{"id":560,"date":"2018-12-06T10:04:15","date_gmt":"2018-12-06T18:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/migrate.bettersermons.org\/?p=560"},"modified":"2020-06-01T11:39:10","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T18:39:10","slug":"joseph-living-with-integrity-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/joseph-living-with-integrity-part-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Joseph: Living with Integrity – Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"
How Can I Be Free<\/span><\/div>\n

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Scripture:<\/strong>\u00a0Genesis 37:12-35<\/p>\n

Subject:<\/strong>\u00a0How Joseph\u2019s brothers reacted when he came to meet them in Dothan.<\/p>\n

Complement:<\/strong>\u00a0They were filled with anger; they threw him into a pit and then sold him as a slave to Midianite traders.<\/p>\n

Exegetical Idea:\u00a0<\/strong>When Joseph came to meet his brothers in Dothan, they were filled with anger, threw him into a pit and then sold him as a slave to Midianite traders.<\/p>\n

Homiletical Idea:\u00a0<\/strong>You don\u2019t have to live a life filled with regret!<\/p>\n

Purpose:<\/strong>\u00a0To encourage my hearers that they don\u2019t have to live a life filled with regret but they can find freedom by dealing decisively with the past, living purposefully in the present and planning courageously for the future.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

When Joseph finally located his brothers on the outskirts of Dothan, he was probably happy to see them. But Joseph\u2019s brothers were not happy to see him. Joseph had been sent by his father to bring supplies to his 10 older brothers who were grazing the flocks several days journey north of their family\u2019s encampment. We can read the story in Genesis 37:18-20.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. \u2018Here comes that dreamer!\u2019 they said to each other. \u2018Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s oldest half brother, Reuben tried to save Joseph\u2019s life. But instead of rebuking his brothers for their violent intentions and sending Joseph back home in safety, Reuben made this suggestion, recorded in Genesis 37:21.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cLet’s not take his life,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he said.\u00a0\u201cDon’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don’t lay a hand on him.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>The inspired record tells us that Reuben\u2019s secret intention was to rescue Joseph at a later time and send him home to their father.\u00a0\u201cSo when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe\u2013the richly ornamented robe he was wearing\u2013and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Apparently, as Joseph\u2019s brothers sat down to eat their meal, Reuben decided to take a walk. He had wanted to speak in Joseph\u2019s defense but he had remained silent. While Reuben was gone, a caravan of Ishmaelite traders passed by. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.<\/p>\n

One of the other sons of Leah, Judah, said to his brothers, recorded in Genesis 27:26,\u00a0\u201cWhat will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

That\u2019s a strange logic, isn\u2019t it? If he\u2019s your brother, your own flesh and blood, a more logical response would be not to sell him into slavery! Am I right? But eight of Joseph\u2019s half brothers agreed with Judah.\u00a0\u201cSo when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Surely somewhere during that terrible ordeal, Joseph might have asked himself the question which is the title of our message today, \u201cHow can I be free?\u201d \u201cHow can I get out of this pit?\u201d And after he was sold to the Midianite traders, who were actually also his relatives, descendants of his great uncle Ishmael, I\u2019m sure that he also might have asked the question, \u201cHow can I be free?\u201d I doubt if his distant relatives offered him a seat on one of their camels. He was probably dragged behind a camel, his wrists bound and a rope around his neck. Wouldn\u2019t you ask the question, \u201cHow can I be free?\u201d<\/p>\n

But I don\u2019t want to focus primarily on Joseph today. I want to focus on Joseph\u2019s brothers and then I want to focus on you and me.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure that when Reuben returned and learned that his brothers had sold Joseph into slavery, big brother Reuben was filled with regret. In fact, Scripture tells us so, in Genesis 37:29-30.\u00a0\u201cWhen Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.\u201d<\/em>Perhaps at first he thought that his brothers had killed Joseph. Filled with regret, Reuben went back to his brothers and said,\u00a0\u2018The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?\u2019\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Why was he silent when he should have spoken up in Joseph\u2019s defense? After all, he was the oldest son. He was responsible for the well being of his younger brothers.<\/p>\n

I also have no doubt that once the intense emotions of the evening wore off, Joseph\u2019s other brothers were also filled with regret. What would happen to their brother when he arrived at the slave market in Egypt? Would he even survive the brutal treatment that he might expect from an Egyptian taskmaster?<\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s brothers undoubtedly also regretted the impact that their impulsive behavior would have on their father Jacob and on their youngest half brother Benjamin. Young Benjamin had already lost his mother and now he had lost his brother Joseph. Scripture records that Joseph\u2019s brothers decided to make a plan of deceit. Genesis 37:31-35.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, \u2018We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.\u2019 He recognized it and said, \u2018It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.\u2019\u00a0 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. \u2018No,\u2019 he said, \u2018in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.\u2019 So his father wept for him.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

