THE PALACE TEST!

Genesis 39:1-23

INTRODUCTION: We are studying the life of Joseph and then tests that Joseph had to pass in order to go from his God given dream to his God given destiny. We all have a God given dream but we do not all come into our God given destiny because we do not pass the tests God puts into our lives to mature our character: Ephesians 2:8-10.

I. THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH!

In all of Joseph’s testing, the Bible tells us that God was with him: Genesis 39:1-2. That particular phrase: “The LORD was with Joseph” is found many times in the Bible and not just about Joseph. Genesis 39:2-6. We think “When we pass a test of the LORD no more testing is needed, but that is not what we see in Joseph’s life: Genesis 39:23. Why is Joseph in prison? Because he would not have sex with his master’s wife. How would you like for the Lord to bless you wherever you are and whatever you do? In order for that to happen you must pass the Palace Test. The Palace Test is a test of stewardship. 1 Corinthians 4:7: How are you stewarding the things God has placed into your hands? Psalm 90:12: So what does it mean to be a good steward?

II. THE KEY TO PROSPERING IS THE PRESENSE OF THE LORD!

We saw in Joseph’s life that “The LORD was with Joseph and everything he did prospered!” Do you understand that if God is with you in your stewardship you cannot fail? Our God never fails. We are not talking about the prosperity doctrine. God never promised us riches or fame. But He has promised to prosper our lives as we faithfully follow after our God’s plans for our lives. Genesis 26:12-13; Deuteronomy 29:9; 2 Kings 18:5-7; 3 John 1:2. The key to prospering in your stewardship is the presence of the Lord in your heart and your obedience to His stewardship for your life. 2 Chronicles 17:3; 1 Samuel 18:12-16. Why had God left Saul? Because he did not see himself as a steward of God. Why was God with David? Because David saw himself as a steward of God. Isaiah 1:18-20. God works in us in order for us will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose: Philippians 2:12-13; Deuteronomy 11:26-28. Why was our Lord Jesus’ ministry so successful? John 6:35-40; Hebrews 5:7-10. How will you be successful in your life in God’s eyes? James 1:12. We don’t need to obey all the commands of God to be saved. We are saved by faith not by works: Ephesians 2:8-10. But if we desire God’s blessings on our lives, our stewardship, we must be obedient to Him. So the key to the presence of the Lord in our hearts and lives is obedience to our Lord: Genesis 4:16; Proverbs 28:13-14.

III. THE KEY TO OBEDIENCE IS FAITH!

Why does anyone obey the Lord? Because they believe by faith that the Lord always prosper those who choose to obey Him. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. People obey the Lord because by faith they believe God’s promise that you will always reap what you sow. Ephesians 6:1-3. If we believe God we will obey Him. Hebrews 3:12-4:2.

IV. THE KEY TO FAITH IS HEARING THE WORD OF CHRIST!

Romans 10:17: Faith in God’s Word produces works not the other way around. James 1:22-25. So if you want to have the Lord blessings on your stewardship get into His Word. Memorize it and study it and put it into practice in your life and watch God bless you. Are you actively pursuing God and obeying His commands today or are you chasing after worldly prosperity and disobeying God’s will for your life? Sadly many will fail the Palace Test over and over and not move into their God given destiny.