~~ Watch the Video ~~
Outline:
Finding Your Purpose in Life Series
Review of Let Joseph Lead You to Your Purpose - Part 1
Joseph Gave the Glory to God
Joseph Shows Mercy on His Brothers
Joseph’s Tears
The Greater Good
Conclusion: The 4 Robes
Scriptures:
Genesis 41:15-16
Genesis 45:1-8
Genesis 41:50-52
Genesis 50: 18-21
Revelation 7:9-10
Finding Your Purpose in Life Series
The two greatest days in your life are:
the day you were born
the day you figure out why you were born
– Mark Twain
The Bible tells us that everything was created by God, the Designer, for a reason
If you want to find your purpose… You have to start with God
Your calling is the purpose that God created you for
It's the end goal of your assignment on earth
It is your part in serving God’s purposes in the world
A Christian’s Callings
Christians have
General callings
A Unique calling
General Christian Assignments
All Christians are called to:
To Love God
Love your neighbor
Make disciples
Be conformed to the image of Christ – sanctification
Unique Calling
You were given unique
Natural ability
Acquired skills
Spiritual Gifts
Personality
Desires and preferences
Life experiences
All of this makes you uniquely qualified to glorify God and to serve others
In this series we will discover:
What a purpose is
Why it matters
What makes you unique
How your life experiences have prepared you for your calling
Methods to uncover your purpose
How to overcome the barriers preventing you from pursuing your purpose
Throughout this next year, I will walk alongside you and help guide you to finding your purpose
Review of Let Joseph Lead You to Your Purpose - Part 1
Joseph’s father was named Jacob/Israel
He had 12 sons
The families of those 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel
Joseph was Jacob’s favorite child
The Impact of Family Favoritism
The impact of being the mother’s favorite child
The Benefits: A Strong Foundation
Higher Self-Esteem
Sense of security
The Hidden Burdens
The Weight of Expectations
Extension of the mother's/father’s own ego or unfulfilled dreams
Guilt of the unfair dynamic
Strained Sibling Relationships
Isolation
Purpose Begins with a Vision, Not a Plan
God gives the destination (the vision) long before He reveals the map (the plan).
Joseph saw the sheaves and stars bowing, but he had no idea how God would bring it to pass.
You Can’t Tell Your Dream to Everyone
Preparation In the Pit
Joseph’s brothers threw him in a pit and took his coat
Then they sold him into slavery
The pit is the preparation before you get to the promised land
We see the pattern of the pit preceding the promise
Children of Israel in the wilderness
David anointed and then fleeing from Saul for his life
Jesus being baptized and then being tempted in the wilderness
“The pit” period is needed to build your character
It Is turning you into the person that is able to shoulder the burden of the blessing you are about to receive
Faithfulness in the Pit Prepares You for the Palace
Joseph was sold to an Egyptian officer named Potiphar As a servant
Joseph was put in charge of all that Potiphar owned
Potiphar’s wife made advances at Joseph
He ran from her and she snatched his robe
Joseph was Imprisoned
Joseph interpreted the dreams of the baker and cupbearer
They promised to free Joseph after they got out
Excellence Where You Are
It is not just the amount of time that matters when you are in the pit
It’s what you do while you wait
Will you be faithful to the duties God has given you while you wait?
You have to continue to serve even when you are going through struggles
Your consistency in the pit can influence how long you stay in the pit
Key Takeaway:
You cannot step into palace-level responsibility if you refuse to show pit-level faithfulness.
Your current season, no matter how small or unfair, is the testing ground for your future calling.
Joseph Gave the Glory to God
The chief baker was hanged
The cupbearer returned to service of Pharoah, but he forgot about Joseph
Pharoah had a troubling dream
The cupbearer told Pharoah that Joseph could interpret the dream
Genesis 41:15-16
15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It has nothing to do with me; God will give Pharaoh an answer for his own good.”
“It has nothing to do with me“
For his own good
Have you ever had someone take the credit for your work?
