Count It All Joy

Life On Offense – Count It All Joy

Let's Do A Quick Review

#1 Offenses Are Coming | Luke 17:1-2 (NKJV)

Jesus Warns of Offenses

1 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no [a]offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

#2 What is offense?

In the Bible, "offense" refers to anything that causes someone to stumble, sin, or turn away from God. It encompasses both the act of causing someone to stumble and the resulting negative consequences. Offense can lead to bitterness, hatred, and even eternal consequences if not addressed properly.

Process of Offense

A. Something happens B. I perceive or feel wronged C. As a result I take offense D. I become offended E. Offense is unresolved F. This leads to anger, resentment, and bitterness and the plotting of revenge

Proverbs 18:19 (AMP)

A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city, And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.

#3 We Fall Short

• Let's not stay in victim mode, like we have never hurt anybody

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (AMP)

21 Also, do not take seriously everything that is said, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you, 22 for you also know that you too have cursed others many times.

• Look at your neighbor behind you and say, "I know you've been talking behind my back

Introduction

• Life doesn't always go in a straight line; sometimes God takes us through detours that look like setbacks.

• Joseph's life shows us how God can use betrayal , abandonment, pain, lies, false accusations, and delay as preparation for promotion.

• The key was he never let offense settle in his heart.

• Instead of becoming bitter, he became better. Instead of revenge, he chose release.

1. Offense At Home – Betrayed By His Brothers | Genesis 37:18-28 (AMP)

18 And when they saw him from a distance, even before he came close to them, they plotted to kill him. 19 They said to one another, "Look, here comes this dreamer.

• Talking behind his back

20 Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits (cisterns, underground water storage); then we will say [to our father], 'A wild animal killed and devoured him'; and we shall see what will become of his dreams!"

• Hated becomes of his dreams

21 Now Reuben [the eldest] heard this and rescued him from their hands and said, "Let us not take his life." 22 Reuben said to them, "Do not shed his blood, but [instead] throw him [alive] into the pit that is here in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him [to kill him]"—[he said this so] that he could rescue him from them and return him [safely] to his father.

Genesis 49:3-4 (AMP)

3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn; My might, the beginning of my strength and vigor, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power [that should have been your birthright]. 4 "But unstable and reckless and boiling over like water [in sinful lust], you shall not excel or have the preeminence [of the firstborn], Because you went up to your father's bed [with Bilhah]; You defiled it—he went up to my couch.

23 Now when Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him of his tunic, the [distinctive]multicolored tunic which he was wearing; 24 then they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat their meal. When they looked up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead [east of the Jordan], with their camels bearing ladanum resin [for perfume] and balm and myrrh, going on their way to carry the cargo down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, "What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood (murder)? 27 Come, let us [instead] sell him to these Ishmaelites [and Midianites] and not lay our hands on him, because he is our brother and our flesh." So his brothers listened to him and agreed. 28 Then as the Midianite [and Ishmaelite] traders were passing by, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And so they took Joseph [as a captive] into Egypt.

• Yet, no record of Joseph plotting revenge when he rose to power.

• Lesson: People may strip you of what they see, but they cannot strip you of what God put inside.

2. Offense In The Workplace – Lied On By Potiphar's Wife | Gen. 39:11-20 (AMP)

11 Then it happened one day that Joseph went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the men of the household was there in the house. 12 She caught Joseph by his [outer] robe, saying, "Lie with me!" But he left his robe in her hand and ran, and got outside [the house]. 13 When she saw that he had left his robe in her hand and had run outside, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, "Look at this, your master has brought a Hebrew [into the household] to mock and insult us; he came to me to lie with me, and I screamed. 15 When he heard me screaming, he left his robe with me and ran outside [the house]." 16 So she left Joseph's [outer] robe beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told her husband the same story, saying, "The Hebrew servant, whom you brought among us, came to me to mock and insult me; 18 then as soon as I raised my voice and screamed, he left his robe with me and ran outside [the house]."

