SF039 - SEVEN SECRETS TO SPIRITUAL SUCCESS (Genesis 39 23)
GENESIS 39:23
INTRODUCTION
THE STORY OF J.C. PENNEY
(Don’t reveal Identity until Application)
Late one night in 1931 Nervous/physical wreck knew he was going to die.
No friends ‑ lost $40 million Next morning was saved.
No one wants to be a failure
Success is the flip side of failure
Joseph is the perfect example
He Practiced the Seven Secrets to Spiritual Success...
1A. DARE TO DREAM GOD’S DREAM (37:5-11)
Discover God’s Dream
Delight in God’s Dream
Remember often others will not share your dream - they may ridicule it
Determine to Fulfill God’s Dream
“If you aim at nothing...you are sure to hit it”
“If you fail to plan...you are planning to fail”
Woman - Garbage Day Joke
2A. DETERMINE TO BE GUIDED BY BIBLICAL PRIORITIES
Priorities act like a compass - Jesus - Others - You
No priorities plus no plan equals failure
Seek God’s Presence – Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Study God’s Plan – Bible
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
Stick to God’s Purpose - Write it
3A. BE A RISK TAKER FOR GOD (mark 10:28-30)
A risk is a carefully calculated action
A chance is based on a whim or happenstance.
4A. BE COMMITTED TO HARD WORK AND LONG HOURS
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Notice Joseph’s Success...
As a son (Genesis 37:14)
As a slave (Genesis 39:2-4)
As a prisoner (Genesis 39:22-23)
As the Prime Minister (Genesis 37-41:41)
The world’s fastest frog
5A. SET SCRIPTURAL STANDARDS
"Guard rails of life"
Obey God's Word (John 14:15)
Be loyal to your family, friends, church, and country
Be pure (Matthew 5:48)
Be honest (James 5:12)
Be forgiving (Genesis 50:20, 21; Ephesians 4:32)
Dare to be different (2 Corinthians 6:17)
The world will dictate your standards if you let it.
Cursing/stealing parrot
6A. BUILD A ROCK-SOLID FOUNDATION BASED ON FAITH
House on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-25)
How? Indian - Black Dog/White Dog
7A. KEEP ON, KEEPING ON
Overcome Life’s Obstacles (Philippians 3:12-14)
Joseph: Slavery - Prison - Famine
Abe Lincoln: Failed at business, law, State Legislator, US Congress
Conquer Your Circumstances (Philippians 4:10-13)
Cannot control circumstance so conquer them.
Two frogs in the milk jug
Finish the Race - No Matter What (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
Olympic marathon runner - broke leg refuse to stop - “My country sent me here to finish...”
APPLICATION
The Rest of the Story...J.C. Penney was the man!
God wants you to be a success - Satan wants you to fail - The choice is yours
Seven Secrets...
Dare to dream
Pick priorities
Take risks
Work hard
Set standards
Build a foundation of faith
Keep on, keeping on!
Success is delighting in God and His purposes in your life.
SEVEN SECRETS TO SUCCESS
Sunday, November 22, 1998 - GENESIS 39:23
1A. DARE TO DREAM GOD’S _____________ (37:5-10)
1B. _______________ God’s Dream
2B. ________________ in God’s Dream
3B. ________________ to Fulfill God’s Dream
2A. DETERMINE TO BE GUIDED BY _______________ PRIORITIES
1B. Priorities act like a __________________.
2B. No priorities ________________ no plan = failure
3B. Seek God’s __________________ - Pray
4B. Study God’s __________________ - Bible
5B. Stick to God’s ________________ - Write it
3A. BE A RISK _________________ FOR GOD
A Risk is a carefully calculated action
4A. BE COMMITTED TO ________________ WORK AND ________________________ HOURS
Notice Joseph’s ______________...
At home (Genesis 37:14)
As a slave (Genesis 39:4)
As a prisoner (Genesis 39:22)
As the prime minister (Genesis 41:41)
5A. SET SCRIPTURAL ____________________
Obey God's _____________
Be ____________ to your family, friends and country
Be _________________
Be honest
Be forgiving (Genesis 50:20,21)
Dare to Be ______________________
6A. BUILD A ROCK SOLID FOUNDATION BASED ON FAITH
________________________ on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-25)
7A. KEEP ON, _________________ ON
___________________ Life’s Obstacles
Conquer Your Circumstances
_____________________ the Race - No Matter What