“Under Construction”

1st Peter chapter 2 verse 5:

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Trusting God when life doesn’t make sense?

Joseph grew up in a Dysfunctional Family.

God Gives Joseph Dreams of Future Leadership

Chapter 37 vs 5-8

5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

Favor With God Does Not Exempt Us from Suffering

Genesis 7 Verse 18-20

18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24, and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

 

Sometimes Obedience Makes Life Harder, Not Easier

Joseph obeyed.

Joseph fled.

Joseph was falsely accused.

Joseph went to prison.

Doing right did not produce easier circumstances.

Genesis 39 vs 2-4:  

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 

Genesis 39: 6 – 9:

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”

8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

That was the recap; now let’s hear the rest of this amazing story.

Genesis 39: 21-23:

21 The Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Our Testimony

Trusting God When Times Are Tough

Genesis Chapter 40

Genesis Chapter 40, verse 23:

23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot about him.

God Is Working While We Wait

Joseph served faithfully in prison.

He interpreted dreams.

He helped others.

The cupbearer forgot him.

Genesis 41: 14-16:

14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

15 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 41:37-38:

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?”

Verse 41-43:

41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command,[b] and people shouted before him, “Make way[c]!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

God Can Change Our Lives In One Day

Pharaoh has a dream.

Joseph is remembered.

Joseph interprets.

Joseph goes from Prisoner to Prime Minister.

 Genesis 42: 6 and 8:

So when Joseph’s brothers arrived and stood before him, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 

8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 

God Redeems What Others Meant for Evil

Joseph reveals himself.

Instead of revenge—

He forgives.

He recognizes God’s hand.

Joseph sees purpose where others saw tragedy.

Genesis 50 vs 18,19:

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

The Greatest Statement of God’s Sovereignty  

“You intended evil against me, but God intended it for good.”

People intended evil.

Yet God overruled it.

God was working on Josep