Joseph Imprisoned

19 And when Joseph's master heard the words of his wife, saying, "This is the way your servant treated me," his anger burned. 20 So Joseph's master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison.

• Joseph did the right thing and was still punished.

• False accusation landed him in prison. • He didn't allow bitterness against authority or God.

• Your integrity may cost you in the short term, but it pays off in the long run.

3. Offense In Relationships – Forgotten By The Cupbearer | Genesis 40:7-23 (AMP)

7 So he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in confinement with him in his master's house, "Why do you look so down-hearted today?" 8 And they said to him, "We have [each] dreamed [distinct] dreams and there is no one to interpret them." So Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me [your dreams]." 9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "In my dream there was a grapevine in front of me; 10 and on the vine were three branches. Then as soon as it budded, its blossoms burst open, and its clusters produced ripe grapes [in rapid succession]. 11 Now Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup; then I placed the cup into Pharaoh's hand." 12 Then Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: the three branches represent three days; 13 within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head (present you in public) and restore you to your position; and you will [again] put Pharaoh's cup into his hand just as [you did] when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only think of me when it goes well with you, and please show me kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house. 15 For in fact I was taken (stolen) from the land of the Hebrews by [unlawful] force, and even here I have done nothing for which they should put me in the dungeon."

• This is a revelation to all who are going through a storm

• God rains on the unjust and the just

• Job didn't do anything wrong, Joseph didn't do anything wrong, and Jesus didn't do anything wrong but they went through trials

Job 1:8 (NLT)

Then the LORD asked Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil."

Jesus – 1 Peter 2:22 (NLT)

He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation [of the dream] was good, he said to Joseph, "I also dreamed, and [in my dream] there were three cake baskets on my head; 17 and in the top basket there were some of all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds [of prey] were eating [these foods] out of the basket on my head." 18 Joseph answered, "This is the interpretation of it: the three baskets represent three days;

• Training ground

19 within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head and will hang you on a tree (gallows, pole), and [you will not so much as be given a burial, but] the birds will eat your flesh."20 Now on the third day, [which was] the Pharaoh's birthday, he [released the two men from prison and] made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker [that is, presented them in public] among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his office, and the cupbearer [once again] put the cup into Pharaoh's hand; 22 but Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had interpreted [the meaning of the dreams] to them. 23 Yet [even after all that] the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot [all about] him.

• After interpreting the dream, Joseph was forgotten for 2 years.

• He could have said, "People use me and then forget me."

• But he trusted God's timing instead of man's memory.

• Lesson: People may forget you, but God's timing never fails.

4. Vindication From God – Raised To Power | Genesis 41:39-44 (AMP)

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since [your] God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and clear-headed and wise as you are. 40 You shall have charge over my house, and all my people shall be governed according to your word and pay respect [to you with reverence, submission, and obedience]; only in [matters of] the throne will I be greater than you [in Egypt]." 41 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you [in charge] over all the land of Egypt." 42 Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and dressed him in [official] vestments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in his second chariot; and runners proclaimed before him, "[Attention,] bow the knee!" And he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission shall no man raise his hand [to do anything] or set his foot [to go anywhere] in all the land of Egypt [all classes of people shall submit to your authority]."

• Pharaoh elevates Joseph to 2nd in command.

• Everything Joseph lost, God restored greater.

• God vindicated him in front of the very ones who betrayed him.

5. The Test Of No Offense – Forgiving His Brothers | Genesis 45:4-8 (AMP), Genesis 50:19-21 (AMP)

4 And Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come closer to me." And they approached him. And he said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 Now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to save life and preserve our family.

• No weapon formed against you shall prosper

Isaiah 54:17 (NLT)

But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Romans 8:31 (AMP)

What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?

1 John 4:4 (AMP)

Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world." [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

Isaiah 41:10 (AMP)

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 118:6 (AMP)

The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 56:4 (AMP)

In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

2 Kings 6:16 (AMP)

"Do not be afraid," Elisha answered, "for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Deuteronomy 31:6 (AMP)

Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."

Joshua 1:5 (AMP)

No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Romans 8:37 (AMP)

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five more years in which there will be no plowing and harvesting. 7 God sent me [to Egypt] ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great escape.

• Kingdom mentality- it's not about me, but God's will

8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 50:19-21 (AMP)

19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? [Vengeance is His, not mine.] 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome, that many people would be kept alive [as they are this day]. 21 So now, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and support you and your little ones." So he comforted them [giving them encouragement and hope] and spoke [with kindness] to their hearts.

• Joseph wept and embraced his brothers instead of executing them.

• He saw God's hand, not man's harm.

• This is the true mark of maturity—when you can bless those who hurt you.

Closing Application:

Joseph's story shows us:

• People may plot against you, but God's plan is greater.

• Refuse to carry offense—what you release determines what God can release in your life.

• Vindication comes from God, not man.

Key Takeaways From This Story:

Point 1: Family Betrayal – When Support Systems Fail

Application: When those closest to you fail, lean harder on God. Betrayal can't block destiny.

Point 2: Sold into Slavery – Learning Humility

Illustration: Shoes that don't fit—sometimes we must "walk in shoes" we didn't choose.

Point 3: Temptation – The Test of Integrity

Application: Integrity may cost you today but will save your destiny tomorrow.

Point 4: Falsely Accused – The Pain of Injustice

Application: Let God clear your name. You don't have to fight every false accusation.

Point 5: Imprisoned – Bloom Where You're Planted

Illustration: A flower growing through a crack in the concrete. Application: Don't wait for freedom to flourish—lead, grow, and serve right where you are.

Point 6: Forgotten – Trusting God's Timing

Illustration: An hourglass or waiting room chair—delays don't mean denial. Application: Stay faithful in the waiting room. God has not forgotten you—He is setting up the right moment.

Point 7: Promoted – The Reward of Faithfulness | Genesis 41:39-41

Illustration: A key unlocking a door—when the time comes, no one can keep the door shut. Application: When God elevates you, remember your pit, prison, and pain—so you can lead with compassion and wisdom.

Wisdom Keys

WISDOM KEY #1 | Romans 8:28 (AMP)

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

WISDOM KEY #2 | James 1:2-4 (AMP)

2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Closing Thought:

Every pit, prison, and pain was a setup for Joseph's palace. Takeaway: What looks like a setback is really God's setup. Don't despise the season you're in—it's shaping you for the one ahead.

Discussion Questions

1. Joseph was betrayed by his own family, yet there's no record of him plotting revenge when he rose to power. What enabled Joseph to release offense rather than harbor bitterness?
2. The notes state: "People may strip you of what they see, but they cannot strip you of what God put inside." How does this truth help us when people try to diminish or discredit us?
3. Joseph did the right thing by fleeing Potiphar's wife, yet he still ended up in prison. Why does God sometimes allow us to suffer consequences even when we've acted with integrity?
4. Joseph was forgotten by the cupbearer for two years after helping him. How do we stay faithful when we've served others who then forget us? What does this teach us about trusting God's timing versus man's memory?
5. The teaching mentions that Job, Joseph, and Jesus all suffered despite doing nothing wrong. Why do righteous people sometimes experience undeserved suffering? What's God's purpose in allowing this?
6. Joseph told his brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). How can we develop the spiritual maturity to see God's hand rather than man's harm in our painful circumstances?
7. Review the seven key takeaways (family betrayal, slavery, temptation, false accusation, imprisonment, being forgotten, and promotion). Which season resonates most with your current situation? How does Joseph's example encourage you?
8. The notes say: "Don't wait for freedom to flourish—lead, grow, and serve right where you are." How do we bloom in unfavorable conditions rather than becoming bitter or passive?
9. James 1:2-4 instructs us to "count it all joy" when we face trials. How is this possible? What's the difference between pretending everything is fine versus genuinely finding joy in trials?
10. Joseph's story shows that "what looks like a setback is really God's setup." Looking back on your life, can you identify a "setback" that God later revealed as preparation for something greater?

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