing nothing about this 442 00:23:44,154 --> 00:23:45,669 and go to Christ. 443 00:23:45,669 --> 00:23:49,238 Trust Him at once. 444 00:23:49,238 --> 00:23:51,861 And since faith comes by hearing, 445 00:23:51,861 --> 00:23:55,074 Jacob heard that there was grain enough in Egypt. 446 00:23:55,074 --> 00:23:57,511 What about this promise? 447 00:23:57,511 --> 00:24:02,659 The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. 448 00:24:02,659 --> 00:24:04,777 The blood of Jesus Christ there meaning 449 00:24:04,777 --> 00:24:07,450 His sufferings for us 450 00:24:07,450 --> 00:24:09,926 as payment for our sin. 451 00:24:09,926 --> 00:24:12,579 His sufferings are enough to pay for all sin; 452 00:24:12,579 --> 00:24:14,472 for any sin. 453 00:24:14,472 --> 00:24:15,760 All types of sin. 454 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:19,961 All quantity of sin. 455 00:24:19,961 --> 00:24:21,948 Whatever sin you have done in the past 456 00:24:21,948 --> 00:24:26,418 is not too big that Christ's payment 457 00:24:26,418 --> 00:24:30,849 on the cross won't pay for it. 458 00:24:30,849 --> 00:24:32,594 You see, if you will just go to Him 459 00:24:32,594 --> 00:24:37,720 and say, "Look, I am sorry." 460 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,942 "I did this and I am sorry." 461 00:24:40,942 --> 00:24:43,286 "But I trust Your Son died for me 462 00:24:43,286 --> 00:24:44,644 to pay for my sin 463 00:24:44,644 --> 00:24:49,336 and so it's all been paid for." 464 00:24:49,336 --> 00:24:50,680 But someone might say, 465 00:24:50,680 --> 00:24:52,920 "But I feel helpless." 466 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:54,978 "I feel as if I'm without strength; 467 00:24:54,978 --> 00:24:57,012 as if I can't do it." 468 00:24:57,012 --> 00:24:58,876 "I'm too weak to come to Christ." 469 00:24:58,876 --> 00:25:01,500 "I'm powerless." 470 00:25:01,500 --> 00:25:05,716 What does Scripture say to that? 471 00:25:05,716 --> 00:25:08,918 Scripture tells us that God is ready to save such people. 472 00:25:08,918 --> 00:25:10,826 That's the only type of people He saves. 473 00:25:10,826 --> 00:25:12,946 Because while we were helpless 474 00:25:12,946 --> 00:25:13,996 and without strength, 475 00:25:13,996 --> 00:25:18,364 in due time, Christ died for us. 476 00:25:18,364 --> 00:25:19,886 But someone else might say, 477 00:25:19,886 --> 00:25:23,874 "but look, I try to live a godly life. 478 00:25:23,874 --> 00:25:25,256 But if you knew me, 479 00:25:25,256 --> 00:25:27,910 I'm just so ungodly." 480 00:25:27,910 --> 00:25:30,924 Well, Scripture also says you are also 481 00:25:30,924 --> 00:25:36,038 the very type of person that Christ died to save. 482 00:25:36,038 --> 00:25:41,280 In due time, He died for the ungodly. 483 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:44,931 My sin, oh the joy of this glorious thought! 484 00:25:44,931 --> 00:25:47,899 My sin, not in part - not just part of my sin, 485 00:25:47,899 --> 00:25:49,057 but the whole of it - 486 00:25:49,057 --> 00:25:51,098 all of it was nailed to that cross. 487 00:25:51,098 --> 00:25:59,318 So, I bear it no more. 488 00:25:59,318 --> 00:26:02,704 But something else worth noting in our text 489 00:26:02,704 --> 00:26:05,125 is that Jacob sends his sons here 490 00:26:05,125 --> 00:26:09,592 with money to buy this grain in Egypt. 491 00:26:09,592 --> 00:26:11,369 But you can't buy this grain 492 00:26:11,369 --> 00:26:14,306 of salvation in Christ with money. 