WEBVTT 00:00:00.820 --> 00:00:04.419 Well, if you want to keep your Bibles in front of you, 00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:06.740 that would be helpful as we walk through the text together. 00:00:06.860 --> 00:00:07.980 It's already been read to us. 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:11.400 For those who didn't catch it before, we're in Genesis 39 and 40. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:15.500 I think I'm carrying on a series that you've been doing in Genesis. 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:16.980 What's this one, the third? 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:17.920 Second? 00:00:19.300 --> 00:00:19.660 Third. 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:22.719 So it doesn't matter if you haven't been to the other ones. 00:00:22.820 --> 00:00:23.980 This will stand independently, 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:28.080 but hopefully fit nicely into what you've been learning through Genesis. 00:00:28.080 --> 00:00:29.320 Shall we ask for the Lord's help? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.679 In this, as we come to look at his word, let's do that now. 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:37.299 Father God, we thank you for the words of that hymn, 00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:41.039 because they remind us that you are a God who is faithful to us. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:46.039 And when we look back on our lives, we can see just how faithful you've been. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:47.920 The fact that we're standing here today, 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:51.600 praising your name still shows that you have preserved us 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:53.039 through the ups and downs of life. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:56.039 And we thank you that he who began a good work 00:00:56.039 --> 00:00:58.140 and as we'll bring it to completion one day. 00:00:58.140 --> 00:01:00.520 And we'll always have his hand upon us. 00:01:01.420 --> 00:01:05.019 And Lord, we thank you that we have your words to look at this evening. 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:07.299 We thank you that it is living and active, Lord. 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:10.019 I pray that you'd help us to understand the text we're going to be looking at. 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:13.260 I pray for anyone who's feeling particularly tired on this Sunday evening. 00:01:13.819 --> 00:01:16.879 I pray you give us ears to really listen to what you have to say to us. 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:20.699 And I pray that as I preach, Lord, that I might do it faithfully to you. 00:01:21.479 --> 00:01:24.619 And that by your spirit, you might speak to each one of us. 00:01:25.479 --> 00:01:26.479 I pray this in Jesus' name. 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:27.859 Amen. 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:28.859 Amen. 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:33.079 So I wonder if you've ever been in a place in your life 00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:36.280 where you feel like life is just all over the place 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:38.079 and you don't know what God is doing. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:41.299 If life's all over the place, you don't know what God is doing. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:43.340 It might be that something difficult has happened to you. 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:47.380 There's some sort of suffering or it might be that you've had a plan in your head 00:01:47.380 --> 00:01:51.400 and hasn't gone quite as you maybe planned out for it to happen. 00:01:52.740 --> 00:01:55.740 It's just like life has hit you right in the face 00:01:55.740 --> 00:01:57.820 and suddenly it's like, where is God? 00:01:58.760 --> 00:01:59.620 What's going on? 00:02:00.320 --> 00:02:00.980 What's he doing? 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:03.020 It's like that couple that you've read in the news 00:02:03.020 --> 00:02:05.900 went up Mount Everest for their honeymoon a few weeks ago 00:02:05.900 --> 00:02:07.460 and then the earthquake hit. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:11.400 And suddenly their honeymoon is not so joyous anymore 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:15.719 as their camp is filled with snow all around them. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:17.659 Life just hits. 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:19.360 Happens to us, doesn't it? 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:22.099 Well, imagine how Joseph felt 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:25.140 as he shipped down the road by his brothers. 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:26.540 Imagine that. 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:28.800 He was daddy's favourite, wasn't he? 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:30.000 With the coat. 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:34.379 He had these mad dreams about him becoming great. 00:02:35.219 --> 00:02:36.099 Life seemed good. 00:02:36.980 --> 00:02:38.240 Joseph had plans for the future. 00:02:38.540 --> 00:02:40.280 God's blessing was on his life. 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:44.300 God was going to sort him right out going forwards. 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:47.219 But as we find ourselves in chapter 39, 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:49.039 all those dreams seem crushed, don't they? 00:02:50.460 --> 00:02:53.840 I mean, Joseph is a slave in Egypt, the text says. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:56.259 And that would have been a pleasant experience. 00:02:56.340 --> 00:02:57.699 It's easy to skirt over the details. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:02:59.900 That would have been difficult for Joseph. 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:02.159 I mean, he's away from his family, 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:03.840 his place of security. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:07.920 He's away from the land that God had promised to his ancestors. 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:10.400 He's in a pagan country 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:13.480 where they literally would worship every god under the sun. 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:17.400 And he's a slave in a ruthless society. 00:03:18.719 --> 00:03:20.140 Life has hit him in the face. 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:23.219 Life is all over the place for this young teenager. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:28.180 But the key in this text that we see throughout 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:31.620 is that although Joseph's life is difficult here, 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:33.079 God is with him. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:35.979 Throughout this chapter, 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:39.599 we see that although Joseph goes through very difficult circumstances, 00:03:40.460 --> 00:03:43.979 God's hand is on Joseph. 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:45.340 Just look at verse 2. 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:46.840 It says there, 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:47.860 the Lord is with Joseph 00:03:47.860 --> 00:03:49.960 and he became a successful man 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:52.200 and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:54.340 And at the end of a chapter, 00:03:55.900 --> 00:03:56.319 it says, 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:56.960 but the Lord 00:03:56.960 --> 00:03:59.900 was with Joseph 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:01.280 and showed his steadfast love 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:03.719 and gave him favor. 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:04.659 That's verse 21. 00:04:05.800 --> 00:04:07.740 So even though Joseph is a slave 00:04:07.740 --> 00:04:09.300 and then later on he's in prison, 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:11.120 the God of the Bible 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:12.819 is with him. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:15.400 And the word here for the Lord 00:04:15.400 --> 00:04:16.259 is the word Yahweh. 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:18.639 Which is his personal name 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:20.500 with which he reveals himself to his people. 00:04:20.619 --> 00:04:22.399 It's his covenant-keeping name. 00:04:23.039 --> 00:04:23.839 And it's interesting, 00:04:23.959 --> 00:04:25.179 as you read through Genesis, 00:04:25.799 --> 00:04:27.239 the word Yahweh hasn't been used 00:04:27.239 --> 00:04:28.359 for the last 10 chapters. 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:31.179 Hasn't been used. 00:04:32.339 --> 00:04:33.739 It's only when he gets down to Egypt 00:04:33.739 --> 00:04:35.659 in this godless society 00:04:35.659 --> 00:04:37.679 as a slave 00:04:37.679 --> 00:04:40.459 that again Yahweh has used this word, 00:04:40.539 --> 00:04:41.620 his covenant-keeping name. 00:04:42.479 --> 00:04:43.379 What does this show us? 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:45.399 This shows us that the God of the Bible 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:47.379 is with his people 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:48.399 in the most difficult 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:50.339 and godless situations. 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:53.219 When people's lives are all over the place 00:04:53.219 --> 00:04:54.939 and things are all at sea, 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:56.599 God is with his people. 00:04:57.939 --> 00:04:59.299 And this is the kind of language 00:04:59.299 --> 00:05:00.179 that is used throughout 00:05:00.179 --> 00:05:01.739 the Old Testament and the New. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:04.660 Even just before in Genesis, 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:07.340 in Genesis chapter 26, 00:05:07.579 --> 00:05:08.620 verse 24, 00:05:09.019 --> 00:05:10.699 God says to Isaac this, 00:05:10.900 --> 00:05:11.840 I am the God of Abraham, 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:12.439 your father. 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:13.280 Fear not, 00:05:13.900 --> 00:05:15.040 for I am 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:16.319 with you. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:18.360 Fear not, 00:05:18.460 --> 00:05:19.180 for I am with you. 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:21.160 A bit later on 00:05:21.160 --> 00:05:21.900 to his father, 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:22.600 Jacob, 00:05:22.699 --> 00:05:23.280 he says this, 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:23.920 Behold, 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:26.480 I am with you 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:28.240 and will keep you 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:29.040 wherever you go 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:30.100 and will bring you back 00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:30.699 to this land 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:31.759 for I will not leave 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:32.980 until I have done 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:34.540 what I have promised you. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:36.600 That was 28.15 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:37.560 if you're taking notes. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:39.120 And so no matter 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:40.420 what we go through in life, 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:41.319 in the ups and downs, 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:42.180 the lefts and rights, 00:05:42.300 --> 00:05:43.160 God is with his people. 00:05:43.620 --> 00:05:44.639 He never leaves them 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:46.280 nor does he forsake them. 