FROM THE PRISON TO THE PALACE – GENESIS 40:1-41:40

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Pentecost

 

Catching up on Joseph’s story

“Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God.” (Genesis 41:38)

 

 

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”.” (Gen.12:1-3)

The first dreamers: the cup-bearer and the baker

“Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (Gen.40:8)

“Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand, 22 but he hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation. 23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him” (Genesis 40:20-23)

1) I am filed with a Spirit of patient service

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…[X], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  (Gal.5:22-23)

“God is never late, but He isn’t early either…because he uses times of waiting to stretch our faith in Him and to bring about change and growth in our lives.”  (Joyce Meyer)

“Do you know what the number one thing that is stopping the Spirit producing the fruit of patience in your life? YOU. You are the problem.  God’s not the problem. Church isn’t the problem. Your job isn’t the problem. You are the problem.”

(i) Stop Striving and Start Trusting

 

(ii) Learn to Rejoice

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;”  (1Thess.5:16-18)

“1 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted–thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. 8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. (Genesis 41:1-8)

 

2) I am filled with a Spirit to take risks for God’s glory

“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”.” (Genesis 41:15-16)

 Faith is spelled R I S K

“”And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” 37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God ?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” (Genesis 41:33-40)

1) Where does God need you to be so you can serve him this week?

2) What risk are you ready to take for God today trusting that his Holy Spirit will make it possible?

3) What do I need to be patient about?

 

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I want to know more:

• What is Christianity? 321 The Story of God, the World and You: https://youtu.be/tKyZjvK-d2M
• More on this story:
  How to get out of the pits: Bob Deffinaugh, https://bible.org/seriespage/how-get-out-pits-genesis-401-23
  From the Pit to the Palace: Bob Deffinaugh, https://bible.org/seriespage/41-pit-palace-genesis-411-57
• Book: Do What Jesus Did (Robbie Dawkins)
• Excerpt from Do What Jesus Did, that tells the full gangland story: http://www.eden.co.uk/pdfs/9780800795573.pdf
• Article: When God’s Timing is Taking Too Long, Joyce Meyer, http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=when_gods_timing_is_taking_too_long