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The Story of Joseph
Good morning, church, visitors, and friends. What a beautiful picture of the grace of God. We are so grateful for our children and for what God is doing in their lives.
I came across a scripture in Proverbs chapter 17, verse 6 that says, "Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the age. Parents are the pride of their children." When I hear that, I think how beautiful it is. Grandparents, parents—you have something wonderful happening in the lives of children, and we want to give God thanks.
Parents, your children are a gift from God. You have a responsibility to grow them up and to nurture them in the fear of the Lord. The church is here to assist you. The Bible tells us, "The children are a heritage of the Lord. The fruit of the womb is his reward" (Psalms 127:3). They are a blessing to us, and we give God thanks for these gifts.
Today, my message is about a young man named Joseph. How many brothers did Joseph have? Eleven, right? What was special about Joseph? His father gave him a coat of many colors. That coat became a problem, but today I want to talk about something more important: "Detours to Destiny."
Have you ever encountered a detour sign while on a motor trip with your family and friends? How did it make you feel? When we come across detours, we often feel certain negative emotions:
Joseph was a beautiful example of a young man at the age of seventeen. His older brothers grew resentful of him because their father showed him favoritism. Joseph was not responsible for his father's favoritism—he had nothing to do with that. But when Joseph told his brothers about his dreams, it made them even more jealous and hurt.
Imagine Joseph's frustration because of the way his brothers treated him. He may have been insensitive in how he delivered the dreams, but he had no fault in the favoritism his father showed him.
Their father Jacob said to Joseph, "Go and look for your brothers and see how they are doing." As Joseph came toward them, his brothers said, "Here comes the dreamer. We are going to kill him." That was severe—he was their brother. Instead of killing him, they sold him as a slave to traders going down to Egypt.
This was the first detour in Joseph's life. He was separated from his family at age seventeen. Young people, I want you to take note: You are on a journey, and things will happen in your life that require you to make detours. These detours may not be pleasant.
Being sold to strangers to become a slave in Egypt was not pleasant for Joseph. He may never see his family again. He would live in a strange land with strange customs and people who believed in strange gods. Yet, in spite of what had befallen him, this young man still trusted the true and living God.
I'm encouraging you, young people, children, adults, and myself: Trust the living God even when nothing seems to be going in the right direction. Brethren, we have to trust Him through difficult times and through pleasant times, because He is still God and He changes not.
Joseph was sold to an Egyptian officer—a servant in Pharaoh's army. This officer took Joseph to his home, and God was with Joseph. Everything that Joseph put his hand to do was blessed. Potiphar was pleased with what was happening through Joseph in his house.
But then Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph. Joseph refused. He said, "How could I do this evil thing and sin against my God and sin against Potiphar?"
Young people, children, temptation will come. I encourage you today: trust God. Be faithful. Don't give in to temptation. You come to Sunday school and have been taught to love God and to love His word and to trust Him. If you believe in Him, He will take care of you.
Because Joseph didn't give in to Potiphar's wife, she accused him of something he did not do. I want you to learn what I'm saying: Things will happen to you in this life. Even though you have no desire to go in that direction, that doesn't stop the enemy from bringing an accusation against you.
Joseph was not only a slave now, but he was labeled a criminal and thrown into prison.
Rather than rebel or sulk in self-pity, Joseph applied himself to make the best of a difficult situation. You can make the best of a difficult situation when it comes into your life. You don't have to give in. You can stand for God, for truth, and for righteousness, and see what God can do.
God blessed Joseph in the prison. The officer in charge was so impressed with Joseph that he turned over all the other prisoners into Joseph's care. When you trust God and love God and decide to live for God, He will turn things around for you—even though the situation may be difficult.
While Joseph was in prison, two of Pharaoh's servants—his butler and his baker—were placed there. Pharaoh was displeased with them. Joseph saw them feeling sad and asked, "What is the problem?" They told Joseph their dreams, and God gave Joseph the interpretation. He told them that one would return to their position, but one would be killed by Pharaoh. And that is exactly what happened.
Joseph said to the one who was restored, "When you go, remember me to Pharaoh because I have done nothing wrong to be in this prison."
But the butler forgot. How many times do we do good things for people and they forget? They forget the kindness. They forget the love you showed. And it can be very, very hurtful. These were experiences Joseph was enduring.