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:48.579 And while Joseph 00:05:48.579 --> 00:05:49.659 is at Potiphar's house 00:05:49.659 --> 00:05:50.579 as a slave, 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:52.000 God's hand is upon him 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:52.879 as we see in the text. 00:05:53.219 --> 00:05:54.579 And it says that he rises 00:05:54.579 --> 00:05:55.559 through the ranks. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:57.519 God is with him 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:58.339 and so he allows 00:05:58.339 --> 00:06:01.219 his child to prosper. 00:06:02.659 --> 00:06:03.739 The text says that 00:06:03.739 --> 00:06:04.699 Joseph found favor 00:06:04.699 --> 00:06:05.519 in Potiphar's sight 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:06.039 and he made him 00:06:06.039 --> 00:06:07.099 overseer of the house. 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:08.159 He trusted Joseph 00:06:08.159 --> 00:06:08.639 with everything. 00:06:08.719 --> 00:06:09.919 Just look at verses 5 and 6. 00:06:11.459 --> 00:06:12.319 From that time 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:12.959 that he made him 00:06:12.959 --> 00:06:14.039 overseer in the house 00:06:14.039 --> 00:06:15.559 and over all that he had, 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:16.500 the Lord blessed 00:06:16.500 --> 00:06:17.319 the Egyptian's house 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:18.379 for Joseph's sake. 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:19.040 The blessing of the Lord 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:20.519 was on all that he had 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:21.420 in house and field. 00:06:22.019 --> 00:06:23.620 So Potiphar, 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:25.000 he left all that he had 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:26.180 in Joseph's charge. 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:27.660 And because of him 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:28.500 he had no concern 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:29.160 about anything 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:31.240 but the food he ate. 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:33.259 That's big, 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:34.139 that's amazing, isn't it? 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:35.759 He's a slave 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:37.680 and he's a foreigner 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:38.899 and yet 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:40.000 because God's hand 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:40.779 is upon him 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:42.300 he is put in charge 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:44.279 of this house. 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:48.019 How did Potiphar 00:06:48.019 --> 00:06:49.160 see that God's hand 00:06:49.160 --> 00:06:49.860 was on him anyway? 00:06:51.019 --> 00:06:51.420 Well one, 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.920 Joseph must have been 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:54.199 sharing his religious convictions 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:55.800 with Potiphar. 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:57.339 He must have been 00:06:57.339 --> 00:06:58.579 telling him about Yahweh 00:06:58.579 --> 00:06:59.000 and how he'd been 00:06:59.000 --> 00:06:59.780 leading his people 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:00.639 and the promises 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:01.500 that he had kept. 00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:03.500 But two, 00:07:03.860 --> 00:07:04.779 Joseph as we see 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:05.519 throughout these chapters 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:06.620 is a man of integrity. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:08.420 As we see later on 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:09.660 he's a man who is faithful. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:11.779 He's a man who is trustworthy. 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:12.959 He's a man who doesn't 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:13.620 cut corners. 00:07:14.099 --> 00:07:14.979 He works hard 00:07:14.979 --> 00:07:15.659 for his boss. 00:07:17.039 --> 00:07:17.719 And if you think again 00:07:17.719 --> 00:07:18.719 about the circumstances 00:07:18.719 --> 00:07:19.919 this is an amazing reaction 00:07:19.919 --> 00:07:20.939 from Joseph, isn't it? 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:22.699 I mean, 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:23.859 rather than getting bitter, 00:07:25.039 --> 00:07:26.279 rather than getting depressed 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:27.699 with his new surroundings 00:07:27.699 --> 00:07:28.279 which would have been 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:29.039 difficult for him 00:07:29.039 --> 00:07:30.000 as we've seen, 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:31.620 what does Joseph do? 00:07:32.299 --> 00:07:33.039 He gets on with the job. 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:35.099 He doesn't moan. 00:07:36.039 --> 00:07:36.799 He doesn't complain. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:38.079 He doesn't sulk. 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:39.859 Throughout the next 00:07:39.859 --> 00:07:40.560 two chapters 00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:41.800 we see that despite 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:42.939 what is thrown at Joseph 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:45.379 he's faithful to his God. 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:47.939 That's a challenge 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:48.420 to us this evening, 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:48.860 isn't it? 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:50.319 Because often when 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:51.740 things don't go our way 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:52.480 we go off in a little huff, 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:52.899 don't we? 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:55.120 We act like toddlers. 00:07:56.220 --> 00:07:57.160 We get impatient. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:58.300 We get angry. 00:07:58.420 --> 00:07:58.879 We sulk. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:01.420 We get frustrated with God. 00:08:01.540 --> 00:08:01.680 Oh, 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:02.959 it hasn't worked out 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:03.720 as I wanted it to. 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:06.399 But Joseph shows us 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:06.680 what to do 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:07.720 in difficult circumstances, 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:08.279 does he not? 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:10.659 Stay faithful to God. 00:08:11.559 --> 00:08:12.699 Maybe you're in a situation 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:13.299 this evening 00:08:13.299 --> 00:08:15.539 where things haven't worked out 00:08:15.539 --> 00:08:16.039 as you planned 00:08:16.039 --> 00:08:17.859 for whatever reason. 00:08:19.119 --> 00:08:20.039 Maybe you're going 00:08:20.039 --> 00:08:21.000 through a difficult time 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:22.259 in your life 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:22.959 as we do. 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:25.359 The key is not to sulk 00:08:25.359 --> 00:08:25.959 and get bitter 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:26.899 with our circumstances 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:28.439 but to stay faithful to God. 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:30.759 To get on with 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:31.819 what God has called us to 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:33.059 because he's with us 00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:34.279 even if it's difficult. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:37.120 Anyway, 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:37.820 things are going well 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:38.279 for Joseph 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:39.220 and part of his house. 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:40.759 He's risen through the ranks 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:41.960 and God's hand is upon him 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:43.480 but as we see 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:44.139 throughout the Bible 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:44.720 whenever there's times 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:45.460 of prosperity 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.740 the devil is lurking 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:47.220 in the background, 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:47.639 isn't he? 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:49.600 He's always trying to tempt 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:51.080 and destroy the people of God. 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:51.840 It's been like that 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:52.419 since the garden 00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:54.560 and Joseph is no different. 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:55.360 The text says that 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.259 Joseph was a bit 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:57.039 of a good looking guy. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:58.980 Look at verse 6b. 00:09:00.560 --> 00:09:01.480 The scene shifts 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:02.060 slightly, doesn't it? 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:02.740 Now Joseph 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:03.820 was handsome 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:05.220 in form and appearance. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:06.779 Apparently he was a bit 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:07.500 of a Brad Pitt. 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:09.540 A few girls like Brad Pitt, 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:09.960 I don't know. 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:12.600 Good jawline, 00:09:13.040 --> 00:09:13.639 nice abs. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:16.100 Good looking guy. 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:18.240 Stephen knows 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:18.940 what I'm talking about. 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:22.639 Apopha's wife 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:23.800 takes a bit of a shine 00:09:23.800 --> 00:09:24.580 to the young lads. 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:25.899 In fact, 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.779 she is full of lust for him 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:29.320 and she ain't shy about it. 00:09:30.280 --> 00:09:31.140 The text says that 00:09:31.140 --> 00:09:32.700 day after day after day 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:33.520 she gets him to try 00:09:33.520 --> 00:09:35.379 and lie in bed with him. 00:09:37.140 --> 00:09:38.220 Now think about it. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.580 The circumstances 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:40.400 that we just built up 00:09:40.400 --> 00:09:40.900 in our heads. 00:09:41.040 --> 00:09:41.480 You're Joseph. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.240 You're a young man. 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:44.820 You're full of testosterone. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.220 You're away from home. 00:09:48.160 --> 00:09:49.300 You're in a foreign land 00:09:49.300 --> 00:09:51.120 and you have a beautiful lady 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:52.700 offering you sex. 