493 00:26:14,306 --> 00:26:16,085 No money can pay for it. 494 00:26:16,085 --> 00:26:19,063 It's already been paid for in full 495 00:26:19,063 --> 00:26:21,997 by Jesus Christ 496 00:26:21,997 --> 00:26:23,586 by His life and death there 497 00:26:23,586 --> 00:26:25,454 He declared those words on the cross: 498 00:26:25,454 --> 00:26:28,134 Paid in full. 499 00:26:28,134 --> 00:26:30,049 You see, if you want to receive it, 500 00:26:30,049 --> 00:26:32,707 you must receive it for free. 501 00:26:32,707 --> 00:26:35,627 Not try to part contribute. 502 00:26:35,627 --> 00:26:37,870 Go to Him and buy wine and milk 503 00:26:37,870 --> 00:26:41,795 without money, without price. 504 00:26:41,795 --> 00:26:44,146 Once again, it amazes me 505 00:26:44,146 --> 00:26:47,213 how many people try continually 506 00:26:47,213 --> 00:26:50,140 to offer up some kind of payment 507 00:26:50,140 --> 00:26:51,822 as a kind of penance, 508 00:26:51,822 --> 00:26:53,696 whether it be being miserable 509 00:26:53,696 --> 00:26:55,314 or being despaired, 510 00:26:55,314 --> 00:26:57,742 or trying to make a deal with God. 511 00:26:57,742 --> 00:27:00,710 If I live this godly from now on, 512 00:27:00,710 --> 00:27:04,877 then perhaps I could be saved. 513 00:27:04,877 --> 00:27:06,800 But the Bible does not say 514 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:09,071 that Christ died for those who can live 515 00:27:09,071 --> 00:27:12,250 this much more godly from now on. 516 00:27:12,250 --> 00:27:18,520 It says He died for the ungodly. 517 00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:20,482 By trying to pay for this grain - 518 00:27:20,482 --> 00:27:22,518 the salvation in Christ - 519 00:27:22,518 --> 00:27:26,265 by trying to live a certain amount of godliness 520 00:27:26,265 --> 00:27:29,126 in order to merit salvation, 521 00:27:29,126 --> 00:27:31,020 that will not help you get saved. 522 00:27:31,020 --> 00:27:35,109 That will just help you perish. 523 00:27:35,109 --> 00:27:36,759 Because your contribution 524 00:27:36,759 --> 00:27:40,432 is what is damning you. 525 00:27:40,432 --> 00:27:42,690 No, if you're going to go to Egypt 526 00:27:42,690 --> 00:27:44,070 and purchase this grain; 527 00:27:44,070 --> 00:27:45,652 if you're going to go to Christ 528 00:27:45,652 --> 00:27:47,533 and purchase salvation in Him, 529 00:27:47,533 --> 00:27:51,514 then you must leave every other hope behind 530 00:27:51,514 --> 00:27:53,805 and trust wholly in Him. 531 00:27:53,805 --> 00:27:56,189 Don't partly hope in self. 532 00:27:56,189 --> 00:28:00,836 But place your hope entirely in Jesus. 533 00:28:00,836 --> 00:28:04,089 Go to Him as an ungodly sinner, 534 00:28:04,089 --> 00:28:06,067 believing the promise that He died 535 00:28:06,067 --> 00:28:08,584 for such people as you. 536 00:28:08,584 --> 00:28:10,489 Because while we were sinners, 537 00:28:10,489 --> 00:28:11,951 Christ died for us. 538 00:28:11,951 --> 00:28:13,330 Another promise there. 539 00:28:13,330 --> 00:28:16,271 So if Christ died for us while we were sinners, 540 00:28:16,271 --> 00:28:18,317 certainly don't try to go to Him 541 00:28:18,317 --> 00:28:21,502 on any other grounds. 542 00:28:21,502 --> 00:28:23,438 Think about this. 543 00:28:23,438 --> 00:28:25,752 If you go to the hospital; 544 00:28:25,752 --> 00:28:29,221 to the accident and emergency unit there, 545 00:28:29,221 --> 00:28:31,127 and you meet those people - 546 00:28:31,127 --> 00:28:32,525 the nurses first, 547 00:28:32,525 --> 00:28:35,059 and they're assessing how quickly 548 00:28:35,059 --> 00:28:37,091 you need to get to see the doctor, 549 00:28:37,091 --> 00:28:40,136 or whether we can leave you for a few hours. 550 00:28:40,136 --> 00:28:41,674 They assess you, and they say, 551 00:28:41,674 --> 00:28:45,861 on a scale of 1 to 10, 552 00:28:45,861 --> 00:28:49,230 how much pain do you have? 553 00:28:49,230 --> 00:28:52,002 You don't say "a 2" do you? 554 00:28:52,002 --> 00:28:58,972 Because you're not going to get seen till the next day. 555 00:28:58,972 --> 00:29:03,362 But why do people do that with salvation? 556 00:29:03,362 --> 00:29:04,680 They stupidly think 557 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:08,060 if I could just get myself better enough. 558 00:29:08,060 --> 00:29:10,304 If I could just improve myself enough, 559 00:29:10,304 --> 00:29:13,095 then I could be saved. 560 00:29:13,095 --> 00:29:14,395 But Jesus said, 561 00:29:14,395 --> 00:29:17,698 "I have not come to call the righteous." 562 00:29:17,698 --> 00:29:19,924 So why go to Him trying to proclaim 563 00:29:19,924 --> 00:29:21,609 your own righteousness? 564 00:29:21,609 --> 00:29:24,229 Going to Jesus proclaiming your own righteousness 565 00:29:24,229 --> 00:29:26,172 is you basically saying, 566 00:29:26,172 --> 00:29:37,172 "I am one of those whom you have not come to call." 567 00:29:37,172 --> 00:29:39,489 Why try to proclaim your own righteousness 568 00:29:39,489 --> 00:29:40,841 and self-improvement, 569 00:29:40,841 --> 00:29:42,505 or something in you before God, 570 00:29:42,505 --> 00:29:45,398 when you're actually proclaiming reasons to Him 571 00:29:45,398 --> 00:29:47,954 not to save you? 572 00:29:47,954 --> 00:29:49,901 He's not come to call the righteous, 573 00:29:49,901 --> 00:29:52,433 He's come to call sinners to repentance. 574 00:29:52,433 --> 00:29:53,556 So go to Him at once. 575 00:29:53,556 --> 00:29:55,495 Go to Him as a sinner. 576 00:29:55,495 --> 00:29:56,846 Go to Him as you are. 577 00:29:56,846 --> 00:30:00,100 It's the only way. 578 00:30:00,100 --> 00:30:03,185 But, supposing some of Jacob's sons here 579 00:30:03,185 --> 00:30:05,661 on hearing all this, 580 00:30:05,661 --> 00:30:08,530 supposing instead of them going to Egypt 581 00:30:08,530 --> 00:30:11,632 to purchase some grain and live, 582 00:30:11,632 --> 00:30:15,411 they instead went to the magicians in Egypt 583 00:30:15,411 --> 00:30:17,750 to get some enchantment, 584 00:30:17,750 --> 00:30:20,362 so they could feel good. 585 00:30:20,362 --> 00:30:22,895 They would have perished. 586 00:30:22,895 --> 00:30:26,091 They may have felt good while they're perishing, 587 00:30:26,091 --> 00:30:28,524 but they would have all died 588 00:30:28,524 --> 00:30:30,572 because they didn't get the food. 589 00:30:30,572 --> 00:30:33,967 You know, something else that amazes me 590 00:30:33,967 --> 00:30:35,235 is just how many people, 591 00:30:35,235 --> 00:30:38,691 when they hear these promises of salvation 592 00:30:38,691 --> 00:30:42,238 and this free offer of everlasting life in Jesus - 593 00:30:42,238 --> 00:30:43,982 that He's done everything they need, 594 00:30:43,982 --> 00:30:46,484 so just hope in Him - 595 00:30:46,484 --> 00:30:48,425 it amazes me how so many people, 596 00:30:48,425 --> 00:30:50,033 instead of just fleeing to Christ 597 00:30:50,033 --> 00:30:51,521 and putting their hope in Him, 598 00:30:51,521 --> 00:30:54,783 they start trying to conjure up a feeling 599 00:30:54,783 --> 00:30:58,187 that they can trust in instead. 600 00:30:58,187 --> 00:31:00,799 So, they erect this idol of a feeling 601 00:31:00,799 --> 00:31:02,123 right next to the cross 602 00:31:02,123 --> 00:31:04,079 and bow down and worship this idol 603 00:31:04,079 --> 00:31:06,422 of their feeling instead. 604 00:31:06,422 --> 00:31:11,290 No, it's the sure Word of Christ you must cling to. 605 00:31:11,290 --> 00:31:15,382 Feelings come and go. 606 00:31:15,382 --> 00:31:17,574 And then you have those who 607 00:31:17,574 --> 00:31:20,370 rather than cling to Christ and be saved, 608 00:31:20,370 --> 00:31:22,356 they're always trying to lean on a man, 609 00:31:22,356 --> 00:31:28,451 whether it be a pastor or the Christians. 