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Psalm 107 : 1-6
Psalm 81 : 4-8
Psalm 78A : 8-10

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Psalm 136 : 1-3, 11, 12
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Psalm 34 : 1-5
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It is a dramatic moment as Joseph faces the brothers who sold him into slavery when he was a young man.  Their father is dead and the brothers are afraid Joseph will take his revenge on them (v15), but his response is very different.  His words in v20 raise profound issues about God’s sovereignty and human freedom.  Consider Genesis 50:20 The mystery of providence.

1. Human responsibility

Although the Bible says much about God’s sovereignty, it never minimises human moral responsibility.  ‘You intended to harm me’: Joseph does not say that their plan was anything less than evil.  They are morally responsible for what they did.  In one sense he was harmed as were others in the family.  The brothers acted freely, making choices in harmony with their (sinful) natures.  We too are morally responsible for our actions freely performed.  We act in accordance with the nature we have, unconverted or converted.  We are not forced to sin against our will.  Our actions are rooted in out inmost being – Mark 7:21.

2. Divine sovereignty

 Note‘but God intended it for good’ – the same action is viewed from a different perspective.  God was at work in and through the action of Joseph’s brothers.  He had a good goal in mind – ‘the saving of many lives’.  God so directed events that his good purpose was carried out.  The brothers did not consciously do what would fulfil God’s plan, yet that was the result.  Throughout the Bible God is portrayed as being in full control and as accomplishing what he plans.  The actions of evil people do not frustrate his plan but in mysterious ways advance it.  All events (often in ways we cannot fathom) contribute to fulfilling God’s plan.  Only in looking back could Joseph discern God’s sovereign hand in what he had experienced.

3. The big picture

God’s sovereignty is not confined to the details of individual lives: those lives are linked in innumerable ways.  His sovereignty relates to the ‘big picture’ – here, ‘the saving of many lives’.  Scripture shows that God is sovereign over:

1.  The natural world.  Genesis 1-2 shows him as the Creator, and he has not left the universe to run itself.  All things are in his hands – see Job 38-39.  He provides for his creatures – Psalm 145:15. 
2.  The nations.  Prophets could speak of the fate of nations because it is God’s plan that governs them – Proverbs 21:1.  This is a truth full of comfort for believers.

4.The supreme example

The supreme illustration of God’s sovereignty embracing human responsibility is the death of Christ.  See Acts 2:23.  On the one hand it was the result of the actions of ‘wicked hands’, with Jew and Roman fully responsible. Yet on the other hand it took place by ‘God’s set purpose and foreknowledge’.  It was the climax of his plan of salvation (1 Timothy 1:15).  Through the actions of those who wanted to destroy Jesus, God provided our salvation.

No book has been more vigorously attacked throughout history than the Bible, both from outside the Church and from within by sceptical scholars.  The faith of God’s people has sometimes been severely shaken by such attacks.  We need to be clear as to what we believe about the Bible.  Consider II Timothy 3:16-17 God-breathed Scripture

1. The source of Scripture

Our fundamental belief about the Bible is set out in v16 ‘All Scripture is God-breathed’ – familiar from the AV as ‘inspired by God’.  Here is the root of the authority and power of this book: it is God’s word to his people.  The word often translated ‘inspired’ literally is ‘God-breathed’ (as in NIV).  It is more than the ‘inspiration’ of writers and artists – we are to think of the Bible as God’s speech.  What Scripture says, God says.  How did God use the writers?  2 Peter 1:21 ‘men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit’: the mysterious, miraculous, sovereign working of the Holy Spirit.  This was not simply divine dictation (although sometimes God did give a message word for word), but God used the different personalities, etc, of the writers, including e.g. Luke’s research (Luke 1:3).  Inspiration does include the words used – ‘Scripture’ is written.  God did not merely give ideas that the writers were to express in their own fallible words.  Note 1 Corinthians 2:13 ‘words taught by the Spirit’.  This is ‘verbal inspiration’.  Note ‘All Scripture’ – the OT and also the NT which was beginning to be written.  1 Timothy 5:18 shows that Luke 10:7 was already regarded as ‘Scripture’.  Under the guidance of the Spirit the Church came to recognise the books that were ‘God-breathed’.  It is the Spirit who opens our eyes to see the true nature of the Bible.  Accepting inspiration is part of the conversion experience.  Inspired Scripture is without error in all it teaches: ‘your word is truth’ (John 17:17).  We stand under the authority of God and of his Word.