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:54.880 What would you do, 00:09:55.160 --> 00:09:55.460 lads, 00:09:55.800 --> 00:09:56.640 if you're honest with yourself? 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:58.899 Most men 00:09:58.899 --> 00:09:59.720 would jump straight 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:00.319 into bed with her. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:02.639 That's a major bit 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:03.199 of temptation 00:10:03.199 --> 00:10:04.259 that Joseph's facing. 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:06.840 And it would have been easy 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:07.539 for him to justify 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:08.000 it in his head, 00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:08.340 wouldn't it? 00:10:10.059 --> 00:10:11.019 Just a quick one. 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:11.960 No harm done. 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:15.740 I deserve this little bit 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:16.659 of joy after all the 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:17.279 difficult things 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:17.919 I've been going through. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:18.720 I mean, I'm a slave. 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:21.279 Or maybe this will help 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.220 me get ahead even more 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:23.659 and fulfill God's plan. 00:10:23.720 --> 00:10:24.179 It would have been easy 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:24.840 for him to justify 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:25.580 it in his head. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:28.480 But how does Joseph react? 00:10:29.939 --> 00:10:31.100 He's a man of integrity. 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:32.939 He's a man of purity. 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:33.980 Look at verses 8 and 10. 00:10:35.199 --> 00:10:36.399 But he refused. 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.159 He refused. 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:38.879 He said to his master's wife, 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:39.340 Behold, 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:40.840 because of me 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:42.159 my master has no concern 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:43.379 about anything in the house 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.559 and he has put everything 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.860 that he has in my charge. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.679 He is not greater 00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:48.819 in this house than I am, 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:50.240 nor has he kept back 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:51.059 anything from me 00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:51.779 except yourself 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.120 because you are his wife. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:54.379 How then can I do 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.240 this great wickedness 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:56.299 and sin against God? 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:58.159 And as she spoke to Joseph 00:10:58.159 --> 00:10:59.139 day after day, 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:00.179 he would not listen to her 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:01.559 to lie beside her 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:03.439 or to be with her. 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:05.340 He says, 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:05.639 basically, 00:11:05.819 --> 00:11:07.240 I can't sleep with you 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:08.519 because it will dishonor 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:09.159 your husband 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:10.679 and my master 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:11.819 and more importantly, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.159 it will dishonor 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:13.980 the Lord. 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:14.240 God's. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.379 He knows that God 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.060 is with him 00:11:18.060 --> 00:11:18.860 and he knows 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:20.300 that this is a great wickedness. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.300 Reminds us of Psalm 51, 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:22.620 isn't it? 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.879 After David sinned 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:24.840 against Bathsheba 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:25.180 and he said, 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.060 only against you. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:27.440 Against you only 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:28.399 have I sinned. 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:31.560 That's his main thing. 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.320 That's his main 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:33.580 drive in life. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:34.680 He wants to honor the Lord. 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:35.700 He wants to stay faithful 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:36.620 to him as we've seen. 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:39.039 And how different 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:40.120 is his reaction to us? 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:40.759 He says, 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:41.539 this is really 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:42.480 a great wickedness 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:43.639 against you, 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:44.840 the Lord. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:47.299 Often when we 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:48.340 want to sin, 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.179 what do we do? 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:51.299 We sweep the seriousness 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:51.659 of the sin 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.319 under the carpet. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.519 Push it to the sides. 00:11:55.220 --> 00:11:55.700 Speak to ourselves, 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:56.340 well this sin, 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:58.240 it's not that bad. 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:00.480 God won't mind that much 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:01.220 if I do this or that. 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.919 What harm am I doing anyway? 00:12:05.559 --> 00:12:06.399 I deserve it. 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:09.519 But Joseph knows 00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:10.259 the Bible. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:11.899 Joseph knows 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.600 that God is a God 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.139 of holiness 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:14.679 and that he takes sin 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:16.279 very, very seriously 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:17.580 and so he says no. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.139 The thing is 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:20.860 with Joseph 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.519 that I admire, 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.819 he doesn't just say no once, 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:24.840 but day after day 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:25.679 she's after him 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:26.840 and he says no again 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:27.740 and again 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:28.620 and again 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.539 and again 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:29.559 and again. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.600 And on that final encounter 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:32.039 when she actually 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:32.899 pulls his cloak, 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:34.679 he runs from her. 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:36.580 Reminds us of 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:37.200 the New Testament 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.000 where Paul writes 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.980 in 1 Corinthians 6 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:39.639 verse 18, 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:40.059 flee. 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.500 Flee 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.700 from sexual 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:43.639 immorality. 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.559 In other words, 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.600 run away from sin. 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:47.639 That's what we've been 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.580 called to do as Christians. 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:51.679 The problem with us 00:12:51.679 --> 00:12:52.700 sometimes as Christians 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:53.159 is this, 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:54.439 we don't run away from sin, 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.439 we run straight into it. 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:58.680 Sometimes when our hearts 00:12:58.680 --> 00:12:59.160 going off 00:12:59.160 --> 00:13:00.640 away from the Lord, 00:13:00.680 --> 00:13:01.220 we look for it, 00:13:01.260 --> 00:13:01.580 don't we? 00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:03.780 We don't guard against sin. 00:13:04.180 --> 00:13:04.440 In fact, 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:05.320 we dishonor the Lord. 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.380 But if we're going to be 00:13:07.380 --> 00:13:08.000 people of integrity, 00:13:08.180 --> 00:13:08.780 we're going to be people 00:13:08.780 --> 00:13:09.740 who follow like Joseph, 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.300 then we need to run 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:12.160 from temptation, 00:13:12.400 --> 00:13:13.620 not straight into it. 00:13:14.400 --> 00:13:15.360 We need to know 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.720 the seriousness of sin, 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:17.640 the great wickedness 00:13:17.640 --> 00:13:18.720 that it is against the Lord. 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:20.100 Don't sweep under a carpet. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:22.600 Remember that God 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:23.259 is the holy, 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:23.620 holy, 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:24.440 holy God 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:26.040 and creator 00:13:26.040 --> 00:13:27.240 who has called us 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.120 to holiness as well. 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:29.820 We need to know 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:30.759 that our sin leads 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.980 and has difficult 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.240 and bad consequences 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:33.920 in our lives. 