Genesis – Book of Beginnings
Joseph – Part 3
Life in the Palace
Intro
 Funny stuff

Were on a Journey through the book of Genesis. We have looked at 8 major
points to this book. Say them with me.
Creation, Fall, Flood, Nations, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph
Just a brief recap of last Sunday
I. When Bad Things happen to good People
II. Lessons from the Prison
1. God is with us when we are in Prison
2. Learn all you Can and Can all you Learn
3. Practice your Gift
4. Wait for God to Promote you
Has anyone here had to overcome some things in their life?
 Hatred, jealousy, sold into slavery by his family
 The seducing wife of Potiphar
 Imprisonment
But in the midst of it all …
Joseph realized a secret that so many servants of God have over the centuries
have come to know!
It’s found in Romans 8
35 Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or
persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am
convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Joseph experienced this caring God in the Prison just as Paul. This love is great
and stopped by nothing.
It’s what compels us to go to the streets this summer, organize and participate in
outreaches this summer. Share our faith every time God gives the chance.
It’s what gives me hope and assurance when I hear of the many struggles that
people are facing in their lives including the horrific kidnapping back in April of the
230 Nigerian school girls.
35 Who
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shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution
People that frustrate me
My boss, my neighbor
Sometimes we let some very minor, silly things prevent the love of God from shining in
us and through us to others
Joseph could have quit, check out, played the blame game on more than one occasion and
basically tell God to find someone else for whatever it is you have in mind
Life is just really starting to get to me
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
I. The Plan of God is Often Beyond Ours
A. Pharaoh’s Heart moved by God
 The God we serve is in the business of touching, healing, directing, lifting,
and most important saving and cleansing, human hearts
Prov. 21:1
In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.
God doesn’t call people who are qualified. He calls
people who are
willing, and then He qualifies them.
— Richard Parker
B. New Tasks and Responsibilities
Were given to Joseph why? Because he was ready! Who prepared him?
 God
 Holy Spirit
 Prison
Does anyone know what that piece in the middle of the washer is
called?
The part in the middle that moves back and forth and shakes the
clothes
back and forth? What is that called? I’m going to call it an
Agitator….
What is the purpose of the Agitator?
As far as I can tell, it sole purpose is to cause havoc for the
dirty
clothes… it’s there to shake and separate the clothes from all
the dirt
and grime and money that may be in or on the clothes, right?
As soon as we are saved, the Holy Spirit moves into our hearts,
but He
doesn’t have our heart to himself… there’s still a lot of things
in
there… the main one being our own selfish desires…even though we
have
been saved from our past sins, there still remains some things
of the
world that we are still fond of… these things of the world have
a way
of attaching themselves to us like dirt on clothes… they can
stain us,
they seemingly won’t come out.
The Holy Spirit, being Holy….His nature doesn’t allow Him to
live in a
dirty environment, so He begins to gently and lovingly, He
begins to
agitate, to shake… to convict us of the things that need to
leave our
heart…. You see God wants us to be filled with His Spirit… and
only
when we come to a place in our lives where we are willing to
remove all
the dirt…can we truly be Filled with His Spirit. Until then,
many times
our spiritual life fills like we are in a washing machine…. The
Holy
Spirit constantly, because He loves us so much, constantly
agitation
within us, convicting us of the things that need to be removed
from our
lives…. The truth is it is God’s will for all to be filled with
the
Spirit…. But it’s your choice… it’s up to you… If you willing to
surrender every area of your life… every area.. Past, present,
future…
habits, control, finances, family… everything that means
something to
you…. Total surrender
Tech Team --- Video of Anna Cannizo
C. Faithfulness Honored
A Ps. 1 man
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Why now so honored in the palace
Gen. 39:5
5
From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned,
the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing
of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.
Zechariah 4:10 ESV / 15 helpful votes
For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the
hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole
earth.”
Luke 16:10 ESV / 12 helpful votes
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very
little is also dishonest in much.
1 John 3:20 ESV / 9 helpful votes
For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not
wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Matthew 6:33 ESV / 8 helpful votes
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to
you.
