Sierra Vista Community Church
Turning Your Setbacks into Comebacks
Part 8
Text: Genesis 37-50
• You’re disregarded by those you love.
“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him.” (Genesis 37:4)
• You’re rejected and sold out by those closest to you.
“They said to one another, “Here comes that dreamer! Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we can say that a vicious animal ate him…” (Genesis 37:19-20a)
“Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh,” and they agreed.” (Genesis 37:27)
• You’re permanently alienated from your family.
“His father recognized it,“It is my son’s robe,” he said. “A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has been torn to pieces!”” (Genesis 27:33)
• You’re forced to do a job you don’t want.
“Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard.” (Genesis 37:36)
• You’re punished for doing right.
“When his master heard the story his wife told him … he was furious and had him thrown into prison, where the king’s prisoners were confined…” (Genesis 39:19-20a)
• You’re forgotten by the very people you helped.
“But when all goes well for you, remember that I was with you. Please show kindness to me by mentioning me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this prison … Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” (Genesis 40:14 & 23)
How Was Joseph Able To Stay Resilient?
• He depended on God’s presence.
In the pit: “... but God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his troubles.” (Acts 7:9-10)
At Potiphar’s: “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:2)
In prison: “But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him … The warden did not bother with anything under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him …” (Genesis 39:21 & 23)
• He depended on God’s promise.
“But Joseph said to them, “Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result - the survival of many people.” (Genesis 50:19-20)
• He depended on God’s help for every challenge he faced.
“Pharoah said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.” “I am not able to,” Joseph answered Pharaoh. “It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” (Genesis 41:15-16)