Sunday, March 23, 2014

"God turns the Nobody to somebody so everybody can see He can use nobody."

God uses the nobodies –Joseph
Ø Genesis 37:1-4
§  Joseph means “God shall act.”
§  Jacob loves Joseph because Joseph is his son of his old age.
§  Joseph was preferred more than his brothers.
Ø Genesis 37:23-28 - Stages of Joseph's life
1.     Pit 
2.     Slavery
3.     Imprisonment
4.     Throne
QUESTION: What did Joseph loose to become nobody?
1.     Genesis 37:23, Joseph lost his personal identity.
2.     Genesis 37:28, Joseph lost his freedom.
3.     Genesis 37:36, Joseph lost his national identity.
4.     Genesis 37:3, Joseph lost his safety network.
Ø Genesis 39-40, Joseph had two experiences
1.     He was a slave/servant in Potiphar's house.
2.     He was in prison.
In each phase we see:
1.     Nobody to somebody-Genesis 39:4, The Lord promoted Joseph, even Joseph was a prisoner. 
§  Advantage of Christian life > When we become nobody The Lord promote us.
2.     Genesis 39:6; 23, Joseph's superiors trusted in Joseph.
§  When you become nobody and when Lord is with you, people will trust you.
3.     Somebody to nobody-God was developing Joseph's gifts:
§  Gift of running away from temptation, running away from sin, his robe was stripped and now he became nobody.
§  When you encounter temptation just run away from temptation, do not entertain temptation.
4.     Genesis 40:23, Joseph was tested. God was testing Joseph to show that man is not promoted by man. Joseph was tested by his passion
5.     Nobody to somebody- God prospered Everything Joseph did 

Although righteous Joseph suffered many drawbacks, he remained faithful to God.  Therefore, God was able to use him to accomplish great things.

Sermon notes from www.intlcog.org; Date: 3/23/2013

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