Don't Leave Without Me Series

Intro. How do I close out this series? I have attempted to go different directions as we see the last thing in the life of Joseph.

We must not forget:

When Daddy Changed - Joseph- raised by a changed man, he could face the future.

Life took and Unexpected Turn - When his brothers sold him into slavery.

He faced a Battle in the Midst of His storm - tempted by Potiphar’s wife, and jailed.

He then went from Prisoner to Prince - pressures of a kingdom.

About 9 years past and:

He and His brothers had to face Yesterday - no way out of this one.

Then, the Wagons came and Provide the Thrill of a Reunion with the Son.

After the family was together, Jacob judged his sons, and Blessed Joseph , then died.

Failure embraced those where forgiveness was available, and Joseph forgave once and for all.

Now we come to the final message in this series on the life of Joseph. Not a typical series, but practical. But today, I can no longer stay in a mere practical vein. Joseph’s story began in a Coat, and will not end in a coffin - OR WILL IT?

Text Gen 50:22-28

Take me back home - Since his slavery, Joseph had only returned to Canaan once, to bury his father Jacob. Imagine, the emotions as he returned to bury his father. They then returned to Egypt. The entire time we have covered in our series was in a foreign land. Joseph was snatched from the land of promise at a young age - but He expected to return! Take me home, Don’t Leave Without Me!

I. Joseph had Accomplished God’s Plan - He used the simple words, "I die" but from them resounds the attitude of the Apostle Paul - 2Ti 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

A. The Sorrow of Life had not made him Bitter - 13 years of wrongful imprisonment

1. He had only revealed what God has shown him

2. He was obedient to his father

3. He was faithful in his task - yet he was still attacked -

He could have cried - UNFAIR - but never became bitter - bitterness will wreck your life. The only reason we remain bitter is our pride want to hold on to the pain!

Ephesians 4:31 "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

B. The Success of Life did not Spoil Him - the lord over all of Egypt

many seek so much for success, they become spoiled and the things of God are second to most other things in their life!

1 Timothy 6:17 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;"

We dare not be tight fisted with God who gives us all we have! Joseph did not become spoiled by things.

C. The Sin of Life did not Ruin Him - Evil was all around in a wicked land. He was a lone believer in the true God in a land that worshiped many gods. But he had remained faithful! God had a purpose for him!

1. When Temptation abounded - He was Faithful

1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

2. When Weariness attacked - He was Faithful

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

3. When Doubts Arose - he was Faithful - I am sure there were times in the flesh of Joseph that he questioned what was going to happen next - He was Faithful 1 Co 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."