Stick with God: The Gritty Faith of Joseph

Hebrews 11:22 “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.”

Sermon 10 in Series on Hebrews 11

Alternative Titles

· "Keep the Faith: Joseph’s Stand When Life Gets Messy"

· "Unshakable: Choosing Belief When You Don’t Have All the Answers"

· "No Perfect People—Just Persistent Faith"

· "Faith Over Flaw: Why Joseph Still Made the Hall of Faith"

· "Loyal When It’s Hard: Lessons from Joseph’s Journey"

· "Stick With God: The Gritty Faith of Joseph"

A 25-Minute, 4-Point Sermon with Prayers

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We gather before You with grateful hearts, seeking Your wisdom and Your Spirit to fill this place. As we open Your Word and reflect on the example of Joseph, we ask for insight and courage. May our faith be strengthened, our hearts encouraged, and our lives shaped more into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Guide our thoughts, open our ears, and prepare us to receive Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 11:22 (ESV):

"By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones."

Introduction

Today, we look to Joseph, a remarkable figure whose story is woven through suffering, questions, and ultimate belief. Hebrews 11:22 highlights a singular moment at the end of Joseph’s life — a statement of faith, not in the midst of glory but in expectation of God’s promise fulfilled in the future. What does it mean to have a faith like Joseph’s? A faith that persists? Let’s discover four key lessons Joseph’s story teaches us about the nature of true, enduring faith.

Point 1: Faith is Persistent Believing Loyalty

Joseph’s faith is described as "believing loyalty." It’s not a fleeting feeling nor a mere intellectual assent. Joseph's declaration about the exodus and his bones was rooted in a conviction that God's promises endure, regardless of his own circumstances.

· He believed God’s word, though he did not see the fulfillment in his lifetime.

· His faith was steadfast: "This is the means of salvation and there is no other, and this is where I'm at, come what may."

· Like Joseph, we are called to a faith that perseveres, not only when life is easy, but especially in moments of uncertainty or waiting.

Application:

Are you facing seasons of waiting or uncertainty? Like Joseph, let your faith be a persistent loyalty to God’s promises, even when the outcome remains unseen.

Point 2: Faith is Not Perfection

The heroes in Hebrews 11, including Joseph, are not held up as models of moral perfection.

· Joseph, along with Isaac and Jacob, had doubts, questions, and family chaos. They were not "supermen and superwomen."

· The biblical record is honest: there were moral lapses, mistakes, and moments of weakness.

· What matters is not a flawless record, but refusing to abandon trust in God.

Application:

You may have regrets, failures, or doubts. God is not looking for perfection, but for those who refuse to trade their faith for something else. Keep holding on.

Point 3: Faith Endures through Suffering, Doubt, and Moral Failure

As we review the "Hall of Faith," we see a tapestry of suffering, moral failure, and doubt. Joseph’s story, marked by betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, exemplifies this.

· Enduring faith is forged in hardship, not comfort.

· It’s not the absence of questions or pain that marks true faith, but a commitment to believe God in and through suffering.

· Joseph’s loyalty to God did not shield him from difficulty, but it gave him hope and vision beyond his circumstances.

Application:

When suffering enters your story, do not interpret it as the absence of faith. Instead, let it become the ground where your believing loyalty to God grows deeper.

Point 4: Faith is Confidence in God’s Promise, Not in Our Performance

The faith celebrated in Hebrews 11 is not based on human achievements, but on confidence in what God has done and what God has promised.

· Joseph’s instructions regarding his bones were a declaration: “God will come to your aid. God will keep His word. Take me with you when you go.”

· We are invited into this same confidence. We trust not because of our own merit, but because of God’s faithfulness.

· The goal is simply to keep believing, to refuse to shrink back, and to imitate the “witnesses” who refused to let go of God’s promises.

Application:

Where is your confidence today? Is it in your performance, or in the unwavering faithfulness of God?

Conclusion

Joseph’s life and testimony invite each of us to a faith that is loyal, enduring, honest about imperfection, and rooted in God’s promise. The call is not to be perfect, but to persist. The call is not to never doubt, but to never let go. The call is not to trust in ourselves, but in the God who keeps His word.

Closing Prayer

Lord God,

Thank You for the example of Joseph, for showing us that faith is not about perfection, but about believing loyalty to You. Strengthen us to hold on to Your promises through every season — in times of waiting, in suffering, in doubt, and in our weakness. May we be found faithful, trusting You more than we trust ourselves. Let the lives of Your saints encourage us to persevere, and let Your Spirit empower us to remain loyal. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. Amen.