Sermon Central
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Joseph: The Savior Of The World Series
Contributed by Carl Allen on May 5, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: I want to consider Joseph’s humiliation, his exaltation and his salvation. As I move through these thoughts, I want you to get a fresh glimpse of the Lord today. Let the life of Joseph remind you of Who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Joseph: The Savior of the World
Introduction
Last week we left Joseph still in prison, with the hopes that the cupbearer would remember him, after the favorable interpretation of his dream and the cupbearers release from prison and reinstatement into Pharaohs’ service.
Today, we are going to move ahead a bit for time sake. Pharaoh has had a dream which he couldn’t understand and mentions it to his trustworthy cupbearer. The cupbearer remembering Joseph and how he assisted him through his God, tells Pharaoh. Pharaoh calls for Joseph to interpret his dream. Upon Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream and the coming famine, Joseph shares with Pharaoh how to overcome the famine to come to save the Egyptian nation. Pharaoh not being able to find anyone else in his entire Kingdom with the wisdom that God has given Joseph, makes him the ruler over all of Egypt; because he too can see God through Joseph’s life.
At the beginning of this series, I told you that there are over 100 areas of Joseph’s life where he pictures the Lord Jesus Christ. This morning with the grace of God, I want to take just three areas of Joseph’s life and I want to show you how He paints a picture of the Lord Jesus.
I want to consider Joseph’s humiliation, his exaltation and his salvation. As I move through these thoughts, I want you to get a fresh glimpse of the Lord today. Let the life of Joseph remind you of Who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
I. JOSEPH AND HIS HUMILIATION
A. He Laid Aside His Glory – Gen. 37:23
• That coat represented Joseph’s place in the family.
o It told everyone that he was his father’s favorite son and that he was the head of the family.
o The coat represented Joseph’s glory.
o That glory was laid aside for a time of humiliation.
• Like Joseph, Jesus also laid aside His glory to enter a time of humiliation.
o The Son of God left His home in Heaven above to enter this world as a little baby.
o The Creator became dependent upon His creation!
o The glorious God of the universe became a man and walked among men!
o While He was here, He willingly laid aside His glory.
o His glory was manifested in many ways while He was here, but it was visible only one time at the transfiguration.
B. He Became a Slave – Gen. 37:28; 36; 39:1-3
• Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold as a slave.
• He went down to Egypt and served in Potiphar’s house.
• The Lord Jesus also entered this world as a slave.
• He did not come to this world to occupy the throne of a crown prince.
• He came to this world to serve humanity and to give His life a ransom for sinners.
C. He Overcame Temptation – Gen. 39:7-12
• Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph to commit adultery with her.
• He steadfastly refused and maintained his integrity.
• Jesus also weathered a great storm of temptation for us.
• His temptation was not to prove that He would not sin, but to prove that He could not sin!
• Jesus came into this world as the spotless Lamb of God.
• He was, and still is, absolutely sinless.
D. He Was Successful in All He Did – Gen. 39:3-6; 21-23
• Joseph was blessed greatly by the Lord and God used him in a special way.
• Regardless of where he found himself, the Lord caused him to prosper.
• The same is true of the Lord Jesus.
• He was successful in everything He did.
• Those who saw Him minister said of Him, “He hath done all things well,” Mark 7:37.
• He never failed in any task He was given.
• He healed every sickness He encountered.
• He cast out every demon He was faced with.
• He raised every dead person He came into contact with.
• He calmed every storm He was ever in.
• He saved every lost soul that would believe on Him.
• And, in His dying breath, He was able to declare, “It is finished”.
E. He Was Falsely Accused – Gen. 39:14-19
• Potiphar’s wife made false accusations against Joseph that resulted in him being thrown into prison.
• He was innocent, yet he was punished.
• Jesus was also falsely accused.
• They could find no fault with Him, so they found men who were willing to lie in order to convict Him.
• They accused Him of blasphemy.
• He was guilty of no crime, yet they sentenced Him to death!
F. He Offered No Defense – Gen. 39