But God sent a famine over the known world at that time. And the butler remembered that there was a man in prison who could interpret Pharaoh's dream, and his dream had come to pass. So he told Pharaoh, and Pharaoh went and got Joseph. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dream, and Pharaoh said, "Who could I put in place to do what Joseph said?"
That was Joseph's destiny. There were many detours to his life, but the destiny that God has for you—it does not matter what other people put in your way. If you continue to trust God and believe that what He said He will do for you, He will do it. You will reach that goal.
Joseph became the second in charge, the prime minister. Look what the Lord has done! From a slave, cast into a pit, sold as a slave, accused of something he did not do—he even did good to the servants of Pharaoh. Even though the butler forgot, God always has a plan. He always knows how to turn things around for His servant because He has a destiny for that young man.
We can look at detours and embrace them. Embracing life's unexpected detours—detours can be opportunities. Opportunities to give support, to show kindness, to show forgiveness, to be patient, and to trust God in difficult times while still doing God's will.
During the famine, Joseph's brothers had no food in Canaan. Their father Jacob said, "Go down to Egypt and buy some grain." That's what they did. They could not recognize Joseph, but Joseph recognized them. Joseph plotted some schemes so that he could bring his brothers to recognition of what they had done. Joseph showed kindness to them. Joseph forgave them for what they had done to him. And Joseph remained patient in all his affliction and hurt. He remained patient, trusting God and doing good.
I'm inviting you today: In spite of the detours that will happen in your life, use these detours as opportunities. Opportunities to do good. Opportunities to help someone. Opportunities to direct someone back on the right path. It is possible. You can do it.
Joseph could have let his detours make him bitter, but he chose to let them become opportunities for God to work out His plan. And He can do the same for you.
This applies not only to young people and children but to us as adults also. How many detours are you experiencing right now in your life? Use them as opportunities.
In closing, I want to say: These detours can be opportunities to grow. Detours can be adventures.
This was an adventure that Joseph went on. It was a difficult adventure, but through the help of God, he got through them all.
Detours are unexpected changes. They can be delays or setbacks in life. They are not necessarily failures but gentle redirecting and guiding us to better and more meaningful destinations. Navigating uncharted territories helps us build the necessary patience, skills, and character that are needed for the future.
Joseph encountered detours to his destiny, but with the help of God, he stayed faithful. I'm encouraging every one of you today to remain faithful irrespective of the detours in your life. If you trust God and believe in His loving kindness, help, and support, He will guide you safely through.
God has a destiny for your life. Yes, you may be experiencing detours. Some of what you desire have not yet come to pass. You wonder why you are where you are today. But God is doing something great and wonderful in you. He's building you for something great. I'm asking you today, young people, to trust the process.
You may not be as successful as you desire to be, but don't give up on God. He still has a plan and a purpose for your life.
Joseph met upon all these detours. They were very, very unpleasant. But the Bible tells us that because he trusted God, God was with him. And because God was with him, he was able to persevere. He did not know what his true destiny was, but he knew that God had something planned for him—something great.
Young people, God has got something great for you. It may not seem evident right now, but I'm telling you: If you trust God, if you behave yourself, if you are obedient to God, you will by His grace obtain your destiny in Christ.
Father, we are thankful today. We give You glory, praise, and honor, Lord, for all that You have done. Lord, we come and we present our children and young people before You. The future, Lord God, they are before You today and they are also in Your hand.
We are praying, heavenly Father, that You will lay Your invisible hand upon each and every one of them, from the youngest to the oldest. Lord God, I pray today in the name of Jesus that You will impart Your spirit of power within them to keep them, Lord God, in this dangerous time. Because, oh God, You are able. Lord God, You see the beginning from the end, and You know all the intricacies.
Oh Father God, we know that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly and above even what we are able to ask or think of You. Have Your way right now, oh God. Breathe upon them, heavenly Father. Put Your loving arms of protection around them, Lord.
It is coming to the closing of another school year. Even, Lord God, in the weather, we hear how many children have drowned, Lord God Almighty. Even children taking children's lives. So we are praying for a covering over them, Lord God—a shield of protection that will guide them, Lord God. I pray in the name of Jesus. Spirit of the living God, have Your way right now. We deliver them into Your hand and we say thank You. Thank You, Lord. Thank You in the name of Jesus.
Father, we give You all the glory and all the praise and all the honor in Jesus' name. Amen.
Continue exploring
Connected by scripture or shared themes.
