THE POWER TEST
Genesis 41:33-49

INTRODUCTION: Every blood bought son and daughter of God has a God given dream. The
tests God gives us either moves us forward toward our God given destiny or retards our God
given destiny. John 10:10-11. Without fulfilling your God given dream, you will honestly feel
that without it your life will never be feel complete. All of our God given dreams only give us a
few details of what our God would like to accomplish through our lives for His glory.

I. FORGOTTEN BY MAN BUT NOT BY GOD!

When Joseph was in prison two of Pharaoh’s officials had a dream and Joseph correctly
interpreted them. Joseph asked the chief cup bearer not to forget him but he did:
Genesis 40:20-23. For two full years Joseph was in jail and forgotten: Genesis 41:1.
Genesis 41:8-9. If others forget you, don’t get discouraged; God never forgets His own!
Isaiah 40:31; Genesis 41:14; Genesis 41:33-38. Both Potiphar and Pharaoh confessed the
obvious hand of God on Joseph. Matthew 5:13-16: Joseph was salty and allowed God’s light to
shine through him. Genesis 41:39-43. Did you ever notice that the same gifts given to Joseph
were given to the Prodigal son when he came to his senses? Luke 15:22-24. Do you see it! Do
you want the privileges and the authority of your God given dream to come into your life?
Ephesians 3:14-21.

II. HOW DO WE RESPOND WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES?

Up to this point we have been talking about how we should respond when we are tested by
the bad things happen in our lives. Now in The Power Test we are going to learn how to
properly respond to the testing when good things happen in our lives. This is the test of how
we respond when God gives us power in our lives. When our God given dream is fulfilled we
will be given The Power Test. Joseph came into his destiny quickly! Genesis 41:14. Joseph
went from the prison to the palace in one day! The preparation had taken thirteen years but
suddenly one morning everything in Joseph’s life changed. Now we come into The Power Test
were our pride is really tested: Proverbs 27:21.

III. WHERE DOES POWER COME FROM?

Psalm 62:11-12. Even those who to us seem to misuse their power got that power from
God: John 19:10-11. We must learn to respond properly to our God given success: that is The
Power Test. In our hearts today is their genuine humility that truly seeks the glory of God?
John 15:4-5. We are co-laborers with our Lord. We all have some power given to us. More
power comes from responsibility fulfilled: Matthew 25:23. A desire for God given power is not
wrong: Genesis 1:26-31. Our Lord Jesus said: Matthew 28:18-20. Good use of our God given
power focuses on God’s plan for our lives. Bad use of God given power focuses on how to get
the most personal pleasure from my God given power. 1 Peter 4:10-11.

IV. HOW DO WE GET POWER FROM GOD?

Since God is all powerful and since all our power comes from God, how can we tap into
God’s power for His glory and for the blessings of others as well as ourselves? James 4:10;
1 Peter 5:5-6. Our God gives humble people His power for everyone’s good: Isaiah 66:2;
Numbers 12:3. Moses was powerful because he was humble and God lifted him up. We need
to learn to keep trusting our Lord and to give Him the glory due His Name: Genesis 41:15-16.

V. WHY DOES POWER COME TO US?

Power comes from God. How do we get God’s power in our lives? By humbling ourselves
under God’s mighty hand. Acts 10:34-38. Why does God’s power come to us? So we can help
the people of God and glorify our God Who has given us His power. Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
God created us to be channels of His power to others. Ephesians 2:8-10. The Power Test is a
test of servanthood. It is a test of what will we do with the power our Lord Jesus Christ places
into our hands. Matthew 23:8-12. God’s definition of power is service. Matthew 20:25-28.