Still Working On It
#269 Still Working On It, Sunday 02-25-2007
Theme: Hang in there when you dream seems to be a nightmare.
Text: Genesis 39:1-6
Introduction:
- Many of you comment to me about your work …
- “The people I work with are …”
- “I can’t wait to get out of there …”
- I was reading about Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel.
- At 17, Joseph received special dreams from God. (Genesis 37)
- At 17 life was a dream for Joseph, he even had designer clothes.
- One day his dreams crashed down around him.
- “Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt.” (Genesis 39:1)
- Once a slave, always a slave (talk about a dead end job).
- God still had special plans for Joseph and his dreams.
- Joseph couldn’t see God’s hand.
- Joseph would have to do his part. – He couldn’t become passive and depressed.
What made Joseph press on through the dark times?
- “The Lord was with Joseph” (vs. 2A)
- The blessings begin with God, not man or circumstances.
- I’d rather be with God is difficulties than without Him in prosperity.
- “I’d rather be limping in the right direction than running in the wrong.”
- God’s presence with Joseph made the difference.
- Even as a slave, he prospered and “the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” (Genesis 39:3)
- Potiphar saw that the Lord was with him.
- Potiphar saw his household blessed (vs. 5)
- We should pray for the blessing of God on the business and boss.
- “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
- Joseph was with the Lord.
- Many people claim, “the Lord is with me.”
- “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
- Joseph held on to his faith in God. “By faith Joseph” (Hebrews 11:22)
- His faith held when everything else failed
- “They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons.” (Psalm 105:18)
- Joseph held on to faithfulness.
- Faithfulness will lead to favor.
- “Let love and faithfulness never leave you … Then you will win favor and a great name in the sight of God and man.”
- Faithfulness may lead to more trials.
- While God was blessing Joseph, Potiphar’s wife was testing him.
- Blessings and trials often travel on parallel tracks.
- Joseph’s faithfulness to God compelled him to reject Potiphar’s wife’s advances.
What’s worse than being a slave? Being a slave in prison.
- Joseph never gave up.
- His family wrote him off. Potiphar gave up. Other believers might have concluded “there’s sin in his life.” He even had a terrible resume. What hope was there for improvement?
- Joseph kept a good attitude.
- “If I’m going to be a slave or prisoner, than I’ll be the best slave or prisoner I can be”
- He refused to carry the baggage of anger, bitterness, resentment and self-pity.
- God continued to bless Joseph. (Genesis 40:21-23 – Joseph was blessed just like at Potiphar’s
- What if you’re demoted instead of promoted?
- “I will do the best I can with what I have for Jesus’ sake today.” –Sister Beisel
- Your breakthrough will be determined by your follow through.
- God honored Joseph’s faith and perseverance.
- He went from the prison to the palace in one day!
- He was lifted to second in command under Pharaoh.
- God used his position to preserve his family in Israel.
Conclusion:
God doesn’t tell us to trust His answers, but to trust His promises.