So Now What? Part 2

June 11 & 12, 2011

Sermon Title: So Now What? Pt. 2
Sermon Text: Gen 40:1-8

4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. 6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
Life is not always fair. It doesn't give you a warning when something is about to happen. Everyone has dreams. No matter how small or large your dreams may be, there is always someone or something waiting to disrupt your dream. In order for your dream to become reality you must go through some things.

Point 1: Remember your journey is a journey. Stop asking “are we there yet?” (Gen 40: 14-15)
14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

Despite your best laid plans, life happens. You got into a fight with circumstances. Something forcibly took over: employment, drugs, relationships, etc. Life is a journey, not a destination. If you look at a map, there aren’t many roads that are straight. Most have several twists and turns just like life.
Remember:
1. Get better NOT bitter. Know that what you’re going through is here to grow you and make you better.
2. Turn your pressure into passion.
3. Turn the manure into maturity. Manure grows the best plants. Allow your current situation to grow you.
4. Time is not eternity. Know that your problems have an expiration date.
5. Reflection is for projection. You cannot change the past. Reflect on it but project yourself into the future.

Point 2: Revelation without interpretation is stupefaction (Gen 40: 8, 16, 22)
8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” 16 When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets of bread. 22 but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.

Because the prisoners did not understand their dreams they were stupefied. Just because you have a dream from God doesn’t mean you know what to do with it. You can interpret the events of life in several ways; however, it is important to interpret them correctly. If they are not interpreted correctly, God will have to repeat himself.
How to get an interpretation:
1. Go to God.
2. Go to the word.
3. Go to the man of God (Jeremiah 3:15).
4. Go to your knees-PRAY.
5. Go to a quiet place.

Point 3: Restoration is just around the corner. (Gen 40: 14, 23; 41: 39-40)
14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Do not depend on man; depend on God to restore you. Just as Joseph was restored, you too will be restored. God will restore what the enemy has taken from you.
While waiting for restoration:
1. Hone your skills.
2. Do not harbor grudges.
3. Keep your head up.
4. Remain hopeful.
5. Remain helpful.