You put in the hours
You came up with the innovative idea
You put the plan together
You created something
They were in a position to speak to the people that it mattered
and at the end of the day… They didn’t mention your name
They took all of the credit
That’s what we do to God sometimes
… But not Joseph
Joseph could’ve thought
This man doesn’t even believe in my God
“I need to impress Pharaoh. I need to let him know that I am a great dream interpreter, so he will keep me out of jail“
God uses people to implement his plan
But he wants the credit
The intended outcome is that he gets the glory.
This will draw others to Him
I want to thank God
Sometimes Christians criticize people for giving God glory.
When a worldly athletes wins the game or a gangster rappers receives an award and say “I want to thank God“
We often call them hypocrites
Maybe
They grew up in church
They’re just following the tradition
Or they think “ if I thank God… It will help me get into heaven“
We don’t know their hearts
But the real question is,..
Are they giving God more glory than us?
Are you giving God glory publicly when you get blessed?
I’m not talking about a praise report in Bible study
I’m not talking about in church
But to non- believers
Are you giving God the glory
When your coworker congratulate you on a good job
When your boss acknowledges you in a meeting
When you get a compliment on your child
Discussion
Do you think God will withhold blessings from someone because they won’t acknowledge him publicly?
Is telling your testimony giving God the glory?
Obstacles to Purpose
One of the barriers that could be hindering your journey to finding your purpose is that you aren’t going to give God the credit if he elevates you
Joseph Shows Mercy on His Brothers
Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream
There would be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine
Joseph was made 2nd in charge under Pharaoh
Pharoah gives Joseph
Ring - signing authority of the king - executive power
Golden Chain - meant he was a judge
Robe of fine linen - meant he was a priest
Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt because it was a famine in their land
Genesis 45:1-8
1Then Joseph could not control himself in front of everyone standing before him, and he shouted, “Have everyone leave me!” So there [a]was no one with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2Then he [b]wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard about it. 3And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were terrified in his presence. 4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come [c]closer to me.” And they came [d]closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold to Egypt. 5Now do not be grieved or angry [e]with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you [f]to save lives. 6For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7So God sent me ahead of you to ensure for you a remnant on the earth, and to [g]keep you alive by a great deliverance. 8Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Have you ever had somebody hurt you badly?
They did you dirty
Someone you trusted
It’s not just what Joseph’s brothers did.
… It’s who they were that made it so bad
Now Time has passed…
And now you need me
And now your heart has softened
Oh… so you are not angry at me now…
Joseph’s 2 Choices
Now He has the power
To get even
To get revenge
to destroy their lives
Joseph had two choices
Get revenge
Show Mercy
Have you ever had to wrestle because you had two different ways you could react?
You know the way you should react,
but then you think about what they did and how you suffered
Do you have the strength to be good to someone… Who has done evil to you?
it’s hard to choose the high road when…
You had bad times.
You’ve been around bad people.
You’ve got bad memories.
Joseph chose reconciliation over retaliation.
Joseph’s love was stronger than his memories
God chose Joseph because he could trust him to have the radical love to look beyond what was done to him
God couldn’t work out his purpose with someone who was:
Spiteful
Vindictive
Hurtful
You have to forgive to be fruitful
We usually end the story of Joseph at the palace
Joseph went from the pit to the palace
We like to focus on the pit to the palace motif
But we end the story too early
There is a deep message that the story of Joseph gives us that is often overlooked
But God emphasizes another message…
Joseph Has 2 Sons
This passage comes after Joseph being escalated by pharaoh, but before his brothers come back
Genesis 41:50-52
50 Now before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh; “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all of my father’s household.” 52 And he named the second Ephraim; “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Ephraim means “causing to forget"
Manasseh means "I shall be doubly fruitful"
Forgetting/Forgiving comes first
Then you can be fruitful
Obstacles to Purpose
God doesn’t give some people power because if they ever got the upper hand they would go for revenge instead of reconciliation
God can’t trust you with promotion if your heart isn’t big enough
Can your love survive a fall in the pit?
Grace and personal change
There are some people that you have to love at a distance because they’re so unsafe
Forgiveness does not always equal reconciliation
Do you have the Grace to accommodate people changing
Are you still angry about something that happened 20 years ago?
