Encouraging Faith
Encouraging Faith
Text: Hebrews 11:2
Introduction:
A. The faith f God's children encourages others.
1. Elisha' faith encouraged his servant, II Kings 6:16,17.
2. Paul'saith encouraged the people on a sinking ship, Acts 2 -21-25.
3. The br •thren at Rome encouraged Paul, Acts 28:15.
B. Joseph w a man with firm, convictions and a great fait. C. A bit of b kground on Joseph.
1. The so of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel, Genesis 30:22-2
2. Spec' loved of his father, Genesis 37:3.
3. Arouse the jealousy and hatred of his brothers, Genesi ,37:4,11.
4. His bro hers plotted to kill him, but opted to sell him into sla ery, Genesis 37:19-28.
I. JOSEPH'S F ITH ENCOURAGED HIM TO DO RIGHT.
A. Consider t e changed conditions under. which he now lived:
1. Instead of the favored son of a wealthy sheik, he is the slave of an Egyptian army officer.
2. Instead of wearing a beautiful and expensive coat, he is dress d in the coarse garb of a slave.
3. Instead f receivingfavors, he is dispensing favors and never r eives so much as a kind "thank you" in respons .
B. What will e do under these conditions?
1. Will he fight back and try to get revenge, complaining that the world handed him a "bum deal"?
2. Faith in the living God sustained him.
3. He did ight in spite of being wronged (cf Matthew 5:39).
C. Joseph w tested by adversity, Genesis 39:1-23.
1. His mas er's wife endeavored to seduce him.
2. Joseph esisted because:
a. It iould be a sin against himself, I Corinthians 6:1, and wouldjeopardize his health.
b. It ould be a sin against his master, and would jeop dize job.
NCOURAGING FAITH
3. It wo d be a sin against God, and would jeopardize his et rnal rewards, verses 8 and 9.
4. For d ing right, he was put in prison.
a. T ere he was placed in irons, Psalm 105:17,18.
b. was forgotten by a fellowimnate whom he had h lped, Genesis 40:23.
D. His faith ln God was all he had left.
1. Betra ed by his brothers.
2. Lied by a wicked woman.
3. Forgo ten by a friend.
E. But God ad not forsaken him (cf Proverbs 18:24). God inte -vened.
1. Cause Pharaoh to have a dream, two in fact.
2. This r sulted in Joseph being taken from prison and appoi ted Prime Minister of Egypt.
II. JOSEPH'S F TH ENCOURAGEDHIM TO FORGIVE AND HELP HOSE WHOWRONGEDHIM.
A. Contrast the condition of Joseph and that of his brothers.
1. Josep was suffering rejection, enslavement and impris nment.
2. His b others were tormented with guilt, fear and strick n consciences.
B. A chance to get vengeance.
1. F . e in Canaan sends his brothers to Egypt for grain.
2. Josep recognized them, indeed probably expected them, but they did not recognize him,
a. ad they been looking for him they would have s arched among the slave-gangs.
b. T ey certainly did not expect him to be ruler of E t.
C. Faith in od's eternal purpose kept Joseph from getting v ngeance on his brothers. Instead:
1. He re urned good for evil to his brothers.
2. He m ved them to Egypt so he could "nourish"them.
3. He fr ely forgave them all the wrongs they had done him, enesis 50:15-2l. ill. JOSEPH'S F TH ENCOURAGEDHIS PEOPLE.
A. While th y did evil to sell him into slavery, Genesis 45:5-8, G d overruled:
