The Palace Test

The Palace Test – Study Notes

November 5, 2013

The Palace Test is a test of Stewardship.  What are you going to do with those things that have been entrusted to you by God?

At this point in our story (Genesis 39) Joseph is installed into Potiphar’s home and entrusted with “all that he had”.   We soon find that whatever Joseph put his hand to prospered because he was a faithful steward.  Before we see how let me just say…

Prospering is not a bad word!

The Lord would like for your marriage to prosper, your children to prosper, your work to prosper and your relationships to prosper.  He wants you to succeed.

Don’t let a bad prosperity doctrine or the enemy’s guilt steer you away from God’s blessing.  There are 63 mentions of prospering in the Old Testament alone.  I think it’s safe to say prospering is God’s idea.

1.  The Key to Prospering is the presence of the Lord.

Gen 39:2  “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man.” NKJV

The Orthodox Jewish Bible says; “…a man God makes prosper.”  It is very clear that the cause of success is the Lord. 

2.  The Key to the Presence of the Lord is Obedience.

2 Chronicles 17:3-4 – “ the Lord was with Jehoshaphat….because he walked in God’s commandments.” NKJV

1 Samuel 18:14 - “David was prospering in all his ways for the Lord was with him.” NASB

3.  The Key to Obedience is Faith.

If we really believe, we will obey. 

Hebrews 3: 18-19 “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”  NJKV

It was not disobedience that prevented them from entering in – it was unbelief.  If they had believed God’s words, they would have obeyed Him. And if they had obeyed Him, they would have entered into His rest. 

4.  The Key to Faith is hearing the Word.

This is the best news yet.  This is something we can all do…hear the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” NASB

Isaiah 55:10 – “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”  NASB

The Word accomplishes, succeeds, transforms, heals, equips, restores, protects, enlightens and gives hope.

There is power in the Word of God!

In Summary:

The Word produces Faith

Faith produces Obedience

Obedience produces the Presence of the Lord

The Presence of the Lord produces Prosperity. 

I encourage you to watch this teaching at www.gatewaypeople.com  The best way to find this video is enter – The Palace Test in the search bar located in the upper right hand corner of the main Gateway website.  A list of videos will come up.  Select The Palace Test from March/April of 2013.  May God bless you in hearing the word.