Never ForgetGenesis 41

Not Just a Dream

Prime Minister

The Gift of Forgetting

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Not Just a Dream The God of all circumstances

God gives these dreams to Pharaoh – Prov. 21:1. Rosetta stone – birthdays

Joseph and Joseph’s God Court magicians and philosophers could not

interpret the dreams – God did not allow it! The cupbearer suddenly remembers. Joseph gives God all the credit. Joseph gives the qualifications for this leader.

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Not Just a Dream Pharaoh and Joseph’s God

Pharaoh appoints Joseph as Prime Minister. One day from prison to Prime Minister Pharaoh sees Joseph as “discerning and wise.” Pharaoh sees Joseph as one “in whom is the

spirit of God” – v.38. Pharaoh even recognizes God as the source. Joseph had good character and the origin of

that character was God.

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Prime Minister The secret of character The secret of power is character! The secret of character is God! In adversity, Joseph looks to God to find

strength to triumph. In prosperity, Joseph continues to keep his

eyes on God.

Joseph never forgets God! v.51-52

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Prime Minister A type of Christ

Rejected by his brothers Sold for 20 pieces of silver Handed over to Gentiles Cast into prison Two malefactors in prison/cross Saves the world “Savior of the world”; “Revealer of secrets”;

“Abundance of Life”; “God’s Word speaking life”

“God speaks and He lives (came into being)”

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Prime Minister “Go to Jesus” – v.55 John 6:35 John 7:37 Colossians 1:19 Matthew 11:28 John 6:37 Isaiah 55:1

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John 6:35 (NASB)35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;

he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”

John 7:37 (NASB)37 Now on the last day, the great day of the

feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”

Colossians 1:19 (NASB)19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for

all the fullness to dwell in Him,

Matthew 11:28 (NASB)28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-

laden, and I will give you rest.”

John 6:37 (NASB)37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to

Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”

The Gift of Forgetting The gift of remembering As human beings, we forget so easily. We forget God, and we forget the “things”

of God even more so. God gives us ways to remember Him –

Ezekiel 23:35; Psalm 103:2; Deuteronomy 4:9, 23; Ecclesiastes 12:1.

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Ezekiel 23:35 (NASB)35 “Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD,

‘Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, bear now the punishment of your lewdness and your harlotries.’”

Psalm 103:2 (NASB)2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget none of His benefits;

Deuteronomy 4:9, 23 (NASB)9 “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul

diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

23 So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the LORD your God has commanded you.

The Gift of Forgetting Remembering sins no more

We want to always remember God, but … We want to forget any sins that have been

confessed and repented – Jeremiah 31:33-34.

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Jeremiah 31:33-34 (NASB)33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with

the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

The Gift of Forgetting Remembering sins no more

We want to always remember God, but … We want to forget any sins that have been

confessed and repented – Jeremiah 31:33-34. God is faithful to His promises. God is just.

Forgetting the past – Manasseh This is not talking about sin. This is past circumstances, sufferings, pain and

even possibly blessings – Philippians 3:12-14.

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Philippians 3:12-14 (NASB)12 Not that I have already obtained it or

have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The Gift of Forgetting Doubly fruitful – Ephraim There were probably times in Joseph’s life

when he wondered if he would ever be fruitful.

This name (Ephraim) could only come after he had forgotten!

This speaks of a double fruitfulness –John 15.

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ApplicationIn what areas of your life are you forgetting God?

What mechanisms do you have in your life to help you remember God?

Have you fully experienced God’s forgiveness in your life or are YOU holding on to what God has already paid?

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