THE LORD PROVIDES THE SWEETNESS OF LIFE
Exodus 15:1-3, 19,22-25
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
V.1. "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spoke,
saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his
rider hath he thrown into the sea."
A. The leader ought to be the motivator for praise and worship.
1. When the leader gets excited about praise and worship, the congregation will get
excited.
2. Parents have to lead their children in praise and worship.
a. Our children are affected by our excitement.
B. Leaders ought to be the first to give God the Glory for victory.
1. Leaders ought to voice their confidence to the congregation, that the enemy
can't win when God is on your side.
2. The battle is not yours, but the Lords. 2 Ch 20:15
3. Parents need to be quick to give God the glory in the mist of their children.
V:2. "The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him."
A. Strength = aaziy= praise, security, majesty
1. Song=Zimrath= praise, instrumental music, power
2. Lord = Yahh= proper name for Diety
3. The Lord is the glory of my praise.
a. The Lord is the strength of my praise.
b. He who has God as his strength will have God as his song.
c. Believers ought to have their favorite song of praise.
B. Salvation=yeshuw'ah=deliverance, health
(same word used for Jesus)
1. Jesus is our deliverance.
2. Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2
C. God= El= Almighty
1. Jesus is the Almighty God.
a. We need to be quick to claim Jesus as our own. 2 Cor 6:17-18
D. We need to prepare a place in our heart for Jesus.
1. Habitation=navah= abide, keep at home
2. If we abide in the Word of Jesus, He will abide in us. Jn 15:7
E. "My father's God."
1. Father= abiy= father of an individual
2. God=Elohiym=One true God, divine one.
3. We are sons of the true and living God by adoption through the blood
of Jesus.
F. Exalt= ruwm=lift up, promote
1. When Elohiym is your God you will lift Him up.
V:3. "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name."
A. Lord=Yahweh, Jehovah= self existing one.
1. Jehovah is the hero of the battle.
a. Man has no part in the victories of life.
b. Jehovah is complete in His promises.
2. When you abide in the Lord, He has no problem fighting your battles.
3. The Lord is my Lord. He has shown Himself to be who He is.
B. The noun "Yahweh" implies that He is God all by Himself.
1. He is the only thing that we know that does not have a "cause".
2. God always was
a. We are here because Adam and Eve got together and produced an offspring.
b. Nothing produced Yahweh. He is self existent.
3. Thank Yahweh for Yahweh.
REFECTION ON GOD’S VICTORIES
V:19. "For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the
sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of
Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea."
A. An army of the best warriors is no match for God.
1. God sets a trap for your enemies and lures them into it.
2. What is a trap for the enemy is salvation for God's people.
3. God can make a way through the toughest situation.
B. God blesses His people through their trials.
1. God blesses His people in their trials.
2. We must learn to praise God throughout our trials and tribulations.
3. Our closeness to God is developed through our praise (Psalm 22:3, 25).
4. If you want God close to you, just start praising Him.
GOD WILL TEST OUR FAITH
V:22. "So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness
of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water."
A. Some times God leads you into a place of testing.
1. God's tests have a specific time and specific purpose.
2. God's tests are designed to see if we trust Him with our lives.
B. God gives us a Red Sea experience to get us ready for the wilderness experience.
1. If we learn the lesson of the Red Sea, we might not have to go through the
wilderness.
2. A lesson learned does not have to be repeated
3. The wilderness is a time of testing.
4. God uses the wilderness to get our attention.
5. To get our attention, God has to take us through something to make us realize that we
can't do this by ourselves.
a. They were led to a place in the desert where there was no water.
b. Without water there is no life.
c. It is our trials and tribulations that causes us to seek God.
d. It's our murmuring that causes us to seek God and develop a closer relationship
with him.
C. There is a parallel in this verse to the life of Jesus and our conversion to a life with
Jesus.
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River then led into the desert by the Spirit to be
tested for forty days.
2. After His crucifixion Jesus was resurrected on the third day.
3. The transition for Israel was at the Red Sea.
a. On one side of the Red Sea was slavery. On the other side of the Red Sea was
new life and freedom.
b. The Red Sea was Israel's baptism.
c. For a Christian, we are baptized in Jesus' death into new life.
d. On one side is death, on the other side is life.
V:23. "And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for
they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah."
A. In every believer’s life, there will be a place and a time of testing.
1. There will be a time when you have what you need but you will be unable to use it.
2. Israel needed water and there was water, but they could not drink it because it was
bitter.
a. They needed water and there was plenty of water, but they didn't know how
to use what they had.
b. The problem was not the water, but their thinking about the water.
3. There will come a time when your situation will be bitter.
a. How do you handle the situation when life becomes bitter?
b. How do you handle you situation when people around you are making trouble?
c. Sometimes the bitterness of life is no fault of your own.
B. When you come to this place called "Marah", it's prayer time.
1. When you come to this place called "Marah", it's time to think on the goodness of
God.
2. In the place called "Marah", you need to find the source of your joy.
V:24. "And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?"
A. Murmured=luwn= to be obstinated, remain
To question God's abilities and motives
1. They were in the mist of the Almighty God who blessed them with freedom, yet
they complained about their circumstance.
a. God had delivered them through the Red Sea.
b. God's presence was known by a cloud that moved before them and stood behind
them and gave them light at night.
2. Israel couldn't see the solution because they were focused on the problem.
a. They needed water and they had plenty of water, but they didn't know what to do
with what God had blessed them with.
B. We ought to expect God to perform a miracle when we need it.
1. We should never complain to God, but bless Him in our situation.
2. If God blessed us through yesterday, He can bless us through today.
SWEETNESS OF LIFE COMES FROM THE "TREE"
V:25. "And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he
had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute
and an ordinance, and there he proved them."
Shewed=yarah= point out, direct, teach
A. When bitterness shows up in your life, you ought to look to the "Tree".
1. The "Tree" is Jesus Christ.
2. The Tree has the power to make life sweet.
3. Notice, the Lord pointed out the "Tree" to Moses.
a. Moses had the faith to follow God's directions.
b. When God gives you direction, you have to step out on faith to be blessed.
B. They needed water and there was plenty of water, but they didn't know what to do.
The Lord pointed them to the "Tree".
1. You need a job and there are plenty of jobs, but you can't get the job.
The Lord point out the "Tree".
2. You need some financing, and there is plenty of financing, but you can't get the
financing. The Lord points you to the "Tree".
