The three garments Joseph lost: sermon outline

So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Genesis 37:23

Introduction:

Joseph was never a dreamer. He dreamed the dreams God gave him (Gen 37:5-9).
His brothers mocked him: "Here comes the dreamer!" (Gen 37:19). The dream was God's; the nickname stuck to Joseph.
Between the dream and the palace, Joseph lost three garments. Every loss was a step up.

1. The garment of favoritism. Joseph loses the robe his father gave him (Gen 37:23).

Jacob "loved Joseph more than any of his other children" and gave him "a beautiful robe" (Gen 37:3).
"his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing" (Gen 37:23).
Favoritism makes you comfortable, not ready. God lets the robe fall to start the process.

2. The garment of testing. Joseph loses his cloak, but not his integrity (Gen 39:12).

"How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God" (Gen 39:9).
"Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house" (Gen 39:12).
Better to lose the cloak than lose the covenant. The test cost him his clothes and his freedom, but "the Lord was with Joseph in the prison" (Gen 39:21).

3. The garment of victory. Joseph leaves the prison clothes behind and stands before Pharaoh (Gen 41:14).

"After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh" (Gen 41:14).
Before the throne, Joseph takes no glory: "It is beyond my power to do this (...) But God can tell you what it means" (Gen 41:16).
The robe his brothers ripped off becomes "fine linen clothing" (Gen 41:42). God gives back more than they took.

Conclusion:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. Genesis 50:20

To be approved by God, you have to lose.
Lose the comfort, lose the cloak, lose the prison clothes. If you won't let go of the robe, you won't wear the linen.
What garment is God taking from you today?