1

The governor Joseph, who honored his father

2

[Genesis 47:30]

but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried." "I will do as you say," he said.

3

Joseph is the eleventh son of Jacob's twelve sons. Joseph's father, Jacob's wife, was four. In the old days, it was possible to have several wives.

4

Jacob loved Rachel the most among the four wives. Joseph was the son of Rachel, whom Jacob loved. Joseph's mother, Rachel, was sadly given birth to Joseph's brother Benjamin, and she died.

5

So Jacob especially loved Joseph a lot. But his brothers who hated Joseph sold Joseph as a slave of Egypt. And they lied to their father that Joseph was dead to the beast. Joseph separated from his father because of the wickedness of his brothers.

6

Even with this difficulty, Joseph kept faith in God until the end. God gave miracles to Joseph, who kept his faith in any circumstance. Joseph interpreted the dream of Pharaoh king of Egypt and became prime minister.

7

When Joseph was the prime minister, not only Egypt but most of the neighboring countries had seven years of famine. The surrounding nations did not have food, but Egypt had plenty of grain prepared by the wise prime minister Joseph for seven years of good harvest. So people from neighboring countries came to Egypt and sought food.

8

In Joseph's hometown Canaan there was a famine, and his brothers came to Egypt to find food and found Joseph. Joseph could have avenged his brothers who slaved himself, but Joseph genuinely forgave these brothers for the grace of God who made him his prime minister.

9

Joseph, who forgave his brothers, told them. “Go to your father and tell them that I am the prime minister of Egypt. Then bring your father into Egypt.”

10

Joseph prepared a good carriage to bring his father Jacob. He also sent so many gifts to his father Jacob. Joseph's gift to his father Jacob was so much that he had 20 donkeys.

11

Jacob, who was 130 years old, heard from his sons that Joseph was alive. At first Jacob did not believe. But he was so happy to see the wagons Joseph had sent to him, and he gained new strength. "Before I die, I will go to Egypt and see my son Joseph." Jacob was very glad.

12

Joseph's love for his father was great. He sent his father Jacob to prepare food for his journey. Joseph really did his best to serve his father.

13

Joseph also prepared a good land for his father, Goshen. Goshen was a very good land for cattle. When he heard that his father Jacob was coming, Joseph went to the land of Goshen and greeted his father Jacob.

14

Joseph, who saw his father Jacob, whom he thought would never meet again, was so glad. Father Jacob and Joseph hugged each other and cried together. Jacob lived 17 years in the land and was taken care of by Joseph.

15

Jacob asked his son Joseph a favor by knowing that the day of the calling of God would soon come.

  “Joseph, if I die, promise me that you will not buried me in the land of Egypt, but in the land of Canaan.”

Joseph promised to do as his father told him. “Father, I will.”

Jacob once again confirmed.

“Tell me that you really will.” Joseph promised again. “Father, I will.”

16

After the death of his father Jacob, Joseph went to Canaan to keep his promise to his father. It was a long way from Egypt to Canaan. Joseph, who went to Canaan, buried his father Jacob in the cave of Machpelah, purchased by his Great-grandfather Abraham. Joseph kept his promise with his father Jacob.

17

Joseph was not the only one who served God well in heaven. He did his best to serve his father Jacob and did his best to make him uncomfortable. God said that for those who serve their parents well, God will make them live on earth and long.

You, like Joseph, want to serve all of your parents with diligence and devote themselves to keeping your parents' words, so that you can be faithful people like Joseph who can be used by God as a good believer.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)