Joseph – Part III

1.    (Introduction)

a.    Joseph is a type of Christ

b.    He went down first and then he came up

c.    Philippians 2:8-9 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name

d.    Even Jesus was humbled then exalted

2.    Preparation

a.    39:20-22 So Joseph’s master took him and put him in jail, but the Lord was with Joseph and gave him FAVOR in the sight of the chief jailer. And the chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail

b.    You will be tested before God gives you authority

c.    41:37 So Pharaoh asked them Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the SPIRIT OF GOD?

d.    Joseph grew SPIRITUALLY instead of receiving dreams he interprets them

e.    He interprets the butler and the baker’s dreams Chapter 40

f.     He interprets Pharaoh’s dream Chapter 41

g.    Joseph developed skills and he became a wise manager

h.    Be willing to do small things first

i.      In one day Joseph is raised to power and his situation turned around

j.      41:41 See I have set you over all the land of Egypt

k.    Joseph was in training for 23 years 41:46 Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh. He was 17 when he was sold into slavery

l.      SPIRITUAL MATURITY takes time

3.    Famine in the land  7 fat cows 7 ugly gaunt cows

a.    There is a spiritual famine in this land

b.    Biblical Literacy in America is at an all time low, Moral famine, Political Corruption, Financial Corruption

c.    Be prepared spiritually when there is a SPIRITUAL VOID the enemy will rush in

d.    When there is a famine you will eat anything

e.    Know what you believe and study the Scripture so that you will not be deceived by false doctrine

f.     Do not be SPIRITUALLY DRY if ever there is a time to be on fire it is now

g.    If you witness most people will listen

h.    Although they do not know it people are starving for the BREAD OF LIFE

4.    42:6 Now Joseph was governor over the land and it was he who sold to all the people of the land and Joseph’s brother came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth

a.    When Family Gets Back Together 

b.    God can change anyone, Joseph tests his brothers

c.    Israel had another son named Benjamin

d.    Joseph frames Benjamin and puts a silver cup in his sack

e.    37:26 Judah offers to take Ben’s punishment as an act of repentance

f.     44:33 Now therefore please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord and let the lad go up with his brothers

g.    It is important to allow people to change and not put them in a box

h.    Their hearts changed toward their youngest brother and their father

5.    Forgiveness = Joseph forgives his brothers

a.    45:15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept on them and afterward his brothers talked with him

b.    Forgiveness is a 3 step process

c.    Realize God Has Forgiven you

d.    Forgive yourself

e.    Forgive others

6.    ONE MAN Can Make A Difference

a.    God births the nation of Israel inside of Egypt’s protection and provision

b.    45:5 And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because IT WAS TO SAVE LIVES THAT GOD SENT ME AHEAD OF YOU

c.    Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.