Sunday Morning, April 28, 2002 Bel Aire Baptist Church
Series: “Unpopular” [#4]
WHAT DO THEY SEE?
Genesis 49:22-26
Introduction:
1. If you had to sum up your life in a couple of sentences, how would it sound? Does your life reflect a life that honors God or Satan? Does your life reflect a person that “sticks with it” or a person that gives up?
2. In Genesis chapter 49 we see Jacob blessing his sons. Many of these sons received some negative reports just as many of us would, but in verses 22-26 we find a good report. This was the report of the life of Joseph.
3. Although Joseph was not always popular with man, he was popular with God. Let’s look at the ups and downs of Joseph’s life and how he remained faithful.
Ripped Off
Genesis 49:22-23
Told Truth
1. Life is full of decisions and one of those decisions we face is whether to tell it like it is or not. For example we have to tell others that abortion is wrong regardless of what the world says. I have to decide whether I preach sermons that God gives me and maybe make you mad or preach sweet sermons that cause you to like me.
2. God gave Joseph some dreams that predicted his rule over his brothers. When Joseph told his brothers the dream, they began to hate him.
3. Sometimes telling it God’s way is not popular, but it is right. Don’t forget, we are to tell it with an attitude of love.
4. Are you willing to tell others about the truths of God’s Word regardless of the cost?
Thrown Into Pit
1. So what did telling the truth get Joseph? Joseph’s father, Jacob, sent him to check on his brothers in the field.
2. When Joseph found his brother’s, they decided this was their chance to get rid of him. Although the brother’s wanted to kill him – Reuben, the oldest – talked them into throwing him into a cistern. While they were eating, a caravan of Ishmaelites came by on their way to Egypt and Judah talked them into selling Joseph to them for 20 shekels of silver.
3. All of this because Joseph was speaking the truth. Understand, that just because you say or do godly things does not mean life will be easy.
4. In fact, when you are following God, Satan is sure to attack! That is why it is easier to stick with the “status quo” and not “rock the boat” than it is to do the godly things.
Ruined
Ruined Future
1. Now we find this godly young man going from his father’s favorite son to a slave in a foreign land. How unfair! Joseph had a great future ahead of him and now his future was ruined, or was it? In our standards, his life and future was ruined.
Genesis 39:1-5
2. I don’t know about you, but that report sounds like God took a bad situation and was working it for good. Please notice that the presence of God upon Joseph’s life was noticeable. After all that has already happen to Joseph, not only has he not had a “pity party” or given up; he is still trusting in God and it is noticeable.
3. Can you say the same? When life is dealing you problem after problem, can you say your faith has not wavered and can others see that?
4. Let me tell you, when people can see you conquering the difficulties of life because they can see Jesus in your life, they will want to be a part of that.
Ruined Reputation
1. Things are looking up for Joseph, but as life can be, the “bottom falls out” again. Just when Joseph’s future was looking brighter, he was accused of trying to rape his owner’s wife. Scripture tells us that Joseph was falsely accused. Potiphar’s wife did that because Joseph refused to give into temptation. It would have been easier if he had given in, right? It would have only been easier temporarily. At this point, Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison. Once again Joseph has no hope, right?
2. First Joseph suffered for telling it God’s way and then he suffered for not sinning. I’m thinking “O.K. Joseph take the advice of Job’s friends and curse God so this can be ended.” Remember when Job was suffering that his family and friends counseled him to give up.
3. Right now the devil is using people to try to get you to give up. Right now the devil is using bad situations to get you to give up. So what should you do?
Genesis 39:20-23
4. Joseph again remained faithful to God and it could be seen in his life who was in charge. Again let me ask you, “Can people see Jesus in your life?”
Restored
Genesis 49:23-25
Restored Reputation
1. I believe verse 23-25 sums up Joseph’s life. Although he was attacked by all of those around him he did not quit, he kept serving God right where God put him. Verse 24 says, “But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber,…” Why did this happen? Let’s finish the verse. “Because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you…”
2. If you will read Genesis Chapters 42-47 you will find that Joseph used his God given ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Now Joseph told everyone that he could not do this, only God. Since Joseph interpreted those dreams and gave Pharaoh counsel from God, Joseph was put second in command only to Pharaoh.
3. See how God restored Joseph’s reputation. That happened because Joseph pointed those pagan people to Jehovah God and while maybe not everyone believed, obviously many did because they could see God working in Joseph’s life.
4. Many of you have refused to stand up and serve God because things were not going your way. Maybe God doesn’t have you serving in the church where you want. That’s my point! It has nothing to do with your wants. We must stop trying to treat God like He is Santa Claus and follow Him wherever He leads regardless of what others say.
Restored Future
1. Not only did God restore Joseph’s reputation, but he also restored his future.
2. Joseph’s future went from miserable to magnificent.
Genesis 49:26
3. If Joseph would have quit trying and just blended in, he would have never been more than a slave, but because of his perseverance God blessed him mightily.
4. I cannot tell you that if you persevere that you will become wealthy or powerful here on this earth, but God will reward you with crowns to throw at the feet of Jesus.
Conclusion:
1. Did you notice all of the lives affected by Joseph’s life of faithfulness to God? That’s what being a witness is all about.
2. Do you live a life that gives God the credit? Does your speech, your actions, your priorities, your lifestyle; your attitude, etc… glorify God?
3. There is a hymn that summarizes our invitation this morning.
“Let Others See Jesus In you”
Verse 1
While passing through this world of sin,
And others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Verse 2
Your life’s a book before their eyes,
They’re reading it through and through;
Say does it point them to the skies,
Do others see Jesus in you?
Verse 3
What joy ‘twill be at set of sun,
In mansions beyond the blue,
To find some souls that you have won;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Verse 4
Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave, and true,
And lead the lost to life and light;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you;
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true,
Let others see Jesus in you.
4. Do others see Jesus in you? If not, is that because He is not your Savior, or because you have given up, or because you don’t want others to know.
5. God is tired of “secret agent” Christians.
