The Power Of A Faithful Life Series

The Power of a Faithful Life

Genesis 39:7-23

Introduction

A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm.

They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.

When the sun sat each day on Joseph’s life, he could rest easy, because he has been faithful. When he was home with his father Jacob, he had been a faithful son. When he minded his father’s flocks, he had been a faithful worker. When he was sold to Potiphar, he proved to be a faithful servant. Because he had been faithful, the Lord blessed everything he did.

In this passage, we will see the faithfulness of Joseph very clearly. He remains faithful to His God, and to himself, in the face of some problems that would cause many others to fail.

God wants us to be faithful. He wants us to stay the course and run the race for His glory until He calls us home. Joseph teaches us how to be faithful in spite of what we may face in this life. I want to preach to you this morning on The Power of a Faithful Life and show you the areas in which Joseph was faithful to the Lord. God expects no less from you and me, so let’s not disappoint Him.

Read Text

I. FAITHFUL IN SPITE OF TEMPTATIONS (vv. 7-12)

A. Verse 6 tells us that Joseph was a good looking young man.

• Not that I would know, but beauty must bring with it its own set of problems.

• As Joseph ministered in Potiphar’s house, he caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife.

o She began to flirt with him, v. 7.

o After a short time, she became downright brazen in her approach, asking Joseph to “lie” with her.

o He refused her advances, but she persisted, v. 10.

o Then, on a certain day, she was in the house alone and when Joseph came in she grabbed him by his outer garments and said “Lie with me”, vv. 11-12.

o Joseph left his garment in her hand and ran away.

o In this “trial by fire” he remained absolutely faithful to the Lord.

B. There are several features of this temptation that would have made it very attractive to any young man.

• It was a temptation to fulfill a natural and legitimate need – The offer from Potiphar’s wife was for sex, pure and simple.

o God made us sexual creatures and many people believe they have the right to satisfy their sexual desires in any fashion they choose.

• God has a different opinion on that though.

o Any sexual expression that takes place outside the boundaries of the marriage relationship is either fornication or adultery.

o Either one is a sin against God, your spouse, your future spouse, or yourself.

o Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife was a response we should all adopt when it comes to dealing with sexual sin.

• Joseph was a long way from home in a strange land – Some people might have adopted the motto: “When in Rome, do as the Romans”.

o A lot of people live like that.

o A salesman will do things on the road that he will not do at home.

o A young person will do things at a party they will not do at home.

o Joseph did not care where he was, he was determined to do the right thing.

• He refused to violate the trust of his master and of his God.

o His family would have never known.

o Potiphar might have never known.

o But, Joseph knew that God in Heaven would know.

o And, that knowledge was enough to keep him pure.