"Dressed for Promotion"
We had Pastor Otoniel Font as our special guest today.  He and his lovely wife pastor the largest church in Puerto Rico, and he ministered at our main service and also during our Hispanic service.   Pastor Font's message was entitled "Dressed for Promotion".   In his teaching, he used Genesis 37 and 41 as his text, which was the story of Joseph.   He showed us three times that Joseph was given the chance for promotion.
 
1.  His Father loved him and gave him a coat of many colors.   His brothers became envious of him and stripped him of his coat, throwing him into a pit and later into slavery.   Pastor Font showed us that even though his brothers were his family, they did have the same Father but came from a different Mother - thus a different womb.   Often in our churches, those around us will be envious of our favor and promotion.   Often others will want the favor that has been given to us by our Father, so that they can have bragging rights to it themselves.   They become offended and want to strip it off of us, thinking they have the same right to favor as we do.  
 
2.  Later on Joseph was promoted to Potiphar's house, but found himself in another situation where he was stripped of his position.   Potiphar's wife wanted him for herself and actually stripped his robe off him, falsely accusing him of attacking her because he would not succumb to her advances.   Joseph once again was accused and taken to prison, however he passed the character test before God.   Joseph was also a dreamer, and he knew the dream that God had given him for his life.   When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him, Joseph remembered God's dream for his life, and he did not see this woman in his dream, so he was able to withstand her seduction.   We must also remember this fact - things that are not in God's plan for our lives will try to slip in.   We must know for certain what God's purpose is for us and not fall for anything that tries to come into our life that is contrary to God's plan for us.  Because Joseph acted correctly, God raised him up once again.
 
3.  Next we see Joseph being accepted by Pharaoh, who represents the world.   In prison, Joseph was faithful to the Lord, but he was also faithful to the God-given talent on his life, which was to be a dreamer.   In addition, he also helped interpret other's dreams, which brought him into Pharaoh's presence.  
We must stay true to our own God-given talents and be instrumental in helping with other's dreams and purposes as well.   This will bring us favor with the world, as it did with Joseph and Pharaoh.   The world is looking for people that bring results, and ones that it can promote.   As we keep our character pure, stay true to our giftings and to God, He will anoint us to bear good fruit.   We will then have the power to change things that we touch.
 
After having been stripped by others, the next time we see Joseph, he is 2nd in command in Egypt.   At this point, he has to strip himself before his brothers, so that they will recognize him.   He does this so that they and their household can be saved during the famine in the land.   As we do everything in excellence, staying humble to undress ourselves for the sake of our families, then God will allow the world to promote us.   We are not of the world, but will be an influence in the world.
 
During our worship service today, our worship team and Choir led us into intimate worship, continuing all throughout Pastor's altar call for our giftings to be increased.    As people flooded the altars, our pastoral team prayed over the congregation, helping to release a spirit of freedom into the House.