The Story of Joseph
Good morning, church, visitors, and friends. What a beautiful picture of the grace of God. We are so grateful for our children and for what God is doing in their lives.
I came across a scripture in Proverbs chapter 17, verse 6 that says, "Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the age. Parents are the pride of their children." When I hear that, I think how beautiful it is. Grandparents, parents—you have something wonderful happening in the lives of children, and we want to give God thanks.
Parents, your children are a gift from God. You have a responsibility to grow them up and to nurture them in the fear of the Lord. The church is here to assist you. The Bible tells us, "The children are a heritage of the Lord. The fruit of the womb is his reward" (Psalms 127:3). They are a blessing to us, and we give God thanks for these gifts.
Today, my message is about a young man named Joseph. How many brothers did Joseph have? Eleven, right? What was special about Joseph? His father gave him a coat of many colors. That coat became a problem, but today I want to talk about something more important: "Detours to Destiny."
Have you ever encountered a detour sign while on a motor trip with your family and friends? How did it make you feel? When we come across detours, we often feel certain negative emotions:
Joseph was a beautiful example of a young man at the age of seventeen. His older brothers grew resentful of him because their father showed him favoritism. Joseph was not responsible for his father's favoritism—he had nothing to do with that. But when Joseph told his brothers about his dreams, it made them even more jealous and hurt.
Imagine Joseph's frustration because of the way his brothers treated him. He may have been insensitive in how he delivered the dreams, but he had no fault in the favoritism his father showed him.
Their father Jacob said to Joseph, "Go and look for your brothers and see how they are doing." As Joseph came toward them, his brothers said, "Here comes the dreamer. We are going to kill him." That was severe—he was their brother. Instead of killing him, they sold him as a slave to traders going down to Egypt.
This was the first detour in Joseph's life. He was separated from his family at age seventeen. Young people, I want you to take note: You are on a journey, and things will happen in your life that require you to make detours. These detours may not be pleasant.
Being sold to strangers to become a slave in Egypt was not pleasant for Joseph. He may never see his family again. He would live in a strange land with strange customs and people who believed in strange gods. Yet, in spite of what had befallen him, this young man still trusted the true and living God.
I'm encouraging you, young people, children, adults, and myself: Trust the living God even when nothing seems to be going in the right direction. Brethren, we have to trust Him through difficult times and through pleasant times, because He is still God and He changes not.
Joseph was sold to an Egyptian officer—a servant in Pharaoh's army. This officer took Joseph to his home, and God was with Joseph. Everything that Joseph put his hand to do was blessed. Potiphar was pleased with what was happening through Joseph in his house.
But then Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph. Joseph refused. He said, "How could I do this evil thing and sin against my God and sin against Potiphar?"
Young people, children, temptation will come. I encourage you today: trust God. Be faithful. Don't give in to temptation. You come to Sunday school and have been taught to love God and to love His word and to trust Him. If you believe in Him, He will take care of you.
Because Joseph didn't give in to Potiphar's wife, she accused him of something he did not do. I want you to learn what I'm saying: Things will happen to you in this life. Even though you have no desire to go in that direction, that doesn't stop the enemy from bringing an accusation against you.
Joseph was not only a slave now, but he was labeled a criminal and thrown into prison.
Rather than rebel or sulk in self-pity, Joseph applied himself to make the best of a difficult situation. You can make the best of a difficult situation when it comes into your life. You don't have to give in. You can stand for God, for truth, and for righteousness, and see what God can do.
God blessed Joseph in the prison. The officer in charge was so impressed with Joseph that he turned over all the other prisoners into Joseph's care. When you trust God and love God and decide to live for God, He will turn things around for you—even though the situation may be difficult.
While Joseph was in prison, two of Pharaoh's servants—his butler and his baker—were placed there. Pharaoh was displeased with them. Joseph saw them feeling sad and asked, "What is the problem?" They told Joseph their dreams, and God gave Joseph the interpretation. He told them that one would return to their position, but one would be killed by Pharaoh. And that is exactly what happened.
Joseph said to the one who was restored, "When you go, remember me to Pharaoh because I have done nothing wrong to be in this prison."
But the butler forgot. How many times do we do good things for people and they forget? They forget the kindness. They forget the love you showed. And it can be very, very hurtful. These were experiences Joseph was enduring.
