Aligning with God's Will Through Joseph's Journey
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embark on a new series focusing on the life of Joseph, beginning in Genesis chapter 37. Joseph's story is a profound narrative that spans 14 chapters, from Genesis 37 to Genesis 50. It starts with a 17-year-old Joseph who has a dream, a blurry vision that he doesn't fully understand. This dream sets the stage for a journey filled with questions about God's will, a theme that resonates deeply with many of us. We often find ourselves asking, "What is God's will for my life?" Whether it's about marriage, career, or other significant decisions, we seek clarity on His specific will for us.
Joseph's life is a testament to the importance of aligning with God's revealed will. Despite the complexities and messiness of his circumstances, Joseph strives to stay obedient to God's word. This obedience is crucial because God's specific will for our lives will never contradict His revealed will. For instance, if our feelings or circumstances suggest a path that goes against God's word, we can be sure that it is not His will. This principle is evident in Joseph's story, where his obedience to God's revealed will gradually makes God's specific will for his life clearer.
Joseph's family background is a mess. His father, Jacob, had multiple wives, which created a dysfunctional family dynamic. Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph, symbolized by the robe of many colors, further fueled the animosity among his brothers. Joseph's dreams, which he shared with his brothers, only exacerbated their hatred towards him. These dreams, where his brothers' sheaves bowed down to his, and later, the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed to him, were prophetic but also a source of conflict.
God's sovereignty is a central theme in Joseph's story. Sovereignty means God's absolute power and authority over creation. It's not that God wills everything to happen, but rather, He can take any situation and use it for His glory and our good. This understanding of God's sovereignty is crucial, especially when we face messy and challenging circumstances. Joseph's life illustrates that God's will can overcome any mess, even those we didn't choose for ourselves.
Another significant aspect of God's will is His timing. Joseph was 17 when he had his first dream, but it took 23 years for that dream to start coming into focus. This long wait teaches us that God's will never hurries. We often struggle with God's timing, wanting His will to align with our timeline. However, taking matters into our own hands, as seen in the story of Abraham and Sarah, often leads to complications and long-term consequences.
Joseph's story also highlights that God's will might upset people in our lives. Joseph's dreams and his father's favoritism made him unpopular among his brothers. This tension forces us to choose between pleasing people and obeying God. Joseph's unwavering faith and obedience, despite the opposition, serve as a powerful example for us.
In conclusion, understanding and aligning with God's revealed will is the foundation for discerning His specific will for our lives. Joseph's life, filled with twists and turns, demonstrates that God's will is always better, even when it leads us through difficult and confusing times. As we delve deeper into Joseph's story, we are reminded of the importance of obedience, patience, and faith in God's perfect plan.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Will and Messy Realities: God's will can overcome our messy realities. No matter how complicated or dysfunctional our circumstances are, God's perfect will can work through them. Joseph's life, born into a family with multiple wives and favoritism, shows that our messes are never too big for God to handle. His sovereignty means He can take any situation and use it for His glory and our good. [42:12]
2. Obedience to God's Revealed Will: Aligning with God's revealed will is crucial for understanding His specific will for our lives. For example, we know it's God's will for us to pray for our enemies and give thanks in all circumstances. When we obey these clear directives, we position ourselves to better discern His specific guidance. Disobedience, on the other hand, creates confusion and hinders our ability to understand His will. [33:12]
3. God's Sovereignty: God's sovereignty is not about Him causing everything to happen but about His ability to use anything that happens for His glory and our good. This understanding is vital, especially when we face difficult circumstances. Joseph's story teaches us that God's sovereignty is greater than any mess we find ourselves in, and He can redeem even the worst situations. [47:45]
4. Patience and God's Timing: God's will never hurries. Joseph waited 23 years for his dreams to start coming into focus. This long wait teaches us the importance of patience and trusting God's timing. When our timeline doesn't match God's, we must resist the urge to take matters into our own hands, as doing so often leads to complications and long-term consequences. [49:59]
