Not Just About Joseph from the Chronological Series – 2011

– Scott McCown

Intro:

• Not your typical lesson on the life of Joseph.
• Took time to look at the characters around Joseph.

The Danger of Jealousy

• Gen 37:4, 18-24, 28
• Is there Jealousy among Christians?

–      Not always about things.

–      Put the efforts of others down.

–      “Wish I had time to . . .”

–      No one ever notices what I do around here.

 

• Prov 14:30.

–      “To cure jealousy is to see it for what it is, a dissatisfaction with self.”

 

Lies and Manipulation

• Gen 39:11-18
• She lied to manipulate the scene.

–      Joseph was not willing to go along with her sin.

–      She turned his stand against him.

• We tell lies when we are afraid of:

–      What we don’t know.

–      What others will think.

–      What will be found out about us.

• Potiphar’s wife was guilty of pursuing an adulterous relationship. We may not be guilty of such longing or pursuits.  We may however be guilty of Emotional Adultery.  Click here for a good related article)

–      Romantic movies, television, and movies can lead us to dwell on things we should avoid.

–      Rom 8:5-7.

Judging Others

• Gen 39:19-20.
  • Potiphar judged Joseph unfairly.

–      Allowed self to be manipulated.

–      “Let every man judge according to his own standards, by what he himself has read (seen), not by what others tell him.” – A. Einstein.

Forgetting Promises

• Gen 40:23; 41:1, 9-13
• The cupbearer was too busy to do what was right.

–      He was too focused on self.

–      Jesus – Others – You.

–      Live the Attitude of Gratitude.

–      1 Ths 5:16-18.

• “Blessed are those who give without remembering and blessed are those who get without forgetting.” – B. Meltser.

Joseph’s Example

• He could have given up or given in.
• My brothers do not like my ambition, I will just under-achieve.
• Mrs. Potiphar is a powerful woman.  If I do not do what she wants then . . .
• Mr. Potiphar did not want my side of the story, doing right is not all it is cracked up to be.
• How could the butler forget what I did for him, the ingrate! See if I ever do anything for anyone again. I am going to look out for me.
• Cannot help but think of:
  • Paul suffering for the cause of Christ.
  • Jesus suffering for our salvation.
    • 1 Pet 1:21.
    • John 15:18-21.
    • We will suffer:
      • The jealousy of others.
      • The lies of others.
      • The misjudgments of others.
      • When others forget us.
      • But we MUST continue to live for God.