Joseph-Thriving Through The Valley Of Suffering Series

Joseph-Thriving Through the Valley of Suffering

Jeffery Anselmi / General Adult

Feels / Suffering / Genesis 39–50

INTRODUCTION

OPENING TITLE SLIDE

• As we continue in our Feels series, the message today will cover what I believe is one of the most difficult valleys in life we will discover ourselves in, the valley of suffering.

• We are going to journey through one of the most powerful stories in all of scripture—the life of Joseph.

WHEN LIFE TAKES EVERYTHING SLIDE

• Some valleys last hours; Joseph’s lasted years.” Joseph was sold into slavery at age 17 (Genesis 37), imprisoned in his 20s, and elevated to a position of power at age 30 (Genesis 41:46).

• If your timeline feels delayed, you’re in good company.

• Many of us are not just in a valley—we’re living there: health, finances, family betrayal, false accusation, being forgotten.

• Joseph was a man who seemed to have it all, only to have it taken away, not once, but repeatedly.

• He was betrayed by his family, sold into slavery, and then unjustly thrown into prison.

• He experienced the deepest valleys of suffering, yet he didn't just survive; he thrived.

• His story is a powerful testament to a profound truth: God works all things—even calamity and immense suffering—for His ultimate glory and our good.

• Remember, we are trying to learn how to not simply survive the valleys of life but to thrive in them.

• The question is, how do we not just survive the valley of suffering but thrive?

• Joseph’s story shows three pathways God uses to grow people in the dark.

• Let’s see how we can not just survive the valley but thrive!

• We will cover various aspects of Joseph’s life as found in Genesis 39-50.

• Let’s begin in Genesis 39:1-10.

• Joseph became hated by his brothers in part because he was the favorite child of Jacob, and in part because Joseph came across to his brothers as obnoxious.

• His brothers were going to kill him but then decided to sell him into slavery.

Genesis 39:1–10 NET 2nd ed.

1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there.

2 The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master.

3 His master observed that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he was doing successful.

4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned.

5 From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household for Joseph’s sake. The blessing of the LORD was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields.

6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well built and good-looking.

7 Soon after these things, his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me.”

8 But he refused, saying to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care.

9 There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

10 Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to go to bed with her.

SERMON

MAIN POINT 1 SLIDE

I. Thriving through suffering with integrity.

• Imagine your father asks you to go find your brothers in the field with the flocks to check up on their welfare and report back to him how the brothers and flocks are doing.

• You find them, and the next thing you know, they throw you in a well after they take away the tunic your father gave to you.

• The brothers want to kill him, but Reuben steps in and stops the killing.

• Your brothers throw you in a well and then sell you to slave traders.

• Talk about a rough day!

• Joseph finds himself in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.

• Genesis 39:2 tells us, The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master.

• Joseph could have become so bitter at the injustice he had just suffered at the hands of his brothers.