Sermon Central
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A Pit, A Prison, A Palace Series
Contributed by Nelson Emeonu on Jul 3, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Life is not easy but to a christian who is connected to the right source- God, he will reach his destination. Everyone likes to identify with the life of the top but there are some personal prices to pay.
Life is in stages. Anyone who jumps one must come back to complete the pace or he faces the consequence. Life is not easy but to a christian who is connected to the right source- God, he will reach his destination. Everyone likes to identify with the life of the top but there are some personal prices to pay. This was the case of Joseph who was the type of Christ in the old testament.
Pit & Prison experience precedes the palace.
What is a palace experience?
1. Life of Honor
2. Life of rulership
3. Life of authority
4. Life of color & Decoration
5. Life of power and control
6. Life of settlement & Relaxation
7. Life of effortlessly
8. Life of responsibility and attraction
GENESIS 37-41
Joseph was sold into Egypt by envy, conspiracy and wickedness.
Joseph became a center of attraction because of Divine favor.
Joseph attracted Satan by his faithfulness and handsomeness
Joseph entered into a place outside his dream.
Joseph interpreted the dream of others but none interpreted his, except God, the giver & the leader.
Joseph was endowed with Divine gift but forgotten by man.
Joseph had only one encounter with Pharaoh and his days of toil was forgotten.
SOME PEOPLE HAD A PALACE BUT LOST IT:
1. Adam- (Disobedience)- Genesis 3
2. Nebuchadnezzar - (Pride)- Daniel 4
3. Belshazzar - (Syncretism) -Daniel 5
4. Herod - (Self-Exaltation) -Acts 12:20- 25
FOR ONE TO BE ELEVATED, YOU MUST: (GENESIS 41)
a. Allow God to make you : Genesis 41:14-16
b. Possess God's spirit - vs 38
c. Receive good testimony vs 39
d. Walk in God’s wisdom vs 39
e. Go for the essentials. Vs 41-42
The ring in the hand of Joseph was 'authority', fine linen was 'honor, while second chariot was his' elevation'
f. Know your person always.
New name and new wife was given to him to suit 'an Egyptian' but he had his dream. He knew his person in the midst of elevation & prosperity.
THE WAY TO THE PALACE - 3 THINGS
“He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me”( Psalms 18:19)
“ Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me and set me in a large place” (Psalms 118:5)
1. Obedience to God can lead you to a palace.
(Joshua 1:7; 1 Chronicles 22:11&13)
Benefits of your Obedience:
a. Nations shall be blessed through your obedience - Genesis 22:18
b. Makes you peculiar - Exodus 19:5
c. God will be enemy to your enemies - Exodus 23:22
d. You shall spend your days in prosperity - Job 36:11
e. Strangers shall submit to you = Psalm 18:44
2. Affliction & Suffering can take you to the palace
The fire of affliction promotes man to the palace - Daniel 3:30
Affliction welcomes the presence of the Lord - Genesis 31:42, Gen. 41:52
Affliction is an avenue for a change of position - Job 30:16
God delivers from all affliction - Psalms 34:19
Glory comes after suffering - Romans 8:18
3. Humility takes one to the palace
The way up is 'down'
Humility is a positive force & ladder to the life of Palace. People who are humble have many feathers.
a. God hears them - Psalm 10:17
b. Lives life of honor - Proverb 29:23
c. Exaltation comes to them - Matthew 23:12
d. Receives Divine grace - James 4:6
e. Changes a position (lifting up) James 4:10.
Gets the hand of God.
