WEBVTT
00:00:29.570 --> 00:00:43.250
This is the second sermon in a three-part series, and we will be looking at the lives of three Bible characters: Moses, Joseph, and Mary, and how they found favor with God.
00:00:44.530 --> 00:00:52.850
Today we're going to look at Joseph, and we'll see how Joseph found favor with God.
00:00:53.489 --> 00:01:05.329
Let's insert ourselves in the middle of his story in Genesis 39, and we're going to read Genesis 39, verse 2 to verse 5.
00:01:06.049 --> 00:01:14.689
The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
00:01:14.930 --> 00:01:24.289
His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.
00:01:24.689 --> 00:01:30.450
So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him.
00:01:30.689 --> 00:01:36.609
And he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.
00:01:37.090 --> 00:01:48.129
From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake.
00:01:48.290 --> 00:01:55.010
The blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in house and field.
00:01:55.969 --> 00:02:04.769
Now we see that he was living in the favor of God and with favor by his Egyptian master.
00:02:05.329 --> 00:02:10.849
And then in the middle of that chapter, we see he was tempted with Potiphar's wife.
00:02:11.090 --> 00:02:16.769
He didn't do anything wrong, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
00:02:16.930 --> 00:02:21.490
And he was falsely accused and then thrown into prison.
00:02:21.650 --> 00:02:28.050
Let's pick up the story again in Genesis chapter 39, verse 20 to verse 23.
00:02:28.530 --> 00:02:38.050
And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined.
00:02:38.530 --> 00:02:41.490
And he was there in prison.
00:02:41.729 --> 00:02:52.610
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
00:02:53.889 --> 00:03:01.650
And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison.
00:03:01.889 --> 00:03:07.090
Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it.
00:03:07.330 --> 00:03:22.449
The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge because the Lord was with him, and whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
00:03:23.090 --> 00:03:33.490
We see in the verses that we read in Genesis 39, the Lord was with Joseph and granted him favor with man.
00:03:34.449 --> 00:03:41.490
If God's with us and we're walking in his favor, we will also find favor with people.
00:03:42.370 --> 00:03:52.449
We see from Joseph's life that we can experience four things if we're walking in favor with God and having favor with people.
00:03:52.930 --> 00:03:55.250
The first may surprise you.
00:03:55.490 --> 00:04:01.169
Number one, we will still face challenges and opposition.
00:04:01.729 --> 00:04:03.409
Think about Joseph.
00:04:03.889 --> 00:04:11.969
He had a dream that offended his brothers, he was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery.
00:04:12.210 --> 00:04:16.289
He was then falsely accused and put into prison.
00:04:16.930 --> 00:04:24.449
When he was in prison, he interpreted the dreams of others, but he was forgotten by them.
00:04:25.730 --> 00:04:33.569
But in the midst of all of this, God was with him and caused him to prosper.
00:04:35.250 --> 00:04:43.810
We may face many obstacles in our lives, but we can trust God to bring us through to the other side.
00:04:54.689 --> 00:04:57.649
But there are many who oppose me.
00:04:58.209 --> 00:05:06.529
And we should also expect blessing to come with challenges and opposition.
00:05:07.970 --> 00:05:23.009
I like the way that in Mark chapter 10 that Jesus says that whatever we give to the kingdom and whatever we give to the gospel and whatever we give to him, he will give us back a hundredfold those things.
00:05:23.250 --> 00:05:27.569
Houses, lands, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters.
00:05:28.129 --> 00:05:32.050
And then he says, and with them persecutions.
00:05:33.009 --> 00:05:40.449
God's favor doesn't mean we will not face challenges and obstacles in life.
00:05:40.769 --> 00:05:45.889
But we know that whatever we face, God will deliver us out of them all.
00:05:46.209 --> 00:05:50.850
Listen to two verses from Psalm 34, verse 17 and verse 19.
00:05:51.089 --> 00:05:57.009
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
00:05:57.170 --> 00:06:05.810
In verse 19, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.
00:06:06.689 --> 00:06:18.050
So we've seen number one that if we are living in God's favor, we will still face challenges and obstacles in life.
00:06:25.009 --> 00:06:29.569
Sometimes from people and sometimes from circumstances.
00:06:29.889 --> 00:06:39.730
And because you are facing challenges or problems or difficulties does not mean you're not living in God's favor.
00:06:40.209 --> 00:06:45.810
Remember, friend, Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer.
