The Reversal of Rejection to Blessing.

Joseph: How God Builds Character: 9 Studies for Individuals or Groups: With Notes for Leaders Study 4: Sexual Purity: When All Else Fails—Run! (Genesis 39:6–20)

GROUP DISCUSSION. What contemporary or historical person do you respect as a person of character and why?

Good Morning, We are in our series entitled, Our Mess His Masterpiece and we looking at the life of Joseph.

There are many books written on How to be successful?

Good Morning, We are in our series entitled, Our Mess His Masterpiece and we looking at the life of Joseph.

Today we are going to be looking at the Reversal of Rejection to Blessing…

This actually overarching theme of the book Genesis and the Bible as a Whole… This idea of the blessing of God and the restoring of fortunes....

If we were do a Google earth overview of the book of Genesis - We would quickly see that God’s intention has always been blessing .

tells us a few things about What God intended through His creation..

The word for bless or blessing is crucial. It's used over 400 times just in the Old Testament alone.

In — God blesses human beings by creating them and placing them in the Garden, where all of their needs are met.

In the center of his creation He places mankind..

God blesses human beings by creating them and placing them in the Garden, where all of their needs are met. Most importantly, they are blessed with a vital and harmonious relationship with God. They live in God’s Garden in God’s presence.

Most importantly, they are blessed with a vital and harmonious relationship with God. They live in God’s Garden in God’s presence.

God blesses human beings by creating them and placing them in the Garden, where all of their needs are met. Most importantly, they are blessed with a vital and harmonious relationship with God. They live in God’s Garden in God’s presence.

tells us of the disruption of God’s blessing by humanity’s willful rebellion.

Genesis 1:28 ESV

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

At this point, we see a pattern of mans rebellion continues through and into the patriarchal narratives and beyond...

and he blesses them and commands them to be fruitful and subdue the earth...

God does not let human rebellion pass unnoticed. And he deals with sin — However God is never done with Humanity…God continues to pursue mankind with His Blessing..

He pursues them with his blessing…

However God is never done with Humanity…God continues to pursue mankind with His Blessing..

We see this in the Abrahamic Covenant.

, we see God’s persistent desire is to lead people back to a restored relationship with himself....

The Abrahamic Blessing is given in and it the golden strand that runs through the OT in the NT… God desires to bless His people — so that they in turn can be a blessing to others..

Augustine said that God desires...

God choses to bless people is through Abraham Blessing given in .... God says to Abraham.

The Blessing is given in .... God says to Abraham.

Genesis 12:2–3 ESV

2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

GEN 12:2-

The promise here is first tied to God blessing Israel… I will make you a great nation… I will bless you.... I will make your name great… I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you… Then through Israel all the families of the earth will be blessed…

How do you think the promise to Abraham ties into the history of Israel and to the Church? see .

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The promise here is first tied to God blessing Israel… I will make you a great nation… I will bless you.... I will make your name great… I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you… Then through Israel all the families of the earth will be blessed…

Through Israel all the families of the earth will be blessed…

These verses set the Theological theme for the rest of the Bible…

The “Blessing” is tied to Jacob/Israel and his sons…

The blessing of the promised Messiah comes through Abraham seed… and ultimately it through Jesus that this blessing to all nations is fulfilled.

The apostle Paul explains this...

Galatians 3:8 ESV

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

Galatians 3:8 ESV

8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

so our blessing is tied to this promise…

So, the blessings that we have.... are tied to the fulfillment of this promise in Jesus…

God’s blessing is tied to the Reversal of fortunes..

One thing that has become apparent over the past two Sundays not all is well in the house of Jacob/Israel… There is Favoritism, hatred, premeditated murder....there is jealousy, lying… there is sexual misconduct…

What we are going to see this morning is that God is that he pursues his children with blessing… He specializes in reversing our fortunes.....

But as we have seen not is all well with this family...

This is going to happen a number of times in the life of Joseph.

We have seen in the story of Joseph the generation curse of favoritism and deceit.. that does a full circle… Jacob and Rebecca Deceived Isaac with the wool of sheep… and Jacob is deceive by the blood of goat put on beautiful coat of Joseph...

But in the midst of the drama are setbacks, there are struggles and family dysfunction…We have seen in the story of Joseph the generation curse of favoritism and desceipt.. that does a full circle… Jacob and Rebecca Deceived Isaac with the wool of sheep… and Jacob is desceive by the blood of goat put on beautiful coat of Joseph...

The common thread is the blessing…

The literary style is written in pros but it is also written as as style called novel which basically means that it is written as kind of wisdom literature that we can learn something from it.

What is Blessing?

RC Sproul in his book- “How can I blessed?”

Describes blessing in terms of the benediction.. A Benediction is really another way of proclaiming blessings… We give benedictions at weddings, funerals and special services.. The most common benediction is this beautiful prayer in .

