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:
C. It is here in your darkest moment that we must be careful in how we react to the situation. Satan will try to sow doubt and unbelief and bitterness in to your heart. This is we must remain steadfast and in the faith firmly rooted and grounded in Him.
1. Avoiding doubt and unbelief.
2. Keeping anxiety and depression from destroying your hope. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV) 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
3. Not allowing bitterness to overcome our heart.
III. Forgotten but not alone
A. You have a dream Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
1. Hab 2:3 For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
B. He may be silent but he is always near Pr 18:24 …: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother. It is in these moments that we forget not the author and finisher of our faith.
1. Ro 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (25) But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it]. (18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
C. This is a refining moment for you 1Pe 1:6 ¶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1. Isa 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Job 23:10 (KJV) 10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
2. The dream gives us hope.
3. The dream causes us to wait.
a. Waiting can give us patience
b. Waiting can strengthen our faith.
IV. When the door opens and the light shines in your darkness
A. Preparing for your breakout Ps 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
B. Remembered Chp. 41 Joseph is remembered. It took 2 years before the butler would remember him. If Joseph would have been released 2 years earlier he could not step into his promise. God is setting us up for our miracles it may seem like nothing is going to ever happen but God is working it out … Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
C. Fulfillment 13 years later Joseph’s dream was fulfilled. In Genesis 41:38-44 Joseph is placed 2nd to Pharaoh. Pr 13:12 ¶ Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.
D. Joseph would then tell his brothers in Ge 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. When your lie seems to be spinning out of control and you feel like you are on a course far from your ream know that God is in control and you will arrive in your destination.
