Patient Endurance

Patient Endurance Genesis 40:1-23 1. GOD'S METHOD 39 v 20 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. Acts 9:16 I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. I.THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OPPRESSION V. 39 v 20 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. A. Joseph was "bound" in the prison. B.Joseph was "blessed " in the prison 21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Job 23:10! But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. C. Joseph was "blooded " in the prison G.A. Young, in his song, "God Leads Us Along" put it this way: Sometimes on the mount, Where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along; Sometimes in the valley, In darkest of night, God leads His dear children along.

Some through the waters, Some through the flood, Some through the fire, But all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, But God gives a song, In the night season, And all the day long.

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. II. THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OBSCURITY V. 20 and he was there in the prison. Hudson Taylor "The future is as bright as the promises of God" A. Joseph's Dreams B. Joseph's Disappointments Heb. 4:15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. C. Joseph's Discouragements 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. III. THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY V. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. He learns about (a) God's Presence, But the LORD was with Joseph (b) God's Providence, and shewed him mercy, (c) God's Purposes and gave him favour (d) God's Power in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Daniel could not have learned of God's power over the lions unless he was first cast into the lions den. The 3 Hebrews could not have learned that God was able to deliver them from the fire until they had been cast into the furnace. The Disciples would never have known that Jesus could still the storm until they found themselves in the midst of it. Mary, Martha and Lazarus would never have understood that Jesus is The Resurrection and the Life unless Lazarus had died. The women with the issue could not have experienced the healing touch of Christ, without the suffering and the cost of her illness. IV. THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OBEDIENCE V. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. Note His :- (a) Passion For Service (b) Patience In Service (c) Persistence With Service V. THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OVERCOMING V. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper. 1. He was placed over an assignment - Gen. 37:13-14. 2. He was placed over a household - Gen. 39:4. 3. He was placed over a prison - Gen. 39:22-23. 4. He was placed over a nation - Gen. 41:40-41.

2. GOD'S MESSAGE 4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. I. A PICTURE OF REDEMPTION 40:9-11 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; 10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: 11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.