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When live gives you lemons. A Study of a young man’s trials. Introduction :. What if your family abandoned, your employer believed a false accusation against you, two acquaintances abandoned you in your hour of need, what would you do?
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When live gives you lemons. A Study of a young man’s trials
Introduction: • What if your family abandoned, your employer believed a false accusation against you, two acquaintances abandoned you in your hour of need, what would you do? • Our study today will look at a young man who suffered these very things and what happened to him. • I am referring to Joseph.
Sold into Slavery. • His brothers were jealous of him • He was the favourite of his father. Gen 37:3,4 • He had dreams that he would rule over them. Gen 37:5-11 • This just added to the ill feelings his brothers had towards him. • Let’s kill him....... Let’s sell him • They saw him approaching and put their plan into action. Gen 37:18-27 • What profit is there.... v.26-27 • What hypocrisy! • Joseph is now a slave in Egypt (how would you feel if your family turned on you?)
Falsely accused • Joseph begins his stay in Egypt. • He is sold to Potiphar Gen 37:36 • Joseph serves his master well and the Lord is with him. Gen.39:2-6 • He had turned his situation to his advantage. • Came about because he was God fearing. • Doing what was right in the sight of God and his master. • Sin was crouching at the door. • Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. Gen39:7- 16 • Joseph falsely accused. Gen39:17-19 • Situation goes from bad to worse Gen. 39:20
Abandoned by his acquaintances • God shows him mercy. Gen. 39:21-23 • Joseph was making the best of a bad situation. • He demonstrated a will to work hard no matter what his situation. • Joseph interpreted the dreams of the baker and butler. Gen. 40 • The butler would be restored to his position. • The baker would die. • Joseph asked the butler to remember him and make mention of him to Pharaoh. • Did not happen.
God’s providence • God never left Joseph and Joseph put his trust in God. (Was not willing to sin against God) Gen. 39:9 • God did not relieve him from his situation just made it more bearable. • Joseph eventually rose to the second highest man in the land of Egypt. (I often wonder how Potiphar and his wife felt) • How do we measure up in our time of trial?
When life gives you lemons...... • Place your trust in the Lord. Prov. 3:5. • Turn your situation to good • Make Lemonade!!!