Joseph: Perseverance and Faith in God's Timing

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, New Life Church! Today, we delved into the life of Joseph, a story that spans from Genesis 37 to 50. Joseph's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and faith in God's plan, even when circumstances seem dire. Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, faced immense jealousy from his brothers, leading to his being sold into slavery. Despite this, Joseph's unwavering faith and integrity saw him rise to prominence in Potiphar's house, only to be falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet, even in prison, Joseph's faith did not waver, and he eventually interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, leading to his promotion as second in command in Egypt.

Joseph's story is a powerful reminder that God's plans often unfold over long periods, and we must remain steadfast. His life teaches us that no matter how humble our beginnings or how isolated we feel, we should never give up. Joseph's journey from a 17-year-old dreamer to a 40-year-old leader who saved millions is a testament to the importance of patience and faith in God's timing.

We also reflected on our own lives, recognizing that circumstances will never destroy God's will for us, but quitting will. We must focus on what God is doing in us, not just what is happening to us. Our character is built in the unseen moments, and God uses our trials to strengthen us for the future. Just as Joseph's character was developed over 23 years, our trials and tribulations are shaping us for God's greater purpose.

### Key Takeaways

1. Perseverance in God's Plan: Joseph's life exemplifies the importance of not giving up on God's plan, even when it takes longer than expected. His journey from a 17-year-old dreamer to a 40-year-old leader teaches us that God's timing is perfect, and we must remain patient and faithful. [25:17]

2. Faith in Isolation: Joseph's story shows that even in isolation, we must hold on to our faith. Despite being betrayed by his family and forgotten in prison, Joseph leaned into his faith, and God blessed him. Isolation can be a season of growth if we remain steadfast. [50:54]

3. Character Over Comfort: God is more concerned with our character than our comfort. Joseph's trials developed his character, preparing him for the role God had for him. We must focus on what God is doing in us, not just what is happening to us. [57:27]

4. Responding to Offense: Joseph's response to his brothers' betrayal teaches us the power of forgiveness. Instead of seeking revenge, Joseph saw God's hand in his trials and used his position to save many. Our response to offense can determine our future and impact others positively. [01:00:34]

5. Victory Through Christ: Despite our past or the lies of the enemy, we have victory through Christ. Joseph's story, along with Paul's and Job's, reminds us that our trials are temporary, and God's plan for us is eternal. We defeat the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. [41:57]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[15:26] - Introduction and Personal Stories
[18:09] - Series Overview: Kings, Queens, and Prophets
[19:29] - Joseph's Early Life and Dreams
[20:58] - Joseph's Brothers' Betrayal
[22:16] - Joseph Sold into Slavery
[23:45] - Joseph in Potiphar's House
[25:17] - Joseph's Journey and God's Timing
[26:53] - Encouragement to Not Give Up
[28:27] - Personal Ministry Challenges During COVID
[31:14] - Lessons from Ministry Challenges
[33:57] - Overcoming Trials and Quitting
[35:31] - Encouragement for the Nation
[37:13] - Love and Light in Dark Times
[39:06] - Personal Testimony and Overcoming the Past
[41:57] - Victory Through Christ
[43:34] - Lessons from Biblical Figures
[45:22] - Standing Firm in Faith
[47:52] - Joseph's Trials and Faith
[49:22] - Romans 8:28 and God's Goodness
[50:54] - Faith in Isolation
[52:41] - Patience and God's Timing
[55:49] - Developing Character
[57:27] - Building Character in Trials
[59:01] - 1 Peter 1:6-7 and Genuine Faith
[01:00:34] - Responding to Offense
[01:02:18] - Prayer and Invitation to Faith

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 37:3-4 (NIV) - "Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him."
2. Genesis 50:20 (NIV) - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
3. Romans 8:28 (NIV) - "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."

### Observation Questions
1. What was the significance of Joseph's ornate robe, and how did it affect his relationship with his brothers? ([19:29])
2. How did Joseph's faith and integrity influence his journey from being sold into slavery to becoming second in command in Egypt? ([23:45])
3. What was Joseph's response to his brothers when they came to him during the famine, and how did it reflect his understanding of God's plan? ([01:00:34])
4. According to Romans 8:28, how does God work in the lives of those who love Him?

### Interpretation Questions
1. How did Joseph's dreams and his sharing of them contribute to the events that unfolded in his life? ([20:58])
2. In what ways did Joseph's time in isolation and imprisonment shape his character and prepare him for his future role? ([50:54])
3. How does Joseph's story illustrate the concept of God's timing and the importance of patience in our own lives? ([25:17])
4. What can we learn from Joseph's ability to forgive his brothers and see God's hand in his trials? ([01:00:34])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt isolated or forgotten. How did you maintain your faith during that period, and what did you learn from it? ([50:54])
2. Joseph's journey took 23 years from his first dream to its fulfillment. Is there a long-term goal or dream in your life that requires patience and perseverance? How can you stay committed to it? ([25:17])
3. Think about a situation where you were wronged or betrayed. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to practice forgiveness like Joseph? ([01:00:34])
4. Joseph's character was developed through his trials. Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you focus on what God is doing in you rather than what is happening to you? ([57:27])
5. Romans 8:28 speaks of God working all things for good. How can you remind yourself of this truth in difficult times, and what practical steps can you take to trust in God's plan?
6. Joseph's story shows the importance of not giving up. Is there an area in your life where you feel like quitting? What encouragement can you draw from Joseph's example to keep going? ([26:53])
7. How can you use your past experiences, even the painful ones, to help and encourage others, just as Joseph did? ([41:57])

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance in God's Plan
Joseph's life is a powerful example of perseverance in God's plan. Despite being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned, Joseph never gave up on the dreams God had given him. His journey from a 17-year-old dreamer to a 40-year-old leader who saved millions is a testament to the importance of patience and faith in God's timing. Joseph's story teaches us that God's plans often unfold over long periods, and we must remain steadfast, trusting that His timing is perfect. [25:17]

Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

Reflection: Think about a dream or goal you have that seems to be taking longer than expected. How can you trust in God's timing and remain patient and faithful in this season?

