NOT AN AVERAGE JOE
SECRETS OF FRUITFULNESS IN THE LIFE OF JOSEPH
Genesis 49:22-49:24
Genesis 49:22-24 (NIV)
22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23 With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
OUTLINE
1.FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
2.FAVOUR WITH GOD AND MAN
3.FAITHFULNESS IN HIS RESPONSIBILITIES
4.FEAR OF GOD
5.FORGIVING NATURE
6.FORTITUDE
7.FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
INTRODUCTION
Jacob had many sons. Joseph was the eldest of two sons from his wife Rachel. Jacob loved Joseph more then all his other sons, because Joseph was born to him in his old age. Joseph is probably best known for the long coat of many color pieces that his father made for him. A coat that only a child of high nobility would have probably worn.
At the end of Jacob’s life he brings his son’s together and speaks blessing on them. This morning I want to share with you what Jacob spoke about Joseph. More then a blessing, I think it is a summation of the life that Joseph had already lived.
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 49:22-24 (NIV)
22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23 With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
As Joseph grew, so did a fracture of relationship between the elder brothers he had.
Genesis 37:4 (NIV)
4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Joseph faced bitterness, not just from his brothers – but through many of his circumstances, but as verse 22 says he was a fruitful vine, whos branches did climb over a wall. A wall of undaunting circumstances that would have made the average Joe curle up and want to die. Joseph was not an anverage Joe, and we don’t have to be an average Joe, or Josephene either. What made Joseph extra-ordinary?
THE MESSAGE
SECRETS OF FRUITFULNESS IN THE LIFE OF JOSEPH :GENESIS 49:22-24
1. JOSEPH HAD FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
a. OBSERVATIONS
i. Genesis 37:5 (NIV)
5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more
Genesis 37:9 (NIV)
9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”
ii. Genesis 39:2 (NIV)
2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
Genesis 39:21 (NIV)
21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
iii. Genesis 40:8 (NIV)
8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
iv. Joseph had an unbroken fellowship with God. His circumstances kept changing but his relationship with God was constant. He had fellowship with God when he was a favored son in his father’s house. God communicated with him through dreams revealing his future. He grew up with a vision about his life and future. Soon the circumstances changed in his life. He became a slave in Potiphars house and later a prisoner in jail. But his fellowship with God was unaffected. God was with him all the time. He could still interpret dreams in the prison. He was still using his spiritual gifts in spite of adverse circumstances. His unbroken fellowship with God was a powerful secret of his fruitfulness.
b. APPLICATION
i. Nothing in this life is forever. Family health, Job security, even freedom. All of the things we value today could be gone or changed in an instant. But God is never changing. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. My circumstances do not define me, but my relationship with God defines me. I WILL STRIVE TO MAKE MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THE PRIMARY PURPOSE IN MY LIFE.
2. JOSEPH HAD FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN
a. OBSERVATIONS
.
i. Genesis 37:3 (NIV)
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him.
ii. Genesis 39:4 (NIV)
4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
Genesis 39:21 (NIV)
21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
iii. Genesis 41:39-41 (NIV)
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
iv. Joseph had favor in the eyes of God and man. Everywhere he went he had favor. When he was in his father’s house he had favor in the eyes of his father. His father loved him more than all his brothers. When he was a slave in Potiphar’s house he had favor in the eyes of Potiphar. When he was a prisoner in jail he had favor in the eyes of the prison keeper. When he stood before Pharaoh he had favor in the eyes of Pharaoh who put him in charge of the whole kingdom. Jacob, Potiphar, the prison keeper and Pharaoh were all different people with different personalities but Joseph had favor with all of them. The favor of God and man in the life of Joseph was powerful secret of his fruitfulness.
b. APPLICATION
i. I will honor God with my life
ii. I will honor others with respect
iii. This is summed up in Mark 12:30-31
Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
iv. Jesus also grew in favor with God and man
3. JOSEPH HAD A FAITHFULNESS IN HIS RESPONSIBILITIES
a. OBSERVATION
i. Genesis 37:2 (NIV)
2 This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
ii. Genesis 39:6 (NIV)
6 So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
Genesis 39:22-23 (NIV)
22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
iii. Genesis 41:41
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
iv. Joseph was faithful in all his responsibilities. When his brothers were doing evil he was faithfully reporting it to his father. He did not join his brothers in their evil nor did he hide their evil doings from his father. He was concerned about his family’s honor. He continued to be faithful even when he was a slave in Potiphar’s house. Potiphar was not inspecting the work of Joseph. But Joseph was faithful even when no one was watching his work. His amazing faithfulness continued even in prison where he was thrown on false accusations. He did not give up his faithfulness as a result of his bitter experience. He did not question whether it was worth being faithful after his faithfulness in Potiphar’s house only landed him in prison. His faithfulness remained constant and the prison keeper had a very relaxed life as Joseph took charge of everything and did his work efficiently and successfully. Pharaoh made the wise decision of putting Joseph in charge of Egypt. His faithfulness in all his responsibilities was a powerful secret of his fruitfulness.
b. APPLICATION
i. I will strive to be a man that faithfully works at the tasks before me. Doing my best and trying to always do better
ii. I will be a man of truth, not hiding my mistakes or the mistakes of others.
