Archive: Series Sermons Section 6

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Series Sermons Section 6

Joseph: Pit to Palace

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Favorite Son Genesis 37:1-36 (Joseph Series - Part 1)
The true account of Joseph's life embodies some of the most significant truths in the Bible. Although he was human just like you and me, Joseph blazed a new trail through a jungle of mistreatment, false accusation, undeserved punishment, and gross misunderstanding. If you have ever despaired because life didn't make sense or everything seemed to be against you, and you wondered where God was in all of it, then Joseph's story is for you.

What to Do When Someone Makes a Pass At You Genesis 39 (Joseph Series - Part 2)
Do those of you who have played or watched football know what the "blitz" is? When the quarterback is "blitzed," it means that all of the defensive players rush him at once, hoping that one of them will get through the line and tackle him. Offensive linemen must always be on guard for the blitz. The quarterback has no other choice when these blitzers come charging through the line but to get out of the pocket and run for his life! Well, Mrs. Potiphar blitzed! For Joseph, suddenly it's run or be tackled! (That's almost what happened!). He ran outside.

The Fire, the Hammer, and the File Genesis 39:20-40:23 (Joseph Series - Part 3)
Have you ever put your hope and trust in someone, only to be let down? Perhaps a situation was mishandled or you found some glaring inconsistency in him or her that you hadn't known about. What is the great temptation at a time like that? To quit! Before you do, let me ask you this: are you going to leave God because of what man does to you? If so then you're not worthy of Him. That's right. A true Christian loves God first and foremost, before any other person. A true Christian trusts God's providence before trusting any human being. Are you a person of faith or are you, really, when the chips are down, faithless?

Prison to Palace - Running Genesis 40:23-41:36 (Joseph Series - Part 4)
God never leaves us to endure a trial one instant longer than is necessary to accomplish his intent. Joseph was in jail two more years after the cupbearer was released. We have already seen how that timing was necessary, both to Joseph's survival and the fulfillment of God's plan. Now all of that purpose is fulfilled and suddenly, perhaps with no advance warning, the keys are in the cell door, it swings open, and Joseph is rushed out of his dark world and into the opulence of Pharaoh's palace!

Reaping the Rewards of Righteousness Genesis 41:37-57 (Joseph Series - Part 5)
Is it worth it to resist sin and cling to integrity and faith in God when things are really tough for a long time? Can God be trusted to come through when the entire struggle is over - or will He let you down? The answer is in this story.

Ten Guilty Consciences Genesis 42:1-28 (Joseph Series - Part 6)
Sometimes people think that "water under the bridge" will take away a sense of wrongdoing, so they avoid dealing with it. It doesn't work that way. Time usually doesn't erase guilt. We find that instead of the guilt being washed away down the river of time, it has stubbornly clung to the bridge pier!

The Unhappy Life of a Negative Thinker Genesis 42:25-43:15 (Joseph Series - Part 7)
The crime that self-pity commits against us is this: It robs us of hope - an element of living that is absolutely essential for happiness. Circumstances go against us (or at least we think they do) and we feel bad. From there we play the "Woe is me" tape over and over in our minds until we come to believe that the situation is absolutely hopeless. In many, such hopelessness leads to depression and suicide.

What God Really Wants to Know About You Genesis 43:15-45:3a (Joseph Series - Part 8)
The most common explanation I have heard among us for the reason Christians have trouble in life is that God wants to make us stronger. That is certainly true, but He also wants to know whether we really mean what we say - whether we will keep our promises we made to Him to be faithful when it is tough or if we will shrink back for our own convenience.

A Happy Reunion Genesis 45:1-46:30 (Joseph Series - Part 9)
If you were to pause Joseph’s life any point up until this one and look at it from human perspective (sort of like you might pause a video tape), you would probably wonder about God’s goodness. (Added 1/18/99)

Facing the Inevitability of Death Genesis 47:27-50:26 (Joseph Series - Final)
If you have been the recipient of any funeral home advertising lately, have you noticed the message printed on the outside of the envelope? It often says something like, "The contents of this envelope may be offensive to some. If a frank discussion of death and funeral arrangements offends you, please do not open." Why would a "frank discussion of death" offend people? Because in our society we try our hardest to push the prospect of death out of our minds. We don't want to hear it. We don't want to be reminded that someday we will die.