610 00:31:28,451 --> 00:31:31,881 Supposing Reuben here, one of the brothers, 611 00:31:31,881 --> 00:31:34,195 supposing he looks around and he turns 612 00:31:34,195 --> 00:31:36,969 to his brother Judah and said - 613 00:31:36,969 --> 00:31:44,470 and he had a good idea about how he was going to perish - 614 00:31:44,470 --> 00:31:47,033 and he asked him for some grain 615 00:31:47,033 --> 00:31:49,329 off his brother Judah. 616 00:31:49,329 --> 00:31:50,815 And Judah said to him, 617 00:31:50,815 --> 00:31:52,115 it's no use looking to me. 618 00:31:52,115 --> 00:31:53,617 I haven't got one grain. 619 00:31:53,617 --> 00:31:57,108 You need to go to Egypt to Joseph there. 620 00:31:57,108 --> 00:31:59,640 There's no grain available from me. 621 00:31:59,640 --> 00:32:02,479 But instead of then going to Joseph, 622 00:32:02,479 --> 00:32:04,985 Reuben then, supposing he just turns around 623 00:32:04,985 --> 00:32:06,763 to his brother Gad. 624 00:32:06,763 --> 00:32:09,589 And he starts pouring out all the same woes again 625 00:32:09,589 --> 00:32:10,570 to someone else, 626 00:32:10,570 --> 00:32:14,013 making all the same excuses. 627 00:32:14,013 --> 00:32:15,962 And then he does it to another brother 628 00:32:15,962 --> 00:32:18,636 instead of going to Joseph in Egypt, 629 00:32:18,636 --> 00:32:22,488 he just goes to one of his other brothers 630 00:32:22,488 --> 00:32:26,281 who can't offer him any grain. 631 00:32:26,281 --> 00:32:28,901 I often run into people like that 632 00:32:28,901 --> 00:32:30,523 who are always trying to talk 633 00:32:30,523 --> 00:32:33,269 and pour out their woes to someone else. 634 00:32:33,269 --> 00:32:35,278 And just as they finish pouring out 635 00:32:35,278 --> 00:32:36,847 all their woes and excuses 636 00:32:36,847 --> 00:32:39,777 of why they cannot be saved to one person, 637 00:32:39,777 --> 00:32:42,336 almost instantaneously, it seems, 638 00:32:42,336 --> 00:32:44,898 they're going to another. 639 00:32:44,898 --> 00:32:46,564 Each time they're being told, 640 00:32:46,564 --> 00:32:47,723 look, I can't help you. 641 00:32:47,723 --> 00:32:50,248 You need to go to Christ. 642 00:32:50,248 --> 00:32:52,512 It's Him you need to trust in. 643 00:32:52,512 --> 00:32:57,952 I can't feed you one grain of corn. 644 00:32:57,952 --> 00:32:59,520 It's no use leaning on a man, 645 00:32:59,520 --> 00:33:07,817 unless that man is the Man Christ Jesus. 646 00:33:07,817 --> 00:33:11,748 A couple more things here. 647 00:33:11,748 --> 00:33:16,598 Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to purchase grain 648 00:33:16,598 --> 00:33:18,412 because obviously he knew 649 00:33:18,412 --> 00:33:22,066 they were willing to sell it. 650 00:33:22,066 --> 00:33:24,074 Now when Christ gives salvation here, 651 00:33:24,074 --> 00:33:25,252 it's free as I said. 652 00:33:25,252 --> 00:33:26,393 We don't pay for it, 653 00:33:26,393 --> 00:33:29,443 but He's willing to give it. 654 00:33:29,443 --> 00:33:31,502 There are many preachers today - 655 00:33:31,502 --> 00:33:33,469 or many Christians in sharing the gospel 656 00:33:33,469 --> 00:33:35,425 with another that get so caught up 657 00:33:35,425 --> 00:33:37,772 in a kind of hyper-Calvinism. 658 00:33:37,772 --> 00:33:41,450 They spend a lot of time 659 00:33:41,450 --> 00:33:43,565 trying to avoid saying things like, 660 00:33:43,565 --> 00:33:45,915 "Christ died for you." 661 00:33:45,915 --> 00:33:49,234 Or, that He personally invites you to salvation. 662 00:33:49,234 --> 00:33:53,235 Just in case the person is not one of God's elect. 