But God sent a famine over the known world at that time. And the butler remembered that there was a man in prison who could interpret Pharaoh's dream, and his dream had come to pass. So he told Pharaoh, and Pharaoh went and got Joseph. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dream, and Pharaoh said, "Who could I put in place to do what Joseph said?"
That was Joseph's destiny. There were many detours to his life, but the destiny that God has for you—it does not matter what other people put in your way. If you continue to trust God and believe that what He said He will do for you, He will do it. You will reach that goal.
Joseph became the second in charge, the prime minister. Look what the Lord has done! From a slave, cast into a pit, sold as a slave, accused of something he did not do—he even did good to the servants of Pharaoh. Even though the butler forgot, God always has a plan. He always knows how to turn things around for His servant because He has a destiny for that young man.
We can look at detours and embrace them. Embracing life's unexpected detours—detours can be opportunities. Opportunities to give support, to show kindness, to show forgiveness, to be patient, and to trust God in difficult times while still doing God's will.
During the famine, Joseph's brothers had no food in Canaan. Their father Jacob said, "Go down to Egypt and buy some grain." That's what they did. They could not recognize Joseph, but Joseph recognized them. Joseph plotted some schemes so that he could bring his brothers to recognition of what they had done. Joseph showed kindness to them. Joseph forgave them for what they had done to him. And Joseph remained patient in all his affliction and hurt. He remained patient, trusting God and doing good.
I'm inviting you today: In spite of the detours that will happen in your life, use these detours as opportunities. Opportunities to do good. Opportunities to help someone. Opportunities to direct someone back on the right path. It is possible. You can do it.
Joseph could have let his detours make him bitter, but he chose to let them become opportunities for God to work out His plan. And He can do the same for you.
This applies not only to young people and children but to us as adults also. How many detours are you experiencing right now in your life? Use them as opportunities.
In closing, I want to say: These detours can be opportunities to grow. Detours can be adventures.
This was an adventure that Joseph went on. It was a difficult adventure, but through the help of God, he got through them all.
Detours are unexpected changes. They can be delays or setbacks in life. They are not necessarily failures but gentle redirecting and guiding us to better and more meaningful destinations. Navigating uncharted territories helps us build the necessary patience, skills, and character that are needed for the future.
Joseph encountered detours to his destiny, but with the help of God, he stayed faithful. I'm encouraging every one of you today to remain faithful irrespective of the detours in your life. If you trust God and believe in His loving kindness, help, and support, He will guide you safely through.
God has a destiny for your life. Yes, you may be experiencing detours. Some of what you desire have not yet come to pass. You wonder why you are where you are today. But God is doing something great and wonderful in you. He's building you for something great. I'm asking you today, young people, to trust the process.
You may not be as successful as you desire to be, but don't give up on God. He still has a plan and a purpose for your life.
Joseph met upon all these detours. They were very, very unpleasant. But the Bible tells us that because he trusted God, God was with him. And because God was with him, he was able to persevere. He did not know what his true destiny was, but he knew that God had something planned for him—something great.
Young people, God has got something great for you. It may not seem evident right now, but I'm telling you: If you trust God, if you behave yourself, if you are obedient to God, you will by His grace obtain your destiny in Christ.
Father, we are thankful today. We give You glory, praise, and honor, Lord, for all that You have done. Lord, we come and we present our children and young people before You. The future, Lord God, they are before You today and they are also in Your hand.
We are praying, heavenly Father, that You will lay Your invisible hand upon each and every one of them, from the youngest to the oldest. Lord God, I pray today in the name of Jesus that You will impart Your spirit of power within them to keep them, Lord God, in this dangerous time. Because, oh God, You are able. Lord God, You see the beginning from the end, and You know all the intricacies.
Oh Father God, we know that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly and above even what we are able to ask or think of You. Have Your way right now, oh God. Breathe upon them, heavenly Father. Put Your loving arms of protection around them, Lord.
It is coming to the closing of another school year. Even, Lord God, in the weather, we hear how many children have drowned, Lord God Almighty. Even children taking children's lives. So we are praying for a covering over them, Lord God—a shield of protection that will guide them, Lord God. I pray in the name of Jesus. Spirit of the living God, have Your way right now. We deliver them into Your hand and we say thank You. Thank You, Lord. Thank You in the name of Jesus.
Father, we give You all the glory and all the praise and all the honor in Jesus' name. Amen.
Continue exploring
Connected by scripture or shared themes.
