Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow / Livestream
Pastor Nick Ely of Christ Church Central Phoenix, drew several parallels between Joseph and Jesus during Chapel on Monday at Global Credit Union Arena.
But the one distinction he emphasized to Grand Canyon University students in his talk, which followed Chapel's Fall 2025 Hall of Faith theme, was that Joseph’s story was not about Joseph.
“Joseph is just a shadow that points us to the substance of Jesus,” said Ely, adding that both were sons of the Father and were hated by those who should have loved them.
Furthermore, “If God can do it in the life of Joseph, and if God can do it through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, you better believe God can do it for you. God can do it in your life.”
There were four elements to Joseph trusting God:
* In hardship, Joseph trusted God’s presence.
Joseph, one of 12 brothers, is anointed as the favored son by father Jacob. That draws the wrath of his siblings, who betray him. They toss him in a pit, sell him as a slave, and he is shipped to Egypt.
But throughout the story of Joseph was a regular refrain:
“The Lord was with Joseph.”
“God’s presence was not dependent on his circumstances,” Ely said. “He knew God was with him and faithful to him. God’s presence with him carried him through the difficult circumstances.
“When we hit difficult circumstances in our lives, it will be very difficult to trust God if we do not believe and sense and know He is present with us.”
That became apparent in Genesis 39:2, as God’s presence was evident when Joseph prospered in the home of his Egyptian master, Potiphar.
A parent knows when a child feels terrified or afraid that he or she will run to the comforting arms of the parent.
“If you go through hardship and trust God, you need to know God will never leave you,” Ely said.
* In temptation, Joseph trusted God’s holiness.
Joseph did not cave to the relentless advances of Potiphar’s wife, who falsely accused him of rape, which resulted in his imprisonment.
“In every moment of temptation, what’s really being put to the test is not your willpower,” Ely said. “It’s what you believe about God.”
This is reinforced in Genesis 39:9.
“He has no more authority in this house than I do. He has withheld from me nothing but you, since you are his wife. How, then, could I do this great wrong and sin against God?”
“If you find yourself a victim to temptation, it’s because you don’t know and love God the way you should,” Ely said.
“The more you draw near to God and know Him for who He is and sense His holiness and His majesty and His power and His faithfulness, the less enticing sin will become for you.”
* In waiting, Joseph trusted God’s timing.
Ely spoke of today’s culture, in which “We want it now!” We have everything from speedy Amazon service to double drive-through lanes at fast-food restaurants.
“We live in an instant gratification culture,” Ely said.
Life with God, however, defies our expectations for instant gratification. And that is by design.
“If we apply our impatience and impulsive desire for instant gratification to our journey of faith in trusting Christ and walking with Him, we will quickly become frustrated and disillusioned,” Ely said.
Joseph interpreted a dream by Pharaoh’s cupbearer that predicts his reinstatement to his former position. Joseph asks a favor of the cupbearer to mention him to Pharaoh once the cupbearer is reinstated. Joseph stresses that he was unfairly shipped to Egypt and wrongly jailed.
But the cupbearer does not mention Joseph to Pharaoh. This results in Joseph spending an additional two years in jail – but that turns out to be part of God’s design and perfect timing.
Pharaoh’s prophecy of a famine in surrounding areas causes Joseph to store food. Those starving people, including Joseph’s brothers, travel to Egypt. Joseph forgives his family while providing food and saving their lives.
“If you find yourself in a difficult season of your life, don’t be discouraged in the wait,” Ely said. “You’re not alone. Waiting is being normal in Christian life. Trust in God that His timing is perfect.”
* In evil, Joseph trusted God’s sovereignty
Joseph confronted his brothers about selling him to slavery but maintains his composure, as he tells them in Genesis 50:20:
“As far you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive. As they are today.”
“What Joseph says here, is there is one will that towers above every other will, and it is the sovereign will of God,” Ely said. “So that no matter who purposes to do evil against you and no matter what they mean by it or intend through it, the sovereign will of God means good for you if you belong to Him.
“And that is an incredible comfort that God’s sovereignty is so big, powerful and awesome that it can take even the worst of intentions and use them to accomplish His good purposes.
Ely implored students to learn from Joseph, look past their current circumstances to God’s future grace and trust Him.
“He is faithful, wise, good and sovereign. And He’s worthy of your trust.”
University Pastor Dr. Tim Griffin, in his opening remarks, reminded students that today will mark the last Gathering of the fall semester at 7:30 p.m. at Antelope Gymnasium.
Next Chapel: 11 a.m. Monday, online. Livestream
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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