I am absolutely certain that Joseph\u2019s older brothers were filled with regret as they thought about their brother\u2019s uncertain future and as they witnessed their father\u2019s grief. They probably also asked the question, \u201cHow can I be free?\u201d Not free from a pit, or free from slavery, but free from a lifetime of regret.<\/p>\n

Have you ever done something that you should not have done, and really regretted it? Or not done something that you should have done and really regretted it? Have you ever been overwhelmed with feelings of regret? Then maybe you have also asked the question, \u201cHow can I be free?\u201d<\/p>\n

I want to share some very practical counsel with you today as we talk about how we can be free from regret; how we can avoid a lifetime of regret. We want to live with integrity. We want to honor God in our speech and in our actions, but we have all done things and said things that we regret. So how can we avoid a lifetime of regret? I want to share three strategies with you today, and if you would like to take notes, you\u2019ll find a sermon outline sheet in your bulletin.<\/p>\n

Strategy #1: Deal decisively with your past.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was nothing that Joseph\u2019s brothers could do to change the past. Joseph was gone. They could not bring him back. They could not undo the wrong that they had done. So what could they do, and what can we do when we find ourselves in a place of regret?<\/p>\n

We can deal decisively with our past. First, ask for forgiveness. If you sinned against God, ask God to forgive you. I\u2019m so thankful for the promise of God\u2019s Word found in 1 John 1:9!\u00a0\u201cIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

If you have wronged people, where possible, ask those wronged to forgive you. That isn\u2019t always possible. Joseph was gone. His brothers could not ask him to forgive them at this point in their lives. You may have done something that you regret and you don\u2019t even know where the person is that you wronged. But where possible, ask that person to forgive you. Deal decisively with your past. Ask for forgiveness, from God and from those that you have wronged.<\/p>\n

Second, learn from your mistakes. Why did you end up in the compromising situation? What support would have helped you to live with integrity? How can you avoid repeating the same mistake? Learn from your mistakes.<\/p>\n

And thirdly, choose not to focus on past mistakes. Perhaps you were expecting me to say, \u201cForget the past!\u201d I\u2019m not sure that it\u2019s possible to forget the past, but you can choose not to focus on past mistakes. One of my favorite words of counsel from the Bible is found in Phil 4:8. I\u2019m quoting from the NKJV.\u201d……….\u201d That\u2019s good counsel! And if it\u2019s true, then it is also true that you should not focus on past mistakes.<\/p>\n

So what\u2019s the first strategy for avoiding a lifetime of regret? Deal decisively with the past. Second, ask for forgiveness, from God and from those you have wronged. Finally, learn from your mistakes, and choose not to focus on past mistakes.<\/p>\n

Strategy #2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s a second strategy for avoiding a lifetime of regret. Not only should you deal decisively with the past, but secondly, live purposefully in the present. You don\u2019t want to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. So what does it mean to live purposefully in the present? Let me offer three practical suggestions. First, make decisions based on principle, not emotions. Emotions can change from moment to moment. When Joseph\u2019s brothers were filled with rage, they were out of control. They were ready to tear Joseph limb from limb. Selling their brother to Midianite traders seemed like a good option to them; after all he was their flesh and blood. That was a much better option than killing him wasn\u2019t it? Actually, both of those options were unacceptable. If they had made their decision based on principle rather than emotion, they would have chosen option #3 – send Joseph home and take some time out to cool down. It is always dangerous to make impulsive decisions based on the emotion of the moment. If you are going to live with integrity, if you are going to live without regret, make decisions based on principle, not emotions. We find many principles to live by in the Word of God. We discussed one such principle in part 2 of this series on Joseph: that there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. You can find hundreds of principles in the Word of God that will help you to live with integrity, to live a life without regret. I\u2019ve had several opportunities in the past few days to follow that principle of truth! But you don\u2019t need to know hundreds of principles of truth in order to live with integrity, to live without regret. There are just two foundational principles for life. Do you know what they are? Jesus tells us that there are just two foundational principles for life. Only Matthew records these words of Jesus, and I\u2019m thankful to him for that! Matthew 22:37-39 \u201cLove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Let these two foundational principles be the basis of your decision making. Does this action, do these words, demonstrate a love for God and a love for people? If you want to live a life free from regret, you need not only to deal decisively with the past, but also live purposefully in the present. Make decisions based on principle, not emotions.<\/p>\n

But living purposefully in the present involves more than just making decisions based on principle. It also involves building on past successes. Don\u2019t sit around making excuses. Don\u2019t focus on what you can\u2019t do, what you can\u2019t accomplish. Build on past successes. Have you noticed times in your life when you followed God\u2019s leading and you experienced great successes? Build on those past successes. Perhaps someone asked you to teach a Bible lesson for the children, and you really enjoyed it. People told you that you really connected with the kids! Build on that success. Or maybe that didn\u2019t work out for you, but someone asked you to sing in a quartet and you sounded great! You\u2019ve even thought about joining the choir! Don\u2019t focus on what you can\u2019t do. Build on past successes.<\/p>\n

