Without Joseph, there would be no nation of Israel because he saved them from starvation.
Without setbacks, there is no sweetness to our comebacks.
Without setbacks, there is no sweetness to our comebacks.
One of the things that makes setbacks so difficult to handle is because we can't see what God sees.
God sees the entire story.
We can't see the end.
God sees the entire story.
We can't see the end.
Our setbacks are our stepping stones to our goals if we trust God and respond correctly.
Stepping stones are not impediments. God uses both closed doors and open ones to direct us.
Stepping stones are not impediments. God uses both closed doors and open ones to direct us.
Joseph's father had 12 sons and 1 daughter from 4 different women.
Joseph was second from the youngest son, and he was hated by his brothers.
Joseph was second from the youngest son, and he was hated by his brothers.
Joseph had seven major setbacks.
1st setback was Joseph grew up in a home where he was ignored and mistreated by his siblings.
(God wants to use your pain to help others).
(God wants to use your pain to help others).
Joseph was born to his father Jacob's favorite wife in Jacob's old age.
Jacob gave Joseph an expensive coat.
Jacob gave Joseph an expensive coat.
2nd setback was Joseph was tossed into a pit by his brothers to kill him. (Genesis 37:18-20).
Joseph experienced rejection.
You've been rejected by someone who has set you aside.
You've been rejected by someone who has set you aside.
3rd setback was Joseph was being sold out for money (Genesis 37:26-28).
The majority of his brothers thought it was a good idea.
The majority is not always right.
The majority of his brothers thought it was a good idea.
The majority is not always right.
They sold him for 20 shekels of silver where the going rate was 30.
They sold him for a loss.
They sold him for a loss.
Today in the business world people get sold out all the time.
Lay offs.
Sell offs of business.
Lay offs.
Sell offs of business.
4th setback was Joseph lost his identity which erased him.
Everyone back home thought he was dead (Genesis 37:31-35).
His brothers faked his death to his father.
Everyone back home thought he was dead (Genesis 37:31-35).
His brothers faked his death to his father.
You too may have lost your identity when you divorced.
You lost your identity when you were fired.
Your setback doesn't have to be the end of your story.
You lost your identity when you were fired.
Your setback doesn't have to be the end of your story.
5th setback was Joseph was forced to take a job that he didn't want.
He became a slave as an immigrant in a foreign land.
Your unwanted job may be the stepping job for your right job.
He became a slave as an immigrant in a foreign land.
Your unwanted job may be the stepping job for your right job.
Joseph always did his best.
He took demeaning work, and gave it a meaning.
He did it as unto God, and he started getting promotions.
He took demeaning work, and gave it a meaning.
He did it as unto God, and he started getting promotions.
6th setback was Joseph was punished for doing the right thing.
He was falsely accused for rape (Genesis 39:6-19).
He was thrown into prison.
For 13 years, Joseph's life always got worse.
The setbacks were caused by other people.
He was falsely accused for rape (Genesis 39:6-19).
He was thrown into prison.
For 13 years, Joseph's life always got worse.
The setbacks were caused by other people.
7th setback was Joseph was forgotten by people that he helped. He got promoted in prison. (Genesis 40:14-15, 23)
He helped two government employees by interpreting their dreams.
He helped two government employees by interpreting their dreams.
Some people that you've helped have forgotten what you did.
Joseph never gave up on his dreams. His dreams is what made Joseph resilient.
Joseph never gave up on his dreams. His dreams is what made Joseph resilient.
A. Joseph depended on God's presence no matter where he was.
The Bible says five times that the Lord was with Joseph.
Here are the five times.
The Bible says five times that the Lord was with Joseph.
Here are the five times.
1. When he was in the pit.
2. When he was sold to the traders.
3. When Potiphar promoted him.
4. When Joseph was falsely accused.
5. When Joseph was in prison.
(Acts 7:9) God brought Joseph safely through his troubles, but did not prevent his troubles.
God made him succeed whatever he did.
God made him succeed whatever he did.
God was with Joseph in the good times and bad.
Joseph recognized it, and depended upon it.
Joseph recognized it, and depended upon it.
Setbacks cannot keep God back from you.
You must tune into God's presence.
Say I'm not alone.
God is with me.
You must tune into God's presence.
Say I'm not alone.
God is with me.
B. Joseph depended upon God's plan and promise through his dreams.
He saved the country and his family from famine.
He saved the country and his family from famine.
Genesis 50:19-20. Joseph said his brothers (selling him) intended it for bad, but God meant it for good.
C. Joseph depended upon God's help for his setback challenges.
The Bulter finally remembered that Joseph could interpret dreams and told Pharaoh(Genesis 41:39-44).
The Bulter finally remembered that Joseph could interpret dreams and told Pharaoh(Genesis 41:39-44).
Joseph was put in charge of Pharaoh's country because he could recognize the presence of God in his life.
Will you depend on God's presence wherever you are?
Will you depend on God's promise wherever your life leads?
Will you depend upon God's help when you face your setback ?
Notes from Rick Warren, Saddleback Church
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