A Case Study Of The Life Of Joseph

Last Sunday’s service was one of encouragement. The speaker for the day was none other than pastor Ebenezer Agyapong. He spoke on how God processes us with time. The life of Joseph served as a case study. He established that Joseph’s story made him a type of Christ. Both were betrayed and sold for money. Judah sold Joseph and Judas (which is Greek for the same name) sold Jesus.

Pastor Agyapong stated that God builds you up before you can possess; He is more interested in you going through the process than you being comfortable. He further added that choosing comfort might prevent us from actually becoming whom God wants us to become."

He began by emphasising stronSpeaking on Joseph, pastor Agyapong mentioned that he was loved by his father because he was the son of Rebecca and also a child of his old age. He was loved so much so that he received the coat of many colours from his father, Jacob. This made his brothers jealous. Drawing lessons from this, pastor Agyapong encouraged the congregation to learn to be happy and rejoice with others when they are praised.

He also added that Joseph was not wise to tell his brothers about his dreams and this made his brothers eventually plot to kill him. Applying this to our modern times, he stated that young people need guidance and care had to be employed when dealing with them. “If a Christian wants to kill, there is something very wrong”, pastor Agyapong said. It is an act of wickedness.

Reuben tried to rescue his brother, but being afraid of being hated suggested “a less evil” alternative with the intention of doing the right at the end; this was however not successful. Drawing lessons from this scenario, Pastor Agyapong stated that, putting off the doing of the right thing can rob you of the opportunity of doing it later.

Joseph was sold into slavery, however the Lord was with him and he prospered even in a foreign land. He also made the best of opportunities available to him. He had a conviction that the vision seen would come to pass. Pastor Agyapong admonished the congregation to learn from this and stop blaming the past for their current state.

When he had started to do well, his masters wife took interest in him and made sexual advances. Joseph fled from her but left his cloak in her hands. She accused him of rape and he was thrown in prison. However, even in prison, his leadership qualities were noted. He concerned himself with the problems of others despite his; and this led to him interpreting the dreams of the other inmates.

After interpreting the dreams and inmate was freed, he forgot who Joseph was until Pharaohs dream. Joseph was brought forward and he interpreted the dream of Pharaoh. On that day he was second in command only to Pharaoh.

His whole family ended up coming to Egypt and they bowed to him. Pastor Agyapong stated that when he became powerful, he could have gone back home and forced his family to bow to him, however, he waited on God. He overcame various the hurdles that were in his journey such as bitterness, hatred and sexual immorality. He had the dream at age 17, but it was fully manifested after 22 years; at age 39.

Pastor Agyapong concluded the sermon by encouraging the congregation and also reminding them that there was always a process in life.