3. You have a troubling family problem and you don't know what to do.
The Lord points you to the "Tree".
C. " There he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them."
1. In order to stay in the sweetness of life, commit yourself to the commands of God.
2. When bitterness comes into your life, you can always go to the "Tree" for
sweetness.
.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Forgiveness Is The Way To Joy And Peace
FORGIVENESS IS THE WAY TO JOY AND PEACE
Genesis 50:15-26
V:15. "And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will
peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him."
A. There will come a time when you will have to face up to your past sins.
1. Their father Jacob was dead. So the brothers of Joseph thought their protective
shield was gone.
2. Until you make peace with the one that you did wrong, you will carry the guilt with
you.
3. Along with guilt come fear and uncertainty.
4. Guilt will blind you to the joy of forgiveness.
5. Until you take responsibility for your actions, you will always blame somebody else
for your failures.
B. As long as you feel guilty, there is a tendency to make someone else your problem.
1. It had been eighteen years (E. I. Scofield) since Joseph brought his family to Egypt.
and showed his love and forgiveness.
a. Just because you tell someone that you have forgiven them and that you
hold no grudges, doesn't mean that they believe you.
b. The brothers had a problem with their belief.
c. The brothers carried a baggage of guilt they should have gotten rid of long
time before.
d. The brothers thought that Joseph had a problem with them. But the problem
was with themselves.
e. Joseph was in harmony with his brothers, but his brothers were not in harmony
with him.
V:16. "And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before
he died, saying."
A. Their father is dead. They went with Joseph to bury their father in Canaan, his home.
1. Why are the brothers using their father as their shield?
2. Why did it take so long to come to this point?
3. Why did they need to send a messenger, when they could have gone themselves?
4. Why didn't they talk to Joseph at burial in Canaan? .
B. Joseph's brothers were fearful because they fail take responsibility years earlier.
1. They had no peace with themselves because they didn't seek forgiveness.
V:17. "So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren,
and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of
the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him."
A. Asking to be forgiven is the first step to reconciliation and peace.
1. Humbling yourself before those who you have wronged should be done quickly.
2. The longer you wait, the easier it is to suppress the need to do what is right.
B. They asked in the name of their father.
1. The most effective intercessor in prayer is Jesus.
2. Jesus can change the hearts and minds of those you pray for.
C. Joseph wept with tears of joy.
1.The Lord rejoices when one sinner repents.
2. Repentance restores us to right fellowship with Lord.
3. Lack of repentance puts a distance between you God.
4. Joseph did the right thing, the right way.
5. The right thing done the wrong way can be hurtful and can be destructive.
6. There was between Joseph and his brothers.
a. The distance was lack of repentance .
b. The distance was not with Joseph, but with his brothers,
c. The brothers had not been convicted by what was right to correct what was
wrong.
d. The brothers up to this point had not express remorse for what they did
to Joseph.
f. Joseph didn't fully embrace his brothers until they "man up" and asked
forgiveness.
V:18. "And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold,
we be thy servants."
A. We are at our best when we become servants of others.
a. We can best love our brothers when we see ourselves low and see them high.
b. Believers only have one position before Jesus and that is servant.
B. The brothers gave Joseph reverence and respect for his position and authority.
1. The best place for a believer is at the feet of Jesus.
2. The right spirit of a believer is the spirit of humility.
a. Joseph's brothers showed their humility by falling on their faces before him.
b. You can't get lower than on your face before Jesus.
c. When we humble ourselves before Jesus we, can learn of him and find rest
for our souls. Matt 11:29
C. With their repentance, Joseph's brothers closed the gap between themselves and
Joseph.
1. They could now be reconciled with Joseph.
2. Reconciliation begins with forgiveness.
a. We have to ask for forgiveness.
b. The one wronged must forgive.
c. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:18
d. Reconciliation should begin with the Church.
V:19. "And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?"
A. Joseph, in his high position, expressed his humility before God.
1. Joseph had forgiven his brothers years before. He was at peace with God.
2. Joseph comforted his brother by putting aside their fears.
a. One key job of a Christian is to comfort others.
3. The attitude of a Christian before his enemies is forgiveness.
B. The problem of Joseph's brothers was not with him, but with God.
1. Any time we sin, the sin is against God.
2. Joseph recognized that only God can forgive sins.
a. We bring ourselves to peace by forgiving others, but the sin is
against God.
b. We are reconciled to God when we ask forgiveness and repent.
C. We should fear God and not man.
1. We should fear the one who can kill the body and the soul.
a. Man may kill the body, but he has no power over the soul.
2. We should fear God and give him reverence.
3. We can trust God but not man.
V:20. " But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring
to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
A. God has a purpose for our lives.
1. God's purpose includes adversity.
2. Adversity is the training ground for faith.
3. It is through adversity that God gives us the experience we need to fulfill his
purposes.
B. God uses what we gain through our troubles to bless others.
1. Our life is not all about us.
2. We are the vessels that God uses to serve him.
C. God designed our lives to be a testimony for others.
1. Others are brought to salvation because of the Word of God they hear from us.
2. Others are brought to Jesus, because of the Jesus they see in us.
V:21 " Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he
comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."
A. Sometimes we need to be reminded of God's promises.
1. When we give ourselves to God, He looks after all our needs.
2. There is no comfort like comfort we get from God's Word.
B. The promises of God do not change with time.
1. Fashions, changes, technology changes, we may change, but God's Word does
not change.
2. An unchangeable God should be a comfort to us.
3. What God has done for us in the past, He will continue to do in the future.
C. There are different ways speak to someone.
1. A. harsh word stirs up strife.
2. A soft word wins souls.
3. Words of comfort are always in seasons.
V:22. " And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an
hundred and ten years."
A. When our purpose in life has been served , God will call us home.
1.Some die at a young age and others die in their old age.
2. We all have an appointed time with death.
3. Only God knows the time and the place of our death.
B. God can make a way through the storms of life.
1. Joseph had some storms in his life.
2. God guided him through the storms.
3. It was the storms that trained him to be successful in life.
V:23 "And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of
Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees."
A. God worked through many generations to bring us Jesus in the flesh.
1. Joseph's family was the foundation of the Nation of Israel that Moses delivered
out Egypt. Joshua brought Israel into the Promise Land.
2. Our Lord and Savior was born out of the Nation of Israel.
3. God's Plan of Redemption included the adversity of Joseph.
B. All believers are building blocks in God's plan of redemption for his Church.
1. We have no idea of how many people our lives affect.
2. What we do know is that it is by the Grace of God that we are included in
God's plan.
