Genesis 39

OBSERVATIONS FROM JOSEPHS EARLY YEARS
He was a favored son (37:3)
He believed he had a bright future (37:6-7, 9)
He lost almost everything in 1 day (37:28)
He became a servant to a foreign official (37:36, 39:1)
God blessed his work (39:2-3)
He was promoted to a high position (39:4-6)
He resisted a strong initial temptation (39:6b-8a)
To Joseph, a sin was primarily a rebellion against God (39:8-9)
He resisted a strong persistent temptation (39:10-12)
He was framed (39: 13-18)
For the second time in his life, he lost everything (39:19-20a)
Once again, God blessed him where he was (39:20b-21)
Once again, he was promoted to a high position (39:22-23)

LIFE APPLICATIONS
1. Your heavenly Father loves you
2. Your heavenly Father has great plans for you
3. Plans don’t always work out the way we imagine
4. God goes with us and is able to help us in any situation
5. There are 2 waves of temptation (initial & persistent)
6. When we sin, we are primarily rebelling against God
7. Sometimes we’ve got to take some hits
8. We must keep working for God no matter how bad things get

DEALING WITH TEMPTATION

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (John 2:16)

Temptation--------- Target -----------------Jesus
Lust of the Flesh ----Pleasure/Feelings------Matthew 4:2-4
Lust of the Eyes ----Possessions/Fortunes -- Matthew 4:8-10
Pride of Life --------Prestige/Fame --------- Matthew 4:5-7

Flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18a)