WEBVTT 00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:02.660 Genesis chapter 4, I'll buy you lunch. How about that? 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:07.740 When I was a kid, I had a cool toy. 00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:13.900 I had to tell somebody who was a guest with us this morning after the worship. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:17.280 I said, that was my daughter I was talking to when I said I was going to buy that girl lunch. 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:19.580 So anyway, if you don't know, that's my girl. 00:00:20.460 --> 00:00:24.400 When I was a kid, I had a toy that was quite therapeutic for me. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:27.280 His name was Bobo the Bounce Back Clown. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:31.440 You punch him and he keeps coming back. 00:00:32.300 --> 00:00:35.299 And the best $2.99 you could spend in the 70s. 00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:41.460 I had two older brothers that if I hit them, they hit back and they were bigger than me. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:43.340 And so it hurt too much. 00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:44.200 I love my dog. 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:45.040 I didn't want to hit him. 00:00:45.100 --> 00:00:46.240 But if I did, he would have bit me. 00:00:46.400 --> 00:00:49.299 So I hit Bobo the Bounce Back Clown. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:52.480 And he just kept coming back time and time again. 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:54.740 Well, I couldn't help but think about that when I thought about Joseph. 00:00:54.740 --> 00:01:02.340 A favored son, but a hated brother, sold into slavery. 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:07.799 A successful slave that was then falsely accused and imprisoned. 00:01:08.520 --> 00:01:13.780 Then a successful prisoner, but easily forgotten by those of influence. 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:21.219 And that describes 13 years of Joseph's life. 00:01:22.420 --> 00:01:25.900 We're not sure what part of that time he was in Potiphar's house. 00:01:26.260 --> 00:01:28.540 We know he was sold into slavery at 17. 00:01:29.740 --> 00:01:34.640 We know that sometime after he had been in Potiphar's house, he went to prison and served in prison. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:42.180 We know that after he had told somebody a dream interpretation that he had to stay two more years. 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:44.400 And now we know he's 30 years old. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:50.560 It's been a long time bouncing around. 00:01:51.400 --> 00:01:56.719 So we left him last week when we were talking about him in Genesis 40 verse 23 where it says, 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:04.420 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:19.139 What the cupbearer forgot was the dream interpretation that Joseph had given him about his release and about his restoration as the cupbearer in coming days. 00:02:19.139 --> 00:02:21.799 And it happened just like Joseph said it would. 00:02:22.319 --> 00:02:28.859 And when the cupbearer now was bearing the cup for Pharaoh, which means he was by his side daily, 00:02:28.859 --> 00:02:36.679 there was great opportunity for him to speak highly of Joseph, but he completely forgot him. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:40.879 He never bothered to bring him up for two years. 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:48.479 And two years later, when Pharaoh had a dream, he remembered. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:03:02.019 Genesis 21, excuse me, Genesis 41 tells us that Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile when seven good-looking cattle came up out of the water. 00:03:02.020 --> 00:03:13.180 That's the kind of cattle that if you ever go to a stockyard cattleman's restaurant, what you'll see on the walls are huge photos. 00:03:13.740 --> 00:03:18.160 I mean six foot by four foot photos of prize cattle. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:23.700 That's the kind of cattle that was walking out of the Nile in that dream. 00:03:23.699 --> 00:03:33.459 It was followed by seven of the ugliest, scroniest, mad cow-diseased cows you'll ever see. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:44.239 And then suddenly in his dream, the seven ugly cows ate the good-looking cows, and Pharaoh was shocked and woke up from his dream. 00:03:46.339 --> 00:03:47.919 He went back to sleep. 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:55.959 This time he dreamed of seven plump, good ears of grain growing out of one stalk, 00:03:57.279 --> 00:04:02.679 followed by seven ears filled with blight and dying. 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:09.500 But the thin ears then swallowed up the plump and good ears, and again he woke up shocked. 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:15.479 So he called together what the translation says were magicians. 00:04:15.479 --> 00:04:26.719 In reality, those fellows that came up were astrologists that knew how to read the sacred writings, 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:29.920 the sacred Egyptian writings. 00:04:30.699 --> 00:04:33.019 Now when I say sacred writings, I don't mean like scripture. 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:34.839 I mean to them it was sacred. 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:41.060 And there were hieroglyphics that told them about the stars and those type things, 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:50.540 and these pagans were very intelligent men that consulted others upon what they saw. 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:56.740 They were the wisest in the land, and so Pharaoh brought them to him to interpret his dreams, 00:04:56.840 --> 00:04:58.500 and they had no clue at all. 00:05:01.100 --> 00:05:04.800 Now the dreams that Pharaoh dreamed were from God. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:10.699 And worldly wisdom does you no good in the things of God. 00:05:11.340 --> 00:05:12.120 You don't get it. 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:17.259 People led by the Spirit of God are the ones that interpret the things of God. 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:23.740 And it was about this time that nobody could interpret that dream that the cupbearer had that aha moment. 00:05:23.900 --> 00:05:26.100 Oh yeah, I remember a guy. 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:31.340 And he remembers a dream interpreter from prison two years earlier, 00:05:31.580 --> 00:05:35.780 and he told Pharaoh about Joseph, and so they called for Joseph. 00:05:37.140 --> 00:05:41.360 Now Joseph looked like he was on an episode of Duck Dynasty. 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:43.180 That's what Hebrews looked like. 00:05:43.760 --> 00:05:48.939 Long beards, and plus he had been in what was described as the pit or the dungeon. 00:05:49.100 --> 00:05:51.040 So he was dingy at that. 00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:56.760 And that is not what the Egyptians looked like. 00:05:57.640 --> 00:06:04.040 They shaved all the hair off and made sure they were ornate in their appearance. 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:16.300 And so Joseph came out of that pit and shaved and became clean and got the dome shaver out and got his head right, you know. 