Joseph's Obedience
Obedience • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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:Can you believe we are already in the second week of March!!! How does this time keep moving like this? We visited Adam and Eve, We -have visited Noah, we visited Abraham last week. This week we will find ourselves with Joseph. This week we will address obedience in the face of hidden sin, obedience in the face of desperation, and obedience that leads to success. We will see all three of these aspects in the story of Joseph today. We will jump around a little bit so I want you to have your Bible handy this week. You know one thing I have noticed in my life is that obedience is easy when I think others are looking. Have you ever experienced this?
The greatest example I can think of is my boys. They are amazing when others or myself are watching them. If I tell my boys to do something they will do it and they will do it exactly like I tell them to. The issue is when I walk out of the room. When I am gone and they think I am not looking and the thing they want to do brings a benefit to them, they will override what I told them to do for what they want to do because it will bring them their desires. The problem though is that when I come back in the consequences result in them losing what they have gained and what I may have blessed them with. I was watching the boys one weekend when my wife wanted to go shopping without the headache of keeping up with the boys. They as they always do were wrestling and throwing each other around. I told them to stop and of course they stopped. I went down stairs to get them some Ice cream because they had been so good. In the 10 minutes it took me to make the bowls of ice cream with sprinkles and whipped cream on top with some of that Hershey's syrup on top. I ran upstairs to one of my children screaming bloody murder. I found a busted lip and 2 other kids trying to calm their brother down. As soon as I left the room they built a wrestle mania cage match style rink out o mattresses in my room. In the short time I was gone one child performed a Chuck Norris round house kick to the face on another child. I came up stairs, disciplined my children then went and threw the ice cream I made them away.
Aren’t we all like this though? Let me ask you something, when is the last time you came into the sanctuary and saw someone opening up a 6 pack before service? When is the last time you came to church and saw a husband and wife disrespecting each other? When is the last time you heard someone in church throw out some curse words? What about saying they hated someone? It does not happen frequently does it? Most people are on their best behavior because others are watching. What happens to our obedience though when we believe no one else is watching? Today we will visit Joseph and we will see him in 2 separate situations obeying God when no one else is watching. We will see what this resulted in for his life. Turn with me in your Bibles this morning to Genesis 39. In Genesis 39 we will find Joseph in Poriphars home and we will find him in a situation with his bosses wife. A situation that no man should ever want to find themselves in. Then we will move on to Genesis 40 where we find Joseph in a bad situation because of his obedience. Lastly we will move to Genesis 41 where we find the result of Josephs Obedience. In the scriptures today we will see three things. First, Obedience in the secret. Second Obedience in the suffering. Third, the result of Obedience.
Lets’s read the scripture.
1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.
6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 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.
11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home,
19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.
1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.
5 And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation.
9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me,
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head,
21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
1 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11 we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.
25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”
We are loaded with scripture this morning and lots to get though. Lets pray and get started this morning.
Obedience in the Secret
Obedience in the Secret
6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 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.
11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” 16 Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home,
Joseph was in a distinct position here in Potiphars home. Joseph was in control of everything. He in fact was so good at what he did that Potiphar had no need to worry about anything. Joseph commanded all the other servants and had control over all the comings and goings of the home. He was then presented with this opportunity that had to be difficult for him to pass up. Have you ever heard the word “Sugar Daddy” well Joseph was presented with the opportunity to have a “Sugar Momma”. Think about it, Joseph was in charge but he was still a slave and a servant. Joseph did not have the greatest life he was still in a position of expected service. He was then presented with this opportunity to sleep with the woman of the house. Potiphars wife and the woman who could help Joseph reach freedom and some of his dreams. In ancient Egypt women were regarded as equals of men in most aspects. The woman was in charge of the household including the finances. This was not just an opportunity to let out a sexual fantasy, this was an opportunity to attain riches. This would have happened in the secret> Potiphars wife was going to get what she wanted and Joseph could get what he wanted and they could have moved on with life and no one else would have known a thing. So why did Joseph not act on this? What would you do in this situation? When you are presented in life with disobeying God but no one will ever know, what do you do? Every person in this room is presented these opportunities and the question is what are we going to do with it? When the expedient thing is disobedience and the opportunities looks so great, are you willing to remain in obedience at the cost of things that could benefit you? Joseph had a relationship with God.
2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
This relationship with God is what drove Joseph to places of success. It also lead him to places of obedience. Are you in such a relationship in your walk with God that you will obey in the secret?
