Sermon outline: This is an abbreviated outline with the complete sermon downloadable at the bottom of the post.
Text: Genesis 42:11
Title: The Awakening of Joseph’s Brothers
Introduction: The idea of an “awakening” implies a preceding slumber or passivity. The Great Awakening in America occurred in the mid 1700s and was fueled with the fiery preaching of George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards. The Grain Awakening occurred when Jacob’s family got hungry and was fueled by the providential working of God through Joseph.
The word repentance in Scripture means “to change one’s mind.” The corresponding Latin word means, “to recover one’s senses.” Joseph’s brothers were about to have their spiritual senses awakened—recovered—and true repentance was about to take place.
For many years, the consciences of Joseph’s brothers slumbered under the surface of everyday life.
I. The Bewilderment of Joseph’s Brothers
A. An undeserved feast
B. Unconcealed fear
C. Understandable formality
D. Unrevealed feelings
E. Uncanny familiarity
F. Unusual favor
G. Unrestrained fellowship
II. The Brokenness of Joseph’s Brothers
A. The question—What would they do with Benjamin?
B. The confrontation—Who would they protect?
C. The confession—God knows me.
Conclusion:
2 Corinthians 7:9–11
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
What does true repentance produce:
1. A new carefulness
2. A new confession
3. A new concern
4. A new characteristic
5. A new compulsion
6. A new commitment
7. A new conscience