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

This is really a model or formula used by the priests too pronounce God’s favor over his people. A little bit like the Lord’s prayer given by Jesus..

The Lord desires to keep you

What is clear is that its God’s desire to invest himself in his people. The blessing that the Lord himself might live among the people and meet all their needs..

It’s is declaration of God’s pursuit of blessing… The Lord desires to keep you… meet your needs… The Lord desires to look on us with his favor.... to be gracious and give peace… This is a beautiful blessing…

He tells us that...

When the bible talks about the face of God its a euphemism — for the presence of God… Now one of God’s attributes is his omniscience --- He is everywhere… but when it comes to this blessing its talking about a personal relationship....

Tim Keller says that in the garden when man turned from God… we didn’t loose the presence of God in the sense of his Omniscience but rather we lost the face of God.... the love relationship of a personal relationship---- The blessing is about having a personal relationship with God… that’s-the blessing.

R.C Sproul tells us that...

“For an Israelite, the highest state of happiness, the supreme experience of blessedness, was associated with coming as close as possible to the Creator, standing in His immediate presence, and basking in His unveiled glory.” R.C Sproul

What do you thing the word Blessing means? R.C. Sproul defines blessing as closeness to God..

R.C.Sproul reminds us…blessing speaks of our closeness to God…Blessing means to feel his very presence… to feel God’s rays of sunshine on our lives…to feel his pleasure upon you.

“For an Israelite, the highest state of happiness, the supreme experience of blessedness, was associated with coming as close as possible to the Creator, standing in His immediate presence, and basking in His unveiled glory.” R.C Sproul

In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell justifies the importance of his running in the Olympics by saying,

“God has made me for a purpose—he made me for China. But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.”

In the same way, the Lord wants you to know that his face is turned toward you in grace and in peace. He wants you too to “feel his pleasure.”

the closer we are too God the more blessed we are… The closer our family is to God the more blessed your family is..

There are some teachers and Christians out there that confuse blessing and success…blessing is frame in terms of health, wealth and prosperity… being “blessed,” means of material wealth and prosperity that’s not quite it..

Blessing Really speaks of our closeness to God… the closer we are too God the more blessed you are… The closer your family is to God the more blessed you are… the closer we are to God the more evident it will be in our lives..

We are going to see that God is going to make Joseph successful as a business man and manager… and is going to increase his influence… giving him authority over just about every area of Potiphar’s household.... God blessing is for a bigger purpose...

...

But Josephs blessing was for a bigger purpose...

Joseph success did not make him personally wealthy or successful.... The blessing went to Potiphar and the preservation of the nation of Israel..

God was blessing Joseph with great success and power, it was not about Joseph’s health, wealth, and prosperity.

God blessed Joseph so that Joseph could be a blessing to others!

Opening Up Genesis The Favor of God

God was blessing Joseph with great success and power, it was not about Joseph’s health, wealth, and prosperity. God blessed Joseph so that Joseph could be a constant blessing to others! Furthermore, God prospered Joseph so that he might have a testimony for the LORD in high places. Because of his success as a manager, Joseph was able to influence Potiphar, the chief jailer, and eventually Pharaoh himself for the LORD!

Moses understood when he lead Israel through the wilderness that he refused to go with out the Glory of God… And God led Israel through the wilderness.. by a cloud by day and and pillar of fire by night..

Furthermore, God prospered Joseph so that he might have a testimony for the Lord in high places. Because of his success as a manager, Joseph was able to influence Potiphar, the chief jailer, and eventually Pharaoh himself for the Lord!

The closer we are to God in relationship and obedient to His calling...

God prospered Joseph so that he might have a testimony for the Lord in high places. Because of his success as a manager, Joseph was able to influence Potiphar, the chief jailer, and eventually Pharaoh himself !

T/s How do we walk in God's blessings? If we are to walk in blessings we need to...

T/s How do we walk in God's blessings?

We left our story last week on a clift hanger where Joseph has been stripped of his clothing by his brothers and tossed into a pit..

His brothers then sat down and enjoyed a meal while…Joseph lay in the empty pit suffering from his wounds. There is no remorse or pity in his brother only plans of revenge…

We left our story last week on a clift hanger where Joseph has been stripped of his clothing by his brothers and tossed into a pit.. His brothers then sat down and enjoyed a meal while…Joseph lay in the empty pit suffering from his wounds. There is no remorse or pity in his brother only plans of revenge…

We left our story last week where Joseph has been stripped of his clothing by his brothers and tossed into a pit while his brothers enjoyed a feast together… there is no remorse only plans of revenge… Reuben had planned a rescue Joseph from being murdered and instead his execution was averted by the providential appearance of a an Ishmaelite Caravan bound for Egypt. There are several reversals of Fortune… the first is going to happen in Egypt...

there is no remorse only plans of revenge… Reuben had planned a rescue Joseph from being murdered and instead his execution was averted by the providential appearance of a an Ishmaelite Caravan bound for Egypt. There are several reversals of Fortune… the first is going to happen in Egypt...

