Introduction

 

I.        This year we have been taking a Sunday each month to look at some of the notable women of the Bible.

A.       Thus far we have examined several women of integrity and faith.

B.       But there are also women of disseat and trickery.

1.       Today, we are going to talk about one of those women.

2.       Her name is unknown, but her actions are well remembered.

II.       Many of us know the story of Joseph.

A.       God uses every person in the Bible to provide instruction for us.

B.       So, what can we learn from the actions of Potiphar’s wife?

 

Text

 

I.        There are always going to be people out there that want to cause us to sin.

A.       They will do their best to pull us away from God.

B.       Potiphar’s wife was doing just that.

1.       She was willing to cause Joseph to sin because of her attraction to him.

2.       She didn’t really care about God or Joseph’s service to Him.

3.       All that concerned her was the pursuit of her own pleasure.

4.       She didn’t care if someone got hurt along the way.

II.      To remain people of integrity means that we will sometimes offend others.

A.       Joseph wanted to respect his master.

1.       He saw Potiphar as a man worthy of respect.

2.       He appreciated the favor Potiphar had shown him.

B.       Joseph wanted to respect his God.

1.       He knew that all the good that had come his way was because of God blessing him.

2.       Even Potiphar realized that he was merely the beneficiary of God choosing to bless Joseph.

C.      But in return he offended his master’s wife.

1.       There will be times when we need to do the right thing, even if it’s unpopular.

2.       Words like respect, integrity and character will see us through these times.

III.     Finally, Potiphar’s wife demonstrates to us that sin and evil are everywhere.

A.       Sin is not based on:

1.       Economics or social classes.

2.       Nationality or race.

B.       Sin is everywhere and we need to make sure that we guard against it.

1.       Joseph found it in the home of his master.

2.       He didn’t let his emotions or desires control the situation.

3.       But Joseph was focused on God.

 

Conclusion

 

I.        The truly notable women of the Bible teach us by their godly example.

II.       Even this example of ungodliness teaches great lessons in faith.

III.      The lesson learned from Potiphar’s wife, unintentioned as it was, is that we control the direction our lives go.