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Recap of the July 12, 2009 sermon, taken from Genesis 39, verses 1 through 20a.
1. Joseph, at seventeen, finds himself a slave in an Egyptian official’s estate. He evidences no bitterness, no anger, and no resentment for his predicament.
2. God is with him in this dark moment in his life (38:2,3,21,23) and he is successful - rising to the highest position, that of steward or overseer, in Potiphar’s household.
3. Joseph’s success could be attributed to several factors: God’s hand on his life, the promises of the Abrahamic covenant, his faith, and his work ethic.
4. Christians should make a difference in their workplace—they should work to make their employer successful, whether they are a Christian or non-Christian employer. They should be hard workers, have a good work ethic (diligent, industrious, conscientious, honest, faithful, upright), and be a positive force. (see Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1,2)
5. There are similarities between Joseph and Daniel the prophet: both were captured and taken to lands far away from their homes and families; both kept their faith and commitment to God and flourished despite the negative attractions, morals, and ethics of cultures far different from their own; both had to make difficult decisions without parental help or influence as relatively young people.
