Meant for good – Week 2

Joke:  A man walks out to the street and catches a taxi just going by. He gets into the taxi, and the cabbie says, “Perfect timing. You’re just like Frank.”

“Who?”  Asks the passenger

“Frank Feldman. He’s a guy who did everything right all the time.

The passenger replies, “There are always a few clouds over everybody.”

“Not Frank Feldman says the cabbie, he was a terrific athlete. He could have won the Grand-Slam at tennis. He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star and you should have heard him play the piano. He was an amazing guy.”

“Sounds like he was really something special.”

To which the cabbie says, “there’s more, he had a memory like a computer. He remembered everybody’s birthday. He knew all about wine, which foods to order and which fork to eat them with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out. But Frank Feldman could do everything right every single time.”

“Wow, what a guy!”

Cabbie continues, “He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic and avoid traffic jams. Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them. But Frank, he never made a mistake, and he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good.

He would never answer her back even if she was in the wrong; and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes always polished to the most fabulous shine.

He was the perfect man! He never made a mistake. No one could ever measure up to Frank Feldman.”

“How did you meet him?” Asks the passenger

“I never actually met Frank. He died and I married his wife.”

 —————————————————————————————

Meant for good – Week 2

Last week, we started a series based on the life of Joseph in we talked about the Promise and the Process.

Today as we continue the series we will be talking about perfection.

I mentioned last week that like Joseph, we have precious promises from God.  However, in order to see the promises come about there is usually a process, and often times the process has a waiting and sometimes in the waiting, suffering.

And If we misunderstand God’s process, we can get discouraged when the promise and the process seem to be in contradiction or take longer than we thought they should to come to pass.

In our text, Joseph received the promise, and now he has entered God’s process.

Church, God wants to bring about perfection, that’s the goal of God’s process in our lives.  God is “conforming us into the image of Christ,” but what does that actually look like?

In the story of Joseph, we get an example of that. . .

But first, let me possibly change your perspective on what perfection is.

Because many believe that perfection is doing everything right, being faultless.   Much like Frank Feldman.  But Biblical perfection is not about “doing everything right.”

It has more to do with a mature character. It means to be fully grown, it’s more like how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.   There is a transformation that takes place.

2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV): He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The letter does what?  Kills. Why?   Because the goal in following the letter of the law is behavior modification and with that our success hinges on us and our willpower.   How we perform.

But the Spirit brings what?  Life.   Because the goal is not behavior modification but rather a heart transformation and with that our success hinges not on our performance but on His grace and on faith.

The truth is the Spirit empowers us to live holy.

Here’s the thing, man’s idea of perfection brings stress, comparison, and ultimately disappointment because we all fall short of that standard.

How many of you have ever felt the stress of having to meet a standard of perfection hoping to please someone?  Maybe it was your parents, or a teacher, or boss.

And what happens when you fall short of that standard is that you feel disappointed because you ultimately feel as though you let someone down.

But here’s the good news. . .

Hebrews 10:14 (NIV): For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

See, God’s grace is different you put on your new nature, and I know for me I don’t even want to sin.  I’m not saying I don’t but I wake up every day trying to live a life pleasing to Papa.

Philippians 1:27 (NIV): Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

So, let’s unpack some principles in the life of Joseph, and watch how the process of his suffering, his betrayal, and the false accusation lead him towards a heart transformation.

After the betrayal of his brothers, Joseph goes to Egypt as a slave.  He ends up being sold to a wealthy official in Egypt named Potiphar.

Let’s pick up our story there. . .

Genesis 39:1–5 (NLT): When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.

I love that, Joseph in spite of how he ended up in the place he was, still honors God and Potiphar takes notice. Verse 5 tells us, He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.   Why?  Because Potiphar realized that the Lord was with Joseph.

Listen church when you live a life worthy of the gospel people take notice.

1 Peter 2:12 (NIV): Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Back to our story. . .

Genesis 39:6 (NLT): So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!  Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,

Potiphar didn’t have to worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!

But look how the verse ends. . .Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man.

Why would a comment like that even be in there?  The reason is, because as you continue in the story we hear that Potiphar’s wife takes notice of him, why?  Not because the Lord was with him, but because he was handsome and well-built.  So, she tries to lure him into an affair.

Genesis 39:10 (NLT): She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

So, Joseph with, or maybe it’s better to say because of his moral character he refuses her advances time and time again.

But then. . .

Genesis 39:11–17 (NLT): One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house. 13 When she saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, 14 she called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said. “My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me.” 16 She kept the cloak with her until her husband came home. 17 Then she told him her story. “That Hebrew slave you’ve brought into our house tried to come in and fool around with me,” she said.