3. God placed us in the Body of Christ to make a difference.
V:24. " And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring
you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
A. No matter where we are in life, we must remember that our lives are included in
God's promise.
1. The promise was past down from one generation to the next.
2. The Word of God was taught by their fathers to their sons.
3. Joseph believed the promises of God and he taught his sons to respect the Word
of God.
4. Joseph acted upon the Word of God.
a. When his father Jacob died, he buried him in the promised land.
b. All believers have a promise land; heaven.
B. We must teach our families the Word of God.
1. We must show by our example that Word of God works in our lives.
2. When we speak, we must express confidence in the promises of God.
V:25. "And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit
you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence."
A. God keeps His promises.
1. Joseph looked forward to the fulfillment of God's promise.
a. God would take Israel from Egypt and back to the promise land.
b. Joseph would not live to see the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham,
yet he believed.
c. Faith is the key to successful living.
2. Joseph commanded his descendants to take his bones into the promise land.
B. Joseph expressed to his sons his beliefs about God.
1. My bones will remind you of why you are going through what you are going
through.
2. My bones will remind you that adversity is a prerequisite to the fulfillment of the
promise.
3. My bones will remind you that God fulfills His promises in His time.
C. Joseph bones reminded his descendents that his adversity made it possible for them
to be saved from the famine.
D. Jesus reminds us that death is a prerequisite to heaven.
1. Jesus reminds us that His death made heaven possible for us.
2. Jesus reminds us that our life, like His life will not be free from adversity.
3. Adversity is a prerequisite for spiritual growth and development.
4. Jesus reminds us that if we abide in His Word, He will abide in us.
a. Through our ups and downs, Jesus will be there to carry us through.
Genesis 50:15-26
V:15. "And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will
peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him."
A. There will come a time when you will have to face up to your past sins.
1. Their father Jacob was dead. So the brothers of Joseph thought their protective
shield was gone.
2. Until you make peace with the one that you did wrong, you will carry the guilt with
you.
3. Along with guilt come fear and uncertainty.
4. Guilt will blind you to the joy of forgiveness.
5. Until you take responsibility for your actions, you will always blame somebody else
for your failures.
B. As long as you feel guilty, there is a tendency to make someone else your problem.
1. It had been eighteen years (E. I. Scofield) since Joseph brought his family to Egypt.
and showed his love and forgiveness.
a. Just because you tell someone that you have forgiven them and that you
hold no grudges, doesn't mean that they believe you.
b. The brothers had a problem with their belief.
c. The brothers carried a baggage of guilt they should have gotten rid of long
time before.
d. The brothers thought that Joseph had a problem with them. But the problem
was with themselves.
e. Joseph was in harmony with his brothers, but his brothers were not in harmony
with him.
V:16. "And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before
he died, saying."
A. Their father is dead. They went with Joseph to bury their father in Canaan, his home.
1. Why are the brothers using their father as their shield?
2. Why did it take so long to come to this point?
3. Why did they need to send a messenger, when they could have gone themselves?
4. Why didn't they talk to Joseph at burial in Canaan? .
B. Joseph's brothers were fearful because they fail take responsibility years earlier.
1. They had no peace with themselves because they didn't seek forgiveness.
V:17. "So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren,
and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of
the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him."
A. Asking to be forgiven is the first step to reconciliation and peace.
1. Humbling yourself before those who you have wronged should be done quickly.
2. The longer you wait, the easier it is to suppress the need to do what is right.
B. They asked in the name of their father.
1. The most effective intercessor in prayer is Jesus.
2. Jesus can change the hearts and minds of those you pray for.
C. Joseph wept with tears of joy.
1.The Lord rejoices when one sinner repents.
2. Repentance restores us to right fellowship with Lord.
3. Lack of repentance puts a distance between you God.
4. Joseph did the right thing, the right way.
5. The right thing done the wrong way can be hurtful and can be destructive.
6. There was between Joseph and his brothers.
a. The distance was lack of repentance .
b. The distance was not with Joseph, but with his brothers,
c. The brothers had not been convicted by what was right to correct what was
wrong.
d. The brothers up to this point had not express remorse for what they did
to Joseph.
f. Joseph didn't fully embrace his brothers until they "man up" and asked
forgiveness.
V:18. "And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold,
we be thy servants."
A. We are at our best when we become servants of others.
a. We can best love our brothers when we see ourselves low and see them high.
b. Believers only have one position before Jesus and that is servant.
B. The brothers gave Joseph reverence and respect for his position and authority.
1. The best place for a believer is at the feet of Jesus.
2. The right spirit of a believer is the spirit of humility.
a. Joseph's brothers showed their humility by falling on their faces before him.
b. You can't get lower than on your face before Jesus.
c. When we humble ourselves before Jesus we, can learn of him and find rest
for our souls. Matt 11:29
C. With their repentance, Joseph's brothers closed the gap between themselves and
Joseph.
1. They could now be reconciled with Joseph.
2. Reconciliation begins with forgiveness.
a. We have to ask for forgiveness.
b. The one wronged must forgive.
c. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:18
d. Reconciliation should begin with the Church.
V:19. "And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?"
A. Joseph, in his high position, expressed his humility before God.
1. Joseph had forgiven his brothers years before. He was at peace with God.
2. Joseph comforted his brother by putting aside their fears.
a. One key job of a Christian is to comfort others.
3. The attitude of a Christian before his enemies is forgiveness.
B. The problem of Joseph's brothers was not with him, but with God.
1. Any time we sin, the sin is against God.
2. Joseph recognized that only God can forgive sins.
a. We bring ourselves to peace by forgiving others, but the sin is
against God.
b. We are reconciled to God when we ask forgiveness and repent.
C. We should fear God and not man.
1. We should fear the one who can kill the body and the soul.
a. Man may kill the body, but he has no power over the soul.
2. We should fear God and give him reverence.
3. We can trust God but not man.
V:20. " But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring
to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
A. God has a purpose for our lives.
1. God's purpose includes adversity.
2. Adversity is the training ground for faith.
3. It is through adversity that God gives us the experience we need to fulfill his
purposes.
B. God uses what we gain through our troubles to bless others.
1. Our life is not all about us.
2. We are the vessels that God uses to serve him.
C. God designed our lives to be a testimony for others.
1. Others are brought to salvation because of the Word of God they hear from us.
2. Others are brought to Jesus, because of the Jesus they see in us.
V:21 " Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he
comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."
