A PIT, A PRISON, AND A PALACE
Ritchie L Ables
Today’s sermon will focus on the life of Joseph. The life of Joseph more closely parallels the life of Jesus Christ than anyone else in all of scripture.
We find numerous similarities between Joseph and Jesus, although scripture never actually states that he was a type of Christ. (a) Both were special
objects of a father’s love (b) Both were hated and rejected by their brothers (c) In both cases brothers conspired to slay them (d) Joseph was in intent
put to death by his brothers, as Christ actually was put to death (e) The life of Joseph was resurrected to reconcile his brothers to himself, just as Christ
was resurrected to offer pardon and reconcile his brothers to himself.
I. FINDING YOURSELF IN A PIT
Genesis 37 (Red Ribbon)
(A) Being chosen as an heir can lead to a pit - v.3
Through no doings on Joseph’s part was he the chosen heir to his Father’s riches. Reuben, the eldest, had forfeited his right by incest. Simeon and Levi, next in order, were ruled out because of their violence at Shechem. Judah, the fourth son, was the next heir. Joseph, though eleventh in the line, was Jacob’s firstborn by his favorite wife Rachel and his Father’s pick, and so apparently sparked Judah’s rival.
Church, let God start using someone and just watch how many people the devil stirs up against them.
When the Revival in Brownsville, Fla. first began a few years ago, it is reported that the Headquarters of the Assembly of God sent leaders to put a stamp of
approval on it. Church, you don’t need a man’s approval for God’s agenda. Paul said in one place that he didn’t take time to confer with the Jerusalem
council... he simply obeyed God. (Galatians 1:16 - 17)
(B) Telling your dream to the wrong people can lead to a pit - v.5
Not everyone is going to be in tune with God as you are. Be careful who you share your dreams and visions with. Many times, God gives us a vision to accomplish and as soon as we share it and make it known... there are people waiting to oppose it and cause a strife against it. God tried twice in the past 25 years to move one of our churches to a more visible location
under two different pastors to no avail. The dreams were cast in a pit by those who oppose themselves (2 Timothy 2:25).
Also, when Christ began to reveal his mission with the disciples, Peter began to speak against the divine plan, and Jesus was moved to rebuke the voice of Satan speaking through Peter. It’s not enough to have good
intentions and be well meaning in your words and
actions... when your decision opposes the plan of God... you are in rebellion and in direct
insubordination to a move of God.
(C) Being obedient among jealous brethren can lead to a pit - v.11 - 20
Church, be watchful among your brothers and sisters, jealousy is cruel and has caused many hurtful divisions among Christian leadership and laity
alike. Mark 15:10 - For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. Acts 13:45 - But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled
with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
We must be obedient to the heavenly visions that God sends even when it isn’t popular with our own followers. Always remember that not everyone is going to agree with God’s plans, especially when they are in contradiction to their personal opinions,
never-the-less, we must obey God rather than men.
Psalms 40:2 - He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
II. FINDING YOURSELF IN A PRISON
Genesis 39 (Red Ribbon)
(A) Being prospered by the Lord can lead you to a prison - v.2 - 3
Have you ever noticed how church people like to label and speak against those who are extremely prospered by the Lord?! “Well, who do they think they are?” or “That can’t be God, they’ve got way too much possession, and he only blesses the poor.” Let’s bind their liberty and put it in prison is their attitude.
(B) Being favored and praised by those with influence can lead you to a prison - v. 4 - 6
Some people can’t stand for others to be favored and preferred. Some churches can’t stand for pastors to be favored. Let a pastor buy one two many cars, buy a house, or start appearing to get too much and watch the fireworks... Why is it that in the secular arena people can have just about anything and we don’t say a word, but God’s people can start to be blessed and we find plenty to say?! I have one cousin that makes $75,000+ yearly as an engineer, another makes $50,000+ as a Highway Patrol, but God forbid that a pastor ever makes that kind of salary. Can we see the obvious
contradiction in our thinking when we make opinionated decisions as to the worth of a leader?
(C) Minding your own business can lead you to a prison - v.11, 19 - 20
Isn’t it interesting how that we want to make the business of others our own... even to the point of tempting, pressuring, and lying against them if
they don’t give in to our manipulative ways. Proverbs 26:17 - He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Let’s mind our own business. Let’s leave the
pastor’s business to the pastor, the clerk’s business to the clerk, and every other leader’s business to that leader and all will go a lot more smoothly.
Genesis 39:21 - 23 With God, even our prisons are prosperous. You can’t imprison the power and glory of God... he will bloom even in the worst environments and demand Satan’s keys every time...
NOTE - Sharing your dreams and visions with the wrong people can prolong the prison. (See 40:8 and 21 - 23) The people we trust to help us often forget us when they get what they want from us.
III. FINDING YOURSELF IN A PALACE
Genesis 41:37 - 43 (Red Ribbon)
(A) Obedience to God can lead you to a palace
Joshua 1:7 - Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
1 Chronicles 22:11 & 13 - Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged...
God’s people should be the most blessed people in all the world... we may not always drive new cars or have new homes but, likewise, there isn’t any crime if God chooses to bless us in that measure... Look at the life of Job... he went from wealthy to wealthier after his trials because of obedience to his God. As long as we choose to limit God in our lives by our attitude and actions, we will remain in a pit... but it just doesn’t have to be that way... we can come out of the pit and live in the palace.
Acts 7:9 - 10 - And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Only God Can Take Us... FROM A PIT TO A PALACE!!!
