Post on 11-Jan-2016
description
How to Overcome
the Evil Aimed at You
Genesis 37 – 50&
Romans 12: 14 -21
How to Overcome
the Evil Aimed at You
Who has wounded, betrayed, abused,
abandoned, forsaken,
forgotten, lied to, or hurt you
more than anyone else?
Joseph
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.‘ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous…
Matthew 5:43-45
Joseph
…46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” ( NIV)
Matthew 5:46-48
Joseph
How do you
overcome the evil
aimed at you?
1Joseph’s journey
REVEALS how to
overcome the evil
aimed at you.
Joseph
1. Born in a DYSFUNCTIONAL family. Genesis 37
2. REJECTED by his siblings. Genesis
37
3. ABANDONED to a foreign land.Genesis 37
God sovereignly allowed Joseph to be . . .
Joseph
4. Sold into SLAVERY.
Genesis 39
5. FALSELY ACCUSED of rape.
Genesis 39
6. Sent to PRISON
unjustly.
Genesis 39
God sovereignly allowed Joseph to be . . .
Joseph
7. FORGOTTEN by a “friend.”
Genesis 40
God sovereignly allowed Joseph to be . . .
Joseph
1. He SURVIVED – he learned and adapted.
2. He THRIVED – he used his gifts where he was.
Joseph’s response to evil circumstances . . .
Joseph
3. He RESISTED – he refused to “bail out” on
God’s agenda for his life.
Joseph’s response to evil circumstances . . .
Joseph
4. He WAITED – on God’s time and place.
5. He GREW – he faced his issues and forgave others for theirs.
Joseph’s response to evil circumstances . . .
2
Joseph’s secret to overcoming evil involved something he
KNEW, something he
DID, and something he REFUSED to
do.
Joseph
What he knew: Nothing comes into our lives
by accident. It is either decreed or allowed by an all-wise, sovereign God for our
good.
Genesis 45:5-8
Joseph
I am never a VICTIM!
APPLICATION:
Rom. 8:28-29 28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (NIV)
Joseph
What he did: He blessed those who
cursed him.
Genesis 45:9-13 / Rom. 12:14, 21
Joseph
I will do GOOD to those who hurt me,
in a safe and appropriate way.
APPLICATION:
Joseph
What he refused to do:
Take revenge.
Genesis 50:15-21 & Rom. 12:17, 21
Joseph
I will choose TO FORGIVE to (release)
those who hurt me from the retribution they deserve
because Christ has done that for me.
Matthew 6:14-15 & Matthew 5:43-48
APPLICATION:
Question:
How do you
overcome the evil
aimed at you?
Joseph
1. Choose to FORGIVE the person(s) who have
hurt you.
Joseph
2. Begin PRAYING daily for God to bless the
person(s) who hurt you (30 days).
Rom. 12: 14-16
Joseph
3. Do one act of KINDNESS this week for the person(s) who hurt you (if possible and if
appropriate).
How to Overcome
the Evil Aimed at You
Genesis 37 – 50&
Romans 12: 14 -21