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.440 It leads to death. 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:38.200 A famous guy 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.800 called John Owen 00:13:39.800 --> 00:13:40.520 writes this, 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.880 Do you mortify? 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:45.900 Prosh word for 00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.560 do you kill sin? 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:48.540 Do you make it 00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.440 your daily work? 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.560 Be always at it 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:52.300 while you live. 00:13:53.140 --> 00:13:54.100 Cease not a day 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:54.820 from this work. 00:13:55.140 --> 00:13:56.100 Be killing sin 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:59.040 or it will be killing you. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.800 Be killing sin 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:04.500 or it will be killing you. 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:05.680 You see, 00:14:05.760 --> 00:14:06.460 the Bible says run. 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.760 The Bible says flee. 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:09.360 The Bible says kill sin. 00:14:10.400 --> 00:14:10.700 The Bible says 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:11.480 don't play with it. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.620 Don't play with it. 00:14:14.520 --> 00:14:15.400 Don't be like a dog 00:14:15.400 --> 00:14:17.220 that constantly returns 00:14:17.220 --> 00:14:17.880 to its vomit. 00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:20.440 As the proverb writer says, 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.260 kill sin 00:14:21.260 --> 00:14:22.740 or it will literally 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:24.540 kill us spiritually. 00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:27.160 And it's interesting 00:14:27.160 --> 00:14:28.260 that as you look at Joseph 00:14:28.260 --> 00:14:29.280 here in verse 10 00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:30.360 that it's the opposite 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.060 of Adam and Eve 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:31.660 in the garden. 00:14:33.280 --> 00:14:33.880 So in the garden, 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:34.640 what does Satan do? 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.420 He tempts. 00:14:35.780 --> 00:14:36.600 Then with the one thing 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.220 they're not allowed. 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:38.800 They've got everything 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:39.880 that they could want 00:14:39.880 --> 00:14:40.460 and need. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.140 But God says one thing. 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.040 Don't eat of the tree 00:14:43.040 --> 00:14:45.600 of knowledge 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.340 of good and evil. 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:47.700 What do they do? 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:48.880 They disappear 00:14:48.880 --> 00:14:49.540 with that one thing. 00:14:51.760 --> 00:14:52.080 But here, 00:14:52.160 --> 00:14:52.780 Joseph has been given 00:14:52.780 --> 00:14:53.960 all things by his master 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:55.140 as he says in verse 9. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:56.860 Except that one thing, 00:14:56.900 --> 00:14:57.380 his wife. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.280 And what does he do? 00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.020 He rejects it. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.340 He's a man of integrity 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.660 and he has the honour 00:15:03.660 --> 00:15:04.360 of the Lord 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.019 at the forefront 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.720 of his mind. 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.220 And in his actions, 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:08.879 he points forward 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.480 to the Lord Jesus, 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:09.940 doesn't he? 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:12.759 Hebrews 4.15 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.399 says this, 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.419 we do not have 00:15:14.419 --> 00:15:15.240 a high priest 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.539 who is unable 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.379 to sympathise 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.100 with our weaknesses, 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.519 but who in every respect 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.679 has been tempted 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:22.639 as we are yet 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.620 is without sin. 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.519 I mean, 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.340 Joseph is faithful 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:26.919 to God 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.639 in this moment. 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.620 And God uses him 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:32.059 to complete 00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:33.139 his plan of salvation 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.899 for his people, 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:34.319 doesn't he? 00:15:34.699 --> 00:15:35.139 You know that 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.899 from a couple of chapters 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:36.459 later on. 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:39.100 What did the Lord Jesus do? 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:40.180 He resisted temptation 00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:41.060 against temptation 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:41.680 against temptation. 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:42.600 He was without sin 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.900 and he was able 00:15:43.900 --> 00:15:44.860 to buy our salvation. 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:46.280 Joseph points to the better 00:15:46.280 --> 00:15:47.240 and greater Joseph 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:48.019 which is Jesus. 00:15:50.920 --> 00:15:51.700 Let me challenge you 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:52.160 this evening. 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.360 Maybe you've been 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.440 dabbling with sin 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:55.379 a little bit in your life. 00:15:56.660 --> 00:15:57.519 Maybe you're bitter 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.700 with your circumstances 00:15:58.700 --> 00:15:59.220 and you've been 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.740 justifying your little sins. 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:02.580 Maybe you haven't been 00:16:02.580 --> 00:16:03.700 taking sin seriously 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.379 in your life. 00:16:05.780 --> 00:16:06.220 Maybe you've been 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:06.879 running to sin 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.840 and not away from it. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.420 Well, the call here is 00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:10.320 follow Joseph 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:12.180 and receive life. 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.139 Follow Joseph 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.399 and run away from sin. 00:16:15.660 --> 00:16:16.259 Leave it behind. 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:19.580 Leave it behind. 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:20.720 Because if you live 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.300 a half-hearted 00:16:21.300 --> 00:16:22.120 Christian life, 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.040 it leads to misery. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.820 That's all it leads to. 00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:26.820 When we walk 00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:27.300 with the Lord 00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:28.420 of integrity of heart, 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.040 we are blessed 00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:30.279 and we receive 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:31.000 great joy. 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.420 And know that 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.220 if you are in sin 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:34.879 this evening, 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.060 that there is great hope 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.899 for each one of us. 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.500 And that's through 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.139 Jesus Christ, 00:16:39.219 --> 00:16:39.579 isn't it? 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.559 Because when we run 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:41.139 away from sin, 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:42.279 we can run into his arms 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:44.159 and receive mercy 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.699 and find grace 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:46.759 for our time of need, 00:16:47.079 --> 00:16:47.599 as the writer 00:16:47.599 --> 00:16:48.139 of the Hebrews 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.859 later says. 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:51.979 So what does Joseph 00:16:51.979 --> 00:16:52.799 get for his troubles 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.199 of rejecting 00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:53.839 the temptation? 00:16:54.619 --> 00:16:55.139 Does he get a nice 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:55.759 pat on the back? 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.019 A little hug 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.639 from his wife? 00:16:58.859 --> 00:16:59.539 No, he gets 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.679 prisoned for his troubles. 00:17:01.119 --> 00:17:01.799 Pot of his wife, 00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:03.419 angry at the rejection, 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:04.319 she calls rape. 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:06.000 She tells the guards 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.799 and tells Potiphar 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.379 himself. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.899 She plays on the fact 00:17:08.899 --> 00:17:10.299 that Joseph is a foreigner. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.960 Potiphar is obviously 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.759 outraged 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.319 and so he throws 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.180 Joseph in prison. 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:17.579 Sometimes the reward 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.420 for a godly life 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.180 leads to what? 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.200 Persecution. 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:21.720 Look to that. 