So, she falsely claims that he assaulted her.  And Potiphar’s in a rage, and he sends Joseph to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Joseph’s only crime, with Potiphar is being good at what he does, and with his brothers, being favored by dad.

Joseph suffers, not for wrongdoing, but for righteousness.

1 Peter 3:13–18 (NLT): Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! 18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

God promised to exalt Joseph and he will but in the process the adversity is where his character is being forged into greatness.

God is creating a man who does what is good, not only when life smiles upon him, but also when life is unfair and brutal.

And Joseph’s consistent response to injustice, betrayal, and adversity is not to get bitter but better and to honor God.   He doesn’t blame God.  He trusts that God will work all things for good.

There is coming a day when Joseph will have the power to treat others the way they have treated him. And yet even then we will see him miraculously forsake revenge in favor of radical grace and forgiveness.

His response for many of us feels almost impossible.   Many of us would complain, give in,  give up, or get even.

How can Joseph withstand the trouble?  It comes from orienting his eyes on God and seeing Him as sovereign and good.

It is the byproduct of trust.

For you and I it’s knowing that we can cast our cares upon God, because he cares for us  It’s knowing that God can bring peace that surpasses understanding.

And church when Hell is coming at you from every side, it is so easy to feel discouraged and keep your thoughts circling back to your circumstances, but don’t give up, and don’t give in.  Take those thoughts captive and bring them into obedience of Christ.

God is not punishing you, abandoning you, or being cruel to you. God is forging you into the very image of Christ.  God is perfecting you.

In the next chapter, the same pattern begins again. Joseph is promoted by the jail-keeper, and becomes the COO of the prison.

And while he is in prison Potiphar sends others to prison, two that we know about, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

Both have a dream and Joseph interprets their dreams that was one of the gifts God had given to him..  He prophesies that the Cupbearer will be released from prison and restored to his position in three days, but that the Baker will be executed by Pharaoh in three days.

Joseph pleads with the Cupbearer, who he knows is about to be restored to a position of influence, to remember him when he is released.

Joseph’s mis-fortune is about to change. . .or is it?

After the Cupbearer is restored, and the Baker is hanged and the dreams they had come to pass. . .The chapter ends with this verse. . .

Genesis 40:23 (NLT): Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.

Have you ever felt like God is piling things on top of you that you just think your being crushed from the pressure? Has a series of unfortunate events caused you to question God’s goodness?

Look at the track record of Joseph’s life so far. . .he’s

Hated by his brothers.

Thrown into a pit

Sold by his brothers to slave traders

Sold to an Egyptian official as a slave

Falsely accused of sexual assault by the wife of that official

Thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit

Abandoned and forgotten by a man he helped in that same prison

I can only imagine Joseph wondering what’s going on.   Why is God allowing this to happen?

But what we need to remember is that God’s economy is radically different from ours. God values the internal development of a person’s character, and God can and will work all things out for good.

He can and will use the suffering to bring about glory to Himself.

And the truth is sometimes affliction and grief are necessary materials for the forging of perfection.

God’s love is shown to us, not only by the lavish blessings that he pours out upon us, but also by the lengths he is willing to go to transform our suffering into our perfection.

His heart is always a heart of love and compassion.

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV): And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble.  But he didn’t stop there He finished with, but take heart I’ve overcome the world.

The problem isn’t that my problems are too big. The problem is that my view of God is too small.

Our trouble is our ability to see, and properly value, the treasure that we have in Christ.

Perfection is a heart that has been softened by trials to see and accept God’s infinite worth. A faith that enables me to endure hardships with patience and even joy!   Knowing that through it all God is perfecting me, conforming me into the very image of Christ.

God’s goal is to pry our hearts from competing affections and invite our hearts to latch onto Him.

This is so much of what we see in Joseph, as God uses all the difficult circumstances to prepare a heart that is wholly resigned to God. Joseph’s heart will show forth God’s radical love and forgiveness and patience as we will see as the story unfolds.

Hear this church, God takes no pleasure in your pain. Your story is not a tragedy. It may seem like that sometimes — I’m sure it must have for Joseph.  But that’s not the end of your story.  Your story is a story of redemption. God’s end is compassion and steadfast love. I know sometimes that’s hard to believe.

Let’s be honest, we would prefer to know the timeline.  We would prefer to see the full roadmap to the outcome.

You and I don’t see the whole picture but here’s the good news.  I have a Heavenly Father who does.  Who is jealous for your heart’s healing, and who will stop at nothing to bring you to a relationship with Him and work in you to bring about your perfection, your completeness, your maturity in Christ.

I promise God will finish what He started.