God's All-Stars - Week Five: Joseph

I love football season! Each week players give All-Star performances on the field. Join me as I reveal guys in the Bible that would make God's All-Star team:

Week Five All-Star: Joseph

Vital Statistics: (see Genesis, Chapters 37-50)

Favorite of 12 Teammates (brothers), ‘Traded’ in bitter deal to Rival Egyptians, Endured several up and down seasons, Eventually promoted to Head Coach of Pharaoh’s Franchise, Saved his former team and forgave them several years of back salary

Physical Description:

Dressed ‘fly’ (wore sweet threads), ripped & good-looking

Nicknames:

Little Joe, the Favorite Child, Mr. Fancy Robe, the Dreamer, Joe the All-Pro

Strengths:

Visionary, Dreamer, Interpreter of Dreams, God-Given Wisdom, Organizer, Incredible Patience, Unshakeable Trust in God, Unusual Capacity to Forgive

Weaknesses:

Early in his career he was Spoiled, Immature and Disliked by his teammates - who considered him a Prima Dona

Famous Quotes:

“Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” to his brothers in Genesis 37: 7

“I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” to his parents and brothers in Genesis 37:9b

“My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” to Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39:9b when she asked him to sleep with her

“…do not be distressed…for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” to his brothers in Genesis 45:5

Greatest All-Star Performances:

• Refused to sleep with Owner’s Wife though she attempted to seduce him day-after-day (Genesis 39)

• Always worked his way onto the Starting Line-Up because he was Faithful to God (Genesis 39:1-6 & 20-23)

• Refused to throw in the towel on his dreams when was in a slump (Genesis 40:23-41:1)

• Before and after the greatest performance of his life, Joseph gave God all the credit (Genesis 41:15-45)

Summary

Ever since he was a boy Joe dreamed of playing in the pros. He could hear the roar of the crowd as he ran around the yard in his favorite team jersey (a birthday gift from his Dad). He was destined for greatness. But his dreams were shattered when he was traded to Egypt by his home team in a bloody contract dispute that separated him from his family. After a rough start, Joe won Rookie of the Year honors playing for Coach Potiphar, but a scandal with the Coach’s wife (he was later cleared of all charges) sent him to the prison league. It looked like his career was over, but Joe never stopped dreaming. After several difficult seasons, Joe finally got his big break when a former teammate told Coach Pharaoh about his unique ability to interpret future game-plans. With God’s help, Joe was able to draw up a winning strategy when Coach P’s entire staff had failed. Joe was promoted to Head Coach and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. In later years, he was re-united with his family. Forgiving old wounds he saved the family franchise and moved the team to Egypt. All-Pro Joe was a legend.

All-Star Impact

•Is there a dream you once had that has died? Satan is a dream stealer, but God is the Dream Giver. Do you still trust God in the middle of shattered dreams and bitter seasons?

•Romans 8:28 says “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” You may be in a slump or having a bad season, but that doesn’t mean God has forgotten you or your dream. He often uses the pain of tough seasons to lead us to great spiritual victories in the future. Re-commit yourself to God, and start dreaming again!

•If God unexpectedly promoted you, fulfilling your greatest dreams, would you honor Him like Joseph, or would you take all the credit? Joseph went deep with God in prison, so he could handle fame in the spotlight. Does God own you?

God wants to make a spiritual all-star out of YOU! “You were…created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24 (GWT)