No Ordinary Joe

The following outline was used in my Baseball Chapel messages to the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, May 29th, 2005:

Winning the War Against Temptation

The ups and downs of Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son, are well documented in the Bible. He took the following progression of steps during his lifetime:

1. Papa’s Boy (Jacob's favorite son...his brothers were jealous)

2. Pit (left to die by his brothers, then sold to the Ishmaelites)

3. Potiphar's House (bought from the Ishmaelites)

4. Prison (falsely accused of seducing Potiphar's wife)

5. Prime Minister Under Pharaoh

Key verses and phrases from Genesis Chapter 39:

The Blessing of God:
- The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered! – vs. 2
- When Potiphar saw this, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. – vs. 3
- This blessing that Joseph enjoyed was passed along to the household of Potiphar. – vs. 5

The Body Beautiful:
“Now Joseph was well-built and handsome and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me.” – vs. 6(b) & 7

The Blatant Refusal:
“But he refused…and said, ‘How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?’ And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” - vs. 8

The Bold Advance:
“She caught him by his cloak and said, ‘Come to bed with me!” - vs.12


The Unsuccessful Seduction of Joseph

The Best Response:
“But he left his cloak in her hand and RAN out of the house.” - vs. 12
When temptation rears its seductive head, the best response by any Christian is to RUN, CLEAR OUT, DON’T ENGAGE!

WARNING: “He who lingers will likely lose the battle with lust!”

God’s Provision: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up against it.” – 1 Cor. 10:13