Story of Joseph Jacob – 12 Sons Joseph – favorite son

Story of Joseph

 Physically attractive  Unblemished character  Trust in God  Leadership ability  Wisdom  Made best of bad circumstances  Ability to forgive and forget  Concern for relatives  Humility

The Problem of Lies Genesis 37:32 “and they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, This have we found: know now whether it is thy son's coat or not.” Lie = to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive - to create a false or misleading impression beguile delude misguide mislead distort

The Problem of Lies Jacob grieved for 22 years thinking his son was dead It hurt just as bad as if he had died !!!!

The Problem of Lies Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph He refused to sin with her “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Gen. 39:9 Joseph stayed in prison for several years !!!

The Problem of Lies  Many ways of lying  One lie usually leads to other lies  No degrees in lying  Lying always causes hurt and damage  Liars will be lost Rev. 21:8 “But the fearful…and all LIARS… shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25 “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9

What about Getting Revenge ? Joseph was not a vengeful person : Released from prison Mrs. Potiphar Brothers back at home Not a Spirit of Revenge in His Heart

Genesis 42:6-9 - brothers bowed to Joseph Had been 22 years - now 39 years old Was He trying to get revenge ?  Putting in Jail 3 days  Keeping Simeon  Demanding Benjamin  Putting money in bags of grain  Putting silver cup in bag of Benjamin

Actions led them to Repentance Could he believe them? Created problems to lead them to repent Gen. 42:21 - confessing evil deeds Guilty conscience - found the money v. 28 “that God hath done unto us?” Silver cup in Benjamin’s bag of grain Testing brothers Now Joseph revealed himself to them !!

We must not try to get Revenge Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Psalms 94:1 “O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.”

We must not try to get Revenge Hurts us

Focus on God Faithful all his life Did not allow troubles to destroy his faith Recognized Providence of God Gen. 45:5 “God did send me before” Gen. 50:20 “God meant it unto good” “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Morning February 9, 2014