Sermon Central
-
Joseph: Character Amid Crisis
Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 28, 2023 (message contributor)
-
1. Being A Part Of God’s Story
Contributed on Mar 28, 2023
The dreams of Joseph lay out the larger vision of what God will fulfill in His life. What can we learn from it about the way God works?
- Sermon series: “Character Amid Crisis.” - Joseph is not necessary the most important of the OT characters. That would probably go to Abraham or Moses or David. But I think Joseph stands as the greatest saint of the OT in his behavior. He doesn’t have the major lapses in his behavior like most of ...read more
-
2. "When ‘bad Luck’ Knocks Us Down”
Contributed on Apr 4, 2023
The story of Joseph being sold into slavery provides a compelling example of moments when it seems like "bad luck" has come our way when God may be up to something else.
WHY DID THAT HAPPEN? There are moments when we feel like bad luck knocked us down. - We will get into the specifics that this passage details as we go through the sermon, but this is obviously a passage with some “just-so-happened” moments. - To use the common vernacular, someone might say, “Oh, ...read more
-
3. "five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult"
Contributed on Apr 5, 2023
Joseph's encounters with Potiphar's wife provides a template of temptation that is difficult to overcome. What warnings do we get here?
Five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult: 1. When you’re experiencing God’s favor. - Genesis 39:4, 21. - When God seems to be blessing everything you’re doing, it’s easy to start to presume on that. This is one reason why we often see pastors who are in the midst of a strong ministry get ...read more
-
4. What Does It Look Like When God Finally Answers?
Contributed on May 10, 2023
After years of what felt like silence from God, Joseph finally gets his moment when the pieces come together. What can we learn from his experience?
A LONG TIME WAITING: Joseph finally gets his answer. - Genesis 41:1-57. - Overview the story. - No doubt Joseph wondered countless times why he was in the place and shape that he was in. Now he finally gets an answer. Not a complete reckoning but one that fills in the major pieces. WHAT DOES ...read more
-
5. A Story Of Slow, Painful Forgiveness
Contributed on May 16, 2023
The story of Joseph coming to a place of forgiveness with his brothers is a long story (four whole chapters!) but the story is a great illustration of how difficult forgiveness is.
HOW WE THINK YOU FORGIVE: Say “I forgive you” and move on. - Discuss the fact that “forgive and forget” is not in the Bible. PLOT POINTS: - This is a really long story – basically four chapters! But it’s important that we hit the various plot points because they show the back-and-forth, ...read more
-
6. The Embarrassing Whine Of The Ungrateful Believer
Contributed on May 22, 2023
Jacob makes a striking (and embarrassing) statement in his audience with Pharaoh: "my years have been few and difficult." Amid all the good things God has given him, what can we learn from his lack of gratitude?
- Picture the scene. - Joseph has been an incredible, dynamic presence in Egypt, saving the country and the region from this lengthy famine. His brothers came down and, after a long drama, there was a dramatic reunion and forgiveness. They were sent home to bring the whole family to Egypt to live ...read more
-
7. The Power Of A Father’s Blessing
Contributed on May 31, 2023
The final chapter of Jacob's life provides a striking example of the power of a father's blessing. What can we learn that's can be applied to our role as fathers (and mothers).
AT THE END: As Jacob comes to the end of his life, he blesses his children. - Genesis 48:1-49:28. - These two chapters share with us the final acts of Jacob. He has lived a long life and he knows he’s at the end (48:1-2; 49:29, 33). - The words that Jacob speaks are words of blessing (49:28). - ...read more
-
8. On Leaving A Legacy
Contributed on Jun 7, 2023
The end of Joseph's life provides an opportunity to think about the legacy he left . . . and the legacy we will leave.
- Exodus 1:8 is a pretty famous verse. For good reason too, it provides a nice summary of our situation as we move into the story of Exodus and the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt: a. Israel is in Egypt. b. They are there because of Joseph. c. When Israel got there, they were highly ...read more