Gen 39:1-

The only thing that really averted his murder was the providential appearance of an Ishmaelite Caravan bound for Egypt…

When God seems the most hidden, often, he’s working the most for us… This past week as I driving in Chico there quite a few things in my mind…and I could feel the tension rising… And, I look at the car in front of me — had written on the side of the number plate.... “Don’t Worry God’s Got this!!” There was a whole sermon in there for me… Trust God in the process… maybe He seems invisible… even hidden… God’s got this...

There are no miracles. There are no visions. There are no voices. There are no appearances. The point of the story is with God silence is not absence; hiddenness is not impotence. When God seems the most hidden, often, he’s working the most for us. That’s what we have been looking at. Last time we saw how this was true in Joseph’s sufferings.

We are going to pick up the story in Chapter 39. now you may have noticed that we skipped chapter 38 --- In there is good reason because we are going to touch on that Saga next week as it fits into the advances of Potiphar’s wife.. Right now we are just focusing on the blessing on Josephs life..

Genesis 39:1–2 ESV

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.

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In leadership studies you learn that Trust is the baseline for every relationship…its foundational for every relationship and every organization.

In his book The Trust Edge, business consultant David Horsager contends,

"Trust, not money, is the currency of business and life."

He points to a 2009 research study called the "Edelman Trust Barometer." The study, based on interviews with over 4,000 people in twenty countries, highlighted the importance of a company's ability to build trust.

For instance, when people trust a company:

91 percent chose to buy from them

76 percent recommended them to a friend

55 percent will pay a premium to do business with them

42 percent share positive experiences online26 percent bought shares

In contrast, the study also found that when people distrust a company:

77 percent refuse to buy from them

72 percent criticized them to a friend or colleague

34 percent shared their negative experiences online

17 percent sold share

Walking in blessing means that you are saying that God is able to be trusted..

How did Joseph walk in Blessing.?

a. First, Joseph trusted that God was at work in his Circumstance

I’m sure Joseph must have been confused about the direction of his life. Joseph is only 17 and already it seems that his dreams are being dashed. He is now no longer a free agent to do as he wills… rather he is slave.. without much hope for his future.

Joseph had been stripped of any dignity and pride that he may have had…

When God seems the most hidden, often, he’s working the most for us…He is the Artist....of the masterpiece.

This was the first of several reversals of fortunes..

Can you imagine how Joseph felt… He was rejected by his brothers and now sold into slavery.. His dreams that he shared with his brothers now seem impossible to ever attain… Before his future seemed bright and now he was in a deep fog… and can no longer see clearly…

…

How we handle them makes the difference..

Life is challenging…

How often does Disappoint get us down… I don’t known about you… but I get disappointed… I get disappointed by people and circumstances don’t turn out the way I had hoped or imagined..

There is a huge gap between his expectations and the reality of his life.. Somewhere in the middle of what we hope what is… — is where we can find discontentment...

Our disappointments in life are found in the gap between our expectations and the reality of our lives..

This is where discontentment lives… But, the lesson of Joseph is that sometimes situations happen that are simply out of your control… You did not invite it… but it arrived on your door step…

We learn from Joseph to trust in the process...

We learn from Joseph — how we should the challenges and difficulties of life… We need to see them as opportunities to invite God’s blessing..

We got to trust in the Process of God’s providential plan...

When God seems the most hidden, often, he’s working the most for us… This past week as I driving in Chico there quite a few things in my mind…and I could feel the tension rising… And, I look at the car in front of me — had written on the side of the number plate.... “Don’t Worry God’s Got this!!” There was a whole sermon in there for me… Trust God in the process… maybe He seems invisible… even hidden… God’s got this...

Robert E. Lee after loosing the war at the battle of Gettysburg…is quoted as saying..

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.—Robert E. Lee

—

Sometimes

--- God will close a door and then open a window of opportunity..

And this is what happen to Joseph..

We know that even though Joseph has gone

Joseph is taken to Egypt as a slave and is sold to Potiphar an officer of Pharoah, He is an Officer of Pharoah, captain of the guard.

Potiphar was one of the most powerful men in one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, kingdoms on the face of the earth at the time. So providence placed Joseph into the very center of power...

