Faith: Opening Doors to Dreams and Redemption
Summary
### Summary
Good morning and welcome to the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. Today, we begin a new worship series called "Wide Open," focusing on how faith opens doors for us. Our theme for today is "Open to Dream," and we explore the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis. Joseph, a dreamer, was favored by his father Jacob, which led to jealousy and animosity from his brothers. They sold him into slavery, but through his faith and God-given gift of interpreting dreams, Joseph rose to become a powerful figure in Egypt, ultimately saving many from famine, including his own family.
Faith doesn't change God; it changes us. It opens doors to life, redemption, freedom, possibility, peace, and hope. Joseph's story illustrates how faith can transform our lives, even when we face rejection, pride, and failure. Joseph's journey from being a prideful young man to a wise and compassionate leader shows how faith can open doors wide open, leading to reconciliation and redemption.
We are encouraged to be open to our dreams, as they can be messages from God. Just as Joseph's dreams led to significant changes and opportunities, our dreams can also guide us towards God's mission. By placing our trust in God and allowing faith to mold us, we can experience the opening of doors in our own lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faith Transforms Rejection into Forgiveness: Joseph was rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery, yet he did not let this rejection define him. Instead, he learned from it and allowed his faith in God to open doors to forgiveness and reconciliation. This teaches us that even when we face rejection, faith can help us find forgiveness and healing. [39:51]
2. Faith Moves Us from Pride to Redemption: Joseph's initial pride and favoritism led to his downfall, but through his faith, he found redemption. He used his God-given gift of interpreting dreams to help others rather than control them. This shows that faith can transform our pride into a tool for uplifting others and achieving redemption. [41:43]
3. Faith Opens Doors to Possibility: Despite being sold into slavery and imprisoned, Joseph's faith opened doors to unimaginable possibilities. He rose to a position of power in Egypt and saved many from famine. This illustrates that faith can turn our failures into opportunities for success and service to others. [34:43]
4. Dreams as Divine Messages: Joseph's dreams were messages from God that guided his actions and decisions. Similarly, our dreams can be divine messages that lead us towards God's mission. By being open to our dreams and placing our trust in God, we can discover new possibilities and directions in our lives. [30:53]
5. Faith Prepares Us for God's Timing: Joseph's journey was long and filled with hardships, but his faith in God prepared him for the right moment to act. This teaches us the importance of patience and trust in God's timing. Faith helps us wait for the right doors to open, leading us to fulfill God's purpose in our lives. [41:43]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [15:59] - Introduction to Joseph's Story
3. [18:04] - Joseph's Dream and His Brothers' Jealousy
4. [19:51] - Joseph's Dream of Wheat Sheaves
5. [21:52] - Joseph Sold into Slavery
6. [24:00] - Faith Opens Doors
7. [27:52] - Faith Changes Us
8. [28:25] - Joseph's Dreams and Divine Messages
9. [30:17] - Personal Dream Experience
10. [30:53] - Biblical Examples of Dreams
11. [31:55] - Joseph's Journey in Egypt
12. [32:22] - Joseph's Brothers' Resentment
13. [34:06] - Joseph's Gift of Dream Interpretation
14. [35:20] - Pharaoh's Dream and Joseph's Rise to Power
15. [37:44] - Joseph Saves Egypt and His Family
16. [39:51] - Reconciliation and Forgiveness
17. [41:43] - Faith and Possibility
18. [46:37] - Prayers and Thanksgiving
19. [49:10] - Offering and Response
20. [52:23] - Holy Communion
21. [54:23] - Announcements and Closing Blessing
22. [01:01:28] - Messy Church Announcement
23. [01:08:04] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 37:3-4 (NIV) - "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 an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him."
2. Genesis 41:39-40 (NIV) - "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 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.'"
3. Genesis 50:20 (NIV) - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial cause of the animosity between Joseph and his brothers? (Genesis 37:3-4)
2. How did Joseph's ability to interpret dreams impact his life and the lives of others? (Genesis 41:39-40)
3. What was Joseph's perspective on the harm his brothers intended for him? (Genesis 50:20)
4. According to the sermon, how does faith change us rather than changing God? [27:52]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How did Joseph's faith help him transform rejection into forgiveness? [39:51]
2. In what ways did Joseph's journey from pride to redemption illustrate the transformative power of faith? [41:43]
3. How can dreams serve as divine messages that guide us towards God's mission, according to the sermon? [30:53]
4. What does Joseph's story teach us about the importance of patience and trust in God's timing? [41:43]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced rejection. How did your faith help you find forgiveness and healing in that situation? [39:51]
2. Joseph's pride initially led to his downfall, but his faith brought redemption. Are there areas in your life where pride might be hindering your growth? How can you use your faith to transform that pride into a tool for uplifting others? [41:43]
3. Joseph's dreams were messages from God that guided his actions. Have you ever had a dream that felt like a divine message? How did it influence your decisions or actions? [30:53]
4. Joseph's faith opened doors to unimaginable possibilities despite his hardships. Can you identify a failure or setback in your life that faith helped you turn into an opportunity? [34:43]
5. Joseph's journey was long and filled with hardships, but his faith prepared him for the right moment to act. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's timing in your current circumstances? [41:43]
6. The sermon encourages us to be open to our dreams as they can be messages from God. What steps can you take this week to be more open and attentive to your dreams? [30:53]
7. Joseph's story is one of reconciliation and redemption. Is there a relationship in your life that needs healing? How can your faith guide you towards reconciliation? [39:51]
Devotional
### Day 1: Faith Transforms Rejection into Forgiveness
Joseph's story is a powerful testament to how faith can transform rejection into forgiveness. Despite being sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph did not let this betrayal define him. Instead, he leaned on his faith in God, which opened doors to forgiveness and reconciliation. Joseph's ability to forgive his brothers, who had wronged him so deeply, is a profound example of how faith can heal wounds and restore relationships. This teaches us that even when we face rejection, our faith can help us find the strength to forgive and move forward. [39:51]
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 of someone in your life who has wronged you. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
### Day 2: Faith Moves Us from Pride to Redemption
Joseph's journey from a prideful young man to a wise and compassionate leader illustrates the transformative power of faith. Initially, Joseph's pride and favoritism led to his downfall, but through his faith, he found redemption. He used his God-given gift of interpreting dreams to help others rather than control them. This transformation shows that faith can turn our pride into a tool for uplifting others and achieving redemption. By placing our trust in God, we can overcome our flaws and become instruments of His grace. [41:43]
Proverbs 11:2 (ESV): "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where pride has taken root. How can you humble yourself and use your gifts to serve others today?
