Scriptural Reading: Genesis Chapter 40
1 Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.
After they had been in custody for some time, 5 each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.
6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”
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.”
9 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.”
12 “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 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. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
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. 17 In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”
18 “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and impale your body on a pole. And the birds will eat away your flesh.”
20 Now the third day was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he gave a feast for all his officials. He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand— 22 but he impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.
23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
A Call to Worship
There are two common ways that people view the world and their lives: one describes everything in terms of chance or luck. Hence the saying “I thank my lucky stars.” But why thank the stars? Were the stars thinking about you? Did the stars intend to bless you? Does the wind think about your comfort when it blows your way? No. It is wasted thanks. The second approach describes a worshipper of God. One does not think in terms of luck but in terms of God’s providence. God is the one who blesses me. All good gifts come from his hand. He brings about the circumstances in life. As Joseph famously said “you meant it unto me as evil but God meant it unto me as good.” So give Him the praise. He is worthy.
Worship Songs
The song list for today is: You Lift Us Up (by Paul Baloche), Bring the Rain (by Mercy Me), God Who Moves the Mountains (by Corey Voss), Still in Control (by Mack Brock), and My Prayer For You (by Alissa Turner). These songs have been grouped in one playlist that you can access through the video below. You are invited to sing and worship along following the on-screen lyrics. (Note: you might have to skip some advertisements.)
Sermon by Pr. Vic - God Can Make It Happen - Genesis 41
Audio
Video
Testimony
In the continuation of the sermon you are invited to listen to the personal testimony of Eric Metaxas, a christian writer and speaker.
Prayer
Please pray for our restart committee that is presently considering how we can gather together as a faith community. Pray for wisdom and unity.
Benediction
“For we know that God causes all things to work together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Giving
In case you would like to support MCF, you can tithe and give offerings through paypal using your credit card or by linking your bank account to make automatic monthly contributions. More info at mvcf.ca/give. Please email our treasurer Josh Wong at treasurer@mvcf.ca if you need help setting this up or if you have further questions.
Alternatively, cheques for donations can be sent in by mail or dropped off at the Annex mail slot beside the gravel parking lot. Address: Mountainview Christian Fellowship, 791 27th Avenue East, Vancouver, BC V5V 2K8.