A. Sometimes we need to be reminded of God's promises.
1. When we give ourselves to God, He looks after all our needs.
2. There is no comfort like comfort we get from God's Word.
B. The promises of God do not change with time.
1. Fashions, changes, technology changes, we may change, but God's Word does
not change.
2. An unchangeable God should be a comfort to us.
3. What God has done for us in the past, He will continue to do in the future.
C. There are different ways speak to someone.
1. A. harsh word stirs up strife.
2. A soft word wins souls.
3. Words of comfort are always in seasons.
V:22. " And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an
hundred and ten years."
A. When our purpose in life has been served , God will call us home.
1.Some die at a young age and others die in their old age.
2. We all have an appointed time with death.
3. Only God knows the time and the place of our death.
B. God can make a way through the storms of life.
1. Joseph had some storms in his life.
2. God guided him through the storms.
3. It was the storms that trained him to be successful in life.
V:23 "And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of
Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees."
A. God worked through many generations to bring us Jesus in the flesh.
1. Joseph's family was the foundation of the Nation of Israel that Moses delivered
out Egypt. Joshua brought Israel into the Promise Land.
2. Our Lord and Savior was born out of the Nation of Israel.
3. God's Plan of Redemption included the adversity of Joseph.
B. All believers are building blocks in God's plan of redemption for his Church.
1. We have no idea of how many people our lives affect.
2. What we do know is that it is by the Grace of God that we are included in
God's plan.
3. God placed us in the Body of Christ to make a difference.
V:24. " And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring
you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
A. No matter where we are in life, we must remember that our lives are included in
God's promise.
1. The promise was past down from one generation to the next.
2. The Word of God was taught by their fathers to their sons.
3. Joseph believed the promises of God and he taught his sons to respect the Word
of God.
4. Joseph acted upon the Word of God.
a. When his father Jacob died, he buried him in the promised land.
b. All believers have a promise land; heaven.
B. We must teach our families the Word of God.
1. We must show by our example that Word of God works in our lives.
2. When we speak, we must express confidence in the promises of God.
V:25. "And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit
you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence."
A. God keeps His promises.
1. Joseph looked forward to the fulfillment of God's promise.
a. God would take Israel from Egypt and back to the promise land.
b. Joseph would not live to see the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham,
yet he believed.
c. Faith is the key to successful living.
2. Joseph commanded his descendants to take his bones into the promise land.
B. Joseph expressed to his sons his beliefs about God.
1. My bones will remind you of why you are going through what you are going
through.
2. My bones will remind you that adversity is a prerequisite to the fulfillment of the
promise.
3. My bones will remind you that God fulfills His promises in His time.
C. Joseph bones reminded his descendents that his adversity made it possible for them
to be saved from the famine.
D. Jesus reminds us that death is a prerequisite to heaven.
1. Jesus reminds us that His death made heaven possible for us.
2. Jesus reminds us that our life, like His life will not be free from adversity.
3. Adversity is a prerequisite for spiritual growth and development.
4. Jesus reminds us that if we abide in His Word, He will abide in us.
a. Through our ups and downs, Jesus will be there to carry us through.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Peace In The Family, Let It Begin With You
PEACE IN THE FAMILY, LET IT BEGIN WITH YOU
Genesis 45:3-15
NEVER FORGET WHO YOU ARE
V:3. "And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his
brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence"
A. Joseph's brothers did not recognize him because he did not look like a Hebrew.
1. Joseph had an Egyptian name.
2. Joseph wore Egyptian clothes.
3. Joseph was clean shaven. But the Hebrew men wore beards.
4. Joseph had the position of a high Egyptian official.
5. Joseph spoke both the Egyptian language and Hebrew.
6. Joseph's brothers were petrified because he had the power to destroy them.
B. Never forget who you are.
1. When Joseph was elevated to the position of Second in command behind
Pharaoh, he was given an Egyptian name.
a. Joseph never forgot his family or his heritage.
b. Even though he had power and authority, he humbled himself to help others.
2. Never forget who's you are.
a. When you realize that you are a child of the King, you will treat others
with love, regardless of what they may have done to you in the past.
C. Never get so "HIGH", that you see people as "BELOW" you.
1. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord.
2. We should consider the needs of others the same way we consider our own.
PEACE BEGINS WITH YOU
V:4. "And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they
came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt."
A. Do what you can to clear the distance between you and your family.
1. Love and embrace your family while you can.
2. Pray for your family.
3. It is ok to remind others of their past as long as you do it with love and gentleness.
a. Do it for clarity, and to encourage a closer relationship.
GOD USES EVIL TO BRING ABOUT GOOD
V:45:5. "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither:
for God did send me before you to preserve life."
A. It is through adversity that God ships us off to new adventures.
1. Joseph's journey began when he was sold into slavery by his brothers.
2. It is through adversity that God prepares us for the next level of service.
3. Don't let folk beat themselves up over their past wrongs.
4. Encourage folk to let go of their past so they may embrace the future.
B. We must recognize that God controlled our past to result in our present
situation.
1. By putting God into your history, it takes weight and guilt off of yourself and
others.
C. Watch how you treat people.
1. The very people we hurt, we may need in the future.
2. Love requires us to look over the faults of others.
3. Love requires us to be considerate of the welfare of others, especially our immediate
family.
D. By letting others know the purpose of your trials, you let them see God in action.
1. God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.
BE PREPARED TO BLESS OTHERS AS GOD HAS BLESSED YOU
V:6. "For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in
the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest."
A. Sometimes it is adversity that brings people together.
1. The famine brought Joseph's brothers to Egypt to buy grain.
2. Just because you got money don't mean you got access to all you need.
a. Joseph's brothers had to rely on Egypt to get food to survive.
B. Sometimes it is adversity that causes us to trust one another.
1. Sometimes it is adversity that promotes love.
2. Sometimes it is adversity that promotes compassion.
3. Sometimes it is adversity that breaks down walls.
C. It is God that gives you incite to prepare for the future.
V:7. "And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save
your lives by a great deliverance."
A. God uses adversity to position us to benefit others
1. Adversity makes a difference in our lives and the lives of others.
B. Joseph was placed in adversity and guided by God can bless others.
1. We should never complain about our situation, but rather praise God in our
situation.
2. God uses our adversity to benefit us and others.
V:8. " So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father
to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."
