Intro

Moving forward for God's glory involves...

1. leaving sin behind us.

• Genesis 45:5 -  (“Don’t be angry with yourselves,” is literally "let it not burn in your eyes". Joseph didn't want His brothers to be inflamed with guilt to the point of despair. 

• Hebrews 12:1

• Proverbs 28:13

• Colossians 3:9-10

2. seeing God's Providence.

• God's Sovereignty: refers to His supreme authority and absolute right to rule over all creation. It's about His position and power as the ultimate ruler.

  • Psalm 115:3

  • Daniel 4:35

  • Isaiah 46:10

• God's Providence: His wise, purposeful, and benevolent governance of the world, whereby He sustains, guides, and moves all events to accomplish His sovereign will.

  • Genesis 50:20

  • Romans 8:28

3. embracing God's redeeming work.

• Genesis 45:5-9

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God was working through everything the whole time. Joseph also didn't want his brothers to judge their actions as irredeemably destructive, because God had used their schemes (sin) redemptively. They needed to reframe their sin and guilt in light of God’s sovereign purpose. They needed to let things go now.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17

• Philippians 1:6

4. moving forward in God's strength.

• Genesis 45:9-15 - Joseph was ready to move forward!

• Genesis 45:25-28 - Jacob was ready to move forward!

• Isaiah 40:31

• Proverbs 24:16

• Hebrews 12:11

• Isaiah 1:16-18

Application

• Sin matters to God. 

• God is always working behind the scenes to redeem.

• We can move on after sin.

• Re-frame your history in light of God's forgiveness and restoration.

Warm Up:

“Can you think of a time when you had to let go of something in order to move forward — maybe something hard, like a mistake or hurt?” What helped you let go?

Sermon Questions:

Read Genesis 45:1–15 (focus on verses 5–9).

Why do you think Joseph didn’t want his brothers to be angry with themselves anymore?

Can guilt and shame ever become unhealthy? How does God want us to deal with sin and guilt?

Why is letting go of sin (after repentance) part of moving forward?

Insight: Joseph doesn’t minimize their sin — but he invites them not to stay stuck in shame. The past didn’t define what God had done and could still do.

Read Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28.

How does this change how we see pain or wrongs in our past?

Can you think of a time when God brought something good out of something hard?

Insight: God’s sovereignty doesn’t erase human sin—but His providence can redeem it for His glory and our growth.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Philippians 1:6.

What does it mean to reframe your history in light of God’s forgiveness?

Why is it sometimes hard to believe God is still working in us after we fail?

Insight: Joseph shows us that redemption is possible — not just for himself, but even for the ones who hurt him. That’s grace.

Read Isaiah 40:31 and Proverbs 24:16 .

What does it look like to move forward in God’s strength?

Who in this story moved forward — and how can we follow their example?

Insight: Joseph didn’t live in the past. He invited his family to step into what God was doing next.

Action Step Idea (Families or Groups):

Each person writes down one regret, failure, or burden they want to let go of — and then say aloud together: “Because of God’s grace, I don’t have to carry this anymore.”

(Then rip it up or throw it away.)

Closing Prayer:

“Heavenly Father, thank You for your grace that forgives us, your providence that guides us, and your power that strengthens us. Help us to leave sin behind, embrace your purpose, and move forward in Your strength. Remind us that nothing is beyond Your redemption. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”