Joseph Being Sold to Potiphar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We just concluded a four-part series at First United Methodist Church Waco titled “Amazing Stories”. Yesterday’s message was “Joseph’s Story” and can be watched at this link. Below is an outline of the message. The words in black are notes provided by the church staff and the notes in blue are notes I added as I listened to the podcast.

1. STORIES OF FAMILY.

“…they hated their brother….” – Genesis 37:4b (NCV)

Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery.

2. STORIES OF WORK.

“Now Joseph was well built and handsome. After some time the
wife of Joseph’s master began to desire Joseph, and one day
she said to him,….” – Genesis 39:6b-7a (NCV)

Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold as a household slave to Potiphar who was captain of the palace guard. Joseph was a hard worker and did everything in an excellent way so he was given increasingly responsible duties.

3. STORIES OF DISAPPOINTMENTS.

“But when you are free, remember me. Be kind to me, and
tell the king about me so I can get out of this prison….but
the officer who served wine did not remember Joseph. He
forgot all about him.” – Genesis 40:14 & 23 (NCV)

The wife of Potiphar attempted to seduce Joseph into sleeping with her but Joseph resisted. After several attempts, she finally decided to falsely accuse him of rape. Joseph was sent off to prison but even in prison, God gave him success and the warden of the prison put Joseph in charge.

4. STORIES OF CHARACTER.

“So Potiphar left Joseph in charge of everything he owned
and was not concerned about anything….” – Genesis 39:6a (NCV)

“The warden paid no attention to anything that was in
Joseph’s care because the Lord was with Joseph and
made him successful in everything he did.” – Genesis 39:23 (NCV)

“…‘Can we find a better man than Joseph to take this job? God’s
spirit is truly in him!’ ” – Genesis 41:38b (NCV)

5. STORIES OF INTEGRITY.

“…But Joseph refused and said to her, ‘My master trusts me
with everything in his house….How can I do such an evil
thing? It is a sin against God.’ ” – Genesis 39:8b &9c (NCV)

“…But Joseph left his coat in her hand and ran out of
the house.” – Genesis 39:12c (NCV)

Joseph kept his faith and ran from Potiphar’s wife.

6. STORIES OF RECONCILIATION.

“You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good
to save the lives of many people, which is being done.” – Genesis 50:20 (NCV)

“ ‘So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.’ ”
So Joseph comforted his brothers and spoke kind words to them.” – Genesis 50:21

Joseph rose to second most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh. He could have held a grudge against his brothers but took care of them. He reconciled their relationship and lived a long good life. Later in history, the story of his family continues with the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

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