A. A wise man sees God in his adversity.
1. A wise man finds no fault with those who initiated his adversity.
2. A wise man never forgets who brought him to where he is.
B. A wise man gives God the credit for his successes.
1. A wise man humbles himself before God and allows God to elevating him.
V:9. " Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph,
God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not."
A. A wise man looks after the welfare of his family.
1. When family is in need, don't hesitate to help, especially when you have the means.
2. Use what God has given you to help others.
3. Honor your parents. Be careful to see to their well being.
4. Don't procrastinate in helping.
5. Let others know about the goodness of the Lord.
6. Be careful to use what God has blessed you with to help others.
V:10. " And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou,
and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that
thou hast."
A. Draw your family close to you. Give them your best.
1. The land of Goshen was along the Nile River.
2. This land was fertile, productive and a good place for Joseph's family and their
herds to grow and flourish.
B. In the family, there are no exclusions. Everybody is to be loved.
1. When you take on the family, you take on their burdens, both physical and spiritual.
C. Joseph placed his family in a location that would become their home.
1. Everybody needs their own space.
2. Don't interfere in the lives of family. Let them grow in their own way.
V:11. "And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and
thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty."
A. Joseph had incite into future events. He knew that the famine was just getting started.
1. When you get involved in the lives of others, be prepared to help through out the
troubled times.
2. When we know something adverse is about to happen we should get prepared for
it and prepare our families too.
B. When you serve God, He will give you incite into the future.
1. God will guide you through adversity.
2. You need to prepare for rainy days, even if rain is not in the forecast.
3. Not every storm is in the forecast.
V:12. " And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my
mouth that speaketh unto you."
A. We must speak in a way that others can understand us.
1. Joseph was an Egyptian official and spoke the Egyptian language.
a. To communicate with his brothers, he had to speak in their native language
(Hebrew).
b. The term "your eyes see" is used in the sense that his brothers truly understand
that it is Joseph that speaks to them.
c. The word "mouth" is used in the sense that Joseph is speaking in their native
language.
2. Joseph made every effort to convince his brothers that he cared for them.
a. People don't know you care unless you show you care.
b. You can believe a person by what they do.
c. Jesus said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is
my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3: 33-35.
d. Actions speak louder than words.
V:13 "And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen;
and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither."
A. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the promises of God.
1. Dreams do come true, if God is in the dream.
2. Joseph's teenage dream was that his family would bow down to him. (Gen 37:10)
a. The dream was given to him by God to give incite to the future.
d. Joseph's dream revealed God's design for the salvation of his family.
3. Joseph wanted to comfort his father that he was alive and well in Egypt and wanted
him to be with him.
a. We should always seek ways to comfort our parents and bring them joy.
b. It is our duty to look after our parents in their old age.
B. When you see disaster coming, don't waste time, come to God and following His
commands.
1. We need a sense of urgency in our lives to follow God.
a. Tomorrow is not promised to us.
V:14. "And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon
his neck."
A. We ought to rejoice with our families and comfort them in their time of need.
1. Jesus called us to himself in the midst of our sins.
2. Jesus comforted us on the way to salvation.
B. Benjamin was Joseph's full brother.
1. The brothers that sold Joseph into slavery were half brothers.
2. Joseph wanted to be sure that the jealousy that his half brothers had for him
did not still exist.
3. Joseph rejoiced because his family was alive and well.
C. Weeping is a normal emotion.
1. There is a happy weeping and a sad weeping.
2. Weeping can be the result of a lost.
3. Weeping can be the result of a reunion.
FORGIVENESS IS THE KEY TO PEACE
V:15. " Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his
brethren talked with him."
A. Joseph forgave his brothers and rejoiced with them.
1. You got to forgive before you can rejoice.
2. You got to forgive before you can have peace.
3. You got to forgive before you can have a rational conversation.
B. The peace in the family ought to begin with you. Pr 14:30, Col 3:15
Genesis 45:3-15
NEVER FORGET WHO YOU ARE
V:3. "And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his
brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence"
A. Joseph's brothers did not recognize him because he did not look like a Hebrew.
1. Joseph had an Egyptian name.
2. Joseph wore Egyptian clothes.
3. Joseph was clean shaven. But the Hebrew men wore beards.
4. Joseph had the position of a high Egyptian official.
5. Joseph spoke both the Egyptian language and Hebrew.
6. Joseph's brothers were petrified because he had the power to destroy them.
B. Never forget who you are.
1. When Joseph was elevated to the position of Second in command behind
Pharaoh, he was given an Egyptian name.
a. Joseph never forgot his family or his heritage.
b. Even though he had power and authority, he humbled himself to help others.
2. Never forget who's you are.
a. When you realize that you are a child of the King, you will treat others
with love, regardless of what they may have done to you in the past.
C. Never get so "HIGH", that you see people as "BELOW" you.
1. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord.
2. We should consider the needs of others the same way we consider our own.
PEACE BEGINS WITH YOU
V:4. "And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they
came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt."
A. Do what you can to clear the distance between you and your family.
1. Love and embrace your family while you can.
2. Pray for your family.
3. It is ok to remind others of their past as long as you do it with love and gentleness.
a. Do it for clarity, and to encourage a closer relationship.
GOD USES EVIL TO BRING ABOUT GOOD
V:45:5. "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither:
for God did send me before you to preserve life."
A. It is through adversity that God ships us off to new adventures.
1. Joseph's journey began when he was sold into slavery by his brothers.
2. It is through adversity that God prepares us for the next level of service.
3. Don't let folk beat themselves up over their past wrongs.
4. Encourage folk to let go of their past so they may embrace the future.
B. We must recognize that God controlled our past to result in our present
situation.
1. By putting God into your history, it takes weight and guilt off of yourself and
others.
C. Watch how you treat people.
1. The very people we hurt, we may need in the future.
2. Love requires us to look over the faults of others.
3. Love requires us to be considerate of the welfare of others, especially our immediate
family.
D. By letting others know the purpose of your trials, you let them see God in action.
1. God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.
BE PREPARED TO BLESS OTHERS AS GOD HAS BLESSED YOU
V:6. "For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in
the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest."
A. Sometimes it is adversity that brings people together.
1. The famine brought Joseph's brothers to Egypt to buy grain.
2. Just because you got money don't mean you got access to all you need.
a. Joseph's brothers had to rely on Egypt to get food to survive.