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.600 This morning in Nidri, 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.500 Matthew 5, 8, 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.140 Blessed are those 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:24.779 who are persecuted 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.779 for righteousness' sake, 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.740 for theirs is the 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.400 kingdom of heaven. 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.339 When we stand up 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.880 for the truth, 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.579 don't always expect 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.259 a pat on the back 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.860 for your troubles, 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.839 but expect persecution 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.559 and opposition. 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.819 People will revile 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.579 and reject 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.200 and slander 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:37.660 and throw us 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.059 into prison 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:38.579 for our faith 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:39.380 in Jesus Christ. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.519 And that's what's 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.120 happened to Joseph. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.360 Man, 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.059 this is a rollercoaster 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.360 for him, 00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:44.720 isn't it? 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.579 This is a rollercoaster 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.140 for Joseph. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.680 He's in slavery, 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:49.420 doesn't know 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:50.120 what's going on, 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:51.799 but then he rises 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.339 through the ranks, 00:17:52.459 --> 00:17:53.459 God's hand is upon him 00:17:53.459 --> 00:17:54.699 and now he's back 00:17:54.699 --> 00:17:54.979 at the bottom 00:17:54.979 --> 00:17:55.679 of the pile again 00:17:55.679 --> 00:17:57.439 in such a brief 00:17:57.439 --> 00:17:58.419 amount of time. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:17:59.579 In fact, 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:00.919 he's even in a worse 00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:01.679 scenario than he was 00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:02.299 when he began. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.000 I mean, 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.559 prison would not 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.299 have been a nice place 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:05.959 back in the day 00:18:05.959 --> 00:18:06.879 in Egypt. 00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:09.000 It's not like it is 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.379 in the UK 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:10.039 if you've ever visited 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.819 a prison full of TVs, 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.879 running hot water, 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:14.099 three square meals a day, 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.179 even if the meals 00:18:15.179 --> 00:18:16.079 were not that nice. 00:18:17.739 --> 00:18:18.539 But this prison 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.259 would have been dank, 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.099 this prison would have 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.719 been dark 00:18:20.719 --> 00:18:21.500 and full of hunger. 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:23.579 Just flick ahead 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.559 to Psalm 105, 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.619 gives us a little insight 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:27.019 into what Joseph 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.980 must have been feeling 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.579 as a psalmist 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.379 commentates 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.899 on his life. 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.559 Psalm 105, 00:18:32.719 --> 00:18:33.719 18 says this, 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.019 his feet 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.099 were hurt 00:18:37.099 --> 00:18:37.539 with fetters, 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.159 talking about Joseph, 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.159 his neck 00:18:39.159 --> 00:18:40.119 was put 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:41.639 in a collar 00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:42.219 of iron. 00:18:43.199 --> 00:18:44.000 That wasn't a hotel 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.599 he was in 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.379 when he was in prison. 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.259 Literally, 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.179 he was chained 00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:49.139 by the neck 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.960 and his feet. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.960 And the question is, 00:18:53.040 --> 00:18:53.200 again, 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.660 as you're walking 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.280 through the text 00:18:54.280 --> 00:18:54.640 and you're walking 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:55.620 through Joseph's life, 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.740 is what is God doing? 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.740 How can this man 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.660 be blessed by God 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.100 after he had 00:19:01.100 --> 00:19:01.780 all those dreams? 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:02.940 It seems like 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:04.680 Joseph is a million miles 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.300 away from fulfilling 00:19:05.300 --> 00:19:06.020 the dreams that God 00:19:06.020 --> 00:19:07.200 gave him all those years ago. 00:19:08.280 --> 00:19:09.220 It feels like God 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.820 is not there. 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:11.580 Where is he? 00:19:13.520 --> 00:19:13.820 Again, 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:14.220 as we walk 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.759 through the text 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.480 and we walk 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.500 through Joseph's life, 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.680 it says in verse 21 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.039 again, 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:18.619 but the Lord 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:20.460 was with Joseph. 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.940 You see, 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.559 this is all part 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.339 of God's plan. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:25.799 You see, 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.299 God is going to 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.240 use this situation 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:27.839 as we find out 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:28.539 in chapter 40 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.379 for Joseph 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:29.940 to interpret 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.379 the dreams 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:31.079 of the cupbearer 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.539 and baker. 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.420 And the cupbearer 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.240 will get reinstated 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.200 at Pharaoh's palace. 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.720 And when Pharaoh 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:38.019 gets dreams later on, 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.480 the cupbearer 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:38.859 will recommend 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.259 that Joseph 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.079 interprets them. 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.059 And then Joseph 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.700 is going to interpret 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.220 the dreams 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.600 and be made 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.460 a powerful figure. 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.500 And his brothers 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.220 will come along 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.160 and he will feed them 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.720 and he will save 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.220 his family. 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.000 You see, 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.539 right now, 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.200 he doesn't know 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.860 what God is doing, 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.779 but when you read 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.480 a couple of chapters 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.059 down the line, 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:54.660 you know what God 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.039 is doing. 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.799 God hasn't abandoned 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.519 his servant Joseph 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.579 even though he's in prison. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.180 God is sovereign 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.339 and God is working 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:03.180 behind the scenes. 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.339 The question is, 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.519 as I was thinking 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:07.839 through this, 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.759 why does Joseph 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.339 have to go through 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:10.180 these dark times 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:11.240 to get there though? 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.860 Why couldn't just 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.619 God on his 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:14.759 bing, bing, bang thing 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.299 and just got him 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:15.939 straight to Pharaoh 00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:16.839 instead of going 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.779 through the prison stuff? 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.740 Well, God is preparing 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.619 Joseph for the future. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.439 God is going to use 00:20:22.439 --> 00:20:23.319 these circumstances 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.740 to refine his character 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.839 back to Psalm 105 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.859 briefly. 