Facing Life’s Problems

 II Corinthians 12:10 – “in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses”  How do you face these problems?  What instructions were Joshua given?  Joshua 1:7  What advice did the Proverb writer give his son?  Proverbs 4:20-27

 1.) Facing Envy & Hatred

 Genesis 37:1-11  Joseph’s Problem: ▪ Genesis 37:3 - His father favored him ▪ Genesis 37:2 - He reported the misdeeds of his brothers ▪ Genesis 37:4 - This caused his own brothers to hate him & not speak peaceable to him. ▪ Genesis 37:5 - Joseph’s brothers hatred grew as Joseph did well. ▪ Genesis 37:11 - Joseph’s brothers envied Joseph.

 Genesis 37:12-17  Joseph’s Response: ▪ Genesis 37: He obeyed his father’s instructions to see it if was well with his brothers. ▪ Genesis 37:16 - He continued to treat his brothers as brothers. ▪ He did not return hatred for hatred.

 Our Applications:  1.) We will be faced with envy & hatred. ▪ Matthew 24:9 – “you will be hated… for My name’s sake” ▪ John 17:13-15 – “and the world has hated them” ▪ II Timothy 3:12 – “all who desire to live godly… will suffer persecution”

 Our Applications:  2.) We must not return hatred for hatred. ▪ Romans 12:17-18 –”repay no one evil for evil” ▪ I Thessalonians 5:15 – “no one renders evil for evil” ▪ I Peter 3:8-9 – “not returning evil for evil”

 Our Applications:  3.) We must follow the example of Christ ▪ I Peter 2:21-23 – “do not revile in return” ▪ Matthew 5:43-44 – “love you enemies” ▪ Matthew 7:12 – “whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them”

 1.) Facing Envy & Hatred  2.) Facing Betrayal

 Genesis 37:18-36  Joseph’s Problem: ▪ Genesis 37:18 - His own brothers conspired to murder him. ▪ Genesis 37:24 - His brothers cast him into a pit without food or water. ▪ Genesis 37:28 - They sold Joseph into slavery.

 Genesis 39:1-2  Joseph’s Response: ▪ Genesis 42:21 – Joseph pleaded with his brother not to do this evil. ▪ Genesis 39:2 – “The Lord was with Joseph” ▪ Acts 7:9 – “God was with him” ▪ Genesis 39:3-6 – What did Potiphar see in Joseph?

 Our Applications:  1.) We will face betrayal in our lives. ▪ Matthew 10:35-36 – “enemies… those of his own household” ▪ I Peter 3:15-17 – “defame you as evildoers”

 Our Applications:  2.) Jesus was faced with betrayal. ▪ John 6:60-61, 66 – “many of His disciples… walked with Him no more” ▪ Matthew 26:48-50 – “His betrayer had given” ▪ Matthew 26:55-56 – “all the disciple forsook Him and fled”

 Our Applications:  3.) We must put our trust in the Lord ▪ Psalm 37:1-40 ▪ (3) – “Trust in the Lord, and do good” ▪ (5) – “Commit your way to the Lord” ▪ (7) – “Rest in the Lord” ▪ (25) – “I have not seen the righteous forsaken”

 We must not return evil for evil in our lives.  We must put our trust in God and continue to be faithful to His word.  Although the problems of this life may seem huge, heaven will be worth it all.