00:06:46.050 --> 00:06:48.529
I have overcome the world.
00:06:49.089 --> 00:06:55.490
Number two, we can live expecting divine appointments in our lives.
00:06:55.810 --> 00:06:57.490
Think about Joseph.
00:06:57.889 --> 00:07:20.930
He was sold as a slave to Potiphar, who put him in prison, where he met the cupbearer and baker, who then eventually introduced him to Pharaoh, which enabled him to save the nation of Egypt as its prime minister and his family or the nation of Israel.
00:07:21.730 --> 00:07:26.769
God has good things planned in advance for us to do.
00:07:38.370 --> 00:07:52.769
A favorite verse of mine is Ephesians chapter 2, verse 10, which says, For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
00:07:53.490 --> 00:08:20.769
Church family, let's wake up every day with an expectation of God's favor and an anticipation of divine appointments where we can show others his goodness and his love, where he can use us to bring hope and healing, faith and freedom, life and love in a world that so desperately needs to experience the life that God intends for them to live.
00:08:21.250 --> 00:08:30.290
Let's live with an anticipation of divine appointments and recognize that God has a plan for our lives.
00:08:30.689 --> 00:08:41.970
Sometimes we may think the things that we're facing are stumbling blocks, but in actual fact, they stepping stones into God's purpose for our lives.
00:08:43.170 --> 00:08:49.089
Number three, we must seek to please God and not people.
00:08:50.129 --> 00:08:55.170
Let's trust Him to give us favor with man.
00:08:56.129 --> 00:09:11.009
Joseph lived to please God and as a result was able to overcome temptation, was able to give an honest answer to the dreams of the prisoners and to the dream of Pharaoh.
00:09:11.570 --> 00:09:27.889
And because he lived to please God and not try and do things or say things that pleased everybody in his life, he ended up having favor with God, and God gave him favor with man.
00:09:28.769 --> 00:09:33.730
It's important for us to be those who live to please God.
00:09:34.690 --> 00:09:39.490
Seek to please God and he will give you favor with man.
00:09:39.649 --> 00:09:47.970
But if we seek to please people, we won't please God, and it's impossible to please everyone.
00:09:48.210 --> 00:10:03.809
I've learned as a pastor that sometimes the music is too loud or it's too soft, sometimes the room is too warm or it's too cold, and you have no control over everybody's preferences.
00:10:04.049 --> 00:10:21.570
But if you seek to please God and live for an audience of one, he will cause you to treat other people with dignity and love and respect, but he will also give you favor with other people.
00:10:22.129 --> 00:10:25.889
Listen to what Paul said in Galatians chapter 1, verse 10.
00:10:26.210 --> 00:10:30.610
For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God?
00:10:31.330 --> 00:10:33.889
Or am I trying to please man?
00:10:34.610 --> 00:10:40.769
If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
00:10:41.409 --> 00:10:50.529
It's important for us to live our lives as servants of Jesus, serving him first and foremost, and then he will give us favor with others.
00:10:50.769 --> 00:11:01.090
Proverbs chapter 16, verse 7 teaches us when a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
00:11:01.570 --> 00:11:06.929
Let's live in a way that pleases God and let's trust him to sort out the rest.
00:11:07.250 --> 00:11:15.169
Let's not live in a way that's offensive to people on purpose, but rather live in a way that is pleasing to God.
00:11:15.490 --> 00:11:21.970
And then, as I said, you'll find yourself treating others with dignity and respect.
00:11:23.169 --> 00:11:31.169
Number four, God works everything for our good and his purposes.
00:11:31.730 --> 00:11:35.970
Let's have a look at Genesis chapter 50 and verse 20.
00:11:36.210 --> 00:11:42.289
And we see at the end of Joseph's life, he was able to look back and have 2020 vision.
00:11:42.529 --> 00:11:53.009
He was able to see clearly that in actual fact God was using everything for his good and for God's purposes.
00:11:53.809 --> 00:12:08.769
Genesis 50, verse 20 says, As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring about that many people should be kept alive as they are today.
00:12:09.970 --> 00:12:19.250
Joseph was able to look back on his life and see that God had a greater purpose and had his best interests at heart.
00:12:20.210 --> 00:12:37.730
This reminds me of Romans chapter 8, verse 28, where the Bible tells us, and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
00:12:38.129 --> 00:12:45.730
Whatever you're going through, God can turn it around for your good and for his glory.
