06-06-10   The Measures of Godly Men, Biblical Men Who Changed Their World

Faithfulness

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Scripture Reading: 1 Tim 6:7-11 (CJB) For we have brought nothing into the world; and we can take nothing out of it; so if we have food and clothing, we will be satisfied with these. Furthermore, those whose goal is to be rich fall into temptation; they get trapped in many foolish and hurtful ambitions which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all the evils; because of this craving, some people have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves to the heart with many pains. But you, as a man of God, flee from these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Sermon Text: Gen 39:5-9; 41:55b-57   From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master's household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar's household for Joseph's sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn't worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar's wife soon began to look at him lustfully…. But Joseph refused. "Look," he told her, "my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.  No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God." … (41:55b-57) And when the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told them, "Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you." So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the   Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world. 

Sermon Outline

1- What Does It Mean to ‘Man Up?’

      -per the culture

      -cultural results

      -what Is a man of God?

 

2- What’s Special About Joseph?

      -his character reflected God’s

      -he was unchanged by circumstance or others

      -he listened to and waited on God

      -was loyal to family, fellows, and foremen

    -was faithful in little; faithful in much 

3- Measures We Learn From Joseph

      -character that counts comes from God

      -use power to benefit others, not self

      -be patient—God’s timing works best

      -opportunity--not for getting even, but giving grace

      -others may intend evil, God uses for good

Study Guide