Meeting God

Aim: To encounter Christ in the church's means of grace.

Why meeting God is exciting: because it (initially) surprises us, and (later) enriches us.

Exegesis: The stages of God-encounter: it flows from Christ's bursting heart of love (vv. 1-2); it engenders faith and purpose in saints (vv. 7-9); it cultivates awe and love for God (vv. 14-15).

Further application: The ways we meet God: in the preached word, in the sacraments, and in prayer to God.

Key verse: v. 1 ''Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, 'Make everyone go out from me!' So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.''