5. Obedience Despite Opposition: God's will might upset people in our lives. Joseph's dreams and his father's favoritism made him unpopular among his brothers, forcing him to choose between pleasing people and obeying God. This tension is something we might face as well. We must have the faith to go all in with God's will, even when it leads to opposition or conflict with those we care about. [50:54]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:14] - Joseph's Dream
[31:38] - God's Revealed Will
[38:41] - Aligning with God's Will
[42:12] - Overcoming Messy Realities
[47:45] - Understanding God's Sovereignty
[49:59] - Patience and God's Timing
[50:54] - Obedience Despite Opposition
[55:32] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 37:2-11
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. Matthew 5:44
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the circumstances surrounding Joseph's family that contributed to the animosity between him and his brothers? ([39:19])
2. How did Joseph's dreams contribute to the tension within his family? ([40:33])
3. What specific examples of God's revealed will are mentioned in the sermon? ([31:38])
4. How long did Joseph have to wait for his dreams to start coming into focus, and what does this teach us about God's timing? ([48:28])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Joseph's story illustrate the principle that God's specific will for our lives will never contradict His revealed will? ([38:09])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's sovereignty can turn messy situations into opportunities for His glory and our good? ([47:45])
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of patience in understanding God's will, and what biblical examples are given to support this? ([49:59])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the potential conflicts between obeying God's will and maintaining relationships with others? ([50:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a messy or complicated situation. How did you see God's sovereignty at work in that situation? ([42:12])
2. Are there areas in your life where you are struggling to obey God's revealed will? How might this be affecting your ability to discern His specific will for you? ([33:12])
3. Think about a situation where you had to wait for God's timing. How did you handle the wait, and what did you learn from it? ([49:59])
4. Have you ever experienced opposition or conflict because of your commitment to following God's will? How did you navigate that tension? ([50:54])
5. Joseph's story shows the importance of obedience despite difficult circumstances. What steps can you take this week to align more closely with God's revealed will, even if it's challenging? ([38:09])
6. How can you practice giving thanks in all circumstances, as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:18? Identify one difficult situation in your life and find something to be thankful for in it. ([33:12])
7. Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Is there someone in your life who has hurt you or whom you find difficult to love? How can you start praying for them this week? ([31:38])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Will and Messy Realities
Joseph's life was filled with complexities and dysfunctions, yet God's will prevailed through it all. Born into a family with multiple wives and favoritism, Joseph's circumstances were far from ideal. However, his story demonstrates that no matter how messy our realities are, God's perfect will can work through them. God's sovereignty means He can take any situation, no matter how dire, and use it for His glory and our good. This truth is a source of hope and encouragement, reminding us that our messes are never too big for God to handle. [42:12]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Think about a messy or complicated situation in your life. How can you trust God to work through this mess for His glory and your good?
Day 2: Obedience to God's Revealed Will
Aligning with God's revealed will is essential for understanding His specific will for our lives. God's word provides clear directives, such as praying for our enemies and giving thanks in all circumstances. When we obey these commands, we position ourselves to better discern His specific guidance. Disobedience, on the other hand, creates confusion and hinders our ability to understand His will. Joseph's life exemplifies this principle, as his obedience to God's revealed will gradually made God's specific will for his life clearer. [33:12]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Are there any areas in your life where you are struggling to obey God's clear commands? How can you take a step towards obedience today?
Day 3: God's Sovereignty
God's sovereignty is not about Him causing everything to happen but about His ability to use anything that happens for His glory and our good. This understanding is vital, especially when we face difficult circumstances. Joseph's story teaches us that God's sovereignty is greater than any mess we find ourselves in, and He can redeem even the worst situations. This truth provides comfort and assurance that God is in control, even when life seems chaotic and unpredictable. [47:45]
Romans 8:28 (ESV): "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Reflection: Reflect on a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you trust in God's sovereignty to bring good out of this situation?
