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JOSEPH THE MAN OF PURPOSE
LESSON TEXT: GENESIS 50:15-21, GENESIS 37:1-36
WHAT IS PURPOSE?
Purpose is a reason for action (Eph 1:2-10) deliberate plan, a proposition, an intention, a design (Rom. 8:23) and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
Joseph was a man of special purpose as he was used to fulfill God’s special purpose in his time.
JOSEPH’S LIFE
Joseph was the second to the last born of Jacob the son of Isaac. He is the son of Rachael, the loved wife of Jacob. He was so loved by his father but despised by his brothers.
He was the star of the family. Gen. 37:1-2 the bible was talking about Jacob but tells the story of Joseph.
JOSEPH’S DREAMS
Gen 37:5-9 he had a dream that he would one day rule over his family (your dream can create enemies for you)
THE FIRST PHASE OF JOSEPH’S LIFE (IN HIS FATHER’S HOUSE)
He was an over pampered boy of his father, he had all he wanted and he got the best of everything. He had a dream which was bigger than him in his father house.
THINGS TO NOTE
Even though Joseph had a dream He was not in a position to fulfill it (God’s plan)
1. He was not ready to abandon his father’s love
2. He was not matured (he lacked experience) so, God used his brother to take him out of his father’s house.
God sometimes takes us out of our comfort zone to fulfill purpose
SECOND PHASE OF JOSEPH’S LIFE
(Potiphar’s house)
He arrived in Egypt as a slave, sold to Potiphar an officer of pharaoh
THINGS TO NOTE
1. The Lord was with Joseph even though he was in a strange land
2. The Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand
3. Joseph found favour in the sight of Potiphar
4. He was made the overseer of the household
5. He had authority over the household
6. God blessed Potiphar’s house and business because of Joseph
He was comfortable again then problem arose again. Potiphar’s wife began to seduce him again.
He was to choose between purpose and his personal comfort
Remember: don’t get stuck in your God given success and miss the God given purpose
THIRD PHASE OF JOSEPH’S LIFE
In the prison
His decision ended him in jail. He landed in a special jail. Still he didn’t stop being productive.
He soon became a leader in the prison. Gen.39:23
He had the opportunity to meet with the personal assistant to pharaoh
You can be in prison and still be prosperous.
What is success then? It is not defined by how much you have. Success is to be in God, in the center of God’s will.
FOURTH PHASE
In the king’s house
He was remembered by someone he had helped.
He finally became the prime minister in Egypt
You might have been disappointed because people have overlooked you, you may feel like you are abandoned or worthless but it is just for a season
His brothers came and bow down for him. He was not there for their worship but to save life.
Joseph fulfilled his purpose in life because he avoided unnecessary distraction. Worldliness is a major distraction, so run away from sin and then you can fulfill purpose. Put God at the head of your purpose and it will come to pass.
DEACON YINKA ANIBABA
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