Introduction: In the roller-coaster affairs of life, having God at the center of how you live makes all the difference. We see this in Joseph’s life in Genesis 39-40.

1. IN TIMES OF BLESSING (39:1-6):

A. Joseph’s Stay In Potiphar’s House (1)
B. Joseph’s Success In Potiphar’s House (2-3)
C. Joseph’s Status In Potiphar’s House (4-6)

2. IN TIMES OF TEMPTATION (39:7-20):

A. The Request (7)
B. The Refusal (8-12)
C. The Ruse (13-15)
D. The Revenge (16-20)

3. IN TIMES OF INJUSTICE (39:21 – 40:23):

A. Learning To Wait (39:21-23)
B. Learning To Interpret (40:1-13)
C. Learning To Trust (40:14-23)

4. IN TIMES OF WAITING (41:1-45):

A. God Moves Pharaoh To Dream (1-8)
B. God Moves The Cupbearer (9-13)
C. God Moves Pharaoh To Summon Joseph (14-36)
D. God Moves Pharaoh To Choose Joseph (37-45)

5. IN TIMES OF FORGIVENESS (41:46-57):

A. Forging Ahead (46-49)
B. Forgetting Past Pain (50-52)
C. Finding Success (53-57)

CONCLUSION: In every situation, God will make a way for you.

Introduction: Several factors are involved in developing great families for the Lord. One of the complications in play is the danger of favoritism toward our children. As we look at Jacob’s family, let’s consider the problems it can create.

1. PROBLEM #1 – HATRED (37:1-4):
A. The Traveling Father (1)
B. The Tattling Son (2)
C. The Tailored Coat (3)
D. The Troubled Brothers (4)

2. PROBLEM #2 – ENVY (37:5-11):
A. The Dreams (5-7,9)
B. The Drama (8)
C. The Dad’s Reaction (10-11)

3. PROBLEM #3 – VIOLENCE (37:12-28):
A. The Trip (12-17):
1) Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers (12-14)
2) Joseph gets redirected and finds them (15-17)
B. The Treachery (18-28):
1) The Plan (18-20)
2) The Pause (21-24)
3) The Punishment (25-28)

4. PROBLEM #4 – DECEPTION (37:29-36):
A. The Reaction of Reuben (29-30)
B. The Ruse of the Brothers (31-32)
C. The Reaction of Jacob (33-36)

CONCLUSION: In spite of the problems created by favoritism, God can take our messes and make something amazing out of them.

Introduction: Life sometimes feels like a process of taking 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. For Jacob, even during a period of renewal in his life, he still had new challenges that tested his faith.

1. A NEW START (35:1-15):

A. The Command for Jacob (1).
B. The Counsel for Jacob’s Family (2-4).
C. The Care God Provided (5).
D. The Command Obeyed (6-8).
E. The Conference with Jacob (9-15).

2. A NEW SON (35:16-20):

A. The Delivery of Benjamin (16-17).
B. The Death of Rachel (18-20).

3. A NEW SORROW (35:21-29):

A. The Family (21-26):
1) The Sin of Reuben (21-22).
2) The Sons of Jacob (23-26).

B. The Funeral (27-29):
1) The Goodbye (27-28).
2) The Graveside Service (29).

CONCLUSION: Being a victorious Christian doesn’t mean you get to escape the difficulties of life. It means walking by faith, knowing God is with you, and trusting Him to work all things together for your good and His glory.

Introduction: At this point in his life, Jacob had been blessed with a great set of circumstances, but failed to get the best out of what God was offering him. Making matters worse, his delay in obeying God led to some very real problems.

1. JACOB’S FAILURE (33:1-16):

A. By Scheming Instead of Trusting (1-2).

B. By Bowing Instead of Limping (3-7):
1) Jacob and his family do the bowing.
2) Esau was supposed to bow to him (Gen. 27:29).

C. By Pleading Instead of Witnessing (8-11)

D. By Promising, But Not Performing (12-16).

2. JACOB’S DELAY (33:17 – 34:31):
A. Defilement (33:17 – 34:5):
1) The Return (33:17-20).
2) The Rape (34:1-5)

B. Deception (34:6-24):
1) The Suggestion (6-12).
2) The Subterfuge (13-17).
3) The Submission (18-24).

C. Death (34:25-31):
1) The Slaughter (25-29).
2) The Scandal (30-31).

CONCLUSION: It’s always a temptation to walk beneath our potential and settle in life by doing things in worldly ways, instead of God’s ways. Be careful with your involvement with the world.