8 Reasons Leaders Endure

I love to talk about Joseph.
I love to preach about Joseph.
I love to read about Joseph.
I could sneeze a sermon series when it comes to Joseph. (Genesis 37)

There are so many nuggets of truth that make his life story one of my favorites!  I admire these qualities about him:

1. He held to his PRINCIPLES - Joseph was a man of character and integrity.  A man that was honest. A man that was tempted repeatedly but resisted temptation. 

2. He HUMBLED himself - although he became second in command in all of Egypt - his power and the prestige of his position never went to his head.  He remained the same.

3. He remained DISCIPLINED - regardless of the false charges, accusations and slander against him...he held a long term perspective that catapulted him toward his destiny.

4. He never stopped being FAITHFUL - even throughout all the mess people put him through, he remained faithful to God and never shirked his commitment to follow Him!

5. He clung to GRACE - although he had the power to condemn his brothers for their betrayal, lies and schemes - Joseph chose to exemplify grace and mercy.

6. He worked with EXCELLENCE - whether as a servant, the interpreter of Pharaoh's dreams, the manager of the family sheep flock or a prison worker...he did his job with competence!

7. He grew in WISDOM - trials gave him increased wisdom beyond his years!  He stepped into help set up Egypt for the famine at the young age of 30 and demonstrated a seasoned perspective with decisions and implementation!

8. He was a STRATEGIST - always planning!  He knew what needed to be done to prepare for the famine.  He gave specific instructions to the officials to gather up the food and store the food during the seven years of plenty.

Joseph had a pretty tough life...

• He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.  
• His father was told that he was killed by a wild animal.  
• He was framed by his boss's wife because he refused to sleep with her and was thrown into prison.
• He interpreted the dream of a prisoner who was released and restored to his position, but the guy forgot about him.
• In the end, though, Joseph became the leader of all Egypt - second only to the Pharaoh himself.
• When there is a famine, he is then able to save his family from starvation.
• He tells his brothers when he sees them again that, though they meant harm, God orchestrated the events to put Joseph in a position to save them.

Joseph possessed these qualities, demonstrated them meticulously and saved the lives of Egyptians and Israelites.  His leadership scope included strategic planning, relational skills, delegation, art and skill of communication, boldness, vision casting, integrity, inspiration and hope. 

Christian leadership can be nurtured and developed through various legitimate and constructive means.  But nothing can replace the presence of God, His acts of grace and provision, His wonderful counsel, His assuring guidance and His blessed results in the life of a leader.

I hope someday when we reach our milestone, like Joseph, we will be able to say, "The Lord brought me here, and he made me a pastor, teacher, missionary, CEO, mother, father, mentor and a leader."

Stay the course...God is in control of your destiny!  Today, live your truth!  Play your best game! Listen to the trusted voice of The Holy Spirit within you! 

Go Ahead & Wear It!

Joseph, favored son of Jacob, wore the coat his daddy gave him.  It was a gift of honor and favor.  The coat was LOUD and Joseph wore it proudly! Joseph wore that coat so long on the OUTSIDE that even when his coat was taken from him, his INSIDES were already transformed.


When your father validates you - you don't have to worry about outside recognition or affirmation.  You won't have to try to make things happen for yourself...your identity is not tied to your performance, works, position or title.  You're secure wearing the favor of your father.  You simply settle into your own skin - wrapped in the DNA of your father.


Joseph ultimately wore four coats.


1. The coat of a SON

• This coat was given to him by his father Jacob. Joseph received special treatment from his daddy.
• While wearing this coat, Joseph developed CHARACTER.

2. The coat of a SERVANT

• This coat was given to him by his master Potiphar.  As long as Joseph was in Potiphar's house, the whole house was blessed with amazing prosperity.
• While wearing this coat, Joseph demonstrated CONSECRATION. 

3. The coat of a SUFFERER

• This coat was given to him by the prison keeper - the warden. Joseph prospered through adversity in spite of being overlooked by the butler.
• While wearing this coat, Joseph displayed CONSIDERATION.

4. The coat of a SOVEREIGN

• This coat was given to him by his ruler - Pharaoh.  Joseph had the power to do well.
• While wearing this coat, Joseph devised COORDINATION.

God loves His children and has promised to never forsake us.  He has already devised a good plan and purpose for our lives.  Even when He allows us to be put in situations and positions where we will need to completely trust in Him, He is teaching us valuable lessons during these times of adversity that we would not have learned in times of prosperity.

God prepares us in the PRESENT time so that we can be a blessing to others in the FUTURE!

Joseph walked through a DIVINE yet painful PROCESS of PREPARATION for leadership.