June 14, 2009
Distinguishing Marks of the Believer:
Victorious! Pt5
Mike Fritscher, pastor 

Genesis 49:22-28

Joseph – Distinguished among His Brothers!

Genesis 49:26 May (the blessings of God) be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.

How Was He Distinguished?

•  You Are Distinguished By God's Presence!
•  You Are Distinguished By God's Work in Your Life!

Genesis 41:38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?"

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

What Does God's Work in Your Life Look Like?

Fruitful and Victorious!

1. The Distinguishing Mark of Fruitfulness!

Genesis 49:22 "Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a spring; Its branches run over a wall.

To Bear the Fruit of the Spirit You Must Walk by the Spirit!

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

1. The Distinguishing Mark of Victory! 

Genesis 49:23-25 "The archers bitterly attacked him, And shot at him and harassed him; 24 But his bow remained firm, And his arms were agile,

The Enemy Shot At Joseph – But He remained Firm!

1. The Arrow of Rejection! 
2. The Arrow of Affliction! Genesis 37:18-35
3. The Arrow of Lust! Genesis 39:5-18
4. The Arrow of Unforgiveness and Bitterness! Genesis 45:1-10

When Jacob Dies. . .Genesis 50:15-21

How Did Joseph Do This?
1. He Knew God!
2. He Honored His God! He Honored His Father!
3. He Understood His Life's Bigger Picture!
4. He Forgave His Brothers!

Matthew 18:21-23

“Father, I confess that I have not loved the following people who have hurt and disappointed me. I have held unforgiveness in my heart towards_______________ for______________________. This is sin. I ask You to forgive me for this bitterness, anger and wrath that I have walked in. I know that on my own, I could never forgive them. But I know that You can through me. So right now, by an act of my will and according to your spirit, I choose to forgive_______________ and release them of the debt. I will no longer walk in agreement with bitterness and un-forgiveness. In the name of Jesus I put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh. I choose to put on love. Thank you, Lord for forgiving me. And as you have forgiven, so I will forgive. Thank you for this power, thank you for this freedom, In the name of Jesus! Amen!

Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" 26 And looking at them

Genesis 49:24b From the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), 25 From the God of your father who helps you, And by the Almighty who blesses you With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

Jesus said, “You Shall know the truth and the truth shall set your free!” 

John says in 1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.

1. God Has Bestowed His Great Love On You! 1 John 3:1-3
2. Christ In You the Hope of Glory!

Colossians 1:25 the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

3. You Can Do All Things Through Christ!

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.