Sermon Outline

Prepared by

Joseph P, Metoyer, Jr., Ph.D.

 Pastor/Teacher

February 25, 2001

Text:  Genesis 40:23-41:40

Subject:  Series “From the Pit to the Palace”

(Message # 3) The Pain of Patience

Introduction:  “One of the difficult moments in life is to be patient when we want something to happen and we can’t do anything about it – except wait!  Unfortunately, life is filled with these moments.  It’s a reality of life.”[1]  The pain that accompanies patience intensifies even more when we find ourselves in a position of being misunderstood and maligned – and we are unable to defend ourselves without creating more misunderstanding.

I.                   Learning to wait patiently strengths our confidence in God without reducing the self-confidence we need to function in life.

We need to ask ourselves, how can I use this experience to develop my confidence and faith in God?  God says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

A.     We must understand that troubles come our way because our faith requires testing.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:1-3).

B.     When we wait patently our confidence in God is strengthened but we do not loose the self-confidence we need to function in life.  When Joseph had been patient his confidence in God was strengthened  (Gen. 41:16) “So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, it is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

II.                Waiting often allows time for us to develop true character and to reflect that character to others.

We need to ask ourselves, is God using this experience to develop and reveal my character?  God says, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).

A.     Look at the character Joseph developed; Tempted to be bitter, immoral, and proud, he never let down his guard.

B.     How true in the Christian’s life!  There are things we cannot learn apart from waiting, and often that period of waiting must be in the context of adversity.

C.     Most important as we learn and develop that character it is reflected to others.

III.             A period of waiting often creates opportunities for advancement that may not happen otherwise.

We need to ask ourselves, Is God using this experience to provide an opportunity to use me sometime in the future far more than He could at the present time?  God says, and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

A.     The principle of waiting is not an excuse for inactivity, laziness, or indecisiveness.  Joseph never rationalized his circumstances.

B.       Joseph told the King, (41:33) “Let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.”  He took that step only when he knew in his heart that God’s red light had turned green. 

IV.              A period of difficulty and pain helps us develop wisdom we otherwise might not have.

We need to ask ourselves, Is God using this experience to help us develop wisdom that will enable us to fill a role far beyond our own capabilities at the present time?  God says, “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort” (II Cor. 1:6-7).

A.     At the age of 17 Joseph was naïve and tended to be prideful.  Somehow he thought his brothers should have understood his dreams – that they would someday bow down to him.  But 13 years later, he was able to respond to Pharaoh with great wisdom and humility that was far beyond his years.

B.     And so it is with our own Christian lives.  If we can see adversity, even false accusations and false treatment as an opportunity for growth, it can enable us to develop wisdom and judgment far beyond our own years.

Application:  “Men and women of God who are forced to live in circumstances that are totally beyond their control emerge knowing more than ever before that, without God, they can do nothing.  Their faith, though ‘refined by fire’, comes forth like gold.  It’s “proved genuine” (I Peter 1:7).  At the same time their self -confidence develops but is focused in Jesus Christ.  With Paul they can say, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).”[2]

Joseph is a type of Christ:  I believe that our supreme example of the “Pain of Patience” is our Savior Jesus Christ.  “I have a story to tell to nations:  Every man has a date with destiny, a rendezvous with death and an appointment with God!  I have a message to fallen men.  It is a message about a King, about a birth in Bethlehem.  It concerns agony in a Garden; a trial before Pilate.  It is a story of a thorn-crowned brow, nail-pierced hands and a wounded side.  It is a record of a tragic Friday afternoon, a gloomy Saturday and a victorious Sunday morning!

Though she was blinded at six weeks of age through improper medical treatment, she lived to 95 years young and wrote more than 8, 000 gospel songs in her life time, Fanny Crosby, wrote with confidence:

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!  Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight!  Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, and whispers of love.

Perfect submission – all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blest; watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Chorus:  This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.”

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