What is your End Game?

Many families enjoy an evening together playing board games. One of the most popular games is Monopoly. It can be a enjoyable games as much as it can be frustrating.

Monopoly is an American-originated board game originally published by Parker Brothers. Subtitled "The Fast-Dealing Property Trading Game", the game is named after the economic concept of monopoly—the domination of a market by a single entity.

It is always interesting to see the characteristics of the people while they are playing the game. Some take it very serious as they seek to gain a monopoly and win the game. Other display signs of greed while others will even cheat if it means they can beat their opponents. Monopoly can bring out the worst in the best of people. Frustrating as the game can be it can be a great way to spend an evening.

The game is normally played until someone wins outright or for a set period. The winner is the last person in the game or who ends with the most money and property. The game always comes to an end and all the cards, money and board are gathered up and put back in the box.

This reminded me of a verse found in Genesis about Jacob.

Genesis 49:33 And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.

It is said that there are only two things we are certain of in life which are death and taxes. Have you thought of the "End Game" of your life?

Each one of us must Prepare to meet God. For more information on the subject please go to http://www.eternitywhere.com/booklet-request

Joseph Part 6 Bible Study

Joseph in Prison – Testing, Trusting & Triumph

Gen 39:20-40:23

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

How many people like exams?

Wearisome, burn the midnight night oil

God sets examinations for us all – We learn the basic lessons as he entrusts great tasks to us.

Think of Abraham waiting for his promises son or Moses who spent time in the wilderness. We could also think of David who went through a lot before being crowned as King.

God is training, preparing & setting hard examinations.

Testing

Look at the tests that were given to Joseph.

Joseph was a boy who was truthful, honest and reliable.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

4 Phrases

1. Troubled on every side – adversary, strong, leaving him no room to fight back. If you give up you will suffer spiritual loss.

1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Lay your life on the altar and the flames will soon begin licking round the sides of the altar to consume the sacrifice.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2. Perplexed – idea of someone whose supplies are almost finished. He had come to the end of his strength and his resources are all but gone.

Look at Joseph in Genesis 40:14-15

3. Persecuted v9 – Hunted

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

If we are living for the Lord we will always have enemies.

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4. Cast down – you have received a terrible blow. The fighter is being counted out.

Think of Joseph – the pit, the journey across the desert, sold as a slave, prison

Psalm 105:18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

Trust

God did not Send Joseph there alone.

Genesis 39:20, 21, 23

God was at his side teaching him to trust him.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Genesis 49:23-24 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson

Psalm 105:19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.

It was said of Christ in Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Triumph

2 Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

This is the triumph that Christ would shine through.

He noticed the anxiety and worry on the other prisoners faces.

He was in touch with God – the dreams were revealed to him.

He doesn’t mention the hatred of his brothers or the wickedness of Potiphar's wife. He is living a life of victory rather than bitterness and blame.

He was faithful with the baker.

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Joseph Part 5 Bible Study

The Defeat of Temptation

Reading Genesis Chapter 39

We have here the story of a young man's battle against temptation and how he met head-on the hail of darts aimed at his heart, but shield them off with steadfast resolution.

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Stage one – outright refusal v8

This must start in the mind. You cannot even permit the thought to remain there.

No – Never

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

The sex instinct in all of us is a very powerful drive.

Stage two – loyalty to his master

Joseph was a normal person. He was deprived of normal family affection. He was far from home. To many he may have looked as a sitting target but he had loyalty to his master.

Look at verse 8, 9

Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The 7th commandment is.......

Gen 2:24

The love for and loyalty to Potiphar grew from the love of God. The love of God is the fountain head of love for our neighbour.

Sexual sin demonstrates a love of self – lust

Stage three – consequence of sin

3rd line of defence.

Some may think that they can hide there sin. Example – David & Bathsheba
I am not causing anyone any harm – they might say

There has been 9,000,000 terminations since abortion was legalized in the UK since 1967

Stage 4 – 2 sides to the coin

Gen 39:9 ….......how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Great wickedness
Sin against

The woman spoke of love – but Joseph called it right.
I am sure the woman promised discretion and privacy – but Joseph called it right.

Do we call sin – sin. We need to call it right. Do we allow the media to laugh at sin and blur our thinking.

Joseph was building a defence of Christ before, behind, above, beneath, beside, within him.

Stage 5 – he ran away

Genesis 39:12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

The other lines of defence needed something else – run

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.


Conclusion
1. Temptation and sin will remain with us
2. It is possible to remain pure – Job 31:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
3. God needs to have us all – mind, soul and heart.

Joseph Part 4 Bible Study

Gen 39:7-20

We might think - It is easy for him – look how he has been promoted.

Tempted

Satan uses different arrow from his quiver

Look at how Christ was tempted in Matthew 4:1-10

The arrow Satan uses is the arrow of temptation – Sexual Sin

Many people have been badly wounded in this area. Many ministers have had their ministry destroyed because of it. (Even in our church)

It was sexual sin that marred the testimony of David the king. 2 Sam 11:1-3

It can happen to everyone –

1 Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

We never graduate as the finished article (in this life time) – the perfected Christian

After all the past Joseph was now doing very well. But Satan is always lurking about.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Ex 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Is it possible to look at a man or woman without sinning. Of course it is.

