“God knows what He is doing, even when we don’t.” — Pastor Nic Sy
Sermon #4: Detours & Deliverance
Sermon Series: God Meant It For Good
Scripture Text: Genesis 41
Sermon Notes:
GENESIS 41:25-37 NIV
25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine. 28 It is just as I said to 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 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. 33 And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” 37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.
“What a fool I have been. God is not dead. He lives forever. But I have acted as if he were.” — Martin Luther
“You and I must come to terms with the fact that GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING EVEN WHEN WE DONT.”
“In Scripture, the rags-to-riches story isn’t about the riches at all, but about the God who humbles and exalts.”
“God knows what he is doing, even when we don’t.”
GENESIS 41:8 NIV
In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
3 Lessons:
Lesson 1: Joseph’s Mindset
GENESIS 41:16 NIV
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
GENESIS 41:25 NIV
Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.
GENESIS 41:28 NIV
It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.
GENESIS 41:32 NIV
32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
GENESIS 39:9b NIV
“…How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
GENESIS 40:8b NIV
“…Do not interpretations belong to God?…”
“You don’t need fewer problems. You need more God.”
Lesson 2: Joseph’s Perspective.
Genesis 41:16 NIV
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
GENESIS 21:19 NIV
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
“Truth is, we all view life with a keyhole perspective unless God opens our eyes.”
Lesson 3: Joseph’s Conviction.
GENESIS 41:32 NIV
The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
“Why are we so anxious? Aren’t we convinced that God is incharge and He has something good in His mind?”
GENESIS 50:20b ESV
"…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,…”
“Joseph knew that God is in charge and more than that Joseph knew the God who is in charge.”
PRO NOBIS: Latin meaning “for us”
ROMANS 8:31-32 NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
“When life is uncertain, don’t ever forget that God is pro nobis. He is for us and He knows what he is doing, even when we don’t.” – Ptr Nic Sy