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:21.520 Went out in new clothes. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:25.500 And Genesis 41, 15, 16 says, 00:06:26.300 --> 00:06:27.780 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 00:06:28.020 --> 00:06:30.920 I've had a dream and there is no one who can interpret it. 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:35.900 I've heard it said of you that you hear a dream, you can interpret it. 00:06:36.960 --> 00:06:38.500 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:41.759 It is not in me. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:47.139 God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer. 00:06:48.539 --> 00:06:51.459 Pharaoh explained his dreams and how no one could help him. 00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:53.860 And then Joseph interprets his dreams. 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:55.920 In verse 25, it says, 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:57.379 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, 00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.719 The dreams of Pharaoh are one. 00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:02.579 God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:06.019 The seven good cows are seven years, 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:08.899 and the seven good ears are seven years. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:09.920 The dreams are one. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:16.439 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, 00:07:16.580 --> 00:07:22.939 and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:25.220 And then he goes a step further. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:28.360 And he says in verse 28, 00:07:29.200 --> 00:07:34.060 It is as I told Pharaoh, God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:39.920 There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:45.399 But after them, there will also rise seven years of famine, 00:07:45.399 --> 00:07:48.680 and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. 00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:52.160 The famine will consume the land, 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:58.519 and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:01.420 for it will be very severe. 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:07.240 And the doubling of Pharaoh's dreams means that the thing is fixed by God, 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:10.100 and God will shortly bring it about. 00:08:10.900 --> 00:08:15.200 Now, therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, 00:08:15.400 --> 00:08:17.360 and set him over the land of Egypt. 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:22.040 Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land, 00:08:22.200 --> 00:08:27.900 and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years, 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:31.359 and let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, 00:08:31.359 --> 00:08:35.620 and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, 00:08:35.939 --> 00:08:36.899 and let them keep it. 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:41.740 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:43.559 that are to occur in the land of Egypt, 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:47.519 so that the land may not perish throughout the famine. 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:51.519 And so Joseph not only tells him what the dream means, 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:54.620 but he follows it up with a four-part revelation. 00:08:54.620 --> 00:09:01.700 And the first part is, is a bountiful seven-year harvest will be followed by a depleting seven years of famine. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:03.860 And then a three-step plan. 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:06.299 One is, it's going to happen. 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:09.320 It's not going to change. 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:15.159 God has given you a dream in two different formats to show you that he's doubling down on this. 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:18.980 There's nothing you can do to stop it from happening. 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:27.659 Two, you need to appoint a wise and discerning man to handle this. 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:36.659 And three, you need to appoint tax agents to collect 20% of everybody's produce for the first seven years 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:40.500 so that it will supplement the hard years that are about to follow. 00:09:40.500 --> 00:09:45.500 And then he breathed hard and waited. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:49.620 And Pharaoh heard a proposal. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:52.519 In verse 37, it says, 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:56.159 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:58.700 And Pharaoh said to his servants, 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:02.059 Can we find a man like this in whom is the Spirit of God? 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:04.200 And then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 00:10:04.340 --> 00:10:08.440 Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you. 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:13.960 You shall be over my house and all my people shall order themselves as you command. 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:18.000 Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you. 00:10:18.660 --> 00:10:19.880 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:23.340 See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt. 00:10:23.640 --> 00:10:29.780 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand 00:10:29.780 --> 00:10:34.060 and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 00:10:34.180 --> 00:10:36.400 And he made him ride in the second chariot. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:38.439 And he called out before him, 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:39.439 Bow the knee. 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:42.799 Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:44.539 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:46.819 I am Pharaoh and without your consent, 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:52.579 no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:57.539 Bobo the bounce back clown is back, baby. 00:10:57.539 --> 00:11:04.559 He was a favored son that turned into a hated and sold brother, 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:11.099 a servant leader that turned into a falsely accused prisoner. 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:15.019 He's now out of the pit and into the Pharaoh's palace. 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:20.379 He was even given an Egyptian name to get rid of all the Hebrew in him. 00:11:20.599 --> 00:11:22.240 At least that was Pharaoh's concept. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:25.779 And if you hadn't picked up on all this yet, 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:28.700 this was all God at work. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:32.200 And I want you to understand how God worked here. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:38.600 And I want you to understand how God works when God is at work. 00:11:40.680 --> 00:11:43.220 Because I believe there's some principles we can learn from it. 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:47.480 First thing is when God's at work, 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:49.240 it happens in God's timing. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:57.560 Which may seldom make sense at the time. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:00.960 Thirteen years, 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:03.500 Joseph had dealt with the ups and downs of being a slave, 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:06.420 being successful at that, 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:08.740 and then being accused and being forgotten. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:13.720 Why did he have to go through so much? 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:17.460 I believe if Joseph was here today, 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:19.799 and he's not, so don't hold your breath, 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:24.340 that he would tell us that those years of suffering 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:28.220 were to help him learn what he needed to learn 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:31.060 about God's timing, about God's ways, 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.379 and about God's purposes. 00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:35.259 I want you to think about this. 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:40.580 What we read today about Joseph getting thrust 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:45.319 into the management position that he did 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:49.360 means that he was thrown into the management position 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:53.759 of not only the strongest nation in the world at that time, 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:58.080 but also thrust into the management 00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:00.939 of all of the known world's resources. 00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:04.480 It was a huge responsibility 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.000 that he could not have done 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.580 when he was a 17-year-old 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:10.400 strutting across the desert 00:13:10.400 --> 00:13:12.800 in his cherished robe 00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:17.200 for 50 miles to catch up with his brothers. 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:20.540 He didn't have the ability in him to do it then. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.160 However, when he was sold into slavery, 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:26.340 he was given the responsibility to manage a household, 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:28.660 so he learned how to manage that household, 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:30.279 and he did it very effectively. 00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:33.459 Potiphar gave him all the confidence in the world. 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:35.620 It wasn't until he was falsely accused 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:37.339 that he did anything wrong with that, 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:39.039 so he managed a household. 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:42.500 Then he got arrested, thrown into prison. 00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:45.100 He rose so quickly as a prisoner 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.579 that then he managed the prison. 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:50.679 The warden hardly showed up. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.319 I just added that, but I bet he didn't. 00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:57.079 God loved him through all of that. 00:13:58.659 --> 00:14:01.360 God gave him direction, led his path, 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:03.959 prepared him for the monumental task, 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:07.379 but it never would have happened 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:09.039 the way we're reading about it happening 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:11.019 if God hadn't spent, listen to me, 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:13.740 more than a dozen years training the man 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:15.659 for the position that he was gonna be in. 00:14:15.959 --> 00:14:18.319 It was all about God's timing, 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.100 and it was perfect. 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:23.800 And you know what? 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.779 It always is. 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:29.000 It's seldom understood. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:33.519 I like to say God throws curveballs. 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:35.100 You don't know where it's gonna land. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:40.580 But when God's at work, 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.680 it's about his timing. 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.860 Not only that, but when God's at work, 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:49.560 it also happens for God's glory. 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.659 Pharaoh sent for Joseph, 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.820 and he said, 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:58.800 I've heard it said that you, 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.820 and Joseph went, uh-uh. 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:04.000 No, no, you got that wrong. 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:07.220 It's not me. 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:13.800 God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer. 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:15.419 And when he means favorable, 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:17.120 he don't mean the one you wanna hear. 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.559 He'll give you the answer 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:21.519 that's true about your dreams. 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:23.959 And when Pharaoh shared the dream, 00:15:24.099 --> 00:15:26.859 Joseph said, God has revealed to you. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:31.019 And later, Joseph said, God has shown you. 00:15:31.859 --> 00:15:34.539 And then later, he said, it's fixed by God. 00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:38.439 And then he said, and God will soon make it happen. 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:41.339 Every time Joseph opened his mouth, 00:15:41.339 --> 00:15:43.500 he said, God did this. 00:15:43.799 --> 00:15:44.879 God will do this. 00:15:45.319 --> 00:15:46.419 God will take care of this. 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.379 It's all about God. 00:15:48.719 --> 00:15:49.740 It's not me. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.719 It's God. 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:53.500 And it was God 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.919 that always got the glory. 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:59.139 Why was Joseph used 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.839 in such a powerful way by the Lord? 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:03.179 Because he lived right, 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:05.039 and he gave the glory to God. 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:09.240 That has a powerful effect. 00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:11.419 I want you to notice something. 00:16:11.819 --> 00:16:13.299 When Joseph said he needed, 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.019 excuse me, 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:18.500 when Pharaoh said he needed a discerning man, 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.419 excuse me, 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:21.379 Joseph said, I need a, 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.000 you need a, 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.299 let me get this right. 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.939 Y'all got me teed up. 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:28.419 Joseph said, 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:31.860 Pharaoh, you're gonna need a discerning man 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:34.019 to manage all this. 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.019 And Pharaoh, 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:39.240 Pharaoh, 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:43.220 the leader of the most pagan nation 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.060 in all the world, 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:47.360 looked at his men and said, 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:48.620 can we find a man like this 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:50.320 in whom the spirit of God? 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:54.360 And then he answers his own question 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.759 because remember the magician going, 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:55.960 oh. 00:16:55.960 --> 00:17:00.400 Pharaoh said to Joseph, 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.120 since God, 00:17:02.780 --> 00:17:05.519 I don't want you to miss out. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:10.079 Since God has shown you all this, 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:14.100 there's none so discerning and wise as you. 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:18.100 Pharaoh 00:17:18.100 --> 00:17:21.960 gave God the glory. 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:23.779 Why? 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:25.380 Because a believer said, 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:28.400 let me tell you how this is gonna work out. 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.620 It's gonna be God. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.539 It was in God's timing. 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.759 It was for God's glory. 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.059 Not only that, 00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:42.980 but when God's at work, 00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:45.559 it's about God's message. 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:50.960 Joseph was not really a dream master. 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.740 He really wasn't. 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:55.359 He was in fact, 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:57.120 someone that walked with God 00:17:57.120 --> 00:18:00.299 and that God spoke through, 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:03.559 God spoke to him through dreams 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:07.299 and that God used to help fellow dreamers. 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:11.039 He knew what his own dreams meant. 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:15.180 Even though it would take years to fulfill, 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:18.400 he knew what fellow prisoners' dreams were 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:20.400 because God used to be 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:22.500 to put Joseph in the palace of Pharaoh 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:25.800 after waiting what looked like too long 00:18:25.800 --> 00:18:28.200 for the opportunity to share what he knew. 00:18:31.800 --> 00:18:32.440 At least, 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:35.259 it sure didn't feel like it was too long. 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:38.120 As I said, 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.640 it was in fact perfect timing. 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.019 And then he knew immediately 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.940 the dream of Pharaoh. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:45.340 And I don't want you to miss that 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:48.100 because it's easy to just gloss over this right here, okay? 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:50.240 He heard the dream of Pharaoh. 00:18:50.360 --> 00:18:53.900 He had no premonitions about what that dream would be. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.480 He heard the dreams of Pharaoh. 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:57.039 Pharaoh gave it to him. 00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:58.700 And then what did Joseph say? 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:00.220 That's interesting dreams. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.720 Let me go pray about this. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:05.740 There's no evidence in scripture of that. 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.720 Well, give me a minute. 00:19:07.820 --> 00:19:08.840 Let me ponder on this. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.900 There's no evidence of that at all. 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:14.860 He didn't take a few days to figure this out. 00:19:15.340 --> 00:19:16.019 Not only that, 00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:17.759 listen, 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:20.420 he had been through 13 years of ups and downs 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.640 to get him to this moment 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.960 and God was all over. 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:25.759 It was all God 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:28.280 that gave him everything he needed. 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:30.800 It reminds me of what Jesus told the disciples 00:19:30.800 --> 00:19:33.460 when he told them to go share the gospel 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:36.340 and face whatever may come. 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:38.700 And this is what he said in Luke 12, 11 and 12. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.320 He said, 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:41.399 and when they bring you before the synagogues 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:42.879 and the rulers and the authorities, 00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:46.319 don't be anxious about how you should defend yourself 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:48.559 or listen to me, folks. 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:51.079 Don't be anxious about what you should say 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:53.599 for the Holy Spirit will teach you 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:57.279 in that very hour 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:59.059 what you ought to say. 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:04.879 It might be at the last second. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.279 I have spoke words to people 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.740 that I didn't know what they were going to be 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:11.099 until I was hearing myself say it, my friend. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:14.480 But God will come through. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:17.539 This was not Joseph's message. 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:19.519 This was God's message. 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:22.799 And we can rest in it every time 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:24.480 when we get the opportunity 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:27.720 to speak up and be used by God. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.120 When God is at work, 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:32.360 speak of the Lord. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.420 Honor the Lord. 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.420 It's not your message. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.720 It's his. 00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:43.099 It's his message. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.799 When God's at work, 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:49.819 stick to his message. 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:55.859 Lastly, when God's at work, 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:59.299 it can make for a God-sized venture. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:03.179 I say can make 00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:05.379 because I'm not going to tell you 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.799 that every time God's at work, 00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.679 it's going to be major. 00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:09.419 It's going to change the world. 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.359 I'm not going to tell you that. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:15.359 Because he moves in the little things in life. 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:20.179 In a few moments, 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.779 somebody will close us in prayer. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:25.439 And we'll leave this room. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.799 As you leave today, 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:31.599 speak to someone. 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:38.039 You say, well, that's little, preacher. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.019 It may not be. 00:21:43.479 --> 00:21:44.799 Say a kind word. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:49.339 It's a little thing. 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:54.039 But God gets in that. 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.479 When you leave here today, 00:22:01.679 --> 00:22:02.679 invite a friend. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.219 Invite a co-worker 00:22:05.219 --> 00:22:08.579 to come to church with you. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:12.219 Tell him or her 00:22:12.219 --> 00:22:14.139 you'll meet them on the outside. 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:15.440 You'll meet them on the porch 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:17.520 and usher them in. 00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:18.960 Y'all are an intimidating bunch. 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:21.140 So meet them outside. 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.780 Usher them in. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.320 It's not a big deal. 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:29.040 It's not a big thing. 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:29.740 It's a little thing. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:35.259 But do you know what big can come from that? 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:41.400 When somebody asks you to pray for them. 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.140 Stop. 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.819 What you're doing, 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:49.299 no matter where it is, 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.620 and pray for them. 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:55.199 Let's quit telling people 00:22:55.199 --> 00:22:55.819 we'll pray for them 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:57.839 and then forget what we told people. 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.159 Be honest. 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.479 Pray for them on the spot 00:23:03.479 --> 00:23:04.559 because one thing it does 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.299 is one, 00:23:05.419 --> 00:23:06.739 it makes you one of your word, 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:08.119 but it also reminds you 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:09.519 because you've already prayed for them one time. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:11.099 It actually is a better reminder 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.919 than somebody just throwing something out to you. 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:16.340 And it's a little thing, 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:18.700 but God's all over it. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.920 He's all over it. 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:28.380 So I say that it can be a God-sized venture 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:30.060 because the reality is 00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:32.560 God works through little things. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.800 It's not always big, 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:38.119 but it can be. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.919 God's more than capable 00:23:41.919 --> 00:23:44.379 and he loves the praise of his people, 00:23:44.579 --> 00:23:47.539 so he often moves in big ways. 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.460 I'll tell you one way he moves 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.819 that I just can't get past 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:55.339 is God gave Joseph 00:23:55.339 --> 00:24:00.000 what he gave him instantaneously. 