5.4.35 7.28.2024 Joseph Seeing God Everywhere Hebrews 11.22 Genesis 39, 45, 55

Start:

Entice: Joseph was a dreamer. He was a dreamer, whose dreams became a nightmare. In his dreams he saw himself as a shining star having authority over his brothers—even his parents. His brothers became so enraged with jealousy that they wanted to kill him. Their “compassionate compromise” was selling him into slavery and lying to his Dad. His story and its outcome were likely famous and well known to the oppressed of Judea. Stephen includes part of it Joseph’s story in his long sermon in Acts 7

Acts 7:9–13 ESV

9 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh.

The Hebrew author didn’t say much about Joseph…he touched on how his sons were blessed and looked forward to the Exodus.

Hebrews 11:21–22 ESV

21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

Engage: The story of Joseph asks one resounding question

How did he come back from that?

How did he come back from the way his brothers treated him?

How did he come back from false accusation?

How did he come back from being isolated and forgotten?

He did not become bitter.

He didn’t appear angry

nor resentful.

How did this happen?

Expand: His brother’s called him a dreamer, but his story reveals a depth of character and faith that is always extraordinary and real enough to change the world. He seemed to see God’s purpose everywhere, in everything, in everybody, and to understand that we are called to please God in every circumstance in which we find ourselves.

He basically behaved the same way when he was

a favorite son,

a focused slave,

or a famous politician.

Whether dealing with Pharaoh,

Reuben,

Benjamin,

or his Dad.

Excite: Joseph’s living faith is an example for us still, and always will be. The road of discipleship is hard. We will face obstacles; our lives are conflicted. In the worst circumstances we are still called to live faithfully.

Explore:

The real test of faith is not what we say about God but how we treat others , when we go through bad circumstances.

Expand: Joseph’s long story can be summarized by examining how he reacted to others in three specific circumstances.

Body of Sermon: With Potiphar’s wife he

1 Acted Faithfully.

Genesis 39:7–10 (ESV)

7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.”

8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge.

9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

He acted Faithfully

1.1 To God

And he acted Faithfully

1.2 To others

The next circumstance was when he revealed himself to his brothers and

2 Acted Graciously.

Genesis 45:1–8 ESV

1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Of course, graciousness means

2.1 Forgiveness.

And graciousness should broaden our

2.2 Perspective.

Like Joseph we need to accept that we don’t see or know everything. The most effective way for us to be Godly is to act with forgiving perspective…

2.2.1 “It was not you—but God!”

2.2.2 Faith allows us to be gracious because we understand that we are only acting with part of the story.

The last episode was his final meeting with his brothers, then he

3 Acted Kindly.

Genesis 50:15–21 (ESV)

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.”

16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died:

17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

3.1 He comforted them.

(they were afraid)

3.2 He reassured them.

(they were dependent on him)

3.3 He spoke kindly.

Shut Down

A common thread to the stories we have considered this month has been adversity. Each of these heroes of faith were faithful during difficult times.

Joseph’s life was a roller coaster

from fancy clothes,

to deep dungeons,

to nearly unlimited political power.

He seems to have been, through it all, the same guy.

Faithful

Gracious

Kind.

It is when we sense the presence of God around us and see His image in all other persons that we can become a person defined by faith.

There is no better epitaph than to say of a believer.

Everyday

He walked with God.

By faith

she lived her life. I invite you to live that life of faith from this day forward.