Joseph: Dreamer to Redeemer (Part I). May 20 & 21, 2006. Ken Long, Senior
Pastor. Beautiful Dreamer. For everything that was written in the past was written
to ...
• Joseph: Dreamer to Redeemer (Part I) May 20 & 21, 2006 Ken Long, Senior Pastor
Beautiful Dreamer For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
Introduction to the life of Joseph Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. Genesis 37:3
Differences between Jacob and Joseph: Jacob
Joseph
rejected
favorite
set-backs
success
schemer
dreamer
Joseph’s life divides into five parts: Son, Slave, Prisoner, Ruler, Patriarch. I.
Receiving the dream Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." Genesis 37:5-7
II.
Reaction to the dream •
Joseph shared the dream. Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me." Genesis 37:9
•
Jacob rebuked the dream When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" Genesis 37:10
The brothers hated the dreamer His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Genesis 37:11
III. Refining the dream Three kids of tests we will face: 1. The external test of denial. 2. The internal test of doubt. Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" Genesis 17:17 Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?" Exodus 4:1 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." Judges 6:15
3. The ultimate test of destruction. "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." Genesis 37:19-20 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, Romans 4:19-20
Application: How do I pass the tests? 1. In denial, I will commit. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
2. In doubts, I will confess. "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
3. In destruction, I will wait. but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 *CD’s, DVD’s, audio and video tapes of today’s sermon and other messages are available in the Northshore Christian Church Bookstore. Northshore Media Tape #060521 KJL