Thirdly, as you live purposefully in the present, stay focused on Jesus. I used to think that my final goal was heaven, or eternal life, but I\u2019ve changed my mind on that. I don\u2019t want to live forever just to live forever. I want to see Jesus face to face and be with Jesus! If you are going to live purposefully in the present, you not only need to make decisions based on principle rather than emotions, and build on past successes,\u00a0 but you also need to stay focused on Jesus. Joseph\u2019s brothers didn\u2019t have the advantage of the wonderful revelation of God in the person of Jesus, but we do! So get to know Jesus. How do you do that? Learn about Jesus in His Word. He told us that the Scriptures testify about Him. So read your Bible and get to know Jesus. Connect with godly mentors who can model what it looks like to stay focused on Jesus. Connect with a Christian community that will encourage you to stay focused on Jesus. Living purposefully in the present involves making decisions based on principle not emotions, building on past successes and staying focused on Jesus.<\/p>\n

Strategy #3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There is a third strategy for avoiding a lifetime of regret: Plan courageously for the future. Have you noticed how quickly life slips by? I\u2019m told that as you get older, life slips by at an increasing rate. Is that true? Perhaps you\u2019re just busier than you used to be, or perhaps you realize that your days are numbered! In reality, all of our days are numbered, until this mortal puts on immortality at the return of Jesus. Every day is precious. Every day is an irreplaceable opportunity. If you don\u2019t want to look back at the end of your life and be filled with regret, then plan courageously for the future.<\/p>\n

How do I do that? First, concentrate on what is most important. Unfortunately, we often give our attention to what is most urgent. But urgent isn\u2019t necessarily important. And our lives can be so filled with urgent that we never get around to that which is most important. I remember reading of one businessman who reflected that he spent his whole life climbing the ladder of success only to discover that it was leaning against the wrong wall! What a tragedy! I don\u2019t want to look back on my life and be filled with regret, and I know that you don\u2019t either. Concentrate on what is most important.<\/p>\n

So what really is most important to you? What should be most important to you? Stuff? I don\u2019t think so. What is really most important? Relationships; your relationship with God, serving Him with all your strength; and your relationships with those around you; your family, your loved ones. Isn\u2019t that really what\u2019s most important? So why are you working longer and longer hours, with little or no time for that which is most important? Where will that leave you at the end of your days? Will you be saying, \u201cOh, I just wish that I had worked more!\u201d Plan courageously for the future. Concentrate on what is most important.<\/p>\n

Second, dare to dream. Don\u2019t settle for mediocre. Things that are impossible for us are possible for God. In my favorite book on the life of Jesus, I read this comment: \u201cGod’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach.\u201d Desire of Ages, P. 311. I believe that is true! So as you plan courageously for the future, concentrate on what is important and dare to dream!<\/p>\n

And thirdly, identify doable steps to accomplish your dreams. It has been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And a dream becomes reality by courageously planning one doable step after another and following those steps until your have fulfilled your dreams. When our youngest son was 18 he decided that he wanted to become a CRNA, a certified registered nurse anesthetist. So we helped him to develop a 5-step plan! (Outline steps) And I\u2019m happy to announce that this past week Jonathan began step #4 of his 5-step plan! Concentrate on what is important, dare to dream, and identify doable steps to fulfill your dreams!<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to live a lifetime of regret! You don\u2019t need to get to the end of your life and look back filled with regret. Like Joseph\u2019s brothers, we\u2019ve all done things, or failed to do things, that we later regret. But I\u2019m thankful today that we don\u2019t have to get stuck in a place of regret. Joseph\u2019s brothers were stuck in a place of regret for 13 years. Some people get stuck in a place of regret for their whole lives. But you can avoid a lifetime of regret. You\u2019ve learned some practical strategies today that will help you to be free!<\/p>\n

– Deal decisively with the past;
\n– Live purposefully in the present; and
\n– Plan courageously for the future.<\/p>\n

Your life may take some unexpected turns, just like Joseph, but when it\u2019s all said and done, it is possible to look back without regret. Deal decisively with the past, live purposefully in the present and plan courageously for the future!
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\nBy Derek Morris, Pastor of the\u00a0Forest Lake Church<\/a><\/span>\u00a0in Apopka, FL. Better Sermons \u00a9 2005-2009. Click here for<\/span>\u00a0usage guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How Can I Be Free Scripture:\u00a0Genesis 37:12-35 Subject:\u00a0How Joseph\u2019s brothers reacted when he came to meet them in Dothan. Complement:\u00a0They were filled with anger; they threw him into a pit …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[20],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=560"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":561,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560\/revisions\/561"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bettersermons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}