00:12:46.049 --> 00:12:51.809
God can turn your trials into triumphs, your tests into testimonies.
00:12:52.210 --> 00:12:55.809
You are not a victim, you are a victor.
00:12:56.129 --> 00:13:03.970
God wants you to come out the other side as a winner, not as a loser, as the head and not the tail.
00:13:04.450 --> 00:13:11.090
The key is to stay faithful and walk in love, just like Joseph did.
00:13:11.330 --> 00:13:20.690
In Proverbs chapter 3, verse 3 to 6 we read, let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you.
00:13:20.929 --> 00:13:25.169
Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
00:13:25.490 --> 00:13:33.009
Love and faithfulness, so you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
00:13:33.409 --> 00:13:36.129
Then it continues in verse 5 and 6.
00:13:36.289 --> 00:13:40.929
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding.
00:13:41.009 --> 00:13:46.610
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
00:13:46.850 --> 00:13:50.769
Friends, we can walk in God's favor.
00:13:51.570 --> 00:13:56.769
We can expect that God will do great things in our lives.
00:13:57.169 --> 00:13:58.370
Let's pray.
00:13:58.690 --> 00:14:07.730
Father God, thank you that you want us to live with an appreciation for an anticipation with your favor in our lives.
00:14:07.970 --> 00:14:14.049
Thank you that when we live to please you, you give us favor with others.
00:14:14.370 --> 00:14:21.409
Help us to live in love and faithfulness and win favor with you and with man.
00:14:22.129 --> 00:14:28.450
I pray that you would help us to see that every day you have divine appointments for us.
00:14:28.850 --> 00:14:34.210
This week we pray that you would lead us into those divine appointments.
00:14:34.610 --> 00:14:42.529
Thank you that even though we may face opposition or obstacles, that your favor is still upon us.
00:14:42.850 --> 00:14:48.450
Thank you that you have a wonderful plan and purpose for our lives.
00:14:48.690 --> 00:14:59.649
Help us to live to please you first and foremost, and then representing you to be a blessing to others.
00:15:00.210 --> 00:15:02.690
We ask this in Jesus' name.
00:15:03.009 --> 00:15:03.649
Amen.
00:00:29.570 --> 00:00:43.250
This is the second sermon in a three-part series, and we will be looking at the lives of three Bible characters: Moses, Joseph, and Mary, and how they found favor with God.
00:00:44.530 --> 00:00:52.850
Today we're going to look at Joseph, and we'll see how Joseph found favor with God.
00:00:53.489 --> 00:01:05.329
Let's insert ourselves in the middle of his story in Genesis 39, and we're going to read Genesis 39, verse 2 to verse 5.
00:01:06.049 --> 00:01:14.689
The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
00:01:14.930 --> 00:01:24.289
His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.
00:01:24.689 --> 00:01:30.450
So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him.
00:01:30.689 --> 00:01:36.609
And he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had.
00:01:37.090 --> 00:01:48.129
From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake.
00:01:48.290 --> 00:01:55.010
The blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in house and field.
00:01:55.969 --> 00:02:04.769
Now we see that he was living in the favor of God and with favor by his Egyptian master.
00:02:05.329 --> 00:02:10.849
And then in the middle of that chapter, we see he was tempted with Potiphar's wife.
00:02:11.090 --> 00:02:16.769
He didn't do anything wrong, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
00:02:16.930 --> 00:02:21.490
And he was falsely accused and then thrown into prison.
00:02:21.650 --> 00:02:28.050
Let's pick up the story again in Genesis chapter 39, verse 20 to verse 23.
00:02:28.530 --> 00:02:38.050
And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined.
00:02:38.530 --> 00:02:41.490
And he was there in prison.
00:02:41.729 --> 00:02:52.610
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
00:02:53.889 --> 00:03:01.650
And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison.
00:03:01.889 --> 00:03:07.090
Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it.
00:03:07.330 --> 00:03:22.449
The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge because the Lord was with him, and whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.
00:03:23.090 --> 00:03:33.490
We see in the verses that we read in Genesis 39, the Lord was with Joseph and granted him favor with man.
00:03:34.449 --> 00:03:41.490
If God's with us and we're walking in his favor, we will also find favor with people.
00:03:42.370 --> 00:03:52.449
We see from Joseph's life that we can experience four things if we're walking in favor with God and having favor with people.