B. Sometimes it is adversity that causes us to trust one another.
1. Sometimes it is adversity that promotes love.
2. Sometimes it is adversity that promotes compassion.
3. Sometimes it is adversity that breaks down walls.
C. It is God that gives you incite to prepare for the future.
V:7. "And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save
your lives by a great deliverance."
A. God uses adversity to position us to benefit others
1. Adversity makes a difference in our lives and the lives of others.
B. Joseph was placed in adversity and guided by God can bless others.
1. We should never complain about our situation, but rather praise God in our
situation.
2. God uses our adversity to benefit us and others.
V:8. " So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father
to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt."
A. A wise man sees God in his adversity.
1. A wise man finds no fault with those who initiated his adversity.
2. A wise man never forgets who brought him to where he is.
B. A wise man gives God the credit for his successes.
1. A wise man humbles himself before God and allows God to elevating him.
V:9. " Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph,
God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not."
A. A wise man looks after the welfare of his family.
1. When family is in need, don't hesitate to help, especially when you have the means.
2. Use what God has given you to help others.
3. Honor your parents. Be careful to see to their well being.
4. Don't procrastinate in helping.
5. Let others know about the goodness of the Lord.
6. Be careful to use what God has blessed you with to help others.
V:10. " And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou,
and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that
thou hast."
A. Draw your family close to you. Give them your best.
1. The land of Goshen was along the Nile River.
2. This land was fertile, productive and a good place for Joseph's family and their
herds to grow and flourish.
B. In the family, there are no exclusions. Everybody is to be loved.
1. When you take on the family, you take on their burdens, both physical and spiritual.
C. Joseph placed his family in a location that would become their home.
1. Everybody needs their own space.
2. Don't interfere in the lives of family. Let them grow in their own way.
V:11. "And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and
thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty."
A. Joseph had incite into future events. He knew that the famine was just getting started.
1. When you get involved in the lives of others, be prepared to help through out the
troubled times.
2. When we know something adverse is about to happen we should get prepared for
it and prepare our families too.
B. When you serve God, He will give you incite into the future.
1. God will guide you through adversity.
2. You need to prepare for rainy days, even if rain is not in the forecast.
3. Not every storm is in the forecast.
V:12. " And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my
mouth that speaketh unto you."
A. We must speak in a way that others can understand us.
1. Joseph was an Egyptian official and spoke the Egyptian language.
a. To communicate with his brothers, he had to speak in their native language
(Hebrew).
b. The term "your eyes see" is used in the sense that his brothers truly understand
that it is Joseph that speaks to them.
c. The word "mouth" is used in the sense that Joseph is speaking in their native
language.
2. Joseph made every effort to convince his brothers that he cared for them.
a. People don't know you care unless you show you care.
b. You can believe a person by what they do.
c. Jesus said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is
my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3: 33-35.
d. Actions speak louder than words.
V:13 "And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen;
and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither."
A. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the promises of God.
1. Dreams do come true, if God is in the dream.
2. Joseph's teenage dream was that his family would bow down to him. (Gen 37:10)
a. The dream was given to him by God to give incite to the future.
d. Joseph's dream revealed God's design for the salvation of his family.
3. Joseph wanted to comfort his father that he was alive and well in Egypt and wanted
him to be with him.
a. We should always seek ways to comfort our parents and bring them joy.
b. It is our duty to look after our parents in their old age.
B. When you see disaster coming, don't waste time, come to God and following His
commands.
1. We need a sense of urgency in our lives to follow God.
a. Tomorrow is not promised to us.
V:14. "And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon
his neck."
A. We ought to rejoice with our families and comfort them in their time of need.
1. Jesus called us to himself in the midst of our sins.
2. Jesus comforted us on the way to salvation.
B. Benjamin was Joseph's full brother.
1. The brothers that sold Joseph into slavery were half brothers.
2. Joseph wanted to be sure that the jealousy that his half brothers had for him
did not still exist.
3. Joseph rejoiced because his family was alive and well.
C. Weeping is a normal emotion.
1. There is a happy weeping and a sad weeping.
2. Weeping can be the result of a lost.
3. Weeping can be the result of a reunion.
FORGIVENESS IS THE KEY TO PEACE
V:15. " Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his
brethren talked with him."
A. Joseph forgave his brothers and rejoiced with them.
1. You got to forgive before you can rejoice.
2. You got to forgive before you can have peace.
3. You got to forgive before you can have a rational conversation.
B. The peace in the family ought to begin with you. Pr 14:30, Col 3:15
Thursday, January 5, 2012
This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "God Rewards Our Faithfulness", 1/8/2012
GOD REWARDS OUR FAITHFULNESS
Genesis 41:37-45, 50-52
JOSEPH'S DEDICATION RECOGNIZED
V.37. " And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his
servants."
A. Giving credit to God, Joseph successful interpreted the dream of Pharaoh that his
magicians and wise men could not. There would be seven years of prosperity and
seven years of famine.
1. When you follow God, your wisdom will exceed the wisdom of man.
2. When you follow God, success is assured.
3. When you follow God, men will see that you have extraordinary ability.
B. When you are doing what God wants you to do, those above you and those
below you will come to respect you.
1. Those who follow God must know that the road to success is filled with ups and
downs.
2. We must daily seek the Lord for guidance and directions. In the end, our
perseverance will result in success. Gal 6:9
3. God will cause men to notice our faithfulness and reward us.
V:38. " And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in
whom the Spirit of God ?"
A. Pharaoh, an idol worshiper, because of Joseph's faith came to know the true and
living God.
1. Others can see God in you and become encouraged by your faith.
2. Those around you know the difference between a Godly man and a worldly man.
3. When your light shine, others in the dark come to the light. Mat 5:16
B. The spirit of God indwells all believers.
1. Only those who know the spirit, can discern the things of the Spirit. John 14:17
2. Because of Joseph's faith, Pharaoh developed a relationship with the Lord.
3. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
a. Your testimony about the true and living God affects those who hear.
V:39. " And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there
is none so discreet and wise as thou art."
A. Those who humble themselves before the Lord will be elevated by the Lord.
1. All the days of Joseph's life in Egypt, he worshipped the Lord and gave Him
credit for his success.
B. The wisdom of God exceeds the wisdom of man.
1. It is our experiences with God that strengthen our faith in God.
2. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Prov 1:7
3. It is through the Holy Spirit that we gain wisdom.
4. It is through the Holy Spirit that we get discernment.
JOSEPH'S ELEVATION
V:40. "Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be
ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou."