The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive Temptation

Potiphar was probably the commander in chief of the armed forces. That means he was one of the most powerful men in one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, kingdoms on the face of the earth at the time. So Joseph has come

Joseph could have never have mapped out his life like this… He could have never orchestrated these events… How does a Hebrew get to be prime minster of Egypt? Trusting God’s providential plan… By the way this is very different from fatalism…

We know that God is working in the wings of the drama of this Epic drama.... Four times we are reminded that - “The Lord was with Joseph.” When your trust something you have a foundation…

reinforces the providential story line.

What you do is you have to walk…

When God said to Abram leave Ur and Go toward the promised land… He had to start walking — He had to get out of his comfort Zone… but he had the Covenant… which he put his full wait upon....

How did Joseph walk in Blessing.?

Joseph could followed the same path that his Uncle Esau --- who after being deceived by Jacob.... responded with bitterness.. That is one path that we can choose..

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.We are told that Esau used revenge and hate to fuel his life…

He could followed the same path that his Uncle Esau had after being deceived by Jacob.. We are told that Esau used revenge and hate to fuel his life…W told that when Esau heard that Jacob had stollen his blessing he was made.

Genesis 27:42 ESV

42 But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you.

. Common logic demanded that he cherish and nurture thoughts of revenge. In fact, feeding on such thoughts could sustain him, as they once had done for his Uncle Esau (cf. 27:42).

Read In the bigger story of Jacob/ Israel… Jacob steals the Blessing from Esau and there are hard feeling…

How was Josephs attitude different from his Uncle Esau? Do you think that bitterness and anger hinder the blessings of God?

Esau’s life was fulled by bitterness and revenge… He comforted himself with thoughts of getting rid of his brother...

But Joseph made a different choice, a most remarkable choice, because as he shuffled through the dust to Egypt, he chose to trust God with his life and ultimately to forgive.

a. First He trusted in Providential Circumstances.

This is astonishing but true, because a CAT scan of his soul reveals no spiritual malignancies anywhere. There is not a trace of the cancers of hatred or bitterness or vindictiveness.. no matter how close we look.

no matter how close we look. Instead, we are awestruck when, years later in the story, we witness that though Joseph had his brothers in the palm of his hand with every terror possible, he wept and then lavished them with gifts and privileges. Joseph’s soul was so extraordinary that even in the context of the greats of the Bible he towers—a skyscraper on the plains of spiritual history.

Instead, we are awestruck when, years later in the story, we witness that though Joseph had his brothers in the palm of his hand with every terror possible, he wept and then lavished them with gifts and privileges.

How did Joseph walk in Blessing?

--- God closers a door he opens a window.

We invite blessing when we choose to be a blessing..

Joseph is taken to Egypt as a slave and is sold to Potiphar … now he had another choice… he could just do what was necessary as as a servant or he could be a blessing and go above and beyond dutyJoseph served Potiphar with a whole heart…

Here we learn that the blessed life is about the blessing your are to those around you… When you start asking the question… How can you bless your wife? How can you be a blessing to your children? How can you be a blessing to your employer? how can we be a blessing to our community… When we do that we begin to desire God’s Face to shine upon us and our relationship!

… The blessed life is about the blessing your are to those around you… When you start asking the question… How can you bless your wife? How can you be a blessing to your children? How can you be a blessing to your employer? A question, I am asking — is how can we be a blessing to our community…

Joseph served Potiphar with a whole heart… He saw an opportunity to be a Blessing..

Joseph is not the Typical Slave… Instead of doing the least --- He served Potiphar with a whole heart… He saw an opportunity to be a Blessing..

Luther said, “Accordingly, Joseph was not only good and chaste, and not only diligently poured out prayers to God for his master, for the king, and for the whole land of Egypt, but he was also a most vigilant overseer and manager of the domestic tasks.”2

What is our attitude to Work and service? Do we separate the sacred from the secular?

Luther said, “Accordingly, Joseph was not only good and chaste, and not only diligently poured out prayers to God for his master, for the king, and for the whole land of Egypt, but he was also a most vigilant overseer and manager of the domestic tasks.”2

What is our attitude to Work and service? Do we separate the sacred from the secular?

… Our work Ethic --- We should ask the Question… How can I be blessing?

… The blessed life is about the blessing your are to those around you… When you start asking the question… How can you bless your wife? How can you be a blessing to your children? How can you be a blessing to your employer? A question, I am asking — is how can we be a blessing to our community…

Things will begin to turn around when Joseph begin to steward his resources…

When he chooses to be a Blessing!!! We begin to see this great reversal of Fortunes…Joseph doesn’t wait for the blessing ---He becomes the blessing

Potiphar takes notices and Joseph is going to be to the Manager over every part of His household

--- Starts off as the least in the house of Potiphar.

T/s How do we walk in God's blessings? If we are to walk in blessings we need to...

1. Be willing to Trust the Process.

Most of us want to be a success at something? We are kind of driven by this idea that the goal of life is to be successful… There could be some holes in this kind of thinking..

