SEE THAT YOU FALL NOT OUT BY THE WAY---Gen. 45:16-28.

Introduction: Give setting of the story. Why were these men, Joseph's brothers not to fall out by the way?

I. BECAUSE OF THE MEN THEY WERE:

     A. They were brothers to the 2nd. man in Egypt.

     B. They were sons in the covenant line.

        1. God's covenant with Abraham years ago must be brought            through human instrumentality.

    C. Jesus said: "Ye are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world."

·         Do we help, or hinder His cause? What if everyone here lived like me?

·         Joseph's brothers were not to fall out and quarrel on the way back to Canaan Or they could not carry the message to their father as they were instructed.

·         The Born Again cannot fall out with each other and expect to get Gods work done and souls be saved.

II. BECAUSE OF THEIR MISSION, THEY WERE NOT TO FALL OUT BY THE WAY.

     A. Before This Time Their Mission Had Been In 3 Stages.

         1. To Keep Their Father's Sheep

         2. To Go To Egypt To Get Corn, And

         3. To Go For Their Dad And Families. Bring Them To Joseph.

                        * They had something to tell their aged father, Jacob.

    B. Born Again Believers  have the greatest Mission on the earth.

   C. Our task is not easy.

        1. Jacob Said: "His Days Were Few And Evil."

        2. There Are Many Things To Lead You Astray From God, And To Take                You Away From His Service, To Get You Off Your Mission.

  D. The Jews failed to carry out God's plan. His plan was for them to    

       bless the world.

       1. But they kept boasting of what they had and what they were, instead of     

           sharing with the world.

       2. The Bible says this: "To whom much is given, much is required."

III. BECAUSE OF THE MEANS AT THEIR DISPOSAL, THEY WERE NOT TO FALL OUT BY THE WAY.

     A. Joseph had given them his family the very best in the land of Egypt  

     to use in bringing their father back.

        1. Wagons and provisions were provided. vs. 21 following

        2. Think of all the things God has given us to use for His Glory.

            * God must be saying, "See that you fall not out by the way, and use         what I have given you wisely."

            * * No generation has been given more than we have.

            *** No greater opportunity need than we have.

IV. BECAUSE OF THE MESSAGE THEY HAD TO DELIVER, THEY WERE NOT TO FALL OUT BY THE WAY. VS. 6-16

     A. Think of how these men felt as they told Jacob about Joseph.

            *They surely were excited and enthused about it. There was joy in           their hearts.

            ** Jacob had waited for years for a message like this.

     B. What did the message contain?

            1-Joseph is alive! He is governor over Egypt.

            2-Joseph was the chief administrator of the country. 2nd. in power to       Pharoah himself.

            3-The Egyptian office of Supt. of the granaries which were filled with      grain, in addition to Joseph's duties as Prime Minister of Egypt.

             4-Let me encourage you men in Your Witnessing:

                        A-Exalt The Savior.

                        B-Edify The Saints,

                        C-Expound The Scriptures

                        D-Expose the Sin

                        E-Evangelize The Sinners

              5. Jacob said: My son is alive...I'll go see him before I die"