JOSEPH'S BE-ATTITUDES

GENESIS 50

Pastor Rick Jackson

There are bad attitudes and good attitudes. There are heathen devilish, worldly, carnal attitudes and there are Christian attitudes. A Christian can be just that, and yet have the wrong attitudes. Lot, Balaam, King Saul, Diotrophes and others are examples of Christians with bad attitudes. And then there is Joseph... only one time in the Genesis account do we see the hint of a bad attitude with Joseph. He may have had one at other times but the Scripture does not record them. In this final chapter of Genesis we see attitudes to Be illustrated in the life of Joseph.

I. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE CONCERNING LOSS [v. 1-13]

1. A Recognition of Earthly Loss [v. 1-4a]

2. A Recognition of Earthly Authority [v. 4-6]

3. A Recognition of Earthly Promises [7-13]

Why didn't Jacob want to be buried with Rachel? Could he have know the truth expounded in Matthew 22:29-32 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

II. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE CONCERNING FORGIVENESS [v. 14-21]

1. A Recognition of Human Frailty [v. 14-17]

2. A Recognition of Divine Responsibility [v. 18-19, Romans 12:19]

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

3. A Recognition of Human Responsibility [v. 20-21, Romans 12:20-21]

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

III. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE CONCERNING LIFE & DEATH [v. 21-26]

1. A Recognition of Familial Responsibility [v. 21-23]

2. A Recognition of Faith's Realities [v. 24-25, Hebrews 11:22]

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

3. A Recognition of Final Rest [v. 25-26, James 4:10-17]