If you listen to people that have made it in life…You might be surprised what that is like.. when they reach the top of their game.

Does wealth, fame, and success fill the emptiness in the human heart? Two contemporary celebrities who seemed to have everything have shared a similar truth.

Thom Yorke, frontman of the band Radiohead, said , "I thought when I got to where I wanted to be, everything would be different. I'd be somewhere else. I thought it'd be all white fluffy clouds. And then I got there. And I'm still here."

When the interviewer asked, "Why, in the end, have you done what you've done?" Yorke replied, "It's filling the hole, that's all anyone does."

"What happens to the hole?" the interviewer said. After a long pause, Yorke said, "It's still there."

Success is not going to fill that hole in our heart or our need for significance… Only God’s presence is going to do that..

Now, there is nothing wrong with desiring excellence… and we are going to see how Joseph was diligent and hard working..

but he was motivated or driven by success… Success was just the bi-product of him trusting God to bring the Blessing...

Now, there is nothing wrong with desiring excellence… and we are going to see how Joseph was diligent and hard working.... Joseph was extremely diligent and a good steward.

We are kind of driven by this idea that the goal of life is to be successful… Now, there is nothing wrong with desiring excellence… and we are going to see how Joseph was diligent and hard working.. but he was motivated or driven by success… Success was just the bi-product of him trusting God to bring the Blessing...

but he was motivated or driven by success… Success was just the bi-product of him trusting God to bring the Blessing...

There is a difference between Success and blessing… blessing is tied to relationship and others…

Genesis 39:4–5 ESV

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. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.

Gen 39:4-5

Read 39:4-5 What does the Author attribute Joseph’s success too? What does this say about Joseph’s relations with the Lord? Do you think that our Christian walk can be this visible to those around? What might be some indicators that God is with you?

a. Joseph -- Blessing is tied to his relationship with the Lord.

What is the difference between success and blessing?

Favor and Increase.

a. Success is about us… Blessing is tied to his relationship with the Lord

Four times in chapter 39 there is this phrase the Lord was with Joseph…

b. Joseph -- Blessing is tied to his relationship with the Lord.

Charles Spurgeon the prince of preachers had some great observation about this section of scripture --- He tells us that the Bible often summarizes a mans life in one sentence.. For example… “Abraham Believed God,” David - “was a man after God’s own heart.” John was the disciple whom Jesus loved… The life of Joseph is summed up with

The Bible often summarizes a mans life in one sentence.. For example… “Abraham Believed God,” David - “was a man after God’s own heart.” John was the disciple whom Jesus loved…

“The Lord was with Joseph.” Spurgeon also brings our attention to the fact that Jesus himself went around doing good, and healing all who were oppressed… for the God was with him… Spurgeon says

God molds Character

Spurgeon said that the Scripture excels in this kind of full length miniature painting..

“The Lord was with Joseph.” Joseph had difficulties yet the Lord with Him… Spurgeon also brings our attention to the fact that Jesus himself went around doing good, and healing all who were oppressed… for the God was with him… Spurgeon says

“The Lord was with Joseph.”

It is wonderful that the same words should describe both Jesus and Joseph, the perfect Saviour and the imperfect patriarch…

Joseph became a success man... How did this happen?

Now pause on this point... It doesn't say anything about a Josephs skills or abilities...

Joseph became a success man... Now pause on this point... It doesn't say anything about a skill or task... Rather it talks about his character... He became a successful man.... I don't imagine that he had much worldly belonging...I am not even sure that he arrived in Egypt with much clothing... because his beautiful robe was torn from him... On the outside he may have looked a mess.. But on the inside his relationship with God was in tact...

On the outside Joseph life looked a mess.. But on the inside his relationship with God was in tact...

What made Joseph successful… was his relationship with the Lord.

Rather it talks about his character... He became a successful man.... I don't imagine that he had much worldly belonging...I am not even sure that he arrived in Egypt with much clothing... because his beautiful robe was torn from him... On the outside he may have looked a mess.. But on the inside his relationship with God was in tact...

I don't imagine that he had much worldly belonging...I am not even sure that he arrived in Egypt with much clothing... because his beautiful robe was torn from him... On the outside he may have looked a mess.. But on the inside his relationship with God was in tact...

Joseph was successful because the Lord was “with” him.

Preaching the Word: Genesis—Beginning and Blessing Success in the Penthouse (vv. 2–6a)

Joseph was successful because the Lord was “with” him. Joseph’s success is bracketed with two declarations that the Lord was “with” him. Look at the beginning: “The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man

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. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 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.

Look at the beginning: “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man

What is the difference between success and blessing?

b. Success is committed to personal Goals - Blessing is being Committed to the Success of Someone else.

