2. Facing Life’s Problems
The Life of Joseph

3. 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

4. Joseph 1.) Facing Envy & Hatred 2.) Facing Betrayal
3.) Facing Persistent Temptation
4.) Facing False Accusations
5.) Facing Ingratitude
6.) Facing Power and Responsibility
7.) Facing Painful Memories

5. Facing Painful Memories
Genesis 41:50-42:8
Joseph’s Problem:
Genesis 41:51 – “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house”
Genesis 42:3 – “Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt”
Genesis 42:7 – “Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them”
Genesis 42:8 – “So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him”

6. Facing Painful Memories
Genesis 42:18-24
Joseph’s Response:
Genesis 42:18 – Joseph continue to fear God.
Genesis 42:19 – Joseph is making sure that they are honest men.
Genesis 42:20-23 – Joseph hear that they are sorry for what the evil that they have done.
Genesis 42:24 – Joseph turns away from them & weeps.

7. Facing Painful Memories
Our Applications:
1.)Be Cautious with Those that Have Hurt Us
Proverbs 12:26 – “The righteous should choose his friends carefully”
I Corinthians 15:33 – “evil company corrupts good habits”
Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets”
I Thessalonians 5:21 – “Test all things; hold fast what is good”

8. Facing Painful Memories
Our Applications:
2.) We Must Forgive Men Their Trespasses
Matthew 5:43-44– “love your enemies”
Matthew 6:12 – “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”
Matthew 6:14-15 – “if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”

9. Facing Painful Memories
Our Applications:
3.) We must Forget those things which are Behind
Philippians 3:13-14 – “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead”
I Timothy 1:12-15 – “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.”

10. Joseph 1.) Facing Envy & Hatred 2.) Facing Betrayal
3.) Facing Persistent Temptation
4.) Facing False Accusations
5.) Facing Ingratitude
6.) Facing Power and Responsibility
7.) Facing Painful Memories
8.) Facing Past Forgiven Trespasses

11. Facing Past Forgiven Trespasses
Genesis 50:15-18
Joseph’s Problem:
Genesis 50:15 – Joseph’s brother thought that he may hate them now that their father is dead.
Genesis 50:16-17 – They send a messenger to Joseph about what their father’s wishes were.
Genesis 50:18 – His brothers went and fell down before his face.

12. Facing Past Forgiven Trespasses
Genesis 50:17-21
Joseph’s Response:
Genesis 50:17- “Joseph wept when they spoke”.
Genesis 50:20 – Joseph says that God meant everything for good.
Genesis 50:21 – Joseph “comforted them and spoke kindly to them”

13. Facing Past Forgiven Trespasses
Our Applications:
1.)We Must not Become an Unthankful People
II Timothy 3:1-2 – “unthankful, unholy”
Romans 1:18-21 – “nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts”
Hebrews 10:29 – “counted the blood of the covenant… a common thing”

14. Facing Past Forgiven Trespasses
Our Applications:
2.) We Must Become a People of Thanksgiving
Colossians 3:17 – “giving thanks to the father”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “in everything give thanks”
I Timothy 2:1 – “giving of thanks be made for all men”

15. Facing Past Forgiven Trespasses
Our Applications:
3.) We must be Patient & Longsuffering
II Peter 3:9 – “God… is longsuffering toward us”
Ephesians 4:1-3 – “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love”
Colossians 3:12-14 – “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering”

16. Facing Life’s Problems
We must be a thankful people & be patient toward others.
We must remember our priorities & seek God first.
Although the problems of this life may seem huge, heaven will be worth it all.