2. The usefulness of Scripture

Scripture is ‘useful’ – it is to have life-changing effects.  It is ‘able to make you wise for salvation’ (v15).  The Bible contains everything we need to begin and continue on the Christian way.  Its usefulness is comprehensive:

            (i) Teaching:  true knowledge of God’s truth is essential for spiritual health.

            (ii) Rebuking: The Spirit uses Scripture to expose our sin and stir repentance.

            (iii) Correcting: offering the positive answer to sin, setting out the right path.

            (iv) Training in righteousness: guiding us to growth in likeness to the Lord.

Used as God intends, the Bible transforms us into his image stage by stage.

3. The goal of Scripture

The goal of Scripture is set out in v17 – ‘that the man of God may be competent’ (ESV.  NIV omits).  The word means complete, capable, in fit condition.  The Bible is sufficient to equip the people of God for whatever work he assigns them.  Bible study is to prepare workers, doing the ‘good works’ (Ephesians 2:10) God has prepared.  We must always approach the Bible in dependence on the Spirit, seeking edification and transformation.

It seemed very promising as Jesus addressed the crowd regarding his identity, stressing the importance of believing he is who he claims to be.  There seemed to be a significant response – ‘many put their faith in him’ (v30).  As Jesus continues to teach, however, a different picture emerges.  When he tells the crowd about what believing in him really means, superficial views of discipleship are quickly swept away.  Jesus’ words expose the hearts of his listeners.  We consider John 8:31-32 True discipleship.

1. Believing in Jesus

In v31 Jesus addresses ‘the Jews who had believed in him’.  This raises the question ‘Is this the kind of belief that brings sinners to salvation?’  Is this saving faith?  The reactions of these people as Jesus confronts them with the nature of true discipleship in v31-32 makes it clear they have not been changed inwardly by what they have heard.  Eventually the Lord says,’ You belong to your father, the devil’ (v44).  Scripture makes it clear there are ways of ‘believing’ that do not save.  Acceptance of certain facts is insufficient without personal commitment.

2. Remaining in truth

The crucial test of discipleship is found in v31 ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples’ (ESV).  There must be steadfast remaining in the truth, in contrast to the seed among the thorns and stones (Matthew 13:5-7).  The ‘word’ of Jesus is all that he reveals about his person and work.  The true disciple does not select the parts he will accept – it is all ‘the truth’ (v32).  In fact Jesus himself is ‘the truth’ (John 14:6).  There must be personal commitment to the One who embodies the truth.  There is no conflict between believing the truth and believing in Jesus.  The ultimate test of true discipleship is perseverance (2 John 9).

3. Growing in knowledge

The result of remaining in the truth is stated in v32 ‘Then you will know the truth’.  Once committed to him, the true disciple will grow in understanding of the truth, moving on from ‘milk’ to ‘solid food’ (Hebrews 5:12).  Faith in the Lord is essential for understanding the truth.  Without faith, our grasp of the truth will be superficial.  Beginning from faith, disciples understand the things of God, which are ‘spiritually discerned’ (1 Corinthians 2:14).  We have the ministry of the Holy Spirit who blesses our use of whatever ability God has given us.

4. Living in freedom

A growing grasp of the truth has profound results – ‘the truth will set you free’ (v32).  2 effects:

            (i).  Free from sin.  Knowledge of the truth exposes our sin, leading to repentance, a daily necessity.  The word produces ‘godly sorrow’ (2 Corinthians 7:10).  The truth also protects from sin – Psalm 119:11 ‘I have hidden your word in my heart…’

            (ii). Free for living.  The truth guides in the way of godliness, and obedience is the essential test of love for God (1 John 5:3).  We were created for such a life, to God’s glory.