Passing the Power Test

Dream to Destiny

Week 7

Passing the Power Test

Robert Morris

The Pride Test (How do you respond to the dream) The Pit Test (Satan attacks us and even fabricates evidence) The Palace Test (The test of stewardship) The Purity Test (The test of moral purity) The Prison Test (The right thing and the wrong consequences) The Prophetic Test (God’s word is the ultimate test)

I don’t say vote your conscience. (God’s Word)

• It doesn’t matter what you think is right or wrong

• Vote Biblical Principles! It matters what God says! (Midterms)

Today is The Power Test! All of us will take it!

• How do you respond when you get step into your destiny?

• How do you respond when you get some power?

Genesis 41:8

Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.

Genesis 41:9

Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: "I remember my faults this day.”

Genesis 41:14

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.

Genesis 41:37

So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.

Genesis 41:38

And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Genesis 41:39

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

Genesis 41:40

You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Genesis 41:41

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 41:42

Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

Genesis 41:43

And he had him ride in the second chariot, which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:44

Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

The Prison test was how we respond when bad things happen • The Power Test is how we respond when good things happen.

• The Pride Test is how we respond to the dream!

• The Power Test is how we respond to the destiny!

If a person gets prideful over just the Dream, •What will he do when the Destiny comes?

How do we handle success, power, and authority?

• You will be tested by success, even if it’s just a little success!

Are we grateful just to get a certain job, but then after we get it,

• Do we begin to feel like they’re the lucky ones to have us!

The Power test comes overnight (quickly)!

• You wake up in the prison one morning and something happens

So that you wake up in the palace the next day!

• He hasn’t fulfilled his destiny yet! He’s only started!

Many people have a servant’s heart until they’re promoted.

• Some people even serve to get promoted

• So they won’t have to serve anymore but will be served!

It’s like the guy that is a great servant and helps park cars?

• So you ask him to oversee the parking lot and the next week,

He shows up with a uniform, a whistle, a bullhorn,

• And a flashlight that looks like it belongs in a Star Wars movie!

1. From where does power come?

Psalm 62:11

God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God.

John 19:10

Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and powerto release You?”

John 19:11

Jesus answered, “You could have no powerat all against Me unless it had been given you from above.”

All power comes from God!

• There must come in us a recognition that even though •We have worked hard, promotion comes from the Lord!

• Blessing comes from God’s hand!

The Power Test speaks of how we respond to success!

• Can we work hard and give God the glory?

I’m not talking about false humility!

• Steve Green responded once with, “Well, it was all God”

• And the guy said, “Well, it wasn’t that good!”

Where did we get the desire for power? (Ben Cartwright)

• We were created in the image of an all-powerful God!

• We actually have a God-given righteous desire for power!

• God uses His power for good!

There is a wrong desire in us for power and a right desire!

• The wrong desire for power focuses on us (self)!

• The right desire for power focuses on others!

Watch how children talk to their dolls! (Elaine – crayons in front of them)

• Watch the youngest child talks to the dog. (demonized, Alzheimers)

• She finally has someone to boss around! (Glacier – no squirrels)

2. To whom does power come?

James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives graceto the humble.”

1 Peter 5:6

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

Power comes as a result of humility!

• God resists or opposes the proud. (Novice to Expert in one day)

• We’re scared to death and then get prideful!

• My friend knew everything about prophecy after his first time!

Genesis 41:15

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”

Genesis 41:16

So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Joseph was a prime candidate for pride.

• He was handsome, intelligent and had great ability.

• He even had the confirmation of God on his life.

Joseph was exalted because he humbled himself before God!

• It doesn’t say act humble and put on a show so you will be promoted!

• Joseph was able to handle wealth and authority at 30 years old!

Pride is always unattractive! Humility is always attractive!

• If a person has been successful but he’s prideful, isn’t that repulsive?

• When a person has had success and is humble, isn’t that attractive?

If a person hasn’t had any success, and yet they are prideful, doesn’t that look so foolish?

• Pride and power look awful together!

• Humility and power look beautiful together!

Pride always looks foolish. (Ford Fairlane and Lizard skin shoes)

• I was proud of some shoes one time and

• I forgot to roll my pants legs down after I got them shined!

3. Why does power come?

Acts 10:38

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Power is given to help people! God was preparing Joseph to serve. • God didn’t put Joseph in this place for Joseph’s sake!

•He put him there for the sake of many people!

Deuteronomy 8:17

“then you say in your heart, ‘My powerand the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

Deuteronomy 8:18

And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

God has all the wealth and power of the world and he is looking for humble servants that He can channel it through!

• God owns it all even Mars! He’s looking for distributors!

• Supply and Demand: You’re the Distributor!

God created us with a desire for power and when we understand what’s its for, He can give it to us!

• When our desire is to have influence and authority to help people,

• The floodgates of heaven open!

The world’s definition of power is for self!

• God’s definition of power is for others!

This missionary asked for prayer for her husband’s Visa

• Jose was the Minister of Immigration! Jose said,

• “I will not run into any problems! I will take care of it!”

God wants to say to you today!

• “I will not run into any problems! I will take care of it!”

New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 b