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.299 The psalmist gives us 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.139 a bit more insight 00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:32.199 in verse 18 and 19. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.559 He says, 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.559 his feet were hurt 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.559 with fetters, 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.759 his neck was put 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.659 in a collar of iron 00:20:36.659 --> 00:20:38.599 until what he had said 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:40.219 had said come to pass. 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.240 The word of the Lord 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.419 tested him. 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.779 It's interesting, 00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:44.240 isn't it? 00:20:44.959 --> 00:20:45.719 His feet were hurt, 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.479 he was in collar 00:20:46.479 --> 00:20:47.259 of iron 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.740 until what he had said 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.619 come to pass. 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:51.179 The word of the Lord 00:20:51.179 --> 00:20:52.859 tested him. 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.159 You see, 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.379 God was preparing 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.659 Joseph for the future 00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:58.299 through this time 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:58.879 of suffering. 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.659 He was refining 00:21:00.659 --> 00:21:01.439 his character. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.139 I mean, 00:21:03.219 --> 00:21:04.279 remember, 00:21:04.479 --> 00:21:05.259 although Joseph 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.219 was a man of integrity 00:21:06.219 --> 00:21:07.179 in Pharaoh's life, 00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:08.179 sorry, 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.959 in Potiphar's, 00:21:10.719 --> 00:21:11.939 he was a man of integrity 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.759 in Potiphar's house. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.980 Remember that Joseph 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.860 was cocky. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.259 Remember that Joseph 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.660 was an arrogant young man 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.960 as we see earlier 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.539 in Genesis. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.440 That's what got 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.340 sort of into slavery 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:26.259 in the first place. 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.080 His brothers 00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:28.340 didn't like his attitude. 00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:29.539 Yes, 00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:30.360 they were jealous of him 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:31.279 but he didn't help things, 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:31.539 did he? 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.039 And so God wanted 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.799 to humble him, 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:38.160 God wanted to test him 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.980 and God wanted to change him 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.480 so he was ready 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.140 for the future. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.380 That's the same 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:44.960 for us today, 00:21:45.040 --> 00:21:45.340 isn't it? 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:46.960 God always uses 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.580 suffering 00:21:47.580 --> 00:21:49.320 to humble us 00:21:49.320 --> 00:21:50.200 and to make us 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.019 more like Christ. 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:53.019 We get this image 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.920 in 1 Peter 1 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:56.040 verses 6 and 7 00:21:56.040 --> 00:21:58.540 where Peter writes this, 00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:00.139 In this you rejoice, 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:02.159 though now for a little while 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:02.759 if necessary 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.460 you've been grieved 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.539 by various trials, 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.599 so that the tested 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:08.539 genuineness of your faith, 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.720 more precious than gold 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.579 that perishes 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:13.539 though it is tested by fire, 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.879 may be found to result 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.519 in praise 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.480 and glory 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.399 and honour 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.180 of the revelation 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.059 of Jesus Christ. 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.399 In other words, 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.899 during times of suffering, 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.460 God refines us 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:25.099 like gold. 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:27.759 If you know anything 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.459 about the process 00:22:28.459 --> 00:22:29.439 of refining gold, 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.339 it goes like this, 00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:31.719 they get the gold, 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.480 they put it in a special pot 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.199 called a crucible 00:22:34.199 --> 00:22:36.019 and they heat it up 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:37.279 to a very hot temperature 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.279 and what happens 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:38.919 is that the heat 00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:40.119 melts everything 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:41.619 but it brings the impurities 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.419 to the top 00:22:42.419 --> 00:22:43.779 and the goldsmith 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.740 can wipe away 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.039 what's called the dross, 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:47.319 the impurities at the top. 00:22:48.459 --> 00:22:49.359 They let it cool down 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:50.119 and they do it again, 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:50.639 they heat it up 00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.459 to a higher temperature 00:22:51.459 --> 00:22:52.839 and the dross comes 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:54.299 and they wipe it away. 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:57.480 And they keep on doing it 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.659 until the goldsmith 00:22:58.659 --> 00:23:00.099 can see his face 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:00.919 in the actual gold 00:23:00.919 --> 00:23:03.119 until it's nice and shiny 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:04.139 like it has in your rings 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:05.079 and your jewellery. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.619 That's what happens 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.339 to us, isn't it? 00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:10.779 It's the heat 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:12.240 that gets the impurities out 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.799 and it's the heat 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.500 of suffering 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.639 that humbles us 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:16.639 and changes us. 00:23:18.459 --> 00:23:19.179 What does it do? 00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:19.980 It helps us to cling 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.639 to Christ more clearly. 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:23.900 It helps us 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.460 to not be proud. 00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.860 It shows us 00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:29.000 our sinful hearts. 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.420 It changes us, 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:31.700 doesn't it, 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.759 those times of difficulty 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.860 as the Lord 00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.840 walks with us. 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.660 Now let me be clear, 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.400 I don't want to be trite 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.460 about people's sufferings 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:38.960 this evening. 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.520 Some of us may be 00:23:40.520 --> 00:23:40.900 going through 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:42.480 very, very difficult times. 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.420 But in all things 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:44.780 we need to know 00:23:44.780 --> 00:23:45.860 that God is in control 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.920 and that he's working 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.820 for our good 00:23:47.820 --> 00:23:48.800 and his glory. 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:51.539 He is our heavenly Father. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:51.799 Remember, 00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:53.000 he's our heavenly Father 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.359 who wants good for us. 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:56.819 He's not a cruel God. 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.720 He's not a distant God. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:00.240 He's a God who is good. 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.740 He's a God who is loving. 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:03.200 He's a God who is wise. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.119 And he knows 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.799 what he's doing 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:06.059 in every season 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.480 of our lives. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.399 And the question 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:11.059 for us this evening 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.460 is this, 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.759 will we be like Joseph 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.279 who trusts the Lord 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.559 through these difficult times 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:17.119 and is refined 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.899 in his character? 