The Prison Test

The Prison Test – Study Notes

November 16, 2013

Every test Joseph encounters has to do with stewardship.  We have seen him steward actions, body, attitude, other people’s property and now perseverance.

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5: 3-5 (bold, my addition)

1.  Tribulation Produces Perseverance

Patience is keeping your heart right while your waiting.

Perseverance is a fight or battle while you are waiting. 

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

A Trial is short.

Tribulation is a long trial.

2.  Perseverance Produces Character

The bible does not say that anything else produces character aside from perseverance.  The worst thing you can do is to deliver someone from a trial that God is using to produce the character they will need in their destiny. 

Our response to the trial determines how long we are in it.

God never rewards manipulation. (Genesis 40: 14-15, 23)  Joseph asked the cupbearer to “mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house.”  It was two years later that the cupbearer remembered Joseph. 

God is waiting for your character to come up to your destiny.

3.  Character Produces Hope

Hope is that God will walk with us through our trials not deliver us from them. 

Character is not only how we act, it’s how we react.

4.  Hope Produces Appointments

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

The statement, hope does not disappoint is a double negative.  Not and dis are both negatives so we can restate this as….Hope appoints.

We can look forward to being used through God appointments because  “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” 

The Prison Test teaching can be found at www.gatewaypeople.com  Enter The Prison Test in the search bar and look for the video from March/April of 2013.