He was Committed to the Success of Someone else.

c. He was Committed to the Success of Someone else.

Luther said, “Accordingly, Joseph was not only good and chaste, and not only diligently poured out prayers to God for his master, for the king, and for the whole land of Egypt, but he was also a most vigilant overseer and manager of the domestic tasks.”2

Joseph was successful because the Lord was “with” him. Joseph’s success is bracketed with two declarations that the Lord was “with” him. Look at the beginning: “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man

What is our attitude to Work and service? Do we separate the sacred from the secular?

Potiphar was Blessed Because of Joseph. We need to see blessing not in the form of material belongings but in people.

- We need to see blessing not in the form of material belongings but in people

Real resources are not reflected in budgets... .. kinds of people that you have surrounded yourself with.

A company or Church is not blessed because of great facilities or products. .Real resources are not reflected in budgets... ...

- Real resources are not reflected in budgets... .. kinds of people that you have surrounded yourself with.

A company or Church is not blessed because of great facilities or products

- Blessing come out of Relationships

-

- There is no doubt that Jacob had some organizational and leadership skills.. God is going to use his gifts of leadership, vision, dreams and organizational skill in the future... we see that they already present..

Joseph served Potiphar loyally -

Served Potiphar loyally -

His master saw that the Lord was with Him... There was no prestigious coat to separate Him from his brothers.... It was just his relationship to God that was reflected in his character....

- The Lord Caused Success...

- Everything Joseph touched succeed

both in his household and in his fields.

- The Lord Caused Success...

- Potiphar noticed the Lord was with Him

- Made him manager over all of His house

Have you thought about the people that have brought you blessing in your life… Because of your association with that person there is great blessing...

Do people see Jesus in our lives...Frank gave out the John Stott prayer... Prayed the Fruit of the Spirit -- He looked more like Jesus...

If you follow the blessing it was given from one Father to the next…Abraham blessed Isaac, Isaac blessed Jacob --

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The words of blessing and cursing are thought to have inherent, autonomous power, so that once spoken they cannot be recalled, and unless some greater power is invoked to combat them the good or bad that they have called for is bound to happen

Pam has prayed this blessing over Mark… it is beautiful … and it just gets longer and longer...

Are you enjoying the benefits of some righteous individual? If so, give thanks for that person and for the powerful testimony of your friend’s righteous life.

Principle Preaching: How to Create and Deliver Purpose Driven® Sermons for Life Applications 2. We Benefit Much from the Righteousness of Others

Are you enjoying the benefits of some righteous individual? If so, give thanks for that person and for the powerful testimony of your friend’s righteous life.

The reason Potiphar was blessed was because of his association with Joseph...

T/s How do we walk in God's blessings?

There have been toys that have come and gone but… one toys that that are timeless are legos… When I was growing up… my gran had this box of legos… when we arrived at her house it was quick hello… straight for the box of legos..

What we love about Lego.. is the ability to create… we don’t get board because we can allow our imaginations to wild… The reason is really because of these connectors…

What makes legos have are these connectors… you have some with 2, 4 6 and 8… Every piece is different… What as you build the structure these become fewer and fewer…that are available.. Some of us have our connectors full of activities and established relationships… in other words our connectors are full...

You have some pieces with 2, 4 6 and 8…… it’s these connector that give you the ability to add onto to what every you building… But here is the thing…

… you have some pieces with 2, 4 6 and 8… Every piece is different…

...

As you build the structure these connectors become fewer and fewer…that are available.. Each of us have this ability to make connections.. and to be blessing.... but sometimes our connectors are simply to full… There are so many demands that there is no more room for connections… What we learn from Joseph is that we need to make room to be a blessing… need room in our schedule… we need room in our relationships...

What as you build the structure these become fewer and fewer…that are available.. Some of us have our connectors full of activities and established relationships… in other words our connectors are full...

Joseph Became a blessing to Potiphar… which resulted in God blessing his house and his field…

Genesis 39:6 ESV

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.

Gen 39:

- There is no doubt that Jacob had some organizational and leadership skills.. God is going to use his gifts of leadership, vision, dreams and organizational skill in the future... we see that they already present..

Potiphar was reaping the rewards of being associated with Joseph

- There is no doubt that Jacob had some organizational and leadership skills.. God is going to use his gifts of leadership, vision, dreams and organizational skill in the future... we see that they already present..

Joseph served Potiphar loyally -

- Everything Joseph touched succeed.

both in his household and in his fields.

a. Joseph life was a Blessing to Potiphar.

