Full Circle (Audio)

Full Circle (Genesis 41:37-57) Yearly Theme:  “Love Does…” Series Title:  Hard Knock Life September 15th, 2019     Something to think about:   Sold into slavery, accused of rape, and thrown into a jail in Egypt, Joseph struggled with some of the most difficult circumstances.  Other than being a brat of a brother at times, and annoying to his older brothers, Joseph had not done anything worth being treated the way he had been treated.  However, as we continue Joseph’s story today, we see the significant difference in Joseph’s countenance versus most people’s countenance when suffering a similar fate.  Joseph remained faithful and hopeful in God in spite of the grief he had suffered.  And this made all the difference in the world.  Let’s take a closer look…   Turn in your Bibles to:  Genesis 41:37-57   Of these 20 verses, what’s the key point this morning?...   Key Point:  “Faithfulness, not bitterness, is always rewarded.”   Here’s what we can learn about Joseph’s faithfulness:   Joseph’s faithfulness in prison was rewarded by the jailer placing him in charge of all the other prisoners.   Joseph could have soured and become bitter and resentful not only toward his brothers who started this whole mess in the first place, but also with God who wasn’t bailing him out of his current circumstances.  Instead, Joseph leaned into God and continued to hold fast to his faith and trust in God no matter what happened to him.  The result?  Joseph prospered in all he did because God was with him.   Joseph’s faithfulness to Pharaoh was rewarded by being placed second in command in Egypt.   Having interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, Pharaoh does something so amazing; a true rags-to-riches story.  Joseph goes from being a prisoner one moment to second in command over all of Egypt; only Pharaoh would be more powerful than him.  Joseph’s testimony is just like the Psalmist’s:  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because God is with me!  So, I will remain all the more hopeful and all the more faithful to Him.   Joseph’s faithfulness to God was rewarded by fruitfulness in “the land of his grief.”   Finally, Joseph (now second in command in Egypt), takes a wife and has two children.  Joseph’s sons were named Manasseh and Ephraim.  Joseph, now much older than 17, looks back over his life up to this point, and stands amazed that God has made him so fruitful in the land of his grief.  What his brothers had meant for evil, God had truly meant for good.    Something to take home:   Today, how is your faith?  How is your faithfulness?    Are you at the breaking point?  Can you relate to the story of Joseph?  Can you relate to continually being knocked down?  Is your hope and faithfulness as strong as Joseph’s?  Is God making you fruitful in the land of your grief?   Don’t give up!  Press on!  Lean into God!  And remember,…   Key Point:  “Faithfulness, not bitterness, is always rewarded.”