Grace World Outreach Church
Sunday Morning Service - Pastor Daniel K Norris
Genesis 39:1-21 ESV
God knew the plans he had for Jospeh… It would take Jospeh a total of 22 years to finally see it.
ESV Gen 50:20 “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good”
Likewise, when you have placed your life in the hands of God… in any and every situation, the good, the bad, the ugly… you’ll say
ESV Rom 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The purpose for every trail, every test, every tribulation is always two-fold:
- To introduce you to your SELF
- To introduce your SELF to GOD
Why was prison God’s plan?
1) Because in Prison, God was POSITIONING!
You’re always ONE KEY RELATIONSHIP away from changing the TRAJECTORY of your future
Zec NLT 4:10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…
Hebrews 13:2 ESV 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.
2) Because in PRISON God was still PRUNING.
Part of what God was working out of Jospeh his need for:
Self Righteousness
Self Vindication
Self Promotion
14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh,(self-promotion) and so get me out of this house (self vindication). 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they (self-righteousness) should put me into the pit.”
We see the old Jospeh come to surface
Tries to manipulate his future
Question: Could it be that Jospeh prolonged his stay in prison an additional two years because he tried to take matters into his hands?
The fight you take UP in YOUR hands, you take OUT of HIS hands.
Consider how Jesus faced injustice
Matt 27:11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Hard to live by…
How long do we prolong our process because we refuse to let God avenge?
Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
3) Because In PRISON God was PROMOTING!
Joseph sat for two years… And then suddenly his time came.
Six signals God’s Time for has come:
- When you’ve come to the end of your own STRENGTH
- When God works outside your SELF
- When God works precisely where you once SINNED
- When God moves without your having to SPEAK
- When God moves without you STRAINING
- When God elevates you to STAND
Jospeh had an audience with the most unreachable man of his day and had his undivided attention
Jospeh could not have made this happen... It was always God's Plan
Everything had prepared him for this moment
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Genesis 40:1-23 ESV
Jeremiah 29:10-14 ESV