Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat "Avoiding the Fatal Attraction" Focus: Joseph refusing the advances of Potiphar's wife Genesis 39: 2-4; 6-11 Pastor Sandi Evans Rogers Avoiding Fatal Attractions I can t tell you how excited I was when I learned that I was getting the privilege to preach on LUST. As I read, prayed, listened and reflected God has taken me to a path that surprised me Before I take you with me Let s PRAY Let s get right to it LUST What is it and why should we be addressing it? One dictionary definition of lust is: 1) intense or unrestrained sexual craving, or 2) an overwhelming desire or craving." The feeling of raw emotion that accompanies desiring a person or thing so much that it can override your common sense and judgement. Something that starts in your gut and takes over your higher brain functions until you can't stop thinking of being with them, wanting them, and desiring them. A thing that by it's sheer irrationality seems the most rational and natural thing in the world while you're under its influence. Another Dictionary: LUST is simply to have a craving, appetite, or great desire for Our culture has LUST full throttle in front of us TV.. Scandal Satisfaction Mistresses 1
Then there are the lists.the 10 most: America s Most Lustful Cities Sexiest Suburbs in America Frederick is #6 really? Who knew So why talk about lust this morning. First, we are studying Joe, and his story includes a powerful and desperate woman lusting after him. Second, the Bible talks about lust and other sins, and warns us of the destructive power of such sin. AND we need to understand how God works in us to Avoid Fatal Attractions. Lust has as its focus pleasing itself, often leading to unwholesome actions to fulfill one's desires Lust is about possession and greed. While our faith is to be about selflessness with no regard to the consequences. and marked by holy living So how can we live in such a way that we are Avoiding Fatal Attractions. Let s go back to the guy with the Technicolor coat. Let s go back to Joe!! Let s look at his encounter with Potiphar s wife Even more important let s explore his character Who he was His relationship with the Lord. Last week we learned Joe was a dreamer his dreams got him in trouble being daddy s favorite when he was young, he was arrogant 2
and didn t know what to do with the gift God had given him he flaunted his dream in the face of his other brothers Jealous brothers, tired of his arrogance and taunting Angry, jealous very annoyed Talked of killing him.but instead sold him in to slavery talk about dysfunction! How could he respond? How might you respond? How did he respond.? HE TRUSTS in GOD!! And IN that trust He works hard for his Master He works in a way that glorified God - And God provided amazingly! That is what separates Joseph from others around him; his absolute trust in God, regardless of what happened to him. He trusted. Joseph is considered one of the heroes of faith, Not because he was a perfect human being, but because he chose to follow God even while facing incredible pressure to do otherwise. Joseph exhibits the character of God through his faithfulness, integrity, purity, and mercy, Joseph is a wonderful example of 3
what can happen when a person surrenders to God and obeys completely. Let s look specifically at Genesis 39: As it turned out, GOD was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master. His master recognized that GOD was with him, saw that GOD was working for good in everything he did. He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide. He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to him. From that moment on, GOD blessed the home of the Egyptian all because of Joseph. The blessing of GOD spread over everything he owned, at home and in the fields, and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day. 6-7 Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master s wife became infatuated with Joseph and one day said, Sleep with me. 8-9 He wouldn t do it. He said to his master s wife, Look, with me here, my master doesn t give a second thought to anything that goes on here he s put me in charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn t turned over to me is you. You re his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God? 10 She pestered him day after day after day, but he stood his ground. He refused to go to bed with her. MESSAGE 4
Potiphar bought Joe It didn t take long for him to see that God was with Joe How blessed he was how God provided and multiplied Even Potiphar s estate was blessed!!!! Potiphar learned to trust Joe think of it - - - he put a slave in charge of everything not the normal chain of command but as you can see nothing in Joe s life has been normal lately. Then there was Potiphar's wife. A woman without a name But with an agenda!! She saw that strikingly handsome young man. As I have been reflecting in preparation something came to stand out to me. It came about after these events That his master s wife looked with desire at Joseph And she said, Lie with me Gen 39:7 NAS It came about after these events. After he was no longer an ordinary slave After her husband promoted and trusted Joe After he had been given authority and power After he had found favor She looked with desire at Joseph! It seems his position and power were a part of the attractions as well. She lusts after Joseph and begs him to sleep with her. Not just this once.day after day after day Joseph could have easily yielded to this temptation from this prestigious older woman. Weaker men and women have yielded at less Remember: He was a young man far from home 5