Day 2: Faith in Isolation
Joseph's story shows that even in isolation, we must hold on to our faith. Despite being betrayed by his family and forgotten in prison, Joseph leaned into his faith, and God blessed him. Isolation can be a season of growth if we remain steadfast. Joseph's unwavering faith in God, even when he was alone and forgotten, is a powerful reminder that God is always with us, working behind the scenes for our good. [50:54]

Psalm 27:10 (ESV): "For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt isolated or forgotten. How did you see God working in your life during that season? How can you lean into your faith during times of isolation?

Day 3: Character Over Comfort
God is more concerned with our character than our comfort. Joseph's trials developed his character, preparing him for the role God had for him. We must focus on what God is doing in us, not just what is happening to us. Our character is built in the unseen moments, and God uses our trials to strengthen us for the future. Just as Joseph's character was developed over 23 years, our trials and tribulations are shaping us for God's greater purpose. [57:27]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think about a recent trial or challenge you have faced. How has this experience shaped your character? What is God teaching you through this trial?

Day 4: Responding to Offense
Joseph's response to his brothers' betrayal teaches us the power of forgiveness. Instead of seeking revenge, Joseph saw God's hand in his trials and used his position to save many. Our response to offense can determine our future and impact others positively. Joseph's ability to forgive and see God's purpose in his suffering is a powerful example for us to follow. [01:00:34]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?

Day 5: Victory Through Christ
Despite our past or the lies of the enemy, we have victory through Christ. Joseph's story, along with Paul's and Job's, reminds us that our trials are temporary, and God's plan for us is eternal. We defeat the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. No matter what we face, we can have confidence that we are victorious in Christ. [41:57]

1 John 5:4-5 (ESV): "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or lie from the enemy that you have faced. How can you claim victory through Christ in this situation? What steps can you take to stand firm in your faith?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Do not give up on God's plan for your life. That's why we all need this message, because that's Joseph's motto for 23 years. Do not give up on God's plan for your life. Or he may just say, don't give up. No matter what happens, no matter what happens with your family, no matter what happens with your work or your finances or anything like that, Joseph would say, just don't give up. Just don't give up." [26:53] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Circumstances will never destroy God's will for our life, but quit. Quitting does. No matter what the circumstances are, that does not destroy the will of God for our life. But if we quit, that does. Some of the most successful business people are the people that did not quit. The most inspiring and best marriages are the couples that didn't quit." [32:38] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Our country doesn't need us to quit. Our country needs the fruit of the spirit, peace, love, joy, patience, self-control, kindness, gentleness. That's what our country needs. It doesn't need people to give up and say, we're going to hell and a half. It needs us to stand up as the capital C church and say, love your enemies, just like the Bible says. Forgive people, just like Jesus taught us, because that's what's going to change us." [35:31] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We cannot quit. We need to be encouraged from the Holy Spirit. We need to, we need a deep dive. As corny as that is, these kids got it. They don't watch the news. They don't have a care in the world about what's going on. They love life. They're, they're doing everything that they're supposed to be doing. They're inviting people. They're doing everything that they're supposed to be doing. They're inviting friends to church." [37:13] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God has got a purpose and a plan for our life. I don't know what has happened to you. I don't know what your rearview mirror looks like, how long it goes down past the rearview mirror. I have no idea, but that does not disqualify you from being used by God." [45:22] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We can't see the plan of God if we quit. Like, I learned so much through that season of ministry, doing it at our house, having to really communicate effectively with my wife, having to learn how to say things short and concise and powerful and profound to be able to grab a middle school student's attention. Like, I learned a lot of really small things in this season. But if I would have quit, I wouldn't have learned anything." [32:38] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Joseph chose to lean into his faith in times of isolation and God blessed him because of it. I went to church alone for a really long time. Like I would take a bus to church. And then when I finally became old enough to drive, I would get in my stepdad's work truck and I would drive to church alone for weeks and then weeks turned into months and months. And then I would drive to church alone for weeks and then weeks turned into years." [50:54] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God is more concerned with our character, than our comfort. And we are trying to instill this in our high school and college kids every week. It is not about being comfortable. At the end of the day, you should be uncomfortable. We should be pushing ourself to be uncomfortable because forgiving is uncomfortable. Loving your enemy is uncomfortable. All of these things that Jesus calls us to do. Jesus lived the most uncomfortable life ever." [55:49] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Think about the 23 years. For 23 years, God was developing Joseph's character. In all of these different seasons, God was developing Joseph's character. In all of these different seasons, in situations, in family problems, in prison, he gets elevated. He gets knocked back down. God was developing his character in those 23 years. Pastor Mark tells me this all the time. He says, Seth, character is who you are when nobody is looking." [57:27] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When we let offenses go, God will use it as a way to help other people. I said it last week in my message. I've said it here today. I said it the last time I was here. I'm not ashamed of what has happened to me. The things I've gone through, some situations I had to forgive people. Some situations I had to forgive myself. Some situations took counseling for me to overcome, but I'm not ashamed of what I've gone through, what has happened to me, because God continues to redeem all of those situations, and he continues to impact people's lives through them." [01:00:34] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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