A. If you are faithful in a few things, God will make you ruler over many things.
Mat 25:23.
1. In all that you do, make sure it is your best.
2. Do all that you do according to the commands of the Lord.
B. God blesses us so that we can bless others according to His will.
1. Joseph's elevation blessed Pharaoh with a knowledge of God.
a. The nation of Egypt was blessed with Joseph, who blessed them with
his faith and dedication to God.
2. Faithfulness to God brings responsibility and duty.
V:41. " Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt."
A. Joseph's early life was marked by trials and tribulations, yet he remained faithful
to God.
1. He was sold into slavery by his brothers.
2. He was thrown into prison because of the lies of a woman.
3. Yet, he served God faithfully through his trials.
4. Every time He got up, Satan was there to bring him down, yet faith in God
strengthen him.
5. He was tried, tested and then rewarded by God. Prov. 28:20
6. They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.
7. No weapon formed against him prospered. Isa 54:17
B. What we can learn from Joseph's life.
1. To serve God you must first be available.
2. To serve God you must be willing.
3. To serve God you must be committed.
4. To serve God you must be prayerful.
5. To serve God you must be knowledgeable of His Word.
6. To serve God you must know His voice.
7. To serve God you must be willing to endure trials and tribulations. Mat 16:24
8. To serve God you must allow yourself to be led by God.
GOD EMPOWERS THE FAITHFUL
V.42. " And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and
arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck."
A. The "Ring" represented Pharaoh's authority.
1. Joseph was an agent of Pharaoh.
2. Joseph was Lord Chancellor
3. Signet ring was used to seal documents to enforce rules and regulations.
B. Fine linen= shech= person of first distinction , royal clothing
C. The gold chain was a badge of office.
a. It represented a union between all parts of the government.
D. Because of Joseph's life style of faithfulness to God, he was elevated to a position of
power and authority.
V:43. " And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried
before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt."
A. The second Chariot in the King's parade means Joseph was second in command.
1. Public Recognition
2. Prime Minister
B. Bow = abrech
ab = father
rech= tender
1. Joseph was the tender father of Egypt.
a. He was given the responsibility for the care of Egypt.
2. Joseph was a type of Christ. (The "type" was the example and Christ is "anti type")
a. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow. Isa 45 :23, Rom 14:11
C. Ruler over Egypt.
a. All power over heaven and earth was given to Jesus. Mat 28:18
b. Jesus suffered for the world, then was given power over the world.
c. Joseph suffered for Egypt and was given all power.
DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO JOSEPH
V:44. " And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift
up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
A. To the faithful, God gives authority to do His will.
1. God equips
a. Through trials and tribulations.
2. God empowers.
a. Joseph was given all authority over Egypt.
3. God directs.
b. Joseph was careful to follow God's commands.
c. Joseph listen to voice of the Lord.
5. God lifts up the humble and puts down the proud.
B. From slavery to glory
1. Trials and tribulations
2. Testing
3. Faith building
C. God has to prepare us to do the job that He has called us to.
JOSEPH'S REWARD
V:45. " And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife
Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land
of Egypt.
A. Zaphanth-paaneah= the revealer of secrets.
1. God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams.
a. We have gifts that are to be used to bless others.
b. If we fail to use our gifts to serve God, we lose them.
2. Joseph used his gift to bless others.
3. You are known by what you do.
4. Your character defines you.
5. Joseph was a type of Christ. Christ revealed His secrets to us.
B. Joseph was blessed with a wife.
1. Asenath= belonging to the goddess of Neith (wisdom).
a. Jesus sacrificed His life for His bride; the church.
b. Joseph dedicated his whole life to God and was blessed with new life in his
bride. Rom 12:1,2
2. God blesses us with what we need when we are ready to receive it.
a. It was a woman who put him in prison.
b. It was a woman who released him from his loneliness.
V:50. "And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which
Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him."
A. When you follow God, blessing continue to flow.
1. God blessed Joseph with two sons.
2. Son's were important to continue the family name.
JOSEPH'S MEMORIAL TO GOD
V.51. "And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Mahnasseh: For God, said he, hath
made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
A. In time, God will heal all the hurts of heart.
1. Joseph had a void in his life for his family.
2. God gave Joseph children to build a home around him.
3. When you are faithful, God will give you the desires of you heart.
V:52. " And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be
fruitful in the land of my affliction."
A. Joseph named his children as a memorial to what God did in his life.
1. We ought to do something special to honor God for His blessings.
2. God caused Joseph to be fruitful in Egypt.
3. Our lives are a testimony.
4. We ought to let others know about the goodness of God.
There are four changes in Joseph's life presented in this passage.
A. There is a change in his position.
1. He was elevated from a slave to second in command of Egypt.
2. Similarly, we came to Christ our position was changed from worldly to heavenly.
a. Jesus said; "Where I am , you will be also".
b. When we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior we became children of the King.
B. There was change in his dress.
1. He was arrayed in fine linen; clothing of a king
2. All believers are washed in the blood of Jesus. Our sins are cast as far as the east is
from the west.
3. We are clothed in righteousness of Jesus Christ.
C. There was a change in his Name.
1. Before we belonged to Satan. But now, being believers, we belong to Christ.
2. Any man in Christ is a new creation.
3. To the world you are now known as a Christian.
D. There was change in his family.
1. Joseph was given a wife and had two sons.
2. All believers have a new family in Jesus Christ.
a. Christ is the bride groom and church is his bride.
b. We are now in the body of the Church, the family of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 41:37-45, 50-52
JOSEPH'S DEDICATION RECOGNIZED
V.37. " And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his
servants."
A. Giving credit to God, Joseph successful interpreted the dream of Pharaoh that his
magicians and wise men could not. There would be seven years of prosperity and
seven years of famine.
1. When you follow God, your wisdom will exceed the wisdom of man.
2. When you follow God, success is assured.
3. When you follow God, men will see that you have extraordinary ability.
B. When you are doing what God wants you to do, those above you and those
below you will come to respect you.
1. Those who follow God must know that the road to success is filled with ups and
downs.
2. We must daily seek the Lord for guidance and directions. In the end, our
perseverance will result in success. Gal 6:9
3. God will cause men to notice our faithfulness and reward us.
V:38. " And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in
whom the Spirit of God ?"
A. Pharaoh, an idol worshiper, because of Joseph's faith came to know the true and
living God.