4. JOSEPH HAD A FEAR OF GOD
a. OBSERVATION
.
i. Genesis 39:7-10 (NIV)
7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
ii. Joseph had the fear of God in his heart. The wife of Potiphar was constantly tempting him to have an immoral relationship with her. But Joseph consistently refused her advances. His main argument was ‘How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God’ . Even if no man was present to witness their sin Joseph was primarily concerned about sinning against God who was watching him all the time. Therefore he refused to yield to her temptation and fled from her. The fear of God was a great protection in the life of Joseph and brought him the abundant blessings of God.
b. APPLICATION
i. I will strive to live a life with God always in the room with me. Would I act this way or that if Jesus were standing right next to me?
5. JOSEPH HAD A FORGIVING NATURE
a. OBSERVATION
i. Genesis 42:21 (NIV)
21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”
ii. Genesis 50:19-21 (NIV)
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
iii. Genesis 40:14-15 (NIV)
14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
iv. Joseph had a forgiving heart. He had no bitterness or resentment against those who harmed him. His brothers had caused untold suffering in his life. He had pleaded with his brothers not to send him into slavery. But his brothers did not show mercy to him even though they saw the anguish of his heart. Potiphar’s wife had falsely accused him. It must have been very painful for a morally upright person like Joseph to be accused of such a serious immorality. Potiphar sent him to prison without a reasonable enquiry. A great injustice was done to Joseph by sending him to prison on false accusations. He requested the cupbearer to help him come out of prison. He suffered in prison. But in spite of all this suffering he maintained a heart of forgiveness. A spirit of anger and vengeance did not tie him down. He forgave his brothers wholeheartedly. A bitter attitude would have surely ruined his life and destroyed his happiness and fruitfulness. His forgiving nature was a powerful secret of his fruitfulness.
b. APPLICATION
i. I will not let seeds of bitterness to grow in my heart.
ii. I will walk in a forgiving spirit in spite of the hurtful things people do to me.
iii. I will always remember that the devil is the enemy and what he intends for harm; God can make good come of it.
6. JOSEPH HAD A FORTITUDE
Psalm 105:17-20 (NIV)
17 and he sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, 19 till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true. 20 The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free.
a. OBSERVATION
i. As a young boy, Joseph had a dream about his future – that future on many occasions seemed impossible, but Joseph never gave up on his dreams.
ii. Joseph had fortitude and endurance. He did not get discouraged and backslide. He waited for God’s time. He committed everything to God and endured till the end. He endured
1. Hatred: Genesis 37:4
2. Envy: Genesis 37:11
3. Slavery: Genesis 37:28
4. Temptation: Genesis 39:7-10
5. False Accusation: Genesis 39:14
6. Prison life: Genesis 39:20
7. Ingratitude: Genesis 40:23
iii. But Joseph did not give up hope .He did not go away from God. The time came when God delivered him and lifted him up above everyone .He was submitted in the hand of God and God blessed him abundantly in due time. His fortitude was a powerful secret of his fruitfulness.
b. APPLICATION
i. God has given me prophetic promises that have not been fulfilled yet. I will hold onto those as long as it takes. I will walk by faith and not by sight.
ii. I will not abandon my dreams to better my circumstances
7. JOSEPH HAD A LIFE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
a. OBSERVATION
i. Genesis 41:38-44 (NIV)
38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. 44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”
ii. Joseph was filled with the Spirit of God. There was a supernatural dimension to his life. Pharaoh discerned this anointing upon the life of Joseph and asked his servants ‘Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is?’. This spirit filled life helped Joseph accomplish great things in his life. He had a supernatural wisdom and understanding in the administration of his responsibilities. He could interpret dreams and unveil spiritual mysteries. Thus the spirit filled life helped Joseph to lead a blessed and fruitful life. A dependence on the spirit of God in his life was truly a powerful secret to his fruitfulness
b. APPLICATION
i. A SPIRIT FILLED, SPIRIT LED LIFE MADE ALL THE OTHER THINGS POSSIBLE. I WILL STRIVE TO LIVE BY THE SPIRIT AND ASK FOR GOD’S HELP IN ALL THE OTHER AREAS ALREADY MENTIONED.
ii. I WILL ALLOW HIM TO PRUNE AREAS OF MY LIFE TO MAKE THEM MORE FRUIT FILLED.
CONCLUSION
1. Genesis 49:22-24 (NIV)
22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23 With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24 But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
2. PRAYER
Lord Help me to be a fruitfull vine that overcomes any obstacle. Give me a steadiness and a flexability through a relationship with you and directed by your spirit every day.