Day 4: Patience and God's Timing
God's will never hurries. Joseph waited 23 years for his dreams to start coming into focus. This long wait teaches us the importance of patience and trusting God's timing. When our timeline doesn't match God's, we must resist the urge to take matters into our own hands, as doing so often leads to complications and long-term consequences. Joseph's story reminds us that God's timing is perfect, even when it requires us to wait longer than we would like. [49:59]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Is there a dream or desire in your life that you are waiting on God to fulfill? How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect timing today?
Day 5: Obedience Despite Opposition
God's will might upset people in our lives. Joseph's dreams and his father's favoritism made him unpopular among his brothers, forcing him to choose between pleasing people and obeying God. This tension is something we might face as well. We must have the faith to go all in with God's will, even when it leads to opposition or conflict with those we care about. Joseph's unwavering faith and obedience, despite the opposition, serve as a powerful example for us. [50:54]
Galatians 1:10 (ESV): "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are choosing to please people over obeying God? How can you take a step towards prioritizing obedience to God today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Your life is never too much of a mess for God to work His perfect will in it. But sometimes we'll say, well, you don't know. You don't know, though. Like, you don't get it, man. You don't understand how messed up my family is or how messed up my situation is. You don't understand what I've done or where I've been or where I'm coming from. That's just not in the cards for me. Well, read about Joseph's cards and what he gets dealt." [42:12]
2. "Where should I go to school? Should I take this job? But I'll tell you, the best place, the best place to start in knowing God's will for our lives is with His revealed will. Always start with His revealed will. For instance, we know that it's God's will for us to pray for our enemies, right? He's revealed that, that that is His will for us in His Word." [31:38]
3. "God's will never hurries. Joseph's 17 when he has this dream. And it will be 23 more years in this story that this blurry picture starts to come into focus. I think one of the things that we need to do is to think about this. One of the most difficult things about understanding God's will in our lives is understanding his timing. His timing is not our timing. Sometimes we can understand the what of God's will, but the when is really a problem." [48:28]
4. "God's will might upset people in your life. You ever been there? Through conviction and through obedience and through some other things, you've seen that God's will for you is at odds with the opinions of some people who maybe you care about or some important people in your life. And then what? This is really a hard one. When God's will comes up against the people that we care about or who care about us, we have to make a choice sometimes. Am I going to do what God wants me to do? Or am I going to try? Or am I going to appease and make happy other people in my life?" [50:54]
### Quotes for Members
1. "As difficult as his circumstances become, he's constantly trying to align himself with God's revealed will. And because of this, God's specific will for his life becomes clearer and clearer because God's specific will for your life will never violate his revealed will. No matter how much at times you think, man, I need to go left here. My gut feeling, my feelings are just really telling me I need to go left. But if left somehow violates or is disobedient to God's word, I'm telling you, he's always going to take you right. It will always be his will to go right." [38:41]
2. "What I think we see over and over, in Joseph's life, is that he protects his obedience to God's revealed will. And so I want to challenge you, as you maybe read on your own this week in these 14 chapters on Joseph's life, would you just look for how does Joseph protect his obedience to God's revealed will? In what ways does he make decisions and choices to stay obedient and faithful to what he knows about God? Now, God's revealed will." [38:09]
3. "God's sovereignty is not that he makes everything happen, but that he can take anything that does happen and make it for his glory and for his good. That's what God's sovereignty is. That's God's sovereignty. And it's even greater, right? That is even greater. Another thing that we learn about God's will here in Joseph's story is that God's will never hurries. And this is a problem for us. Because we're usually in a hurry." [47:45]
4. "We know God's revealed will is for us to give thanks in all circumstances. Paul actually tells us, as he writes, he says, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. You know, we often look at our circumstances and we think, man, these things, my circumstances aren't aligning very well. They aren't aligning. I'm not very happy, and His will must be for me to be happy, right? And for me to be happy, a bunch of these circumstances have to change when I'm not happy. All along, God's word says that His will for us is to stop and give thanks right where we are in the midst of even circumstances we don't like, even circumstances that are hard. He says, right where you are, give thanks. Whatever your circumstances, give thanks." [33:12]
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