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:04.639 There was no way he could have known 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.700 and prepared 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:07.320 for a dream interpretation 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:08.220 of a dream 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.580 that he had not heard of. 00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:12.020 And not only did he interpret 00:24:12.020 --> 00:24:13.060 that dream for Pharaoh, 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:15.840 but he instantly set up 00:24:15.840 --> 00:24:16.960 an infrastructure, 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.680 a funding mechanism, 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:21.380 organized a plan for storehouses 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:24.300 and forecasted the next 14 years. 00:24:24.300 --> 00:24:26.480 That's a long range plan, 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.880 instantaneous for Pharaoh. 00:24:29.540 --> 00:24:31.340 The cities of storehouses 00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:34.000 that they built as a result of Joseph 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:36.759 can still be viewed in Egypt today 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.700 that held the grain 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:41.000 that people brought in. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:44.759 All of that is seen in the moment 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:46.940 that he interprets the dream. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.019 Friend, listen, 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:50.059 that is nothing but God. 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.759 That's just God. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:55.259 And that plan would not only change a nation, 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:58.000 it will change the known world. 00:24:58.000 --> 00:25:00.000 And Pharaoh knew it immediately. 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:04.259 That's why he put his signet ring on him. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:05.259 You know what that means? 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:09.359 Anytime Pharaoh was to sign his name to anything, 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:12.359 instead they dropped a drop of hot wax there 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:13.220 and he took his ring 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.779 and put his seal in it. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:17.420 And he took that off and said, 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:20.119 you are my power of attorney. 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:23.039 Whatever you sign, 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.979 it's on my authority. 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:30.319 Not only that, 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:34.459 but he got his glorious robe back. 00:25:36.219 --> 00:25:37.899 And man, this thing was royal. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.479 Got him a gold chain. 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:46.059 You're not bona fide unless you got a gold chain. 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:49.859 Rode in a chariot 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:53.919 with only the Pharaoh in front of him. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:01.319 When the president is riding in the beast, 00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:03.119 there's another one right behind him. 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:05.419 And if something goes wrong with that vehicle, 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.759 they'll take our president 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:08.839 and they'll put him in the next car 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.359 and keep moving on. 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:12.619 Pharaoh had two chariots. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.940 He sat in one, 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.419 Joseph sat in the other. 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.960 And when it came by, 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:20.500 people were told to bow the knee. 00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:23.360 That is the exact fulfillment 00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:25.640 of Joseph's own dream 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:27.560 that he shared with his brothers 00:26:27.560 --> 00:26:29.480 and made them so mad 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.779 that they sold him into slavery 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:32.240 and counted him as dead. 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:35.200 God was in it all the time. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:37.220 Tell me God can't do big things. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:44.420 He does God-size ventures. 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:51.060 So what in the world are you worried about? 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:58.500 What is it in your life today 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.580 that's so big 00:26:59.580 --> 00:27:02.400 you don't even know 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.700 if you want to turn it over to God? 00:27:04.580 --> 00:27:05.960 Now you won't say that out loud. 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.720 We're in a Baptist church. 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.440 You won't say that. 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:11.559 But when's the last time 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:13.039 you took that big burden in your life 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.380 and said, 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:13.620 Lord, 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:16.799 I can't control this. 00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:21.160 And you know what my heart's desire is. 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:25.120 But more important than my heart's desire 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:27.460 is what you want. 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:30.420 God, 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.620 I placed it in your hands. 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:38.100 Maybe it's been too long. 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:42.860 Maybe you've struggled with a matter too long. 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:47.879 When God's at work, 00:27:48.679 --> 00:27:50.759 it's not about our timing. 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.719 It's about his. 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:59.299 It's not about we getting up what we want. 00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:03.459 It's about God getting glory 00:28:03.459 --> 00:28:06.299 in the midst of it. 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:09.500 Well, 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.720 I don't like what's going on. 