Joseph Factor

1. Joseph Factor Week 18: Commitaphobia

2. Commitaphobia • Tonight— I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia

3. Commitaphobia

4. Commitaphobia • Commitaphobia: Not doing anything that involves agreeing or promising to do something for an extended amount of time. • Does that sound like a diagnosis of what you are dealing with? • If so, there is a cure!

5. Commitaphobia Genesis 45:16 – The news soon reached Pharaoh's palace: "Joseph's brothers have arrived!" Pharaoh and his officials were all delighted to hear this. • Joseph had just revealed his true identity to his brothers. • And, they were crying and rejoicing over being reunited. • My question has always been, Why was Pharaoh so happy about this? • Why would he care?

6. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • Part of the answer could be that he was a Hyksos King. • Oh . . . uhh . . . excuse my ignorance, but what’s a Hyksos? You ask.  • I need to give a brief history lesson, and then this will make sense and perhaps several things will. • Like Why did the Pharaoh accept Joseph so readily? • Besides the fact that God was with Joseph. • Pharaoh so readily accepted Joseph because he was, and, yes, you guessed it—a Hyksos!

7. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • The Hyksos were not from Egypt but were actually Bedouins from the Arabian Desert. • They were nomadic and for a period of time had gained control of the throne of Egypt. • Because of this, the Pharaoh was actually more closely related to Joseph than he was to the Egyptian People. • He immediately trusted Joseph because of this. • Hey, here’s a guy from back home!

8. Commitaphobia Arabian Desert

9. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • Apparently, Pharaoh had a difficult time finding a trustworthy, faithful and committed Egyptian. • But, he trusted Joseph. • Pharaoh quickly accepted Joe because they had cultural ties. • God was preparing to keep the bloodline of the Messiah safe even long before Joseph came along. • He had allowed the Hyksos to gain control of Egypt for such a time as this! • Redemption of mankind was Priority # 1 for God!

10. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • Faithfulness was certainly a significant characteristic in Joseph’s life that the Pharaoh did not see in the Egyptians. • Joseph had a genuine confidence in God’s faithfulness. • This confidence produced a faithfulness in him toward those whom he served. • Faithful people to the Lord are naturally faithful in all they do.

11. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • One characteristic I have noticed in true followers of the Lord is faithfulness. • If you are truly faithful to the Lord, then you will be faithful in every area of your life. • Family • Relationships with others • Church • Job • To your word—if you make a commitment to do something, you will follow through on it.

12. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • When a business owner finds a truly faithful worker, what do you think they do? • Whatever it takes to keep them! • Faithfulness is such a rare commodity anymore and when you find it, you work to keep it. • Randy, Ted & Lexus of Tulsa • “Do you know of any more guys out here from West Virginia? If they are anything like Randy, I want more of them!” • WV’s have a reputation of being hard-working & faithful.

13. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • That is the upside of us West Virginians. • The downside? • What is our state’s motto? • Mountaineers are always free! • Now, free is good. • But, I have noticed is that free sometimes translates • I don’t like to consistently commit myself to anything. I want to stay free and floating. I always hit and miss. • Commitaphobia

14. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • People who are like that are always complaining that things don’t go their way. • Why do I not get the breaks? • Perhaps faithfulness, consistency, and commitment are qualities that you are missing • This is similar to what was going on in this passage. • The Pharaoh knew that Joseph was a great worker, faithful, wise, committed besides being kin-folk.

15. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • Great! Now, we have a whole boat load of Joseph’s coming here when his family arrives! I’ll put them all to work! • That is probably one reason why the Pharaoh was so excited about this.

16. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • As a believer in Jesus Christ, we must exhibit the fruit of faithfulness and commitment. • Many people want to be committed on their own time schedules and when it is convenient for them. • But, they want God & everyone else to always be faithful. • They demand of God what they do not expect from themselves. • They are the 1st to complain when their prayers are not answered or things don’t go their way.

17. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • What is at the root of a lack of commitment or faithfulness? • It is a Lordship issue. • Who is in control of your life? • You or God? • Have you died to self? • Remember that the Kingdom of God is a monarchy and not a democracy. • When we signed on, our lives are no longer our own! • That is the root of the lack of commitment issue. • Cure: Once we settle this issue then we can be free from that dreadful disease called Commitaphobia.

18. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • By the way, the Hyksos Kings were eventually expelled from Egypt after Joseph’s death. Exodus 1:6-8 – 6 In time, Joseph and all of his brothers died, ending that entire generation. 7 But their descendants, the Israelites, had many children and grandchildren. In fact, they multiplied so greatly that they became extremely powerful and filled the land.8 Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done.

19. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • The Pharaoh of the Egyptian Captivity was Egyptian. • He probably associated the Jews with the Hyksos. • So they did not have any affinity to them. • The result? • They oppressed them. • Setting the stage for Moses to come on the scene!

20. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia Genesis 45:17-20 – 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'This is what you must do: Load your pack animals, and hurry back to the land of Canaan. 18 Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces.'" 19 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Take wagons from the land of Egypt to carry your little children and your wives, and bring your father here.

21. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia 20 Don't worry about your personal belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.'" • There are 2 things worth noting here: • Wheels – Jacob and his family did not have wheels or wagons yet. • The Egyptians did. They were much more advanced. • Imagine how Jacob felt when his sons arrived home riding on the finest wheels the world had to offer!

22. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia 2.You won’t need anything! The best of the land is yours! • Isn’t that like our God? He always gives us the best! Psalm 34:8 – Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (NKJV) Psalm 34:8-9 – Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see — how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him. 9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all His goodness. msg

23. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • It is interesting that these 2 verses summarize all I have been saying on Sunday mornings since the first of the year. • Worship and Psalm 91 9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all His goodness. • Worship is what opens the door to the goodness of the Lord! • It is the key that unlocks the door to His goodness.

24. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • If you want the best the Lord has to offer, then you must worship Him alone (Lordship issue again). • When I am in a dry time or I feel like my prayers are bouncing off the walls, I turn on some worship music and start praising God in faith. • When I do this, it is rare when I don’t feel that heaviness lift off me. • What does Isaiah say to do? • Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness! (Isaiah 61:3)

25. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia Psalm 34:8 – Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see — how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him. 2. Run to the secret place. • To the refuge & you will experience all the Lord has. • In the Secret Place are 3 things: • Protection • Relationship • Provision

26. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia Genesis 45:21-28 – 21 So the sons of Jacob did as they were told. Joseph provided them with wagons [wheels!], as Pharaoh had commanded, and he gave them supplies for the journey. 22 And he gave each of them new clothes—but to Benjamin he gave five changes of clothes and 300 pieces of silver. • Favoritism? • Here’s a thought: We are all His favorites. • Illustration: Grandma’s Love for her grandchildren

27. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • God always takes care of His own! • Even King David said, Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread (Psalm 37:25). 26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. • Instead of begging, the godly are giving generous loans to others and their children are a blessing as well!

28. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia 23 He also sent his father ten male donkeys loaded with the finest products of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other supplies he would need on his journey. 24 So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, "Don't quarrel about all this along the way!" • Although the brothers had passed the test and had changed, some things hadn’t changed. • Don’t fight like you always do!

29. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia 25 And they left Egypt and returned to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan. 26 "Joseph is still alive!" they told him. "And he is governor of all the land of Egypt!" Jacob was stunned at the news—he couldn't believe it. 27 But when they repeated to Jacob everything Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, their father's spirits revived. 28 Then Jacob exclaimed, "It must be true! My son Joseph is alive! I must go and see him before I die."

30. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • Can you imagine the thrill Jacob had when he realized that Joseph was really alive? • This is the only way Jacob was going to leave the land that had been promised to His grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. • The thought of seeing Joseph motivated him to go. • But, I am sure he only expected to stay for a short while and then return to Canaan.

31. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia Genesis 46:1-4 – So Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions. And when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father, Isaac. 2 During the night God spoke to him in a vision. "Jacob! Jacob!" he called. "Here I am," Jacob replied. • This is reminiscent of what Eli told Samuel to do: • Sammy, when you go back to your bed and you hear the Voice again, just say, Here I am, Lord, speak, your servant is listening. (1 Sam. 1)

32. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • Perhaps Eli was thinking of this event when he advised Samuel on what to do. • I often do this, when I lay my head on the pillow at night. • I will say something like, Lord, Here I am! I am Your servant, and I am listening if You want to speak to me in my sleep. • I always want to keep my ears open to hear God’s voice.

33. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia 3 "I am God, the God of your father," the voice said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. 4 I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. But you will die in Egypt with Joseph attending to you."

34. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • I will go with you down to Egypt. • That is what he wanted to hear. • Most people of Jacob’s day felt that their gods were territorial. • They were confined to a specific geographic region. • Only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob revealed Himself as the God of the entire earth. • Jacob may not have had a full revelation of this fact yet.

35. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia I will bring you back again. But you will die in Egypt with Joseph attending to you." • What was God saying to Jacob? • You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will bring you back to be buried in Canaan. • This is very important to many older people. • They want to die in the place where they have spent their lives. • Jacob wanted to be in the Land of Promise.

36. Commitaphobia

37. I want to briefly look at a disease that seems to be at epidemic proportions in America— Commitaphobia. Commitaphobia • Why did Jacob offer sacrifices to the Lord at Beersheba? • Thanksgiving: He wanted to give God praise for his son Joseph still being alive. • Direction: He was also seeking direction from the Lord, and God graciously gave it to him. • Tonight, God wants to change us into the solid, steady rocks that represent faithfulness, commitment and steadfastness in our unstable times.

38. Joseph Factor Week 18: Commitaphobia