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.400 Or will we grow bitter 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.320 with the circumstances 00:24:20.320 --> 00:24:21.360 that we face in life? 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:23.860 You see, 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.900 Joseph is an example again 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.340 of what we do 00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:26.340 when we go through suffering. 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:27.940 We get bitter 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.680 with his surroundings 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:30.120 but he stayed faithful. 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.400 He trusted in the Lord 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.060 and his timing. 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:33.280 I mean, 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.380 he was in prison 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.080 for a long time 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:35.340 and I want us 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.180 to understand that. 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:38.340 Even after he interpreted 00:24:38.340 --> 00:24:40.000 his fellow prisoners' dreams 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.420 he had to wait 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.420 another two years 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.519 until he got out. 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.440 Two years in prison, 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.200 can you imagine that? 00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:46.340 I struggle with one day 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:46.840 of suffering 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:48.699 yet alone two years 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:49.559 in prison. 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:53.000 Joseph asked the cupbearer 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.779 to remember him, 00:24:53.899 --> 00:24:55.139 it says in chapter 40, 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.659 after he helped him out. 00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.259 What did he do? 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.879 Did he remember him? 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.339 Look at verse 23 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.199 of chapter 40. 00:25:04.439 --> 00:25:06.339 Yet the chief cupbearer 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.579 did not remember Joseph 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:10.059 but he forgot him. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.379 He forgot him. 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:13.880 And yet Joseph knew 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:15.820 that although everyone else 00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:16.500 had abandoned him, 00:25:16.540 --> 00:25:17.160 the Lord had not. 00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:20.760 He knew from his father Jacob 00:25:20.760 --> 00:25:22.320 that God does not leave 00:25:22.320 --> 00:25:22.800 his people. 00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:25.160 He knew that God 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.880 was a God 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:27.720 who is faithful 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.340 to his people. 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:32.160 And when we go through 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.120 times of suffering, 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.680 we need to know that 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:33.940 as well, 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.340 don't we? 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:37.240 You see, 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.059 as Christians, 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:38.480 we need to know 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.159 that God works 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:40.379 on a bigger canvas. 00:25:42.959 --> 00:25:43.919 In a bigger canvas 00:25:43.919 --> 00:25:45.339 that is way bigger 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.199 than our lives. 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:47.439 You see, 00:25:47.459 --> 00:25:47.959 when we suffer, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.519 we can only see 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.439 the small ground level, 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:49.899 can't we? 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.559 But God, 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.779 God can see into eternity. 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.019 It's a little bit like 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.539 going on a journey 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.159 by a boat. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.039 You're sailing along 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:01.259 on the waters 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:03.559 and a fog hits you. 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:05.000 And you can't see 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.539 the way forward. 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.059 That's what it's like 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.619 during suffering, 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.019 isn't it? 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.139 We cannot see 00:26:08.139 --> 00:26:08.639 what's going on. 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:08.940 We don't know 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.720 what's happening. 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:09.940 We don't know 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.599 where God is. 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.599 We can't understand 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.779 the suffering we're facing 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:15.179 and how God 00:26:15.179 --> 00:26:15.879 could be working. 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.159 Life seems all over 00:26:17.159 --> 00:26:17.579 the place. 00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:18.379 But the thing is, 00:26:18.399 --> 00:26:19.319 if you're flying 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:19.940 on a plane 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.819 above the fog, 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:21.779 then you can see 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.759 exactly where you're going. 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.879 And that's like God. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.539 He knows the future 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:29.039 and so we can trust 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.000 our lives 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.079 into his hands 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.099 no matter what 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:33.500 the circumstances are. 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:36.500 And when we trust 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.559 in God's total 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:39.000 sovereign care, 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:40.480 we find comfort 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.779 in the middle 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:43.000 of life's difficulties. 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.259 I hope to say 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.779 it's easy. 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.819 It never is. 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.539 We always have to battle 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.279 to get there. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.940 We have to know 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.539 that God is 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:55.139 in control 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:56.659 and totally trustworthy. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.039 We have to know 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.720 that God 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.379 is a God 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.039 who never leaves 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.419 his people 00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:01.139 nor forsakes 00:27:01.139 --> 00:27:01.639 his people. 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:04.220 We don't know 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.740 what the future 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.560 holds, do we? 00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:06.720 But we know 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.020 who holds the future. 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.300 And God is 00:27:09.300 --> 00:27:10.280 totally dependable, 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.580 utterly trustworthy, 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:12.920 perfectly good 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.780 and totally 00:27:13.780 --> 00:27:14.460 in control 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:16.440 over all things. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.759 When we get 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.100 to the end 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:18.800 of our lives 00:27:18.800 --> 00:27:19.880 and we look back 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.420 on our life, 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.340 we will see 00:27:21.340 --> 00:27:22.700 God's hand 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.620 on every moment. 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:25.140 Guaranteed. 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:30.380 Do you know 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.020 where we can look 00:27:31.020 --> 00:27:31.820 when we're doubting 00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:32.460 these things? 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.180 When we're doubting 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.940 God's goodness 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.380 and his wisdom 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.160 and his sovereignty? 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.400 When we feel 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.020 that life is all 00:27:38.020 --> 00:27:38.600 over the place 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.540 and God is no 00:27:39.540 --> 00:27:40.259 longer with us? 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.840 All we have to do 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.640 is look up 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.140 at the cross. 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:46.400 All we have to do 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:46.840 is look 00:27:46.840 --> 00:27:48.259 at Jesus Christ. 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.160 You see, 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.759 Jesus was in 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.759 the darkest place 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.240 in history 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.600 as he hung 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.120 on the cross. 