The Sucess of Joseph Gen. 39 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Joseph is the greatest type of Christ in the Bible. As Christians, we are constantly being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit in us. Therefore, since Joseph was a type of Christ, we ought to be like Joseph. Now, Joseph was in Egypt, a type of the world, and he was the possession of Potiphar, the type of an employer in the world. This sermon is about the success of Joseph. How did Joseph succeed?
He was saved – v.2 – the Lord was with him. The Lord can’t be with you in the world if you are not his child. Though once you are his child, it is not automatic that you will succeed. Some saved folks do poorly because they don’t do his will.
He was perfect – v.2 – he was right where the Lord wanted him to be, Rom 12:2 – when I worked with concrete, the job was much more physically demanding than banking, but I was where I was supposed to be and so the Lord blessed our work – the Lord is with you at work; you don’t leave him at home after your morning devotion – that’s how you can pray without ceasing – your life is not divided into your church life, your home life and your business life – you want Jesus with you in every aspect of your life, Jos 1:7-9.
He was godly – v.3 – this was evident – his master SAW that he was God’s man – if God allows you to succeed, others will recognize Jesus in you and they should – look at 1 Cor 7:23 and Col 3:22-23 – when Bryan’s “big” boss greeted him the other day, he said to Bryan, “you’re a preacher, aren’t you” – as a consequence of God’s obvious hand in Joseph’s life, Joseph was made an overseer and became an even greater blessing to his master.
He was faithful – v.6 – 1 Cor 4:2 says that more over it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful – Joseph was in charge of everything – he did the work as Potiphar would have – he was a man of integrity – he was trustworthy – many an employee, Christian and otherwise, has been unfaithful and harmed his employer by theft and mismanagement.
He was God fearing – v.8-10 – he stayed away from Potiphar’s wife because he knew that what she wanted was a “sin against God” – he had the highest moral character – schools teach business ethics but no ethical training exceeds the fear of God – the devil ensnares, he gets your feet in the loop waiting for just the right moment to spring the trap and do the most damage – the fear of God will keep you out of the trap – you are going to be tried and the fear of God will keep you from failing.
He was content – v.21-23 – it didn’t make any difference where Joseph was, whether in Potiphar’s bond service or in jail – Joseph was not shaped by his circumstances – he was the same person in either place – he did not complain – he demonstrated what we must do – godliness with contentment is great gain!
He was humble – v.40:8 – pride goeth before destruction – the Lord will exalt the humble – Prov 22:4, “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.”