Genesis 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Goodly person – handsome in form and appearance

The increasing intensity and pathway of this terrible sin

Step 1. Cast her eyes upon Joseph - Lust

Longing eyes – Lusting (Desiring to have something that is wrong)

STORY - Lighting a fire from the hot embers of another

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Blazing torch carried around in the heart, there to set fire to our passions, to burn with hot desire.

There is so much out there in the world that can blow upon those embers that they flare up and burn your testimony.

1. Television
2. Computer
3. Magazines/Papers
4. Fashion
5. Etc

Step 2 Flattering – subtle suggestions

That extra smile, those flattering comments.

She would have put herself in his way – making sure she was seen.

Read Proverbs 6:20-29

Te law as protection v20-21

V22 – Guide, Guard & Guest

Step 3 – Lie with me – shameless proposal

It is said that Egyptian women were quite shameless and almost unfaithful to their husbands.

Potiphar's wifes invitation was anything but of love. It was LUST

Step 4 – Wear him down – little by little

Verse 10

What might it be today? Let us go, do........

She had a challenge! She wanted to make Joseph her conquest.

Step 5 V11, 12 – Scheming

Many believe that this an engineered situation. She had planned it.

Psalm 36:4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Next week – The defect of Temptation

Joseph Part 3 Bible Study

The evidence of the Holy Spirit in his life

Very little is told of how Joseph lived!

He was living out his profession in the real world.

Gen 41:38

Gen 39:3-4 – living it out in the kitchen

Look again at Eph 6:5-8

This is for the slave or free

notice those words, “fear and trembling”

see 1 Cor 2:3 – overwhelmed by the high privilege – he didn't want to fail God

Do your job right! Go the 2^nd mile

Note heart in verse 5 – thoughts/feeling, mind

verse 6 – breath of life – soul

verse 7 – good will – good intentions – knowing God's will

God is to be in control of out thinking, acting and doing

See Matt 22:37

Doing the will of God from the heart – the mainspring of life. Willingness to work at home & school.

Question – is it wrong when a student hands I work that is less than his best – careless, hurried work, messy and incorrect or incomplete because insufficient time has been spent on it?

Let us live out the Holy Spirit within us

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Joseph Part 2 Bible Study

Reading Genesis 39 and Ephesians 5:15-6:9

Take note of the 1^st 6 verses of Gen 39

Genesis 39:1-6

1And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.

2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

Eph 6:5-8 – The attitudes of slaves

Joseph was filled with the Spirit.

Look at

Exodus 31:1-6

Numbers 24:2, 17

Numbers 11:17

Numbers 27:15-18

The Spirit was given to enable the Lord's people to fulfil his purposes and the task that had been assigned to them.

Those who have the Spirit will live out a Godly Life in obedience to the scripture.

Eph 5:18 Filled with the Spirit.

What doe sit mean to live a life filled with the Spirit of God. Review the remaining verses in Ch 5 & 6

• Marriage
• Home
• Work

Look for evidence within a believers marriage, home and place of employment.

Joseph Part 1 Bible Study

Read Gen 35:1-15

1. A Family's Sin

The doctors case file

There are important parts of the family history in Gen 34 & 38

Look at Gen 32: 28

Jacob – Supplanter

Israel – Prince of God

a. Jacobs unhappy, divided home life due to his polygamy

Gen 29:25, 30

Gen 30:4, 9

What a mixture of a family

Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.

b. The 2^nd thing we can see from the case file is that God has choose the worst raw material to work with to found His chosen people. Compare the Old Testament Church with the New Testament.

Matthew 22:9-10

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

The material God works with is always sinful.

Eph 2:1-3, 4:17-19

The family is a complete scandal but the 11^th son is completely different. He was set apart at birth. There was a change in his father at this time Spiritually.

Gen 30:24-25

He wanted to return to the Promised Land.

Gen 37:1-2

Our next mention of Joseph is when he is 17

It was now time to work. We can see the state of the family here in verse 2.

Joseph was different!

Jacob was to find out - Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

2. A Favourite's Suffering

Israel sends him to Shechem Gen 37:13 – A days journey

Notice those words – Here am I

What would you have done if you hadn't found them? Look ar verse 17 – went after (Approx 15 Miles)

Trait – persistence – staying at the task – stick-ability

His 10 brothers hated him because:

1. He was pure – Gen 37:2

2. He was the favourite – Gen 37:3

3. He was a dreamer – Gen 37:19

Look at the dreams in verses 7-11

Why did Joseph tell them?

V11 – observed – kept the matter in mind

He had a cross that he had to bear.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Joseph was to know persecution

Gen 37:28

Gen 42:21

Psalm 105:17-18

Where was his dreams now? What was going through his head? What would it have been like?

Joseph is an Old Testament type of Jesus Christ

His suffering was all part of the plan!

Isa 53:10

3. A Fathers Sorrow

Reading Gen 37:12-36

Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

What is a LIE?

Lies and deceit came easy to Joseph's brothers.

They even tried to comfort him! See verse 35

Jacob had been an arch deceiver himself! See Genesis 27:14

How often do we think we have got away from it? Read Galatians 6:7

Did Jacobs mind go back to Gen 37:11 – Observed