Do you have enough grace to realize that they are not the same person at this stage in their life
You have to let some stuff go
you have to forget about revenge
Can God trust that
As you get higher you will pull up somebody else
As he open up doors you will reach back and open up the door for someone else
Discussion
This passage shows us God’s amazing grace that rewards the guilty
What is the hardest thing about forgiving someone who wronged you?
Justice wasn’t served
The wound is still fresh
Have you ever had someone do you wrong and then come back and need your help?
Did God ever bless you with more than you deserved?
Joseph’s Tears
There’s an interesting insight that is often missed about Joseph’s crying
Joseph didn’t cry when_____
Threw him in the pit
Took his coat of many colors.
Separated him from his family.
Sold him into slavery
He didn’t cry when.
He denied himself of the pleasure of A beautiful woman, but still suffered consequences
Spending years in a dark prison with no wifi and no Netflix.
The cupbearer made him a promise because he needed his help, but forgot about him when he got blessed
So why did he cry before he saw his brothers?
What was Joseph’s dream?
Joseph had a dream that…
He didn’t understand what it meant
Separated him from the love of his father
He probably started to doubt was really from God
He thought that There was no way that his dream could actually come true
Joseph cried because he knew he was about to see the scene he saw… In his dream
The sheaf bowing down to him
The sun and moon and eleven stars bowing down to him…
He didn’t cry because he wanted to be worshiped by his brothers
But he cried because of God's promise… Was about to be fulfilled
He cried because the dream that he dreamed as a little boy … was about to come true
The Greater Good
Genesis 50: 18-21
18Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? 20As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about [n]this present result, to keep many people alive. 21So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke [o]kindly to them.
They had persecuted him and now they realize that he was their savior.
Joseph wouldn’t accept their worship
Type of Jesus
This was a picture of Israel returning to Jesus.
Joseph is sold for silver (like Jesus), falsely accused,
He eventually ascended to be second-in-command, at the right hand of Pharaoh
and ultimately saved both his family and the Gentile world (Egypt)
The dream was tied to the whole family
Your purpose is never just about your individual success; it is tied to saving, serving, and blessing others.
Ultimately, purpose is not merely about personal success or elevation; it is about serving a broader mission that preserves and impacts others.
Reframing the Injury
Joseph understood that his trial was not about his brothers' evil actions, but about God’s sovereign direction:
Discussion
Has there been times when you look back on your life and realize that what looked like a pit was actually God's plan?
Why is it hard to remember that your life is not your own… But part of a bigger plan?
Conclusion: The 4 Robes
As We look towards a future heaven
Revelation 7:9-10
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;
10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
This is a picture of future heaven
They were wearing white robes
They took Joseph’s robe…but they couldn’t take his dream
Joseph’s robes
Joseph had a robe of many colors that symbolized the love of his father
Joseph had a robe when he was in Potiphar‘s house… But it was snatched by Potiphar‘s wife
Joseph got a robe from Pharaoh that’s symbolized his authority over Egypt
Joseph is going to get a new robe to wear while he communes with Jesus the lamb of God in heaven
There is a robe waiting for Joseph in Heaven
You
There is a robe waiting for you in Heaven
God has a custom made white robe with your name on it
No more pits and no more prisons… you will have a new robe
No more pain and suffering … you will have a new robe
No more fear of death… you will have a new robe
The robe that God has for you… No one can take from you
They can’t take your dream
… and they can’t take your eternal robe
The Robe
You will get a new robe made of fine linen
Your brothers took your coat…but you got a new robe
___ … but you got a new robe
They threw you in the pit
they put you in jail
They talked about you
They acted like you were the one who should apologize
There’s a robe in Heaven with your name on it
There’s a mansion in Heaven with your name on it
They wanted you in prison but now it’s time for you to live in the palace
References
You can take my robe, but you can’t take my dream
Michael Leadon (sermon 2025)
A pit can’t stop a promise - Pastor Derek Faison
The potter's house
Joseph’s tears – TD Jakes
TPH Dallas
Extra
I want to thank God
How do you feel about the athletes who at the end of the game say “I want to thank God”?
There are some athletes that you hear about actually living a Christian life
There are others that you hear about leading a sinful life
Or the gangster rappers who receive an award and say “I want to thank God“
————
Within the Christian community and broader culture, people interpret and evaluate this phenomenon in a few distinct ways.
Perspectives on Why They Say It
A. They grew up in church: actually acknowledging God
Many athletes and artists grow up in communities where faith is deeply woven into the culture. Even if they are not actively practicing orthodox Christianity, they recognize that their physical talents, voice, timing, and opportunities come from a power higher than themselves. Expressing gratitude is an acknowledgment that they didn't accomplish it alone.
B. Gratitude for Deliverance and Overcoming Hardship
Many individuals from tough backgrounds view their success as a literal miracle or rescue. A rapper who survived gang violence or an athlete who escaped poverty often sees their survival and platform as an act of divine mercy, prompting a genuine impulse to give thanks.
C. Culture / Tradition
Religion can function as a cultural habit rather than an active lifestyle transformation. In this mindset, "thanking God" is a customary nod to faith—much like saying grace before a meal—without the person feeling that their public profession requires them to align every area of their lifestyle or art with Christian morality.
D. Performative Piety or Branding
From a more skeptical standpoint, public declarations of faith can serve as a branding tool. Mentioning God soft-lands an aggressive or controversial persona, making the artist or athlete appear relatable, humble, or grounded to mainstream audiences and fans.
E. “good works” that help ensure eternal life
They think that it may help them get into heaven
2. How Christians View This Phenomenon
Christian opinions vary widely, depending largely on theological focus (grace vs. holiness/repentance):
Perspective 1: "It’s Hypocrisy and Takes God’s Name in Vain"
The Concern: Many Christians feel uncomfortable or frustrated by public professions of faith paired with unrepentant, public sin.
The Argument: They point to biblical warnings about honoring God with one's lips while the heart is far from Him (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8). From this perspective, thanking God for wealth or fame achieved through music or behavior that promotes violence, exploitation, or greed misrepresents God's character to the world and verges on taking God's name in vain (using God’s name to endorse a lifestyle opposed to Him).
Perspective 2: "Every Good Gift Comes from God, but Salvation Requires Transformation"
The Nuance: Many believers take a balanced view rooted in "common grace"—the idea that God gives gifts, talents, and success to both the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45).
The Argument: It is right to thank God for success, but a true Christian life requires repentance and life transformation (James 2:14-17). While thanking God is a good starting point, Christians holding this view pray that the individual moves from a superficial acknowledgment of God to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus that reshapes their choices and art.
Perspective 3: "God Uses Broken People & We Shouldn't Judge"
The Grace-First View: Other Christians argue that no one is without sin (Romans 3:23) and that judging someone's spiritual status based on a 30-second award speech is counterproductive.
The Argument: Throughout Scripture, God consistently used imperfect, deeply flawed, and sinful people—such as King David (who committed adultery and murder) or Rahab—to accomplish His purposes. Proponents of this view welcome any public recognition of God, hoping it acts as a seed for spiritual growth rather than dismissing it as insincere.
Perspective 4: they are being a bad representative of God
Give sinners another reason to point to Christians as being hypocrites
Especially if they consider themselves more moral than that person
The Argument FOR the Sinful Person Giving Public Glory
This perspective focuses on the power of public acknowledgment and God’s sovereign ability to use anyone for His purpose.
God’s Glory as the Ultimate End: If the primary purpose of creation is for God to receive glory (Isaiah 42:8, Romans 11:36), then a high-profile figure publicly redirecting praise to God—before millions of people who might otherwise never think of Him—serves a real purpose in the culture.
The Danger of Self-Righteousness: A person living a pious, moral life who fails to give God credit can easily fall into pride, taking the glory for their own discipline (similar to the Pharisee in Jesus's parable in Luke 18:9–14). To God, self-righteous pride is often portrayed as more dangerous than obvious, overt sins because it hides behind a mask of goodness.
God Uses Imperfect Vessels: Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly uses deeply flawed or pagan figures to bring Himself glory (e.g., King Nebuchadnezzar, Samson, or Rahab). A public declaration of God’s sovereignty, even from a flawed messenger, plants seeds of awareness about God in places traditional ministry rarely reaches.
The Argument AGAINST (Why Piety Matters More)
This perspective argues that giving God verbal glory while living in unrepentant sin is fundamentally contradictory and can actually cause damage.
Obedience Over Verbal Praise: Jesus explicitly warned that verbal recognition does not equal true service:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father." (Matthew 7:21) In biblical theology, God values obedience and a transformed heart over lip service (1 Samuel 15:22).Misrepresenting God’s Character: When someone publicly credits God for success achieved through avenues that contradict Christian teachings (e.g., promoting violence, exploitation, or crime), critics argue it misrepresents God to the public. It can lead observers to believe God endorses or blesses those sinful acts, which the Bible describes as taking God’s name in vain or causing others to stumble (Romans 2:24).
Did God cause them to win the award?
Is God in control?
When king Nebuchadnezzar gave God praise was it hypocrisy?
The Bible actually implies that that was God‘s plan… To have the pagan King give him praise
We all praise God and live a sinful life
We don’t want to be like the Pharisees and think we are more righteous than someone else
What about
David
Sampson
Rehab
The Bottom Line
Acknowledging God as the source of success is a moment of truth in an otherwise inconsistent life. It is not wrong for a sinner to speak the truth about God's generosity; the spiritual tragedy is when someone recognizes God's hand in their success, yet stops short of letting that same God transform their heart.
Pharaoh's dream
Genesis 41:17-27
17Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18 when seven cows, well-fed and sleek, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. 19After them, seven other cows—sickly, ugly, and thin—came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt! 20Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first. 21When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. Then I awoke.
22In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, growing on a single stalk. 23After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind. 24And the thin heads of grain swallowed the seven plump ones.
I told this dream to the magicians, but no one could explain it to me.”
25At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. 26The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads of grain are seven years. The dreams have the same meaning. 27Moreover, the seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind—they are seven years of famine.
The fact that Pharaoh was troubled didn’t mean that the dream wasn’t from God
God Gives the Dream to the Person Who Can Do Something About it
God gave dreams impacting nations to the rulers of the nations
Pharaoh
Nebekunezzer
Or to people who have access to the people who can implement His will
He doesn’t just give you an FYI of something you can’t impact
You make it a revelation if there is some action you need to take
He may give you that vision for you to pray
Not for you to tell others to look spiritual
God gives the dream to the person who can do something about it
God gives dreams to
Warm of future negative circumstances to prepare the receiver for what they are going to go through
Prophesy of future events
Warren of negative circumstances that you can do something about
Reveal things that are currently happening
God gave Joseph a dream, but that dream did not contain any instructions for him to do anything. It was giving him a heads up about his future.
the cupbearers dream was giving them a heads up about the future, but there was nothing they could do about it.
When Farrell and Nebuchadnezzar had dreams, there was action that was to be taken place. There would be consequences to the nation if they didn’t heed the warning in the dreams.
Noticed that God gives the dream to the person who has something to do about it. God gives a dream to the person who has the ability to do something about it. It might be that you need to pray about it.
So it is not the fact that God gives the dream to the more spiritual person. He consistently gives dreams to nonbelievers throughout the Bible.
Elijah prayed for rain
James 5:17
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
We saw that Elijah prayed and stop the rain. God told him to pray. God could have just stopped raining without asking Elijah to be involved, but it wasn’t until Elijah pray that the rain stopped. It wasn’t until Elisha prayed the rain started back.
Deuteronomy 11:16-17
16“Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them. 17“Or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its fruit; and you will perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you.
God had already warned the Israelites that He was going to stop the rain
God told Elisha that he was going to bring the rain back.
He didn’t bring it back until Elijah prayed for.
Maybe You’re Supposed to Pray
God gives a dream to the person who can do something about it. You need to stay obedient during your quiet season in order to position you in a place where you can hear from God to implement the dream that he gave someone else.
Maybe God gave you a dream, so that you could pray for it.
Maybe you didn’t have the worldly power to change the situation, but the situation wouldn’t change until you prayed for it.
