The Harbor Church
Sermon Title: From the Pit to the Palace
Text: Genesis 40-41:1-45
Point 1: God is at work when we least suspect it.
Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker,3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. Gen. 40:1-3
Point 2: God can choose to speak to us in many ways.
“Why are your faces downcast today?” They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” Gen. 40:7-8
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” Joel 2:28-29
Prophesy | speaking in tongues | word of wisdom | word of knowledge | dreams | visions | angels
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. Jude 8
Point 3: While God is unfolding his plan, it can seem as if he’s forgotten us.
So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.” Gen. 40:9-11
Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.” Gen. 40:14-15
When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream. Gen. 4:16
On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. Gen. 40:20-21
Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Gen. 40:23
Point 4: God can deliver us in a day…to set us up to deliver someone else.
After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. Gen. 41:1-2
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” Gen. 41:15-16
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” Gen. 40:40
Application: We should be joyful and expectant that God will use our circumstances to bring honor to Jesus Christ.
Yes, and I will rejoice, or I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Phil. 1:18-20