	Favorite Son Genesis 37:1-36 (Joseph Series - Part 1) The true account of Joseph's life embodies some of the most significant truths in the Bible. Although he was human just like you and me, Joseph blazed a new trail through a jungle of mistreatment, false accusation, undeserved punishment, and gross misunderstanding. If you have ever despaired because life didn't make sense or everything seemed to be against you, and you wondered where God was in all of it, then Joseph's story is for you.
	What to Do When Someone Makes a Pass At You Genesis 39 (Joseph Series - Part 2) Do those of you who have played or watched football know what the "blitz" is? When the quarterback is "blitzed," it means that all of the defensive players rush him at once, hoping that one of them will get through the line and tackle him. Offensive linemen must always be on guard for the blitz. The quarterback has no other choice when these blitzers come charging through the line but to get out of the pocket and run for his life! Well, Mrs. Potiphar blitzed! For Joseph, suddenly it's run or be tackled! (That's almost what happened!). He ran outside.
	The Fire, the Hammer, and the File Genesis 39:20-40:23 (Joseph Series - Part 3) Have you ever put your hope and trust in someone, only to be let down? Perhaps a situation was mishandled or you found some glaring inconsistency in him or her that you hadn't known about. What is the great temptation at a time like that? To quit! Before you do, let me ask you this: are you going to leave God because of what man does to you? If so then you're not worthy of Him. That's right. A true Christian loves God first and foremost, before any other person. A true Christian trusts God's providence before trusting any human being. Are you a person of faith or are you, really, when the chips are down, faithless?
	Prison to Palace - Running Genesis 40:23-41:36 (Joseph Series - Part 4) God never leaves us to endure a trial one instant longer than is necessary to accomplish his intent. Joseph was in jail two more years after the cupbearer was released. We have already seen how that timing was necessary, both to Joseph's survival and the fulfillment of God's plan. Now all of that purpose is fulfilled and suddenly, perhaps with no advance warning, the keys are in the cell door, it swings open, and Joseph is rushed out of his dark world and into the opulence of Pharaoh's palace!
	Reaping the Rewards of Righteousness Genesis 41:37-57 (Joseph Series - Part 5) Is it worth it to resist sin and cling to integrity and faith in God when things are really tough for a long time? Can God be trusted to come through when the entire struggle is over - or will He let you down? The answer is in this story.
	Ten Guilty Consciences Genesis 42:1-28 (Joseph Series - Part 6) Sometimes people think that "water under the bridge" will take away a sense of wrongdoing, so they avoid dealing with it. It doesn't work that way. Time usually doesn't erase guilt. We find that instead of the guilt being washed away down the river of time, it has stubbornly clung to the bridge pier!
	The Unhappy Life of a Negative Thinker Genesis 42:25-43:15 (Joseph Series - Part 7) The crime that self-pity commits against us is this: It robs us of hope - an element of living that is absolutely essential for happiness. Circumstances go against us (or at least we think they do) and we feel bad. From there we play the "Woe is me" tape over and over in our minds until we come to believe that the situation is absolutely hopeless. In many, such hopelessness leads to depression and suicide.
	What God Really Wants to Know About You Genesis 43:15-45:3a (Joseph Series - Part 8) The most common explanation I have heard among us for the reason Christians have trouble in life is that God wants to make us stronger. That is certainly true, but He also wants to know whether we really mean what we say - whether we will keep our promises we made to Him to be faithful when it is tough or if we will shrink back for our own convenience.
	A Happy Reunion Genesis 45:1-46:30 (Joseph Series - Part 9) If you were to pause Joseph’s life any point up until this one and look at it from human perspective (sort of like you might pause a video tape), you would probably wonder about God’s goodness. (Added 1/18/99)
	Facing the Inevitability of Death Genesis 47:27-50:26 (Joseph Series - Final) If you have been the recipient of any funeral home advertising lately, have you noticed the message printed on the outside of the envelope? It often says something like, "The contents of this envelope may be offensive to some. If a frank discussion of death and funeral arrangements offends you, please do not open." Why would a "frank discussion of death" offend people? Because in our society we try our hardest to push the prospect of death out of our minds. We don't want to hear it. We don't want to be reminded that someday we will die.

The Preacher's Study Archive Series Sermons Section 6

The Preacher's Study Archive
Series Sermons Section 6