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:52.920 He was abandoned 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.780 by his friends, 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.460 he had all the 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.059 dark forces 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.599 of the world 00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.579 unleashed against him 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.660 and as he hung there 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.399 he shouted, 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.160 my God, 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.180 my God, 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.160 why have you 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.920 forsaken me? 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.099 He was at death's doors. 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.279 He was in the darkest 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.899 place. 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.039 Even God had 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.519 turned his back 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:07.879 on him. 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.299 But the good news 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.779 is that 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:11.960 he was forsaken 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:13.559 so that no matter 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.559 how we feel 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.940 about our relationship 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.559 with God 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.819 or the circumstances 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.680 we're going through 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:19.680 we can know 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:21.720 that we never, 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.099 ever, 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.899 ever 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:24.320 will be separated 00:28:24.320 --> 00:28:24.780 from the love 00:28:24.780 --> 00:28:25.060 of God 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:25.680 in Christ Jesus. 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:26.340 Amen? 00:28:28.300 --> 00:28:28.840 Let's finish 00:28:28.840 --> 00:28:29.740 by just reading 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.660 Romans 8 together. 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.340 Romans 8, 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.200 verse 34. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.780 It's a brilliant 00:28:46.780 --> 00:28:47.840 truth in this passage. 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.620 Romans 8, 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.080 verse 34. 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.240 Who is to condemn? 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:52.180 Christ Jesus is the one 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.700 who died, 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.359 more than that, 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.180 who was raised. 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.620 Who is at the right 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.259 hand of God, 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.359 who indeed is interceding 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:57.900 for us? 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.740 Who shall separate us 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.500 from the love of Christ? 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.819 Shall tribulation 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:03.940 or distress 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:05.700 or persecution 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.920 or famine 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:08.380 or nakedness 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.839 or danger 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.279 or sword, 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.980 as it is written, 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.380 for your sake 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:12.140 we are being killed 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.799 all the day long. 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.400 We are regarded 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.599 as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.759 Now in all these things 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.880 we are more than conquerors 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:18.019 through him who loved us. 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:19.559 For I'm sure that neither death 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.180 nor life 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:21.180 nor angels 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:21.819 nor rulers 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.859 nor things present 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.720 nor things to come 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.359 nor powers 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.160 nor heights 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.619 nor depth 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:26.519 nor anything else 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.160 nor creation 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:29.500 will be able to separate us 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.700 from the love of God 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:32.059 in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.559 Sometimes life 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:36.039 does not make sense. 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.619 Sometimes our heads 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.400 are battered. 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.779 Sometimes we feel 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.859 all over the place. 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:42.220 But in those times 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.839 of suffering 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:43.579 we must come back 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.319 to the cross 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.400 and remember Jesus. 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:47.300 He is our hope 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:48.580 in the day of trouble 00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:50.259 because He was forsaken 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.400 so that we will never 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.380 be forsaken again. 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.759 Life is difficult 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.960 but the cross proves 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.240 that, 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:56.759 this, 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.880 that God 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.880 is always 00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.920 with His people. 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:01.759 Amen? 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.380 Shall we pray together? 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:12.500 Lord God, 00:30:12.560 --> 00:30:13.080 we know that 00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:13.960 there's many troubles 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.140 in life that we face. 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:17.840 many difficulties, 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:19.100 many ups and downs. 00:30:20.800 --> 00:30:21.640 Thank you that you are 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.080 the God 00:30:22.080 --> 00:30:22.640 who is always 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.500 with His people. 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.160 We see this 00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:25.940 in the life of Joseph 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:27.800 as you walk beside him 00:30:27.800 --> 00:30:28.600 and lead him 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.360 through slavery 00:30:29.360 --> 00:30:29.840 and prison. 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:31.720 Lord, 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.759 I pray for anyone 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.180 who's maybe 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.820 going through 00:30:33.820 --> 00:30:34.600 a difficult time 00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:35.080 at the moment 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:36.420 for whatever reason, 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.120 maybe there's small 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:37.900 things going on, 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.740 maybe there's big things, 00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:40.840 feeling confused 00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.560 about the future, 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:41.920 Lord. 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.420 I pray that they would know 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.160 that you are with them 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:44.620 this evening, 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.640 you are leading 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:48.340 and guiding them. 00:30:48.800 --> 00:30:49.380 I pray for those 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:49.759 who might be going 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.360 through suffering, 00:30:50.540 --> 00:30:50.680 Lord, 00:30:51.800 --> 00:30:53.019 that although it's difficult 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.860 that you might continue 00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:55.580 to refine people's characters. 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.300 I pray for those 00:30:58.300 --> 00:30:58.980 maybe who are having 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.860 a good time at the moment, 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.040 maybe feel full of joy, 00:31:01.560 --> 00:31:02.320 don't feel any of this 00:31:02.320 --> 00:31:03.240 suffering or difficulty. 00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:04.940 I pray when suffering 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.680 comes that they might 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.320 be like Joseph 00:31:06.320 --> 00:31:07.680 and trust in you. 00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:10.759 Thank you for the cross 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.720 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.680 that reminds us 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:14.160 that he was forsaken 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:15.320 so that we might not 00:31:15.320 --> 00:31:16.059 be forsaken again. 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.160 Help us to trust in Christ. 00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:19.059 Always remember that 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.100 he is good and loving 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:20.620 and wise. 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.720 We are his children 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.620 and he never puts us 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:25.360 through anything 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:25.840 unnecessary. 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:28.279 Lord, 00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:28.920 we need your help 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.620 because we can't do this 00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:30.200 by ourselves, 00:31:30.320 --> 00:31:31.120 so send your spirit 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.820 to lead and guide us. 00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:34.000 In Jesus' name, 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.640 Amen.