Genesis 37:5-10,23-28; Genesis 41:39-43; Genesis 42:6-7; Genesis 50:20-21
Steven Speilberg had a dream to be a Hollywood producer. He bought a ticket to ride a tram through universal studios, hid in a dark corner during a bathroom break, then gave himself a tour. The next day he showed up for work with a suit on, borrowed his father’s brief case and the guard thought Stephen was one of the interns. He later found an empty office and had his name listed on the sign. It took 2 years for Universal Studios to find out who he really was. Since then Speilberg has become one of the most successful directors of all times directing block busters like Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List, E.T., and Jurassic Park. All because he had a dream. The Bible tells us the story of another person who had a bold dream—his name was Joseph.
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.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 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.” 10 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 37:5-10 (NIV)
1. Seek God’s Direction (Conception Stage)
Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 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.” 9 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 37:5-7, 9 (NIV)
2. Get Ready for Adversity (Challenge Stage)
A. Pride
B. People
His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Genesis 37:8 (NIV)
C. Predicaments
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe–the richly ornamented robe he was wearing– 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it….28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. Genesis 37:23-28 (NIV)
3. Enjoy What God Has Done (Celebration stage)
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, “Make way !” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:39-43 (NIV)
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked.
Genesis 42:6-7 (NIV)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid… Genesis 50:20-21 (NIV)
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