00:03:52.930 --> 00:03:55.250
The first may surprise you.
00:03:55.490 --> 00:04:01.169
Number one, we will still face challenges and opposition.
00:04:01.729 --> 00:04:03.409
Think about Joseph.
00:04:03.889 --> 00:04:11.969
He had a dream that offended his brothers, he was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery.
00:04:12.210 --> 00:04:16.289
He was then falsely accused and put into prison.
00:04:16.930 --> 00:04:24.449
When he was in prison, he interpreted the dreams of others, but he was forgotten by them.
00:04:25.730 --> 00:04:33.569
But in the midst of all of this, God was with him and caused him to prosper.
00:04:35.250 --> 00:04:43.810
We may face many obstacles in our lives, but we can trust God to bring us through to the other side.
00:04:54.689 --> 00:04:57.649
But there are many who oppose me.
00:04:58.209 --> 00:05:06.529
And we should also expect blessing to come with challenges and opposition.
00:05:07.970 --> 00:05:23.009
I like the way that in Mark chapter 10 that Jesus says that whatever we give to the kingdom and whatever we give to the gospel and whatever we give to him, he will give us back a hundredfold those things.
00:05:23.250 --> 00:05:27.569
Houses, lands, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters.
00:05:28.129 --> 00:05:32.050
And then he says, and with them persecutions.
00:05:33.009 --> 00:05:40.449
God's favor doesn't mean we will not face challenges and obstacles in life.
00:05:40.769 --> 00:05:45.889
But we know that whatever we face, God will deliver us out of them all.
00:05:46.209 --> 00:05:50.850
Listen to two verses from Psalm 34, verse 17 and verse 19.
00:05:51.089 --> 00:05:57.009
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
00:05:57.170 --> 00:06:05.810
In verse 19, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.
00:06:06.689 --> 00:06:18.050
So we've seen number one that if we are living in God's favor, we will still face challenges and obstacles in life.
00:06:25.009 --> 00:06:29.569
Sometimes from people and sometimes from circumstances.
00:06:29.889 --> 00:06:39.730
And because you are facing challenges or problems or difficulties does not mean you're not living in God's favor.
00:06:40.209 --> 00:06:45.810
Remember, friend, Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer.
00:06:46.050 --> 00:06:48.529
I have overcome the world.
00:06:49.089 --> 00:06:55.490
Number two, we can live expecting divine appointments in our lives.
00:06:55.810 --> 00:06:57.490
Think about Joseph.
00:06:57.889 --> 00:07:20.930
He was sold as a slave to Potiphar, who put him in prison, where he met the cupbearer and baker, who then eventually introduced him to Pharaoh, which enabled him to save the nation of Egypt as its prime minister and his family or the nation of Israel.
00:07:21.730 --> 00:07:26.769
God has good things planned in advance for us to do.
00:07:38.370 --> 00:07:52.769
A favorite verse of mine is Ephesians chapter 2, verse 10, which says, For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
00:07:53.490 --> 00:08:20.769
Church family, let's wake up every day with an expectation of God's favor and an anticipation of divine appointments where we can show others his goodness and his love, where he can use us to bring hope and healing, faith and freedom, life and love in a world that so desperately needs to experience the life that God intends for them to live.
00:08:21.250 --> 00:08:30.290
Let's live with an anticipation of divine appointments and recognize that God has a plan for our lives.
00:08:30.689 --> 00:08:41.970
Sometimes we may think the things that we're facing are stumbling blocks, but in actual fact, they stepping stones into God's purpose for our lives.
00:08:43.170 --> 00:08:49.089
Number three, we must seek to please God and not people.
00:08:50.129 --> 00:08:55.170
Let's trust Him to give us favor with man.
00:08:56.129 --> 00:09:11.009
Joseph lived to please God and as a result was able to overcome temptation, was able to give an honest answer to the dreams of the prisoners and to the dream of Pharaoh.
00:09:11.570 --> 00:09:27.889
And because he lived to please God and not try and do things or say things that pleased everybody in his life, he ended up having favor with God, and God gave him favor with man.
00:09:28.769 --> 00:09:33.730
It's important for us to be those who live to please God.
00:09:34.690 --> 00:09:39.490
Seek to please God and he will give you favor with man.
00:09:39.649 --> 00:09:47.970
But if we seek to please people, we won't please God, and it's impossible to please everyone.
00:09:48.210 --> 00:10:03.809
I've learned as a pastor that sometimes the music is too loud or it's too soft, sometimes the room is too warm or it's too cold, and you have no control over everybody's preferences.
00:10:04.049 --> 00:10:21.570
But if you seek to please God and live for an audience of one, he will cause you to treat other people with dignity and love and respect, but he will also give you favor with other people.
00:10:22.129 --> 00:10:25.889
Listen to what Paul said in Galatians chapter 1, verse 10.
00:10:26.210 --> 00:10:30.610
For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God?
00:10:31.330 --> 00:10:33.889
Or am I trying to please man?
00:10:34.610 --> 00:10:40.769
If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
00:10:41.409 --> 00:10:50.529
It's important for us to live our lives as servants of Jesus, serving him first and foremost, and then he will give us favor with others.
00:10:50.769 --> 00:11:01.090
Proverbs chapter 16, verse 7 teaches us when a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
00:11:01.570 --> 00:11:06.929
Let's live in a way that pleases God and let's trust him to sort out the rest.
00:11:07.250 --> 00:11:15.169
Let's not live in a way that's offensive to people on purpose, but rather live in a way that is pleasing to God.
00:11:15.490 --> 00:11:21.970
And then, as I said, you'll find yourself treating others with dignity and respect.
00:11:23.169 --> 00:11:31.169
Number four, God works everything for our good and his purposes.
00:11:31.730 --> 00:11:35.970
Let's have a look at Genesis chapter 50 and verse 20.
00:11:36.210 --> 00:11:42.289
And we see at the end of Joseph's life, he was able to look back and have 2020 vision.
00:11:42.529 --> 00:11:53.009
He was able to see clearly that in actual fact God was using everything for his good and for God's purposes.
00:11:53.809 --> 00:12:08.769
Genesis 50, verse 20 says, As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring about that many people should be kept alive as they are today.
00:12:09.970 --> 00:12:19.250
Joseph was able to look back on his life and see that God had a greater purpose and had his best interests at heart.
00:12:20.210 --> 00:12:37.730
This reminds me of Romans chapter 8, verse 28, where the Bible tells us, and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
00:12:38.129 --> 00:12:45.730
Whatever you're going through, God can turn it around for your good and for his glory.
00:12:46.049 --> 00:12:51.809
God can turn your trials into triumphs, your tests into testimonies.
00:12:52.210 --> 00:12:55.809
You are not a victim, you are a victor.
00:12:56.129 --> 00:13:03.970
God wants you to come out the other side as a winner, not as a loser, as the head and not the tail.
00:13:04.450 --> 00:13:11.090
The key is to stay faithful and walk in love, just like Joseph did.
00:13:11.330 --> 00:13:20.690
In Proverbs chapter 3, verse 3 to 6 we read, let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you.
00:13:20.929 --> 00:13:25.169
Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
00:13:25.490 --> 00:13:33.009
Love and faithfulness, so you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
00:13:33.409 --> 00:13:36.129
Then it continues in verse 5 and 6.
00:13:36.289 --> 00:13:40.929
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding.
00:13:41.009 --> 00:13:46.610
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
00:13:46.850 --> 00:13:50.769
Friends, we can walk in God's favor.
00:13:51.570 --> 00:13:56.769
We can expect that God will do great things in our lives.
00:13:57.169 --> 00:13:58.370
Let's pray.
00:13:58.690 --> 00:14:07.730
Father God, thank you that you want us to live with an appreciation for an anticipation with your favor in our lives.
00:14:07.970 --> 00:14:14.049
Thank you that when we live to please you, you give us favor with others.
00:14:14.370 --> 00:14:21.409
Help us to live in love and faithfulness and win favor with you and with man.
00:14:22.129 --> 00:14:28.450
I pray that you would help us to see that every day you have divine appointments for us.
00:14:28.850 --> 00:14:34.210
This week we pray that you would lead us into those divine appointments.
00:14:34.610 --> 00:14:42.529
Thank you that even though we may face opposition or obstacles, that your favor is still upon us.
00:14:42.850 --> 00:14:48.450
Thank you that you have a wonderful plan and purpose for our lives.
00:14:48.690 --> 00:14:59.649
Help us to live to please you first and foremost, and then representing you to be a blessing to others.
00:15:00.210 --> 00:15:02.690
We ask this in Jesus' name.
00:15:03.009 --> 00:15:03.649
Amen.