### Day 3: Faith Opens Doors to Possibility
Despite the many hardships Joseph faced, including being sold into slavery and imprisoned, his faith opened doors to unimaginable possibilities. Joseph rose to a position of power in Egypt and saved many from famine, including his own family. This illustrates that faith can turn our failures into opportunities for success and service to others. When we trust in God, He can transform our circumstances and use us for His greater purpose. [34:43]
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: Think about a recent failure or setback. How can you trust God to open new doors and turn this situation into an opportunity for growth and service?
### Day 4: Dreams as Divine Messages
Joseph's dreams were messages from God that guided his actions and decisions. Similarly, our dreams can be divine messages that lead us towards God's mission. By being open to our dreams and placing our trust in God, we can discover new possibilities and directions in our lives. Joseph's ability to interpret dreams not only changed his life but also the lives of many others. This teaches us to pay attention to the ways God might be speaking to us through our dreams and aspirations. [30:53]
Joel 2:28 (ESV): "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent dream or aspiration you have had. How might God be using this to guide you towards His mission for your life?
### Day 5: Faith Prepares Us for God's Timing
Joseph's journey was long and filled with hardships, but his faith in God prepared him for the right moment to act. This teaches us the importance of patience and trust in God's timing. Faith helps us wait for the right doors to open, leading us to fulfill God's purpose in our lives. Joseph's story reminds us that even when the path is difficult, God's timing is perfect, and He is preparing us for something greater. [41:43]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: Consider a situation where you are waiting for God's timing. How can you cultivate patience and trust that God is preparing you for the right moment to act?
Quotes
1. "Faith opens doors not because faith changes God but because faith changes us. We are the ones that get caught in fear and negativity and anger and hate and addiction and sin and faith opens doors. It opens doors to life and redemption and freedom and possibility and peace and hope. Faith opens doors wide open." [27:52] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Joseph was rejected by his brothers, he was thrown in a pit, he was treated badly, and he earned that rejection. Even when we create our own problems, rejection still hurts. And Joseph didn't let that rejection define him. Instead, he learned from it. He let that rejection prepare him for something bigger." [39:51] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Joseph failed. He failed, I mean, badly. He failed his family. He did not work hard. He didn't contribute. He antagonized the very people he should have cherished. And then he was sold as a slave. I mean, that is the lowest of the low. And then sitting in prison, a slave in prison, he chose faith and his faith opened the doors of possibility." [41:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Faith changed Joseph's life. It opened doors. He went from rejection to forgiveness. He went from pride to redemption. He went from failure to possibility. Joseph was rejected by his brothers, he was thrown in a pit, he was treated badly, and he earned that rejection. When even when we create our own problems, rejection still hurts." [39:51] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Joseph didn't use it well until he learned humility and then he let faith in God change him. For Joseph, faith opened doors. It opened them wide open. And so Joseph correctly interpreted Pharaoh's dream. It was a well-to-do country and it's because they managed their harvest and storage so well. So they were prepared when droughts came. They were wise." [37:44] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Joseph's life was hopeless until he put his trust in God, until he depended on God and then waited on God's time, until he followed God with humility and with patience, and then when he spoke courageously when called by God. Faith opened doors for Joseph that he never expected. Life had derailed his plans and faith in God took him to a new life." [41:43] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Faith opens doors. It opens them wide open. Now when I say that faith opens doors, some would challenge me and say, are you saying that if you believe in God then doors will open in life and everything will go well and if you don't believe in God then doors stay closed? And of course we know that's not how it works." [27:52] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God gave Joseph this gift of interpretation, of interpreting dreams, and Joseph didn't use it well until he learned humility and then he let faith in God change him. For Joseph, faith opened doors. It opened them wide open. And so Joseph correctly interpreted Pharaoh's dream. Seven years of famine. Now these folks lived and died on the harvest." [37:44] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Joseph was full of pride. He lorded it over his brothers and the faith opened the doors for him to redemption where Joseph could use his power, his influence for helping others rather than controlling others. Perhaps you struggle with pride, with hiding your self-doubt and maybe even your self-loathing underneath pride of always making sure you're better than everybody else." [41:43] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Joseph was the son of Jacob, which makes him the great grandson of Abraham. And we heard about that first dream with the kids of sheaves in a field. If you have never, like this is not how they harvest wheat now, but it's how they did then. They tie him in stocks and then he had this dream of his brother sheaves bowing to him." [32:22] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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