When British archaeologists were investigating the pyramids of Egypt, they found within one of the pyramids a flower seed over 3,000 years old. They brought the seed back to England, and when they planted it in a garden, a beautiful flower bloomed. However, that flower was not a variety known to the scientists at the time. So, the flower came to be called dahlia, a well-known flower in Korea today.
      Just think about that. The seed was as dry as a mummy, but within, there was a secret of "resurrectible" life.
      We cannot avoid all hardship and trials in our lives. However, when we pass through hardship and trials and remain steadfast in our faith, they become that seed of resurrection, which rises above hardship and blooms.
      Faith is the amazing law of the life of resurrection. "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see he glory of God?" (Jn 11:40).


1. Joseph's hardship and his faith
    1) Among the 12 brothers, Joseph was the 11th and true to his faith.
        Two prophetic dreams of Joseph (Ge 37:7-11).
    2) Although twice betrayed by his brothers, he did not lose faith (Ge 37:18-28).
    3) Joseph's hardship - ten years as a slave, three years of imprisonment, falsely
        accused. However, the seed of his faith was preparing to bloom
        (Ge 39:9,20; 40:22,23).
    4) The flower that bloomed through hardship - Pharaoh's dream, Joseph's
        interpretation, and his rise to the position of the highest minister (Ge 41:1-7, 32-43).

2. Christ's hardship and resurrection
    1) His suffering and death on the Cross
        (1) To His enemies, an undoubted victory (Mk 15:31,32)
        (2) To the disciples, a total loss and destruction (Mk 14:50)
    2) The seed of the resurrection in Christ (Lk 23:46; Jn 17:1-8)
        "Father, I hand my spirit over to you."
    3) The fork in the road between defeat and resurrection (Jn 10:10; 12:24; Col 2:15)
        The seed of faith brought the eternal victory of resurrection

3. Resurrection blooms through faith amid hardship
     Would Joseph have attained such glory without hardship?
     Without the suffering on Calvary, would there have been Christ's resurrection?
      (Isa 53:10)
     Without the large and small fields of hardship, could there be the flower of the
     resurrection of great success that comes through faith?
      (Ro 8:17,18; 2 Co 4:17; Jas 1:2-4; 1 Pe 1:6,7)

     When we face hardship:
     1) Know the truth - A freedom from the suffering of the mind and heart (Jn 8:31,32)
     2) Have a dream - The dream of the glorious resurrection amid hardship
*****************(Eph 3:20; Php 2:13)
     3) Have faith - Call things as if they were (Ro 4:17; Heb 10:38; Mk 9:23; 11:24;
***************Php 4:13)
     4) Seek help, in thanks and through prayer (Php 4:4-7; Ro 8:26-28)
     5) Proclaim boldly (Hab 3:17-19; Job 23:10; Pr 18:21; Mk 11:23; Heb 6:14,15; 13:3-5)


      We all hate hardship but desire glory. However, we must never forget that glory is the flower of faith upon the field of hardship. When we shine the light of faith in our hearts upon the field of hardship, we will see the flower of glory in the glorious morning of our resurrection.