SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3RD, 2024
7 LESSONS JOSEPH TEACHES US ON SELF-CONTROL.****Sermons by Eric Asare
Genesis 37- 42 tells the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, who was sold into slavery and eventually became a ruler in Egypt: Joseph's story illustrates that God can use bad things to do good things in your life!
• Joseph's life begins: Genesis 37
Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob and Rachel, but his brothers were jealous of him. Joseph had dreams that his brothers would bow down to him, which made his brothers even angrier. They decided to get rid of Joseph by throwing him into a pit in the wilderness.

• Joseph is sold into slavery: Genesis 37
Joseph's brothers sold him to Ishmaelite merchants as a slave. He was then taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's army.

• Joseph in prison: Genesis 39
Potiphar's wife tried to tempt Joseph, but he refused. She accused him of attacking her, and he was put in prison.

• Joseph interprets dreams: Genesis 37
While in prison, Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's baker and butler. He told Pharaoh that there would be seven years of plenty in Egypt, followed by seven years of famine.

• Joseph becomes ruler: Genesis 37
Pharaoh was convinced that God's Spirit was with Joseph, and he appointed Joseph to be the second most powerful man in Egypt. Joseph's task was to prepare for the famine by gathering and storing grain.




Here are 7 lessons Joseph's life teaches us
**Self-control will save us long-term shame:
Joseph's decision to stay pure was tested by Potiphar’s wife. Because God was with Joseph, he was able to pass the test. The outcome didn’t look like a victory, he was imprisoned but not for so long. We can imagine what could have happened if Joseph didn’t have self-control.

**God was with Joseph through his trials:
Joseph suffered a great deal for things he was innocent. In all that he was always ready to fear God and do what was right.

*****God bless us all!!
.....TO BE CONTINUE.

CONTINUATION.........
7 Lessons Joseph's Story Teaches Us:
**Self-control brings focus:
Joseph was not ready to be distracted by the lifestyle of the Egyptians by the pretty temptation that came his way. These made him even more focused on God and fixed on his purposes.

**Character:
Joseph's life teaches us the power of strong character. Although his father spoiled him by making him his favorite and always getting the nice things for him; that did not stop him from developing a strong character which eventually paid off in his days of trial.

**Joseph was humble:
Joseph could interpret dreams, and when Pharaoh shared his dream with Joseph, he quickly pointed out to Pharaoh only God would give Pharaoh a desirable answer. It is important we learn to acknowledge God the giver of all gifts.

**Do not abuse power:
Joseph eventually became the second most important man in Egypt he had all the power to do what he liked but he was still humble. He had the power to revenge on his brothers but he chose to forgive them. This was a big deal. Only spirit-filled individuals would have behaved this way in such circumstance. In our title corners of authority, we should never use it to displease God.

**Trust God through everything:
Joseph's life teaches us to trust in God and never let go in hard times. God truly has good plans for us. But it doesn’t always come rosy from beginning to finish God expects us to trust him to see us through. The blessings of trusting God always outweigh the trials and pains we go through.
For Joseph, he became a political leader in a country he had no legitimacy to rule. Trust God.

***GOD BLESS YOU!!!***


PRAYER POINTS
Prayer is based on the Blessing of Joseph from Acts 7:9-10
“These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace." Acts 7:9-10 NLT

Pray these prayer points over your life by faith from the above Scripture.
1. PRAY FOR GOD’S PRESENCE TO OVERWHELM YOU
“These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him (vs.9)

2. PRAY FOR GOD'S PROTECTION & DELIVERANCE
“But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles" (vs. 9b, 10a)

3. ASK FOR GOD’S FAVOR BEFORE GOD & PEOPLE
“And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt.” (vs.10b)

4. PRAY FOR UNUSUAL WISDOM TO GUIDE YOU, TO KNOW WHAT TO DO & THE POWER TO IMPLEMENT IN YOUR LIFE
“God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom" (vs.10c)

5. PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE YOU AS HIS AGENT TO ACCOMPLISH AWESOME OUTCOMES
“... so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace."”(vs.10d)