Forgotten But Not Alone

Intro: Today I want to minister to those that feel forgotten. I want all of you that feel like you were placed on the back burner that you got pushed to the back of the shelf that thou you may feel forgotten; you are not ALONE! This message isn’t for everyone but for those that have dared to dream, that have heard from God and holding on to a dream, vision, or promise. We are living in a time and a season where we need God more than ever. When God places something into you that promise, or that dream baby all I can say is hold onto it.

I. It all started with a dream!

A. In Genesis chapter 30:22-25 Rachael the love of Jacobs’s life bares her first son Joseph. What makes him so special is that he is the son of Jacobs’s favorite wife; he already has three wives and 10 sons. But Jacob loved Rachael more than the other wives chp. 29:30. In turn Joseph was loved above all his children chp. 37:3. So much so that he was given a coat of many colours that set him apart from the others. Because of his fathers love and favor for Joseph he was hated by his brothers.

1. Let me say here that favor will cause others to be jealous. When God places his favor on you others can’t help but notice.

B. Now at the age of 17 the heavenly Father would show him favor and 2 dreams. In genesis 37:5-8 and 9-11; In the first dream he saw bound sheaves in a field. His sheaf arose and stood upright while his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to it. In the second dream he saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars (representing his father, mother and brothers) bowing to him. After he tells the dreams the brothers hate him because of the meaning that He would be exalted.

1. People today can’t rejoice when God blesses someone else. That’s a problem we got in the church when God starts blessing others there are those that want to condemn and speak negatively about them. They can’t rejoice with them they can’t be happy them. Paul tells us in 1 Thess. “Rejoice evermore.” That means in all things keep the joy. When God blesses someone else rejoice. God is no respecter of persons if he can do it for them he can do it for you.

C. Shortly after the dreams we find Joseph sent to check on his brothers. When they see him coming they conspired against him saying, “Here comes the dreamer. Let’s kill him then we shall see what will become of his dreams!” They throw him into a pit to die. Then they take his coat away tear it and cover it with animal’s blood to convince their father he had been devoured by a wild beast. After they throw him into the pit they sit down to eat and they see a company of Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt. So instead of killing him they sell him as a slave for 20 pieces of silver.

1. Again there are those that just want to kill someone’s dream. It is sad to say but there are people that will do whatever they can to side line someone’s dream, even in the Church.

D. A man by the name of Potiphar buys him and brings him into his home. Joseph finds favor with him and is set as an overseer over Potiphars house and all that he had. But now Potiphar’s wife desires to sleep with Joseph and tries her best to get him to do so. But he refused many of her advances until one day she corners him and he flees leaving behind his coat, upset that he would not be with her she cries rape and with the coat as evidence Joseph is thrown in prison.

E. It is here in prison that Joseph still has favor with the keeper of the prison.

II. From a dream to a Dungeon.

A. Here is a man whose name means “may God add” or “increaser” finding himself without. He is miles from his home and family and there seems to be a great gulf between the reality of his dreams. He was once an heir to Abraham’s blessings but now he is an accused slave. It seems that having a dream and favor didn’t pay off for him, even in the dungeon still doing God’s work leaves him forgotten.

B. Many of you can relate to Joseph, God has given you a promise or a dream, but along the way you find yourself sidelined and forgotten you can relate to Solomon when he said in Pr 13:12 ¶ Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: