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True North
September 4, 2022

From the Pit to the Palace

by Johnson Bowie
Embracing the developmental process is an important part of walking in our purpose. God places us in different environments throughout our lives to develop our gifts, skills and character. He wants us to grow to become more like Him so that we represent Him well in a world that desperately needs Him. How do we begin to cultivate our unique God-given qualities so that He may be glorified wherever we go? Find out in part four of True North.
Sermon Notes

My purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

“I had a DREAM! We were tying bundles of grain together when suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles gathered around mine and bowed down.”

Genesis 39:2 NIV
The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.

Genesis 39:3-5 NIV
When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph.

Genesis 39:8-9 NIV
“With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?

Genesis 39:20-21 NIV
But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Genesis 39:22 NIV
So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.

Genesis 41:16 NIV
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

Genesis 41:41-44 NIV
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second–in–command, and men shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”

How Do We Persist in Purpose?

  1. Be Faithful in the Now

And we don’t understand that we’ll never get NEXT if we aren’t faithful with NOW!

Can you be faithful in the PIT when there’s no sight of the PALACE?

Luke 16:12 NKJV
And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

How Do We Persist in Purpose?

  • Grow in the Dark

You’ll never get to the PALACE if you don’t grow in the PIT.

Matthew 6:6 NIV
Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

It’s what you do when no one’s watching that prepares you to be who everyone sees.  

How Do We Persist in Purpose?

  • Be Patient in the Process

If you’re ever going to get to the palace, you first have to learn patience in the pit!

Philippians 1:6 NLT
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Genesis 50:20 NIV
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

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