He could have used loneliness or bitterness or self-pity as an excuse for giving in to this woman. And, since he was totally alone in a foreign land, no one would ever have known. BUT Joseph didn t go there. His TRUST in God and his RELATIONSHIP with God wouldn t let him. Joseph first tries to reason with his seducer (verses 8 and 9). The VOICE paraphrase: But Joseph refused. Look, please don t take offense, but with me in charge, my master has no concerns for anything that goes on in his house. He has trusted me with everything he has. 9 He hasn t treated me like I am any less than he is, and he hasn t kept anything from me except, of course, for you because you are his wife. Why would I do something so clearly wrong and sin so blatantly against God? Joseph quickly recognized and identified there would be very destructive consequences, and he knew the relationships that would be impacted the most: Potiphar, who trusted him And God whom he trusted with his whole heart. And his relationship with himself.he would always know. She didn t let up.instead she: pursued him day after day, Joseph would not consent to sleep with her and refused to be alone with her. Then one day it looked like it was a prime opportunity When the house was empty She desperately tried once again 6
Joe only had seconds to respond and he fled So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 A great biblical plan. FLEE - - PURSUE - - WITH - - FLEE.Passion and sin that deceive as they lead PURSUE.Righteousness/ faith/ love/peace WITH.OTHERS, others who call on the Lord Even though he did the right thing. And he lived happily ever after.not so much! There was No Parade No applause No medal No praise No support - - even from the man who supposedly trusted him. So, Joseph, a righteous man, who trusted in God, was put in irons (Psalm 105:18) and into a miserable prison - - until he was 30 years old.because he did what was right. To Joseph it was more important to honor the relationship he had with his Abba, Than please any other man or woman. BUT - - God did not leave his righteous and faithful servant alone in that prison. But that is next week. So how did Joseph have the wisdom and courage to AVOID this Fatal Attraction? 7
Joseph wasn t going to REJECT God Joseph learned to TRUST in God God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 Trust - to rely on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, of God; confidence. Trust - a confident expectation of what God is going to do; hope. Trust - relying on God for everything. Joseph trusted completely Joseph lived a God-dependent life, a Holy life and he lived it in the midst of great adversity. He knew his future rested in the hands of the Lord. How do we develop such a God-Dependent Holy Life? A life that will give us wisdom, discernment A life that develops courage and strength Even in the midst of temptation? #1. Recognize God s sovereignty We are not out of His reach and care anywhere God is in control God is with us always #2. Receive God s Provision Joseph knew where his success came from Who had provided for him in every circumstance? #3. Surrender to His Leadership and His Lordship Spend time in prayer & solitude not just talking with God 8
Find ways to engage in His Word and learn more about who He is Discover His character Study His commands, His teaching and His promises When we prepare, When we focus on Jesus, Intentionally investing in our relationship with Him. We are building the tools to AVOID Fatal Attractions. As we wind down this morning I am sure some of us, I include myself here, may be thinking This is not a teaching for me I don t struggle with lust in my life Well, we need to be careful not to lull ourselves into a place of Where we can be caught off guard Where we think we aren t vulnerable Where we might be immune You see - - - remember the broader definition of lust we started with: have a craving, appetite, or great desire for Sex yes but also Food Clothes Artwork Knowledge Power Money Alcohol/drugs Remember God s plan. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 9
FLEE Run Away from a place or situation of danger This might mean mentally fleeing: bouncing our thoughts away from lustful imaginations. This might mean visually fleeing: bouncing our eyes away from lustful images. This might mean physically fleeing: walking (or running) away from tempting situations PURSUE.Righteousness Building an intentional relationship with Jesus - -daily through Prayer, Engaging in scriptures and Listening to the promptings of the Holy Sprit WITH.THOSE WHO CALL ON THE LORD Brothers and sisters in Christ, Those who are seeking to live a God-led, Holy life, Yielding to Him in all areas of their lives When we allow our focus to pause anywhere but with Jesus We are a target for temptation We are more susceptible to the power of sin. Not one of us is immune I found an anonymous commitment to living the life we are talking about ~~~~~MY COMMITMENT AS A CHRISTIAN~~~~~ I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, 10
smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me my banner will be clear! May we all Flee from sin, and its destructive consequences Run towards God s vision for our lives.. Run into the loving arms of our Abba Run to Jesus Run with our brothers and sisters; who are sitting all around us today! 11