Preaching the Word: Genesis—Beginning and Blessing Success in the Penthouse (vv. 2–6a)

Joseph’s work ethic did not go unnoticed. So he advanced to Potiphar’s personal attendant and then to overseer. And in promoting Joseph, Potiphar became the unwitting beneficiary of the covenant promise made to Abraham—“I will bless those who bless you” (12:3)—and so the Egyptian’s favor to Joseph in turn brought blessing on everything he had. The more favor he showed to Joseph, the better things got. Joseph was such a super-slave that Potiphar realized that the best way to manage his affairs was to forget them and leave everything to Joseph. And he did, except for his food. This was likely because of ritual preparation at mealtimes. Otherwise, everything was left in “Joseph’s charge” (v. 6; literally, “hand”), meaning in Joseph’s power

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very morning the rising sun was greeted with the chanting of cultic hymns to awaken the gods from their slumber, after which the idols were ritually bathed and then sumptuously dressed and breakfasted with morning offerings.

Joseph was at the epicenter of the darkness,

Every morning the rising sun was greeted with the chanting of cultic hymns to awaken the gods from their slumber, after which the idols were ritually bathed and then sumptuously dressed and breakfasted with morning offerings.

Out of all these gods… Potiphar recognize the JHWH the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… the God of Jacob was the One that was bringing blessing into His household and his fields…

Out of all these gods… Potiphar

What would happen to our Community if began to simple bless people… Speaking words of affirmation…lifting people up… helping… We have been talking about reformation and transformation… God is able to transform us and our community from the inside out… It starts with making the descision to be a blessing..

- Made him manager over all of His house

i. Notice that it wasn't Joseph that was being blessed but it was the House of Potiphar

Mary would always be singing… and she taught me the song — called a son beam Jesus wants me to be a sunbeam for Him...

Being a blessing to someone else… requires Action…

If you have ever bought anything from IkEA… you know that there is going to be some assembly needed… You can have all the pieces needed to build that bunk bead… But in order for that Bed to become a reality… Action is needed.. James taught us ..Faith without works is dead.

James 2:18 ESV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James tells us some have Faith and some say they have works… But I will show my faith by what I do...

:d1

Your behavior is a reflection of what you truly believe.

Joseph’s work ethic did not go unnoticed. So he advanced to Potiphar’s personal attendant and then to overseer. And in promoting Joseph, Potiphar became the unwitting beneficiary of the covenant promise made to Abraham—“I will bless those who bless you” (12:3)—and so the Egyptian’s favor to Joseph in turn brought blessing on everything he had. The more favor he showed to Joseph, the better things got. Joseph was such a super-slave that Potiphar realized that the best way to manage his affairs was to forget them and leave everything to Joseph. And he did, except for his food. This was likely because of ritual preparation at mealtimes. Otherwise, everything was left in “Joseph’s charge” (v. 6; literally, “hand”), meaning in Joseph’s power

it takes energy and effort… it takes a phone call, it takes a text… It takes a note of encouragement…

Blessing doesn not just happen— it take action…

Luther reasoned that Joseph must have been the first to get out of bed in the morning and must have spent the early hours determining what had to be done and in making assignments specifying who was to accomplish these tasks. Joseph did not wait for the servants to do their duties of their own accord. Moreover, after their tasks were completed, Joseph must have inspected the work to make sure it had been done properly.

Luther said, “Accordingly, Joseph was not only good and chaste, and not only diligently poured out prayers to God for his master, for the king, and for the whole land of Egypt, but he was also a most vigilant overseer and manager of the domestic tasks.”2

What is our attitude to Work and service? Do we separate the sacred from the secular?

Joseph’s work ethic did not go unnoticed. So he advanced to Potiphar’s personal attendant and then to overseer. And in promoting Joseph, Potiphar became the unwitting beneficiary of the covenant promise made to Abraham—“I will bless those who bless you” (12:3)—and so the Egyptian’s favor to Joseph in turn brought blessing on everything he had. The more favor he showed to Joseph, the better things got. Joseph was such a super-slave that Potiphar realized that the best way to manage his affairs was to forget them and leave everything to Joseph. And he did, except for his food. This was likely because of ritual preparation at mealtimes. Otherwise, everything was left in “Joseph’s charge” (v. 6; literally, “hand”), meaning in Joseph’s power

ii. Potiphar notices Joseph

-- Potiphar notices that its not Josephs success.. but its God who is making him successful.

- There is no doubt that Jacob had some organizational and leadership skills.. God is going to use his gifts of leadership, vision, dreams and organizational skill in the future... we see that they already present..

Joseph served Potiphar loyally -

- Everything Joseph touched succeed

both in his household and in his fields.

Potiphar had no worries...

Potiphar noticed the Lord was with Him! This is a big deal for Potiphar to notice the God of Israel.. Egypt had multiple of gods.... Joseph was at the epicenter of the darkness… When I went to India in 2007, what I noticed was plethora of gods.. everywhere…Hindus worship everything… There was this sense of darkness and hopelessness.. This would been similar experience as Joseph entered into Egypt and saw or gods of Egypt..

