LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JOSEPH UCC GHAMSU Church Service 14 th Sept Rev. Prof. Osei Safo-Kantanka

Relevance of Theme Success Conference 2008 by Leadership Empowerment Consult (LEC) Lectionary Theme-FORGIVENESS Life of Joseph provides major lessons in both areas

Leadership Lesson I-Be a Dreamer Chapter 5 of ‘Realize Your Potential’-Be a dreamer and have your dreams fulfilled Every Success story begins with a Dream “Here comes the dreamer”-Is it derogatory?-No! Dreams speak of the FUTURE Martin Luther King Jnr- “I have a Dream” - Barack Obama becomes flag bearer of Democratic Party in the USA

Be a Dreamer “If you dream, dream big” How do I dream? The promise of the Holy Spirit-”I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy (Speaking of the future), Your old men will dream dreams (Based on their past experiences, they see the future possibilities), Your young men will see visions (images of new possibilities)

Joel’s Prophecy (cont’d) Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour my Spirit in those days” Therefore post-Pentecost Christians should with the help of the Holy Spirit see POSSIBILITIES in their own lives and for the expansion of the kingdom MHB 548 ‘All things are possible to him that can in Jesus name believe Are we Christians dreaming enough to bring about improvements in our lives and in the Church? What are your dreams? What kind of person do you expect to be in the next 5 years and how do you see the future of Methodist Church Ghana

Fulfillment of Dreams Dreams may take time to get fulfilled- Joseph was 17 years old when he dreamt, entered the service of Pharoah at 30, was 37 when his brothers visited and probably bowed to him when he was about 40 You don’t have control over all the factors, and trust God to protect your life-See Psalm 91 Make prayer a very important weapon

Fulfillment of Dreams Don’t waste time on nostalgia-See 12 Rules-Rule No 2 Stop pitying yourself and move on-Rules 1 and 6-Expect the best, but be prepared for the worst too Be Diligent-Rule 4 Hold on to your integrity. Avoid secret sins for God sees in secret. ‘How can I do such a thing and sin against God’

The Principle of Opportunity Opportunity knocks but once and it only those who are ready who can capture it Look for opportunities to change your situation- Joseph used that twice 1. He told the cupbearer: ‘But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharoah and get me out of the prison’-The chief cupbearer forgot about Joseph until 2 years when another opportunity knocked

The Principle of Opportunity Joseph interpreted Pharoah’s dreams, proposed a plan for solving the problem and indirectly presented himself as the best candidate for the job “And now let Pharoah look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt…..” The plan seemed good to Pharoah and all his officials-”Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God? Joseph got the job and got out of prison

The Principle of Wisdom/Skill/Excellence “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Prov. 22:29) Look for, “young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand and qualified to serve in the king’s palace”-(Dan. 1:4) Joseph, Daniel and his friends demonstrated the qualities that quailfies one to serve in the king’s palace. How are you preparing yourself?

The Principle of Forgiveness To forgive is a sign of strength, not of weakness- ”If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared”- Ps.130:4 Bless those who persecute you; and do not curse… Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Do not take revenge, my friends but leave room for God’s wrath…. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Ro. 12:14-21

Conditions for forgiveness Joseph gradually brought his brothers to the point where: 1.They recognized their sins 2.They felt guilty for their sins-they were convicted 3.He ensured that the hatred against him and Benjamin no longer existed 4.He satisfied himself that there was genuine repentance before forgiveness

The Forgiveness of God “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” Prov. 28:13 The cross represents what it cost God to forgive us our sins Don’t take sin lightly whether against God or against our neighbour for it costs-emotionally, physically and spiritually to forgive-Joseph wept, and Jesus had to die before we could be forgiven

Fulfilling God’s Purpose for your life Leading a Fulfilled Life or God Fulfilling His purposes for our lives? Psalm 138:8a-God will fulfill his purposes for my life “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” Are you living now according to God’s purpose for your life and at the end of it all when you reflect on your life will be able to say that God’s purpose has been fulfilled in you?