1. Others can see God in you and become encouraged by your faith.
2. Those around you know the difference between a Godly man and a worldly man.
3. When your light shine, others in the dark come to the light. Mat 5:16
B. The spirit of God indwells all believers.
1. Only those who know the spirit, can discern the things of the Spirit. John 14:17
2. Because of Joseph's faith, Pharaoh developed a relationship with the Lord.
3. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
a. Your testimony about the true and living God affects those who hear.
V:39. " And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there
is none so discreet and wise as thou art."
A. Those who humble themselves before the Lord will be elevated by the Lord.
1. All the days of Joseph's life in Egypt, he worshipped the Lord and gave Him
credit for his success.
B. The wisdom of God exceeds the wisdom of man.
1. It is our experiences with God that strengthen our faith in God.
2. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Prov 1:7
3. It is through the Holy Spirit that we gain wisdom.
4. It is through the Holy Spirit that we get discernment.
JOSEPH'S ELEVATION
V:40. "Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be
ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou."
A. If you are faithful in a few things, God will make you ruler over many things.
Mat 25:23.
1. In all that you do, make sure it is your best.
2. Do all that you do according to the commands of the Lord.
B. God blesses us so that we can bless others according to His will.
1. Joseph's elevation blessed Pharaoh with a knowledge of God.
a. The nation of Egypt was blessed with Joseph, who blessed them with
his faith and dedication to God.
2. Faithfulness to God brings responsibility and duty.
V:41. " Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt."
A. Joseph's early life was marked by trials and tribulations, yet he remained faithful
to God.
1. He was sold into slavery by his brothers.
2. He was thrown into prison because of the lies of a woman.
3. Yet, he served God faithfully through his trials.
4. Every time He got up, Satan was there to bring him down, yet faith in God
strengthen him.
5. He was tried, tested and then rewarded by God. Prov. 28:20
6. They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.
7. No weapon formed against him prospered. Isa 54:17
B. What we can learn from Joseph's life.
1. To serve God you must first be available.
2. To serve God you must be willing.
3. To serve God you must be committed.
4. To serve God you must be prayerful.
5. To serve God you must be knowledgeable of His Word.
6. To serve God you must know His voice.
7. To serve God you must be willing to endure trials and tribulations. Mat 16:24
8. To serve God you must allow yourself to be led by God.
GOD EMPOWERS THE FAITHFUL
V.42. " And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and
arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck."
A. The "Ring" represented Pharaoh's authority.
1. Joseph was an agent of Pharaoh.
2. Joseph was Lord Chancellor
3. Signet ring was used to seal documents to enforce rules and regulations.
B. Fine linen= shech= person of first distinction , royal clothing
C. The gold chain was a badge of office.
a. It represented a union between all parts of the government.
D. Because of Joseph's life style of faithfulness to God, he was elevated to a position of
power and authority.
V:43. " And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried
before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt."
A. The second Chariot in the King's parade means Joseph was second in command.
1. Public Recognition
2. Prime Minister
B. Bow = abrech
ab = father
rech= tender
1. Joseph was the tender father of Egypt.
a. He was given the responsibility for the care of Egypt.
2. Joseph was a type of Christ. (The "type" was the example and Christ is "anti type")
a. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow. Isa 45 :23, Rom 14:11
C. Ruler over Egypt.
a. All power over heaven and earth was given to Jesus. Mat 28:18
b. Jesus suffered for the world, then was given power over the world.
c. Joseph suffered for Egypt and was given all power.
DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO JOSEPH
V:44. " And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift
up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
A. To the faithful, God gives authority to do His will.
1. God equips
a. Through trials and tribulations.
2. God empowers.
a. Joseph was given all authority over Egypt.
3. God directs.
b. Joseph was careful to follow God's commands.
c. Joseph listen to voice of the Lord.
5. God lifts up the humble and puts down the proud.
B. From slavery to glory
1. Trials and tribulations
2. Testing
3. Faith building
C. God has to prepare us to do the job that He has called us to.
JOSEPH'S REWARD
V:45. " And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife
Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land
of Egypt.
A. Zaphanth-paaneah= the revealer of secrets.
1. God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams.
a. We have gifts that are to be used to bless others.
b. If we fail to use our gifts to serve God, we lose them.
2. Joseph used his gift to bless others.
3. You are known by what you do.
4. Your character defines you.
5. Joseph was a type of Christ. Christ revealed His secrets to us.
B. Joseph was blessed with a wife.
1. Asenath= belonging to the goddess of Neith (wisdom).
a. Jesus sacrificed His life for His bride; the church.
b. Joseph dedicated his whole life to God and was blessed with new life in his
bride. Rom 12:1,2
2. God blesses us with what we need when we are ready to receive it.
a. It was a woman who put him in prison.
b. It was a woman who released him from his loneliness.
V:50. "And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which
Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him."
A. When you follow God, blessing continue to flow.
1. God blessed Joseph with two sons.
2. Son's were important to continue the family name.
JOSEPH'S MEMORIAL TO GOD
V.51. "And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Mahnasseh: For God, said he, hath
made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
A. In time, God will heal all the hurts of heart.
1. Joseph had a void in his life for his family.
2. God gave Joseph children to build a home around him.
3. When you are faithful, God will give you the desires of you heart.
V:52. " And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be
fruitful in the land of my affliction."
A. Joseph named his children as a memorial to what God did in his life.
1. We ought to do something special to honor God for His blessings.
2. God caused Joseph to be fruitful in Egypt.
3. Our lives are a testimony.
4. We ought to let others know about the goodness of God.
There are four changes in Joseph's life presented in this passage.
A. There is a change in his position.
1. He was elevated from a slave to second in command of Egypt.
2. Similarly, we came to Christ our position was changed from worldly to heavenly.
a. Jesus said; "Where I am , you will be also".
b. When we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior we became children of the King.
B. There was change in his dress.
1. He was arrayed in fine linen; clothing of a king
2. All believers are washed in the blood of Jesus. Our sins are cast as far as the east is
from the west.
3. We are clothed in righteousness of Jesus Christ.
C. There was a change in his Name.
1. Before we belonged to Satan. But now, being believers, we belong to Christ.
2. Any man in Christ is a new creation.
3. To the world you are now known as a Christian.
D. There was change in his family.
1. Joseph was given a wife and had two sons.
2. All believers have a new family in Jesus Christ.
a. Christ is the bride groom and church is his bride.
b. We are now in the body of the Church, the family of Jesus Christ.
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