Whole stories Jesus told about small things --- Parables Jesus told about this truth
II. A Family Reunited by God
A. Our Need often brings God’s Will
Ruth Tucker tells the story of Kari Torjesen Malcolm, who served for
15
years as a missionary to the Philippines. Kari was an MK (missionary
kid) who grew up in China: "As a teenager, she was confined for a time
during World War II in an internment camp, and there she discovered a
deep truth that changed her life.
"In the camp she was number 16, and only one of many Westerners who
sought self-identity and comfort behind the walls and the electric
fence that separated them from the outside world. There were other MKs
in the same predicament, and often they managed to get together for a
few moments of prayer--prayer for freedom.
"But as time passed, Kari began to feel uneasy about these times of
prayer. Freedom was becoming the ultimate goal in life, and God seemed
to become less and less important--except for His answer to their
prayers for freedom. She began to pray and search the Bible.
"Kari came to a new outlook on life, and she no longer desired to join
the others in their prayers for freedom. It was only then that Kari
was
able to pray the prayer that changed her life: `Lord, I am willing to
stay in this prison for the rest of my life if only I may know You.’
At
that moment, she was free."
by BRAD BAILEY
God’s will for our lives is to know Him --- IN WORSHIP AND IN SERVICE
God was at work in Joseph’s life --- fulfilling an amazing task given to him by
Pharoah but really by God
Why again did he have the task --Gen. 41
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[a]?”
37 The
39 Then
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so
discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to
submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
B. When Dreams Come True
One of the most basic needs for human existence brought this family back
together --- food --- they had none --- but where was the only food in the whole
region?
Now remember with me back in Gen.37 2 dreams
His gift of interpreting dreams in Egypt must of caused him to think more about
his own dreams and really got the wheels turning
God has a way talking to us
They come for food and what event happens?
God makes a way for His people!!!!!!
C. God’s Confirms His Will
Gen. 46:1-4
46 So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he
offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to
Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt
with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will
close your eyes.”
3
When your mother wanted to get your attention --- did she use your middle
name?
 Abraham, Abraham --- Gen 22:11
 Samuel, Samuel --- I Sam. 3:10
 Martha, Martha --- Luke 10:41
 Saul, Saul --- Acts 9:4
D. Three Burials
Closing
The final verses of Genesis are AWESOME
Gen. 50
1st Coffin was for Jacob
Remember him, the deceiver and disobedient one --D.L. Moody
There was a time when I used to be troubled a good deal about these Bible
characters. I used to think that, because they were saints, everything they did
was right; and I could not understand how it was that God would permit them to
do such things and not be punished…. But when we come to a character like
Jacob, and we find that God had grace enough to save him, I think there is hope
enough for almost any of us.
Heb.11:13-16
13 All
these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things
promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were
foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking
for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would
have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly
one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
And in Jacob’s last moment of life the book of Hebrews records this final action
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and
worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
21
2nd Coffin
Was a burial of the “Pain of the Past”
Gen.50
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your
slaves,” they said.
18
True Forgiveness had come and his brothers had an outward evidence of this
inward “heart change” in
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.
19
Healing can come to our lives personally and our families collectively when we are
willing to allow God bring healing and change --- But this did not happen without
Joseph’s willingness to allow the past to be buried
Tech Team – Play Video clip please
Frank and Toni’s Straughter’s story
3rd Coffin
A powerful word about faith and promise we see the book of Genesis ends with.
Notice vs.24
The Death of Joseph
Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and
ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children
of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.[c]
22
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come
to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath
24
and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones
up from this place.”
26
So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he
was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Heb.11
22
By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the
Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
John Wesley
“God buries His workman, but His work goes on,” and the apostle John wrote that
“he who does the will of God abides forever” (I John 2:17)
G. Campbell Morgan
Commit your life to God, see vision, do the work that’s nearest, the work He
appoints, truly and well and faithfully, and die knowing that you have started
delicate influences, dynamic forces which will proceed through every succeeding
generation until they gather up the harvest of glorious result about the throne of
the Eternal. The man of God has not finished his work in the world when they put
him in a coffin.”