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:13.779 And I don't like the way it's going on. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.200 But praise God, 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.720 whatever I'm going to do in the midst of it, 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.379 I'm going to try to give God glory for it. 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.139 God honors that. 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.680 He honors that. 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:26.019 And it's about his message. 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:29.639 It's about his message. 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:31.279 Let's stick to his message. 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:35.680 And let's believe in God-sized ventures. 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.579 I want you to know 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:39.240 he has went before us 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:42.700 and he knows where we're going. 00:28:44.639 --> 00:28:46.980 And so what in the world are you worried about? 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:52.899 When God's at work, 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:57.259 he'll take care of it. 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:02.680 You just got to trust him. 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:08.299 And there's nothing you can trust the Lord with anymore 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:11.100 than with your own life. 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:15.960 And if you've never trusted the Lord Jesus 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:17.440 as your personal Lord and Savior, 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:21.680 Scripture tells us that if you'll admit 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:23.320 that you've sinned against God, 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:25.039 that you've wronged him, 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:26.380 that you've disappointed him, 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:28.860 and you'll ask God to forgive you 00:29:28.860 --> 00:29:29.840 and to cleanse you 00:29:29.840 --> 00:29:31.060 and to come into your life 00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:32.020 and change you, 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:34.320 that he'll meet you where you are 00:29:34.320 --> 00:29:36.120 and he'll save your life 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:37.580 both now and for eternity. 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:40.480 And if you've never done that, 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.240 I'd like to share with you 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.360 how to do that personally. 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.340 Maybe you have done that, 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.580 but it's a private decision. 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:49.720 You've never shared that publicly with anybody. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:52.819 And the reality is, 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.700 by Jesus' example and by his commission, 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:56.839 he tells us that we ought to acknowledge 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:58.579 that publicly through baptism. 00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:00.120 And if you've never done that, 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:02.720 I encourage you to obey God with that. 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:08.920 Baptism does not seal your salvation. 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:11.779 Your salvation is only in the cross of Christ 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:13.059 and your surrender to the Lord. 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.660 Baptism is telling other people 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.980 in obedience to God 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:18.559 what he's already done in your life. 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:22.960 And until you do that, 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:24.139 it'll be a hindrance in your life. 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.779 And when you do that, 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.039 it'll be a great blessing in your life. 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:28.539 It'll be a blessing in other people's lives. 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:30.700 I'm seeing it again and again, folks, 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:32.099 in a live time 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:34.539 that when somebody obeys God in that way, 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.819 somebody else follows. 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:38.099 And it's just like a domino effect 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.639 of how God moves in that 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:41.839 to just be obedient. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.839 God's blessing First Baptist Church. 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:48.279 He's drawing people to this church. 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:50.299 And if you feel led to be a part of this church, 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.899 I encourage you to come. 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.740 I'd love to share with you what that means. 00:30:58.139 --> 00:30:58.920 But folks, 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:03.500 for all of us, 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:07.639 what in the world's going on in your life 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:16.500 that you want God to work in 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:20.660 the way only God can do it, 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:23.780 whatever it is, 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:25.900 hand it to Him. 00:31:27.580 --> 00:31:28.640 Trust His timing. 00:31:30.080 --> 00:31:31.980 Give Him glory in the midst of it. 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:35.019 stick to His message 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:36.799 and trust Him. 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.819 Trust Him. 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.380 He can handle it. 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.860 Lord Jesus, I love you. 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.960 I thank you for the example 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:47.779 that you give us in Joseph, dear God. 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:51.460 I pray, God, that you'll help us 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:54.039 to trust you in all of our life 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:56.599 with all of our matters, Father. 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:59.599 In Jesus' precious name, 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:00.619 Amen.