663 00:33:53,235 --> 00:33:55,729 But listen, it is a genuine offer here 664 00:33:55,729 --> 00:34:00,306 for all to come and be saved. 665 00:34:00,306 --> 00:34:02,087 And all who do come to Christ 666 00:34:02,087 --> 00:34:03,739 and Him alone for salvation 667 00:34:03,739 --> 00:34:05,785 will be saved as soon as they do. 668 00:34:05,785 --> 00:34:08,326 Even right now. 669 00:34:08,326 --> 00:34:13,206 You see, the grain that these brothers 670 00:34:13,206 --> 00:34:15,153 are going to purchase here 671 00:34:15,153 --> 00:34:16,693 is for sale. 672 00:34:16,693 --> 00:34:19,788 But the salvation Christ gives is free. 673 00:34:19,788 --> 00:34:25,453 Because Christ has already paid the total price. 674 00:34:25,453 --> 00:34:27,446 As I said, you must come and buy this 675 00:34:27,446 --> 00:34:30,271 without money, without price. 676 00:34:30,271 --> 00:34:34,807 You see, because it's free; 677 00:34:34,807 --> 00:34:36,835 because Christ has already paid for it, 678 00:34:36,835 --> 00:34:38,613 then this means this salvation 679 00:34:38,613 --> 00:34:41,042 is open to anyone. 680 00:34:41,042 --> 00:34:42,951 You see, think about this. 681 00:34:42,951 --> 00:34:45,557 If we had to contribute something, 682 00:34:45,557 --> 00:34:48,209 then it would not be open to all, would it? 683 00:34:48,209 --> 00:34:50,095 If we have to contribute something, 684 00:34:50,095 --> 00:34:52,744 then this salvation would only be open 685 00:34:52,744 --> 00:34:56,061 to those who could make the contribution. 686 00:34:56,061 --> 00:34:58,366 But because Christ has already contributed 687 00:34:58,366 --> 00:35:00,747 everything necessary to save us, 688 00:35:00,747 --> 00:35:02,501 that He's paid for all those sins, 689 00:35:02,501 --> 00:35:04,367 even gives us His righteousness, 690 00:35:04,367 --> 00:35:07,545 He puts that in our account 691 00:35:07,545 --> 00:35:10,302 because we don't have to contribute anything, 692 00:35:10,302 --> 00:35:11,579 then it's open to all. 693 00:35:11,579 --> 00:35:13,665 That means because you don't have to 694 00:35:13,665 --> 00:35:14,818 contribute anything, 695 00:35:14,818 --> 00:35:16,756 you can receive it just as you are. 696 00:35:16,756 --> 00:35:19,033 Just as I am without one plea, 697 00:35:19,033 --> 00:35:24,185 but that Thy blood was shed for me. 698 00:35:24,185 --> 00:35:26,401 You have an invitation to believe here. 699 00:35:26,401 --> 00:35:28,592 He says, "Come." 700 00:35:28,592 --> 00:35:30,036 These brothers in our text, 701 00:35:30,036 --> 00:35:32,594 they may have felt, 702 00:35:32,594 --> 00:35:36,644 what if we're not welcome in Egypt? 703 00:35:36,644 --> 00:35:38,962 But supposing they got a personal invitation 704 00:35:38,962 --> 00:35:40,411 through their door, 705 00:35:40,411 --> 00:35:42,933 like they later did when Joseph sent them back 706 00:35:42,933 --> 00:35:46,395 with the silver cup. 707 00:35:46,395 --> 00:35:50,358 That would have increased their confidence. 708 00:35:50,358 --> 00:35:52,354 Well, you see, you need not have any fear 709 00:35:52,354 --> 00:35:54,558 of being refused, because you're given 710 00:35:54,558 --> 00:35:57,665 a personal invitation by the Lord Jesus Christ 711 00:35:57,665 --> 00:35:59,265 to come to Him. 712 00:35:59,265 --> 00:36:00,894 He invites you, "Come to Me, 713 00:36:00,894 --> 00:36:03,002 all who are weary and heavy laden, 714 00:36:03,002 --> 00:36:07,731 and I will give you rest." 715 00:36:07,731 --> 00:36:11,627 He invites you to come take the water of life freely. 716 00:36:11,627 --> 00:36:14,430 It's yours freely for the taking He says. 717 00:36:14,430 --> 00:36:17,203 And so, don't sit around doing nothing. 718 00:36:17,203 --> 00:36:20,285 Don't sit around despairing. 719 00:36:20,285 --> 00:36:24,013 Why wait where you are any longer? 720 00:36:24,013 --> 00:36:27,528 Your waiting does not do you any good. 721 00:36:27,528 --> 00:36:28,899 You must just go to Christ 722 00:36:28,899 --> 00:36:30,169 as a guilty sinner. 723 00:36:30,169 --> 00:36:32,329 Again, not trying to have a certain amount 724 00:36:32,329 --> 00:36:34,775 of brokenness to go with. 725 00:36:34,775 --> 00:36:37,093 Not trying to excuse your sin, 726 00:36:37,093 --> 00:36:38,409 but just confess it. 727 00:36:38,409 --> 00:36:40,537 Go with all your sins. 728 00:36:40,537 --> 00:36:42,073 As one old Puritan said, 729 00:36:42,073 --> 00:36:45,172 you have nothing to contribute 730 00:36:45,172 --> 00:36:46,801 towards your salvation, 731 00:36:46,801 --> 00:36:50,112 except the sin that made it necessary. 732 00:36:50,112 --> 00:36:54,463 So take your sin to Him as your contribution. 733 00:36:54,463 --> 00:36:55,924 Go to Him with your sin. 734 00:36:55,924 --> 00:36:57,590 Go to Him in your sin, 735 00:36:57,590 --> 00:37:00,208 believing His promise that Jesus died 736 00:37:00,208 --> 00:37:05,533 for such a sinner as you and be saved. 737 00:37:05,533 --> 00:37:07,180 Don't wait around. 738 00:37:07,180 --> 00:37:08,669 It's not doing you any good. 739 00:37:08,669 --> 00:37:10,586 Why put it off when you can go? 740 00:37:10,586 --> 00:37:12,632 You can go to Christ 741 00:37:12,632 --> 00:37:15,241 and have life from Him at once. 742 00:37:15,241 --> 00:37:17,379 Don't sit around doing nothing. 743 00:37:17,379 --> 00:37:18,904 Getting busy with other things, 744 00:37:18,904 --> 00:37:20,960 which may be great and a lot of fun, 745 00:37:20,960 --> 00:37:23,258 but make sure you attend to this one 746 00:37:23,258 --> 00:37:26,242 and urgent need. 747 00:37:26,242 --> 00:37:32,942 Let's pray. 748 00:37:32,942 --> 00:37:36,273 Our Father, we thank You 749 00:37:36,273 --> 00:37:38,674 for Your glorious gospel of Your beloved Son - 750 00:37:38,674 --> 00:37:41,220 the good news. 751 00:37:41,220 --> 00:37:43,083 That You sent Your Son into the world 752 00:37:43,083 --> 00:37:45,431 because You loved us. 753 00:37:45,431 --> 00:37:47,896 That whoever believes; 754 00:37:47,896 --> 00:37:52,260 whoever would rest their hope upon You - 755 00:37:52,260 --> 00:37:57,737 just quit trying to part rest in self; 756 00:37:57,737 --> 00:38:00,043 quit trying to excuse themselves, 757 00:38:00,043 --> 00:38:03,382 but rest in You, 758 00:38:03,382 --> 00:38:06,874 as a guilty sinner, but one that You died for. 759 00:38:06,874 --> 00:38:09,222 We thank You that all those will not perish, 760 00:38:09,222 --> 00:38:12,884 but will have everlasting life. 761 00:38:12,884 --> 00:38:16,420 That You will pardon. You will forgive. 762 00:38:16,420 --> 00:38:17,875 Pardon once and forever 763 00:38:17,875 --> 00:38:21,017 the moment they turn to You and be saved. 764 00:38:21,017 --> 00:38:22,514 We pray that by Your Spirit, 765 00:38:22,514 --> 00:38:26,096 You would enable people to look unto You 766 00:38:26,096 --> 00:38:29,603 and be saved through this Word now; 767 00:38:29,603 --> 00:38:31,530 that they would quit their despairing; 768 00:38:31,530 --> 00:38:33,634 realize it does not do them any good; 769 00:38:33,634 --> 00:38:37,520 realize the urgency of their need to come to You; 770 00:38:37,520 --> 00:38:39,172 and that they can come to You 771 00:38:39,172 --> 00:38:42,288 just as they are, 772 00:38:42,288 --> 00:38:49,179 and trust in You, 773 00:38:49,179 --> 00:38:51,023 and be able to realize those words: 774 00:38:51,023 --> 00:38:53,048 no condemnation now I dread 775 00:38:53,048 --> 00:38:56,480 because Christ has been condemned in my place. 776 00:38:56,480 --> 00:38:59,007 In Jesus' name, Amen.