Radical Love & Divine Purpose
Sermon February 23, 2025
Radical Love & Divine Purpose
Pastor Fred Okello
Recently, during my vacation in Africa, I witnessed firsthand the many facets of human suffering. I visited people who were mourning the loss of loved ones, their hearts heavy with grief. I met friends and family members who were in the grip of illnesses like cancer, their bodies failing but their spirits yearning for hope. I saw families torn apart by strife, friendships fractured, and children burdened with depression.
Even in the midst of this suffering, there was light—a spark of hope urging us to trust in a power greater than our pain. This mix of joy and sorrow, celebration and despair, mirrors the intricate design of our lives. It is in our darkest moments that we often become most aware of our need for God’s redeeming love.
In Genesis 45:3-11, we find the dramatic climax of Joseph’s journey. Here is a man who had endured betrayal by his own brothers, the humiliation of slavery, and the despair of wrongful imprisonment. And yet, in a moment of divine clarity, Joseph reveals his true identity and proclaims, “It was not you who sent me here, but God.” These words resound powerfully—they remind us that our sufferings are not arbitrary or meaningless.
Joseph’s life is a testimony that no matter how deep the pain or how long the journey through despair, God is orchestrating every event for a greater purpose. His hardships were not wasted—they were the stepping stones that led him to a position where he could save lives and fulfill God’s promises. This is a reminder for each of us: even when the path is steeped in suffering, God’s providence is at work.
Last Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching at the home of a woman suffering from cancer. In that intimate setting, her home became a sanctuary where the gospel flowed freely—despite the heavy chains of her physical condition. She had requested that we hold a Sunday service in her home.
I reflected on Paul the apostle, who once declared, “I am a prisoner of the gospel.” Although Paul acknowledged that he was physically imprisoned, he celebrated the fact that the gospel itself was never chained by his circumstances. In the same way, although this courageous woman was confined by her illness, her spirit was free to celebrate God. The gospel was not held captive by her suffering—it broke through every barrier and brought hope, healing, and joy into her home.
This reminds us that while life’s challenges may seem to chain us down, the message of God’s love and redemption remains free and unshackled. It calls us to live with a faith that transcends physical limitations and temporal pain.
Joseph’s story challenges us to respond to life’s trials with unwavering faith and purposeful action. The story is an invitation to:
Trust in God, understanding that each experience, however painful, may be a stepping stone toward a greater purpose that only God fully understands. Trust that every setback can lead to a breakthrough.
Extend forgives: Forgiveness is not about denying the hurt; it is about releasing the chains of bitterness that bind us, freeing our hearts to receive God’s healing and grace.
Celebrate the unchained Gospel: Just as the woman I preached for allowed the gospel to ring out within the walls of her home, let us celebrate the truth that no matter the circumstances—be it illness, loss, or despair—the gospel remains free. Our praise, our hope, and our proclamation of God’s love can break through the darkest chains.
Be a Beacon of Hope: In every encounter with pain, let your response be one of compassion and prayer. Sometimes, the most profound gift we can offer is our presence and our heartfelt intercession for others.
Brothers and sisters, God is at work, turning our pain into purpose. Let us go forward today with the assurance that no matter how deep the chains of our circumstances, the gospel remains free, and God’s providence is ever at work for our good. May we trust in His plan, extend forgiveness, and boldly proclaim the unchained message of His love.