- The Lord Caused Success...

very morning the rising sun was greeted with the chanting of cultic hymns to awaken the gods from their slumber, after which the idols were ritually bathed and then sumptuously dressed and breakfasted with morning offerings.

Out of all these gods… Potiphar recognize the JHWH the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… the God of Jacob was the One that was bringing blessing into His household and his fields…

- Potiphar noticed the Lord was with Him

What would happen to our Community if began to simple bless people… Speaking words of affirmation…lifting people up… helping… We have been talking about reformation and transformation… God is able to transform us and our community from the inside out… It starts with making the descision to be a blessing..

- Made him manager over all of His house

Conclusion

Rejection and failure is common part of life… What we need to remember is that pursues us even after we fail.. God specializes in Reversals and he is able to work our failures into His plan..

God is committed to shaping you into the image of Jesus. He uses his Word to set the standard and allows circumstances to turn up the heat

Success is never final; failure is never fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.—Winston Churchill

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.—Robert E. Lee

Success is never final; failure is never fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.—Winston Churchill

Maybe today you are dealing with the issue of blessing… You looking at your life… God where is the blessing… We best place to start is in prayer..

One of the well know and also obscure prayers in the Bible is the prayer of Jabez…This prayer is tucked away in a long section of genealogies is a sudden, shining scenario of a man who asked in prayer and God granted him what he asked… What we have is this profile of a what prayer can do....

Tucked away in a long section of genealogies (Chaps. 1–9) is a sudden, shining scenario of a man who asked in prayer and received

Closing Read the Prayer of Jabez found in

As you close in prayer today, think of different areas of influence, think about relationships to bless, think specific relationships that God can protect and speak God’s blessing. Pray for us as a Church that we would be a blessing to our communities.

1 Chronicles 4:9–10 ESV

9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

1 Chronicles 4:10 ESV

10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

Just a few observation… Jabez stood out from his brothers…He was a man of Character and more honorable than his brothers. A little bit like Joseph’s character stood apart from His brother… The distinction was his relationship with God… Like Joseph — Jabez life was marked by pain… His life was early on marked by sorrow and misfortune.... but the circumstance around his birth were not going to determine his future… What made the difference was his prayer life....

We know a few things about Jabez. 1. He stood out in the circle of his family.

What

“That God’s hand would be with him” Now what

Jabez prayer firstly that God would bless him--- The essence of His prayer is that His life would be a blessing to others, that God would increase his usefulness in serving others… He prayed that He would be kept from pain… … as KJV say that he would be delivered from evil so that it would not cause him pain ---- Jabez like Joseph didn’t want to be associated… with causing others pain… We need to be careful…that we don’t become people who injure others… hinder God’s blessing… But most of all that He would have God’s Hand upon… Him that He would have the God’s favor Shine on Him… We can think of God’s Favor as the Sun shinning down on us --- Everyday we are conscious of the Sun… Even though we can’t look at the Son — it lights up our world…the sun is vital to life… This time of the year… it can be cold outside… and the sun just brings that added warmth… That is how God’s pleasure and blessing works...

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Benediction - John Stott

We might miss the reason for the prayer and that is THAT YOUR HAND MIGHT BE WITH ME… and that HE MIGHT DELIVER US FROM EVIL..

God would increase his boarder but that God would also deliver him from pain… as KJV say that he would be delivered from evil so that it would not cause him pain ---- Often when we hear this the emphasis is on blessing and enlarging boarders… We might miss the reason for the prayer and that is THAT YOUR HAND MIGHT BE WITH ME… and that HE MIGHT DELIVER US FROM EVIL..

Go out into the world in peace.

Be of good courage;

Hold fast to what is good;

Never return evil for evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Emphasized Bible Chapter 4

And that thou wouldst work [to deliver me] from evil､

That it be not my pain.

Strengthen the timid.

Support the weak.

Help the needy.

Honor everybody.

Love, serve, and witness to the Lord Jesus,

rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

And may the blessing of Almighty God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

rest on you and remain with you forever

..

The Reversal of Rejection to Blessing.

1. Be willing to Trust the Process.

b. Joseph Chose Blessing over Bitterness

a. There are Providential Circumstances --

c Joseph made Decision to be a blessing.

We invite blessing when we choose to be a blessing..

2. Be willing trust God to bring the Blessing

3. Be willingly to Be Conduit for Blessing.

The Reversal of Rejection to Blessing.

1. Be willing to Trust the Process.

b. Joseph Chose Blessing over Bitterness

a. There are Providential Circumstances --

c Joseph made Decision to be a blessing.

We invite blessing when we choose to be a blessing..

2. Be willing trust God to bring the Blessing

​

3. Be willingly to Be Conduit for Blessing.