THE NUTS AND BOLTS
OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
WHAT KIND OF A
FAMILY DO YOU COME FROM?
I FACTS
1. The story of Joseph occupies more space in the book of Genesis that any other person – Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
2. Joseph is one of the very few Old Testament characters about whom NOTHING is written
3. Joseph
is a picture, or type, of JESUS
II FOR Us
God uses the lives of Biblical characters to: Teach, encourage, warn
Romans 15:
4 – “Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance
and the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.”
I
Corinthians 10:6 – “ Now these things happened as
examples for us, that we should not
crave evil things.”
III FAMILY FEUD
A. Parts of Joseph’s Life
· 0-17 – Genesis 30-37 – PAMPERED!
· 17-30 – Genesis 37-41 – PIT and PRISON!
· 30 to Heaven – Genesis 41-56 – PALACE and POWER
IV Patriarch Jacob
· PARENT - single – Genesis 35: 19 records Rachel’s death after giving birth to Joseph’s brother Benjamin
· PASSIVE - Passive fathers favor the child who is the easiest to revise
· Parental passivity is deadly in an out-of-control, dysfunctional family
C PERILS of Passivity
1. Jacob practiced favoritism towards Joseph in a blatant way:
The Coat of Many Colours – Genesis 37: 3
2. Joseph’s step-brothers regarded him with a PROFUSION of negative character qualities: anger, rebellion, rivalry, out-of-control jealousy, vengeful
3. This jealousy exploded in a vicious PLOT powder keg!
Genesis 37: 18-34
D. PITTS for Joseph!
· Saw and Plotted – vs. 18
· Sarcasm and Sadistic plan – vs. 19-20
· Saved – by Reuben – vs. 21-22
· Stripped – vs. 23-24
· Sat down to eat – satanic contentment – vs. 25
· Sold – 20 shekels of silver = price of a handicapped slave – vs. 26-28
· Showing the evidence to Jacob – vs. 29-35
E. FAMILY Life in 2008
1. DON’T PLAY with passivity
2. DISCIPLINE with consistency, love and perseverance
3. DISCERNMENT is vital!
4. DILIGENTLY foster relationships
· Average North American – T.V., computer, internet: Child 7 HOURS daily
Dad: 5 MINUTES daily
5. DEAL with attitudes as severely as actions
6. DYNAMITE? Prayer!!!