Three preachers on fishing trip. The Methodist says, "Hey guys, since we’re not catching anything, why don’t we pass the time by sharing our secret sins?" The Pentecostal says, "I think that would be great!", but the Baptist says, "I don’t know...I think that’s a bad idea." After a half an hour of coaxing from the Methodist and Pentecostal, the Baptist finally agrees on the condition that he can go last. The Methodist begins, "I know you guys won’t believe this, but every Friday night I go to the bar in the next town and get plastered!" The other two gasp and sit quietly. After about 5 minutes the Pentecostal says, "Ok. My turn. For the last 6 months, I have been having an affair with another woman." The other two gasp and sit quietly. An hour passes, and the Methodist and Pentecostal get impatient. "Brother, we told our secret sins; it’s only fair that you share yours too." The Baptist minister hangs his head, exhales deeply and says, "OK. You’ve got me. Here it is -- I am the worst gossiper in the town, and I can’t wait to get back home!"
It is always easy to do the right thing when others are watching or when we feel like God is right there with us. It is easier to do things that are not obedience to God when we feel like the eyes are off of us. Joseph would not sacrifice his relationship with God, nor would he do the wrong thing even if it was in the secret.
What does the Bible say about the things we do in Secret?
17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.\
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
I don’t know about you but this makes me second guess the things I am willing to do in the secret. It draws me to a place of saying that in all things and all places I must honor God. It makes me question the secrets I tell people that may not honor God. One day those things will come to light. Joseph was obedient in the secret because he loved the Lord and it resulted in a life that honored God in all places. Joseph obeyed in the secret. Joseph also obeyed in the suffering.
Obedience in the Suffering
Obedience in the Suffering
19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.
8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
After being thrown in prison and all the great things he had going for him taken away. Joseph finds himself presented with the opportunity to continue living the right life and doing the right thing. Has this ever happened to you? What happened to Joseph for his obedience? He was thrown in prison! Maybe he should have just followed his flesh and his earthly desires. After all what did the right thing get him? Everyone else was doing the wrong thing and it seemed to work out for them. Joseph was in a place where he would have naturally though these things. Have you ever had these feelings or felt these things? I have had seasons in my life where doing the right thing only seems to cause me more pain and suffering. Every time I do the right thing it causes me to suffer more. This is the exact place that Joseph is in. What is your heart in this matter? Are you a person who says in all this I will still serve the Lord? Are you given to the temptation to say it is not worth it? If you are don’t worry you are not alone. All of us reach these places. Hopefully none of us experience what Joseph did in being thrown into prison. Joseph asked to interpret dreams and stated that those dreams were God’s. in this place of suffering Joseph still chose to honor God. What do you do in places of suffering? Is it easier to do the wrong thing? You tell yourself like most of us do, what does it matter now? I am at the lowest spot in my life why should I continue to do the right thing?
To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God's will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God's will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not. Be merciful to God's reputation. It is easy to blacken God's character because God never answers back, He never vindicates Himself. Beware of the thought that Jesus needed sympathy in His earthly life; He refused sympathy from others because He knew far too wisely that no one on earth understood what He was going through. Notice God's 'waste' of saints, according to the judgment of the world. God plants His saints in some of the most useless places. We say, 'God intends me to be here because I am so useful.' Jesus never estimated His life along the line of the greatest use. God puts His saints where they will glorify Him most, and we are no judges at all of where that is.
Joseph did not choose to suffer he only chose to honor God in all things. We must gain this same heart, to honor God in all things. We often times string things together that we say must be connected and the only thing connecting them is our obedience or disobedience. Joseph committed his life to doing the will of God and obeying no matter where he was. I know what I would have said to those 2 guys had they told me that they had these dreams and they could not interpret them. After being through what Joseph had gone through I would tell them, sorry about your luck, can’t help you, I need to worry about myself. Isn’t this how the devil works in our lives? He convinces us that the things are all bad and God has abandoned us and we must take care of ourselves. All the while all God wants is our obedience. Joseph looked at this situation and said in it he was going to honor God. If anyone had reason to not honor God it was Joseph. Even after obeying it took another 2 years.
1 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,
Joseph had every reason to only look after himself and not care about obedience, after all, he was sold into slavery, he gained position and lost it for doing the right thing. Everyone around him had only ever done what served them, why cant he do the same thing. Joseph learned obedience in suffering. Are you going to choose to be obedient in suffering?
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
We are called to live lives of obedience in the secret moments of our lives but also in the suffering moments in our lives. The result of obedience in these areas of our lives is the blessings of God.
Result of Obedience
Result of Obedience
41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”
What do you really think brought Joseph to a place of success in his life? It was not his education or degrees. At this point in Joseph’s life he was a felon. It was obedience to God that brought Joseph success in his life. I am not a prosperity gospel guy. I am never going to tell you, give your tithe to the church and you will see God turn you into a millionaire. You will never hear me tell you that you will not face challenges and hard times in your life. What you will hear me say is that if you choose to honor God in the toughest moments in your life He will come through in ways this world will never understand. God can do things that are unexplainable. He changed the world through 12 of the guys who were not the smartest in their school. He uses the weak to shame the strong. God is a God who blesses those who see His ways. Are you seeking obedience in your life? Do you really want to experience success? It may result in suffering for a time but if obedience is given in the greatest suffering God will honor that and will bless you.
1 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
