JOSEPH #60 | JOSEPH IN EGYPT #42 | LAST WORDS OF JACOB #31

Pastor Christopher Choo,

Lesson 3656

JOSEPH #60 

JOSEPH IN EGYPT #42
LAST WORDS OF JACOB #31

11. JOSEPH #7

PRINCIPLES OF GODLY LEADERSHIP FROM THE LIFE OF JOSEPH #1

1. CHARACTER

He was not born with Christ-likeness.

He was spoilt and pampered favorite of Jacob (Genesis 37:3). 

He was proud and egoistic, (Genesis 37:2; 37:5-7; 37:9-10). 

He boasted before his brothers about his dreams - how they will bow before him. 

He showed off his coat of many colors before them - which coat denoted his status as first-born thus nullifying the birthright of Reuben as the firstborn of Jacob's sons by Leah.

He provoked his brothers until they wanted to get rid of him.

His character needed a transformation before God could actually promote him.

Thus he was sent to Egypt - to the Holy Spirit's boot camp, the school of hard knocks, where he started at ground zero as a slave - at the bottom of Egyptian society -  until he was promoted from pit  to prison to palace.

Jesus said, “I tell you the solemn truth unless a kernel of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain.” (John 12:24)

Likewise, unless a leader suffers and dies to himself self he cannot produce God’s expected result.

Today's lesson is just that - how can you build God's kingdom if you have not conquered your kingdom of self?

How can you be good for others if there is nothing intrinsically good in yourself?

Indeed a Christ-like character is your basic foundation as a godly leader.

N.B. Tomorrow we will study Joseph's tenacity of HOPE in God.