F B C Jackson, Minnesota

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ” (Romans 12:14–16, ESV)

How do you overcome the evil aimed at you?

Bless those who persecute you Do not curse them Romans 12:14-21 Bless those who persecute you Do not curse them Rejoice and weep together Live in harmony with one another Do not be haughty-Be humble 4

Never be wise in your own eyes Do not repay evil for evil Romans 12:14-21 Never be wise in your own eyes Do not repay evil for evil If Possible, live peaceably with all men Never avenge yourself-leave wrath to God Care for your enemy Do not be overcome with evil

I. Joseph’s journey reveals how to overcome the evil aimed at you.

God’s sovereignty allowed Joseph to be . . . Born in a dysfunctional family. Genesis 37 Rejected by his siblings. Genesis 37 Abandoned to a foreign land. Genesis 37 Sold into slavery. Genesis 39 Falsely accused of rape. Genesis 39 Sent to prison unjustly. Genesis 39 Forgotten by a “friend.” Genesis 40

Joseph’s response to evil circumstances . . . He survived – he learned and adapted. He thrived – he used his gifts where he was. He resisted – he refused to “bail out” on God’s agenda for his life. He waited – on God’s time and place. He grew – he faced his issues and forgave others for theirs.

II. Joseph’s secret to overcoming evil involved something he knew, something he did, and something he refused to do. Genesis 42-50

What he knew Nothing comes into our lives by accident. It is either decreed or allowed by an all-wise, sovereign God for our good.

“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. ” (Genesis 45:5–8, ESV)

Application = I am never a victim!

He blessed those who cursed him. What he did He blessed those who cursed him.

“Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’ 14

“And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” (Genesis 45:9–13, ESV)

Application = I will do good to those who hurt me (in a safe and appropriate way).

What he refused to do Take revenge.

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died, ‘Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

“His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. ” (Genesis 50:15–21, ESV) 19

Application = I will choose to forgive (release) those who hurt me from the retribution they deserve because Christ has done that for me.

How do you overcome the evil aimed at you?

Choose to forgive the person(s) who have hurt you. Forgive Forgiving Forgiven Choice Process Resolution

Begin to pray daily for God to bless the person(s) who hurt you (30 days).

Do one act of kindness this week for the person(s) who hurt you (if possible and if appropriate).

F B C Jackson, Minnesota