Series: Genesis                                                                    March 13, 2005

           Message: “Tempted and Triumphant”                                    Ch 39:1-20

                               

           Big Idea: Temptation is an inevitable, but not an irresistible part of our

           lives. It is overcome, in part, by the decisions and choices we make.

                      

                I.  SOME OPENING THOUGHTS ON TEMPTATION

                                    

        A.  Temptation is not SIN.                   

                                                               

                    B.  Temptation is INEVITABLE.

 

                    C.  Temptation is not IRRISISTABLE

 

                    D.  Temptation comes from three SOURCES: (3 defenses)

 

                          1.  WORLD = RENEW your mind   

 

                          2.  DEVIL = RESIST

 

                          3.  FLESH = FLEE

 

               II.  OVERCOMING TEMPTATION               

 

A.     Joseph in PROSPERITY = God’s plan for the believer may

include unexpected BLESSING   vs. 1-6       

 

                             1.  The PLACE God wanted him

                          

                             2.  The PERSON who bought him

 

3.  The Lord’s PRESENCE with him

                             

        a.  It brought blessing into HIS life    

 

        b.  It brought blessing into the lives of OTHERS

 

                       B.  Joseph in PERIL = God’s plan for the believer may include

                             unexpected TESTS   vs. 7-12

 

                             1.  The POWER of the temptation

 

                                  a.  Potiphar’s wife

 

                                       1.  Joseph’s PHYSICAL appearance

                                        

                                       2.  Her sense of OWNERSHIP

 

                                       3.  Her TROUBLED marriage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                  b.  Joseph      

                            

                                       1.  It was an ACCEPTED practice                                  

 

                                       2.  He was in CHARGE of everything except…

 

                                       3.  It was very FLATTERING      

 

                                       4.  It was a means of ADVANCEMENT   

 

                             2.  The PROCESS of temptation 

 

                                  a.  First stage  vs. 7-9

 

                                       1.  A simple (but bold) INVITATION

 

                                       2.  A straightforward ANSWER

 

                                  b.  Second stage  vs. 10     

 

                                       1.  Persistent PRESSURE

 

                                       2.  Persistent REFUSAL 

 

                                  c.  Third stage  vs. 11-12

 

                                       1.  Her PLAN     

 

                                       2.  His FLIGHT        

 

C.     Joseph in PRISON = God’s plan for the believer may include

unexpected DETOURS.   vs. 14-20

 

                            1.  A wife’s false ACCUSATIONS    

                      

                            2.  A husband’s AMBIGUOUS anger

 

                            3.  A servant back in the PIT

 

             III.  APPLICATIONS TO HELP US OVERCOME TEMPTATION

 

A.  Be INTOLERANT - see sin for what it is – harmful and destructive.

      The final PAIN will far outweigh the momentary PLEASURE.

 

B.  Be PREPARED - have a plan in place. Certain temptations are

      recurring and PREDICTABLE.

 

C.  Be DEPENDENT -rely on God’s power and claim God’s

      provision.

 

**Please be prayerful and quiet as we come to the end of our study.

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring life change in response to the Word.**