Revised on 19th November 2011

Reference: Genesis chapters 37-41

Introduction

“Hero from Zero.” That is how the media might have introduced Joseph, had he lived in Europe in the twenty first century A.D. rather than in Egypt in the seventieth century B.C. Joseph’s journey into the second top leadership position in then Egypt sounds like a leap he made with hardly any intermediate steps, almost overnight. The Bible says it wasn’t so. The author of Genesis tells us Joseph instead  walked through a divine yet painful process of preparation for leadership. In my sermon today we will take a detailed look at this process and learn three important phases every potential leader must pass through when preparing for leadership.

1. Transformation of character

A. One day a team of missionaries visiting a remote village asked an old man of that village “how many leaders have been born here?” “Non” answered the old man. Then he added, “only babies were born.”

B. The old man is right. No one is born a leader. Rather God handpicks future leaders and prepares them in advance. Transformation of character is the first phase of this long process.

C. Joseph needed this transformation very much. (Indeed the need for a transformation was well evident in Joseph’s behavior, (Genesis 37:2; 5-8; 9-11).

D. God initiated the process of transforming Joseph by killing his self ego and pride. God used others such as Joseph’s brothers, Potiphar, his wife as well as places like prison to carry out the process.

E. Joseph needed to be transformed and so we are. In John 12:24 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.”

F. Some leaders are prone to loose heart during the phase of transformation. Not Joseph though. We too must not loose heart when we are being changed.

2. Sustaining hope

A. Transformation is painful, frustrating and time consuming. Joseph  had to survive through hopeless situations as a part of the transformation God intended for him.

B. The first situation was when Joseph’s own brothers sold him for slavery, (Genesis 37:26-28). The second situation was when Joseph was put in prison based on false allegations raised by Potiphar’s wife, (Genesis 39:11-20).  Joseph didn’t kill his hopes though because he believed that God has a purpose behind every crisis situation.

C. We must sustain hope at times of transformation for transformation is the channel through which God impart qualities and skills necessary for the leader. By the time the transformation was complete Joseph had acquired many leadership qualities such as integrity, dependence on God, faithfulness, patience and also the skills such as administration, management, decision making.

D. God promised that he will never leave nor forsake us, (Hebrews 13:5). The trouble is leaders tend to forget that God is with them in  times of crisis as well as in times of prosperity, like He was with Joseph, (Genesis 39:21). Joseph learned to see God’s arm in times of darkness. God expects us to do the same.

3. Grabbing the opportunity

A. A solid connection exists between the process of transformation and opportunities. Joseph was an exile, a slave and a prisoner. His chances were slim. But God choose to send opportunities on Joseph’s way because he remained faithful, (Genesis 39:7-9; 22).

B. The Bible says those who are faithful in insignificant things will be appointed over greater things, (Matthew 25:23). God doesn’t send opportunities on the way of unfaithful leaders who bypass the process of transformation. Such leaders are no more than unreliable, half baked individuals.

C. God sends opportunities on the way of faithful leaders. It’s up to the leader to take hold of them. Opportunities are called opportunities because they are rare. Once you miss it chances are rare that you will see the same again.

D. Joseph grabbed his opportunity by interpreting the dreams of the cup bearer, (Genesis 40:6-23) whose testimony God used before Pharaoh to promote Joseph to the governorship of Egypt, (Genesis 41:1-56).

Conclusion

Every man and woman expecting to be a great leader must pay the price of preparation. Are you ready?

Image by: dave~