1. Looking back

2. We forgive so much because we’ve been forgiven so much.
Ephesians
4:31-32

3. What’s the Big Idea?
The only way to live a life of freedom is to live a life of forgiveness.
Let it go!

4. For relationships to be restored forgiveness must be extended.
Let it go!

5. When we see life from God’s perspective, it brings healing.

6. Chapter 37 The Beginning: Sold Into Slavery
Favored Son
Jealousy
Prophecy
Treachery
How would we react?

7. Chapter 39 Potiphar’s House: Wrongfully Imprisoned
Faithful servant
Had integrity
It put him in prison
How would we react?

8. You’ll be sad if you miss this! Genesis 37:1-9
Joseph would not allow his pain to govern his faith.
Circumstances don’t change what is true.
Romans 4:19-21

9. The Butler, the Baker, and the Ruler-maker
Chapters 40-41
These Dreams:
The Butler, the Baker, and the Ruler-maker
Interpreted dreams
Forgotten: another hit
I love it when a plan comes together!

10. You’ll be sad if you miss this! Genesis 41:16, 37-41, 50-52
Joseph never wavered in giving glory to God.
He continually sees the hand of God on his life.

11. You’ll be sad if you miss this!
God orchestrated all of the heartache to make Joseph one of the most powerful men on earth!
When we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will one day cause us to rule with the most powerful Man on earth!

12. Chapters 42-44 The Test: Could the brothers be trusted?
Dreams do come true
Had they changed?
Judah comes through

13. You’ll be sad if you miss this! Genesis 42:8-9
Joseph remembers his dream: Once again, he frames his life around God.
He continually sees the hand of God on his life and that allows him to handle suffering better.

14. You’ll be sad if you miss this!
Genesis 42:24
Extending forgiveness and the ability to endure suffering does not mean the absence of pain.

15. Chapters 45-50 Revelation and Salvation: Let the healing begin!
Now convinced, he reveals
His father is brought
A new chapter begins, but that’s another story

16. You’ll be sad if you miss this! Genesis 45-1-14
Instead of lashing out, God’s perspective allowed Joseph, the offended party, to give his brothers perspective.
Joseph has some great insights and wisdom!

17. You’ll be sad if you miss this!
Self-hatred from sin (5)
Trusting God’s sovereign care (5, 8)
Seeing God’s plan (7)
Complete reconciliation and healing (15)

18. You’ll be sad if you miss this!
Recognition of the value of physical contact (15); someone “with skin on”
Knowing the human tendencies of regret and blame (24)

19. You’ll be sad if you miss this!
Genesis 50:15-21
Notice how guilt can linger. Those who enslaved Joseph find themselves enslaved by their sin.

20. You’ll be sad if you miss this!
Joseph realized only God had the right of vengeance (50:19)
His freedom allowed him to comfort and encourage those who sought to destroy him (50:21)

21. You’ll be sad if you miss this!
Think of what Joseph’s attitude did for his brothers, his father, for the future of the nation of Israel and for the world.
No forgiveness, no Israel.
No forgiveness, no Jesus.

22. You’ll be sad if you miss this!
How ironic that God will now use the man the sons of Israel tried to kill to save all of Israel.
What would have happed if Joseph had allowed himself to grow bitter and to forsake the Lord?

23. Joseph saw life under the sovereign care of God.
You’ll be sad if you miss this!
Joseph saw life under the sovereign care of God.
Joseph chose to forgive.
Joseph chose to heal.
Israel was saved.
The Christ came…through Judah.

24. What happens when we don’t do that? We get very sad.
You’ll be sad if you miss this!
What happens when we don’t do that?
We get very sad.

25. When we see life from God’s perspective, it brings healing.