The Life of Joseph || Message FIVE || "WALKING IN TO MY PURPOSE"

A Detour still get us where were going

A Delay is not a Denial

Deliverance comes when we are faithful to God in our Purpose.

God is on time - Every time.

You are positioned for your purpose.

Joseph has been through ups and downs and not things are beginning to change for ole Joe.

Joseph was quick to tell every person he dealt with that it was NOT his own ability - BUT GOD.

We all need to hear that!

It is NOT me - It is not about me, It is all about God and His will.

Acts 17:28 CSB

28 For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’

My Light (my being) shines for GOD so that others will see my good works (how I handle life) and give glory to the Father.

Matthew 5:16 CSB

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Many had seen the good works of Joseph and Jospeh had certainly shown his faith in knowing that God would make a way. Now - Joseph is going to begin to reap the harvest that he has sown. Joseph is aligned with his purpose, giving God glory for all that He has done for him, and recognizing God as the sole provider and sustainer of Josephs abilities.

God’s Word:

Genesis 41:17–37 CSB

17 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18 when seven well-fed, healthy-looking cows came up from the Nile and grazed among the reeds. 19 After them, seven other cows—weak, very sickly, and thin—came up. I’ve never seen such sickly ones as these in all the land of Egypt. 20 Then the thin, sickly cows ate the first seven well-fed cows. 21 When they had devoured them, you could not tell that they had devoured them; their appearance was as bad as it had been before. Then I woke up. 22 In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, coming up on one stalk. 23 After them, seven heads of grain—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind—sprouted up. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good ones. I told this to the magicians, but no one can tell me what it means.” 25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years. The dreams mean the same thing. 27 The seven thin, sickly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind are seven years of famine. 28 “It is just as I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt. 30 After them, seven years of famine will take place, and all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. The famine will devastate the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered because of the famine that follows it, for the famine will be very severe. 32 Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the matter has been determined by God, and he will carry it out soon. 33 “So now, let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this: Let him appoint overseers over the land and take a fifth of the harvest of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 Let them gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming. Under Pharaoh’s authority, store the grain in the cities, so they may preserve it as food. 36 The food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine that will take place in the land of Egypt. Then the country will not be wiped out by the famine.” 37 The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants,

Walking into Your Purpose.

Every believer has aPURPOSE.

Everything has a purpose. Just thing about walking in to you kitchen. You see the toaster - to toast up up bread, you see the stove and oven on which you cook your meals, you see the microwave for heating up, you see the refrigerator and freezer when things are placed to stay cool. You would not go to the oven and expect to pull out cold juice, or you would not put something in the freezer to bake it - why that is NOT their purpose. They have distinct purposes, a task in which they were designed to do.

Likewise - we have a distinct purpose to which God has called us.

(Eph 2:10) We are His WORKMANSHIP - He designed us, formed us, gave us life, and in God alone we find our purpose

Genesis 41:16 CSB

16 “I am not able to,” Joseph answered Pharaoh. “It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

God will not share His GLORY with anyone, at anytime, for any reason.

Isaiah 42:8 CSB

8 I am the Lord. That is my name, and I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.

VS 17-24 : Pharoah tried everything else - the magicians, (wise-men) from all over Egypt but they failed NOW He is in front of God’s appointed man - with this appointed purpose. You see a new detail in VS.21 - the skinny cows did not change after they consumed the fat cows - they remained the same size.

VS. 25-32: Joseph is walking right in to his purpose in - Joseph explained the dreams to Pharaoh - telling him how famine would come. 7 good years, followed by 7 years of famine.

All about the number 7. the number 7 is identified with something being “finished” or “complete.” From then on, that association continues, as 7 is often found in contexts involving completeness or divine perfection. So we see the command for animals to be at least seven days old before being used for sacrifice (Exodus 22:30), the command for leprous Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River seven times to effect complete cleansing (2 Kings 5:10), and the command for Joshua to march around Jericho for seven days (and on the seventh day to make seven circuits) and for seven priests to blow seven trumpets outside the city walls (Joshua 6:3–4). In these instances, 7 signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled. Interestingly, man was created on the sixth day of creation. In some passages of the Bible, the number 6 is associated with mankind. In Revelation “the number of the beast” is called “the number of a man.” That number is 666 (Revelation 13:18). If God’s number is 7, then man’s is 6.

Six always falls short of seven, just like “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Man is not God, just as 6 is not 7

PUT YOUR SHOES ON - IT’S TIME TO WALK IN YOUR PURPOSE.

Do not fail to recognize when God is calling you in to your purpose.

Your purpose may follow many delay, many detours, many heartaches and heartbreaks - BUT GOD is faithful and He has a purpose for you.

and you have to be ready to walk in your purpose!

Are You Ready?

Now Joseph has explained the dream to Pharaoh and not only is Joseph able to tell Pharaoh what the dreams mean - Joseph is going to give Pharaoh pointers.

