Joseph

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• Joseph

Faith In Gods Plan
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Joseph A Man Of Faith

• His devotion to sexual purity
• In Egypt he was entrusted with ALMOST
  everything in Potiphers house (Gen 393-4)
• Joseph resisted strong temptation to lie with
  Potiphers wife daily! (Gen. 3911-13)
• The same devotion is seen in all who walk by
  faith! (Heb 134 1 Cor 1618 Rom 1314)
• His ability to forgive his brothers
• From slavery to prison to 2nd in command!
• He is overcome by grief in the presence of the
  ones who betrayed him (Gen 4330-31)
• A forgiving response to injustice (Gen 455-8)
• A needed quality today! (Mt 614-15 Eph 432)

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Joseph A Man Of Faith

• When the Spirit set out to speak of Josephs
  faith, He chose neither of these!
• He spoke of Josephs instructions concerning
  His bones at his death (Heb 1122)
• Joseph KNEW Gods promises had total
  confidence God would fulfill them!
• A fundamental aspect of faith Embracing the
  promises as reality (Heb 1113)

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Strong Faith, Despite Circumstances

• His circumstances could have challenged his faith
  in Gods plan!
• Joseph had a dream (Gen 377, 10-11)
• First, his brothers sold him into slavery and
  lied saying he was dead (Gen 3712-36)
• In Egypt, things start going good - until he is
  lied about put in prison (Gen 3913-20)
• When others had a chance to get him out, he
  was forgotten about (Gen 40 - vs. 23)
• Joseph never blames or questions God He
  simply continues to do what is right!

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Strong Faith, Despite Circumstances

• Trusting God was in control was vital!
• Theres no indication Joseph had any idea
  what or how God was working through him
• Through his trials, Joseph never forgot God
  God never forgot Joseph (Gen 391-3, 21)
• When tempted to sin, he appealed to his
  relationship with God (Gen 399)
• It was through dreams that God worked out
  His plan (Gen 408 4116, 25, 28, 32)
• Joseph did his part in doing what was right
  trusted God for the rest! (Gen 5023-24)

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Strong Faith, Despite Circumstances

• In the end, Joseph was able to see Gods plan
  How God was working through Him
• He sees how everything worked out after His
  brothers visit (Gen 455-8 5019-20)
• Then at his death, his faith in Gods promises
  is exemplified (Gen 5024-25)
• As Israel carried his bones to Egypt his faith
  continued to teach great lessons!

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Our Faith In Gods Plan Today

• Faith places trusts in Gods care for us
• Providence To see before or ahead of time
• Gods knows our needs, our circumstances,
  can provide! (Is 469-10 Rom 1133)
• Some who faced difficult circumstances
• Jesus prayed - Let this cup pass from Me but
  submitted to Gods will (Mark 1346)
• Paul asked for the thorn to be removed then
  trusted God gloried in it (I Cor 127)
• Mordecai showed Esther her position may be Gods
  providence for the people (Est 414)
• Be overcome by our circumstance or overcome
  in them (Js 12-4 Jer 125)

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Our Faith In Gods Plan Today

• Faith trusts in Gods plan for us
• When we face temptation God always has a way
  of escape (I Cor. 1012-13)
• Faith in Gods plan of salvation (Col 311-12)
• Fatih embraces Gods promises as reality
  (Acts 2725, 35-36 2 Pet 13-4)

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Conclusion

• Joseph demonstrated what faith means!
• He trusted in God no matter what his
  circumstances were good or bad
• While he may not have always understood, he
  continued to do what he knew was right
• Joseph held dear the promises of God had
  full assurance that God would fulfill them
• This is the kind of faith that overcomes the
  world! (I John 54)

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes
the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world--our faith.
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You are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
(Gal 326-27)