Subject: Joseph’s Tests
by Rick Welborne
Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
Psalm 105:17-21 (NLT)
17 Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.
20 Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.
21 Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions.
17 Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.
20 Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.
21 Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions.
--We really do not know why in God’s economy or in His providence that He has chosen for things to be, let’s say, extremely difficult or just outright impossible.
--I believe Psalms 105 explains to a great degree the answer to this question and this a sermon within the sermon which I am sure I will refer back to at some point.
--Verse 17 God sent someone (Joseph) ahead of them (Israel)…ok, Pastor, that is profound but what are you saying. Thanks for asking…My first point is this…
1. It is not so much about us as it is about “them”.
--Have you ever considered that the dream God has given you is not really all about you…it is about “them”. “Them” in your life may be family, friends, co-workers, classmates…God always thinks bigger than we do.
--Their deliverance is more important to God than your comfort…their deliverance is more important to God than your plans…their deliverance is more important to God than your own personal dreams.
--Matter of fact, God is so consumed with “them” that He did something that most of us would think to be unconceivable:
John 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
--I hope you can see the parallel between Jesus and Joseph…God so loved “them” that He sent Jesus and He so loved “them” that He sent Joseph. God really is consumed with reaching “them”. What about us?
--So many times we miss God’s dream for us because we think it is all about us, we think it is for us, and we think God’s goal is to elevate us. That is not how God thinks!
--One of the reasons (my personal opinion) that churches have lost their power and effectiveness is that people have been led to believe it is all about self instead of “them”. Super Wal-Mart mentality!
--God has tried to help your pastor keep before you the “them” who desperately need Jesus…The “them” around the world we reach thru missions or the “them” we reach thru local ministries.
--The “them” we can reach thru La Vida, thru Hallowed King, thru House of Hope, thru our bus ministry, thru each of us sharing Christ with “them”. It is about reasonable service to others.
Romans 12:1-3 (NKJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
--Poor Joseph thought he was going to become a living sacrifice for his dreams…Jesus did become a sacrifice for His dreams of saving “them” for saving us.
--Pastor Mark preached last Sunday night about how David was anointed to lead “them” but it did not seem like it was going to happen…He chose to keep serving as a shepherd, music, and fighting.
--Joseph, once he arrived in his land of bondage, chose to serve whomever he was placed under their authority and, every time, God’s hand was upon him with favor and blessings…he served “them”.
--He served those whom he would eventually rule over and the “them” God would use him to save through his wisdom and compassion. His willingness to serve would be his family’s salvation. My dad and mom.
--As you pursue the God given dreams in your life, recognize God is always thinking about “them” so He will require you present your body as a living sacrifice which is your reasonable service.
--As you minister to “them” do not be conformed to them…Joseph had the opportunity of blowing God’s dream by compromising with Potiphar’s wife…I love his response.
Genesis 39:8-9 (NKJV)
8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.
9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.
9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
--You see, your ministry to “them” can be derailed by your selfishness to take care of “you”. The devil will always provide opportunities for you to abandon your dreams. It may even feel right.
--Let’s face it…Joseph was a young man (if he was normal - that was trouble), this lady was crazy and persistent and that was trouble). I am sure he was tempted but temptation is not sin…yielding to it is.
--Do you think he just kept believing God has given me great dreams and I do not want to do anything to derail His plan…One mistake and we can spend 40 years in the desert…ask Moses. Killed the Egyptian.
--No end to speaking about this, but do not conform to this world if you want to reach “them”. When it is about us, we are thinking more about ourselves than the lost…instead of the “them”.
2. It is about the timing of God.
Psalm 105:17-21 (NLT)
17 Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams…
17 Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams…
--It is almost inconceivable for us to think (with our American Christian mentality) that God would be willing to allow His children to suffer just so He can reach other people.
--Maybe we should ask Jesus what He thinks about that. Waiting on the timing of God can be, actually it is, one of the most difficult things we believers can go thru.
--Joseph was given dreams as a young teenager about his family and actually the world coming and bowing down before him…because we get him thru all his mess in just a few chapters we miss the process.
--Just imagine with me Joseph being in a pit looking up into the heavens and asking God…what about my dreams…probably the only comfort he heard from God was “Trust Me!”
--Imagine being sold as a slave into a foreign country, feet bruised with fetters, his neck in an iron collar…I have dreams and God is saying trust me!
--Imagine in Potiphar’s house being in charge of everything and suddenly you are falsely accused of rape…the whole time God is simply saying to trust Me with your dreams…it is not the right time.
--Imagine being put in prison for something you did not do…the years are passing quickly and it seems the dreams are getting more and more dim…did I really hear from God? Was it just me?
--Imagine helping someone in prison who was restored to his position (the butler) with the king and God used you to interpret his dream…the irony…his dream comes true but what about your dreams. You are forgotten.
--He is restored and is so happy to be living his dream…note here…while you are living God’s dreams for you don’t forget those who are still waiting for their dreams to come to pass. Joseph was forgotten in prison.
Genesis 41:1 (NKJV)
1 Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.
1 Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.
--Two full years go by and the Pharaoh has a dream that he cannot interpret…the butler remembers Joseph’s words to him before he left the prison:
Genesis 40:14-15 (NIV)
14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.
15 For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon."
14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.
15 For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon."
--Don’t forget the people God has placed in your lives to help you get to your destiny and who have helped you to fulfill God’s dreams. Being forgotten hurts and it opens up other doors.
--Joseph had the potential of getting angry with God and bitter with people…I was forced to leave my family and I did nothing worthy of prison…this is where trusting God must trump difficult circumstances.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NKJV)
26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.
26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.
--Five years goes by, ten years goes by, fifteen years goes by, twenty years goes by…one trial after another…I must be faithful…I must not quit…I have to keep dreaming…I have to keep trusting.
Proverbs 3:1-6 (NKJV)
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Psalm 105:19 (NLT)
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams…
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams…
--Whether we believe it or accept it or even like it…God has a timing in what He does and that includes the dreams He has for us.
--Ecclesiastes 1 tells us there is a time and a season for everything under the sun and that God has made everything beautiful in its time. Not sure we believe that the way we act and react.
--When the time is right, God will fulfill His dreams for us and it will be a beautiful thing. Our job (like Joseph) is to remain faithful no matter the length of time or the difficulty until He does it.
3. It is about the test.
Psalm 105:17-21 (NLT)
17 Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.
20 Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.
21 Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions.
17 Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them— Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.
20 Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door.
21 Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions.
--How are you doing with the test you are in? How are you doing as you wait for your God given dreams? What about your character? Is it in tact with God and His will for your life?
--Are you passing or failing? You will always be given opportunities to cheat on the test. Ask Abraham about God’s dream of raising up a great nation…ended up with an Ishmael and the battle continues today.
--Most of us, if we were honest, if we had been Joseph would have failed the test at some point. We would have been angry at God and bitter toward our siblings…just not fair.
--God would understand with Potiphar’s wife…I have needs…I am human…It’s my time to have fun…who will know…God knows! None of us get a by because life is unfair or tough. Wed. Night Sermon.
Ephesians 5:3-6 (NLT)
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
--So why should we dream, why should we be concerned about “them”, why should we trust God’s timing, and why should we pass the test we encounter:
Genesis 45:7-8 (NIV)
7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.
7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.