VS. 33-37 - Joseph tells Pharaoh to appoint someone to oversee the preparation for the famine. (Get Ready)

Knowing Your Purpose Brings Reward.

We have a little dog that we rescued from under a house about 10 years ago - and let me tell you she knows one thing - if she fulfills her purpose - sit, stay, be quiet, sit and wait, etc. (what is expected of her) sometimes she has to wait long hours at home, especially on Sunday but she knows no matter what- she will be rewarded with a treat for her patience.

In much the same way - we have a purpose given to us by God - it is what HE expects us to do. When we are faithful and trust the faithfulness of God - he often rewards us as well. God is Faithful.

Genesis 41:38–46 CSB

38 and he said to them, “Can we find anyone like this, a man who has God’s spirit in him?” 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are. 40 You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only I, as king, will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “See, I am placing you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, clothed him with fine linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, and servants called out before him, “Make way!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh and no one will be able to raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt without your permission.” 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah and gave him a wife, Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest at On. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt.

13 years passed before Joseph stepped into his purpose. and he still had some difficult things ahead of him.

He was 17 when sold into slavery - 13 years later He’s about to run the country.

DO NOT ALLOW TIME CAUSE YOU TO WAIVER FROM GOD’S PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE.

Jospeh has not only proven Himself to Pharaoh = Jospeh has proven His God.

God is always faithful to the purpose he has given you. We must learn that not everything/everyone is our ASSIGNMENT

Joseph was faith to what God was calling HIM too. Joseph was patient, and waited on God. He knew God had the plan.

Things and people came across Joseph that were NOT his assignment. GOD worked them out.

There will be events, delays, detours, and people that come our way and we need to learn the SPIRITUAL ART of DISCERNMENT to to know our God given purpose

VS 38-46: Pharaoh starts looking - where can I find such a person to over see these preparations? - HELLO! Right in front of you!

VS 39-45: Pharaoh appoints Joseph to this position.

“SINCE GOD” - Even Pharaoh had to acknowledge God. (39) All will one day fall to their knees and proclaim Jesus the king of kings and Lord of lord. One way or the other - GOD WILL BE PRAISED.

JOSEPH:

Got a ring - the Signet - Power. It was the seal.

Got clothed in Fine Linen Garments

A Gold Chain around his neck.

The authority to rule the whole of Egypt.

A name change & a blessing.

THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT:

THE RING - we are sealed by the spirit at the time of our salvation. We are now operating in the spiritual realm on behalf of King Jesus. Eph 1:13

Ephesians 1:13 CSB

13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.

The Fine Linen Garments

Zechariah 3:4 CSB

4 So the angel of the Lord spoke to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.”

When Jesus gave himself for you, he clothed you in Righteousness! You are dressed in the finest of robes! Don't put on your rags again! Let him dress you and fill you with this promise, for he truly is gracious and compassionate, abounding in love and faithfulness.

The Gold Chain - Authority

Matthew 28:18–20 CSB

18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The authority of the one who sent us goes with us. We need not fear.

NEW NAME - Change in Identity. (the spiritual side)

Isaiah 62:2 NKJV

2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.

When you come to the Lord he changes your WHOLE identity. You go from lost to found, from blind to seeing, and from darkness to light. Your name is added to the Lamb’s Book of Life with all of the redeemed throughout the ages.

Now you belong to the KING - you are A CHILD OF THE KING.

I was once a sinner, but I came Pardon to receive from my Lord. This was freely given, and I found That He always kept His word.

Chorus: There's a new name Written down in glory, And it's mine, oh yes, it's mine! And the white-robed Angels sing the story, "A sinner has come home." For there's a new name written down in glory, And it's mine, oh yes, it's mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven, Nevermore to roam.

In the Book 'tis written, "Saved by grace." Oh, the joy that came to my soul! Now I am forgiven, and I know By the blood I am made whole.

In a single day Jospeh went from the PIT to the PALACE.

JOSEPH WALKED IN TO HIS PURPOSE KNOWING GOD HAD LED HIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. IS GOD LEADING YOU?

JOSEPH WAS PATIENT WHILE IN THE PIT, PATIENT AS A SLAVE, PATIENT IN PRISON - PATIENCE ALWAYS BRINGS A REWARD.

Galatians 6:9 CSB

9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

YOUR PURPOSE WILL BE REVEALED IN GOD’S TIME. IN THE MEAN TIME - STAY FAITHFUL AND KEEP PRAYING.

TODAY YOU MIGHT NEED A CHANGE OF IDENTITY. IT’S YOURS - ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS ASK.

Romans 10:13 NKJV

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 3:23 NKJV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 NKJV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

DO NOT PUT THIS OFF ANOTHER DAY.

TOGETHER.

GOD HAS GIVEN ME A PURPOSE.

I WILL TRUST GOD

WALKING IN MY PURPOSE BRINGS REWARDS

I WILL STAY FAITHFUL AND KEEP PRAYING.