Resilience, Forgiveness, and Growth in God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Investing in God's Kingdom

The growth of our church is a testament to God's blessings and favor. As we prepare for the Kingdom Investment Service, it's crucial to prayerfully consider how we can contribute to the future of our church. This is not just about building a physical structure but investing in the spiritual growth and expansion of God's kingdom. [02:34]

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you prayerfully consider your contribution to the Kingdom Investment Service, not just financially but also in terms of your time and talents?

Day 2: The Dangers of Favoritism and the Power of Dreams

Joseph's story teaches us about the dangers of favoritism and the power of dreams. Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph led to jealousy and hatred among his brothers. However, Joseph's dreams were not just for his benefit but for the future of his family. Our dreams and visions from God are meant to bless others, and we must handle them with wisdom and humility. [10:12]

"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (James 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a dream or vision God has given you. How can you ensure that it is used to bless others and not cause division or jealousy?

Day 3: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Joseph's resilience in the face of betrayal and hardship is a powerful lesson. Despite being sold into slavery and falsely accused, Joseph remained faithful and turned every situation into an opportunity to serve and excel. Our response to adversity can either define us negatively or become a testimony of God's faithfulness and our resilience. [40:04]

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent adversity you faced. How can you turn it into an opportunity to serve and grow in your faith?

Day 4: The Power of Forgiveness and Prayer

Forgiveness is essential for healing and restoration. By praying for those who have wronged us, we release the burden of bitterness and allow God's love to flow through us. This act of blessing others, even our enemies, transforms our hearts and aligns us with God's will. It is through forgiveness that we can truly live again with joy and hope. [48:54]

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you. Can you take a moment to pray for them and ask God to help you forgive and bless them?

Day 5: Restoration and Hope

The story of Jacob and Joseph ultimately points to restoration and hope. Despite years of grief and loss, Jacob's spirit was revived when he learned that Joseph was alive. Similarly, God can restore what has been lost in our lives and bring us back to a place of joy and fulfillment. Our future is in God's hands, and He is capable of turning our pain into a testimony of His grace and power. [59:33]

"And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." (Joel 2:25, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have experienced loss. How can you trust God to restore and bring hope to that situation?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we reflected on the journey of our church from its humble beginnings to its current state of growth and the need for a new facility to accommodate our expanding congregation. We celebrated the blessings and favor of the Lord over the past 36 years and discussed the upcoming Kingdom Investment Service, where we will focus on investing in the future of God's kingdom through a building fund offering. This is an opportunity for us to prayerfully consider how we can contribute to the growth and expansion of our church.

We then transitioned to the story of Jacob and Joseph from Genesis 37, exploring the dynamics of family relationships, favoritism, and the impact of dreams. Joseph, favored by his father Jacob (also known as Israel), faced jealousy and hatred from his brothers, leading to his betrayal and sale into slavery. Despite the severe trials and emotional trauma, Joseph remained resilient and faithful, turning every adverse situation into an opportunity to serve and excel.

The sermon emphasized the importance of how we respond to hurt and rejection, especially from those closest to us. It highlighted the necessity of forgiveness and the transformative power of praying for those who have wronged us. By doing so, we can experience healing and restoration, allowing us to live again with joy and hope. The story of Joseph serves as a powerful example of resilience, forgiveness, and the fulfillment of God's promises despite life's challenges.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Growth and Expansion in God's Kingdom: The growth of our church is a testament to God's blessings and favor. As we prepare for the Kingdom Investment Service, it's crucial to prayerfully consider how we can contribute to the future of our church. This is not just about building a physical structure but investing in the spiritual growth and expansion of God's kingdom. [02:34]
2. The Impact of Favoritism and Dreams: Joseph's story teaches us about the dangers of favoritism and the power of dreams. Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph led to jealousy and hatred among his brothers. However, Joseph's dreams were not just for his benefit but for the future of his family. Our dreams and visions from God are meant to bless others, and we must handle them with wisdom and humility. [10:12]
3. Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Joseph's resilience in the face of betrayal and hardship is a powerful lesson. Despite being sold into slavery and falsely accused, Joseph remained faithful and turned every situation into an opportunity to serve and excel. Our response to adversity can either define us negatively or become a testimony of God's faithfulness and our resilience. [40:04]
4. The Power of Forgiveness and Prayer: Forgiveness is essential for healing and restoration. By praying for those who have wronged us, we release the burden of bitterness and allow God's love to flow through us. This act of blessing others, even our enemies, transforms our hearts and aligns us with God's will. It is through forgiveness that we can truly live again with joy and hope. [48:54]
5. Restoration and Hope: The story of Jacob and Joseph ultimately points to restoration and hope. Despite years of grief and loss, Jacob's spirit was revived when he learned that Joseph was alive. Similarly, God can restore what has been lost in our lives and bring us back to a place of joy and fulfillment. Our future is in God's hands, and He is capable of turning our pain into a testimony of His grace and power.

### [59:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:34] - Church Growth and Blessings
[02:34] - Need for a New Facility
[03:26] - Kingdom Investment Service
[04:30] - History of Our Church Property
[05:40] - God's Provision and Future Plans
[06:44] - Leadership and Personal Investment
[07:57] - Introduction to Genesis 37
[09:07] - The History of Jacob
[10:12] - Joseph's Dreams and Family Dynamics
[12:17] - The Danger of Favoritism
[13:09] - Joseph's Dreams and Rejection
[19:17] - Handling Church Hurt
[20:50] - The Importance of Wisdom
[22:17] - Reuben's Intervention
[24:19] - The Pain of Betrayal
[28:08] - The Impact of Hurt
[33:15] - Dealing with Deep Emotional Pain
[40:04] - Joseph's Resilience
[48:54] - The Power of Forgiveness
[59:33] - Restoration and Hope
[67:06] - Prayer and Healing
[70:50] - Continuous Blessing and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the main reasons Joseph's brothers were jealous and hateful towards him? ([12:17])
How did Joseph's father, Jacob, react to Joseph's dreams? ([14:07])
What actions did Joseph's brothers take against him, and what was Reuben's role in the situation? ([22:17])
How did Joseph respond to the adversities he faced, such as being sold into slavery and later being imprisoned? ([40:04])

Interpretation Questions

How does the story of Joseph illustrate the dangers of favoritism within a family? ([12:17])
In what ways did Joseph's resilience and faithfulness during his trials serve as a testimony of God's faithfulness? ([40:04])
How does the act of forgiveness and praying for those who have wronged us, as seen in Joseph's story, align with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:11-12? ([48:54])
What does Jacob's eventual restoration and hope upon learning that Joseph was alive teach us about God's ability to restore what has been lost? ([59:33])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt hurt or rejected by someone close to you. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently to align with the principles of forgiveness and resilience seen in Joseph's story? ([19:17])
Joseph's dreams were meant to bless others, yet he initially shared them in a way that caused envy. How can you share your God-given dreams and visions with wisdom and humility to avoid causing jealousy or misunderstanding? ([13:09])
Consider the upcoming Kingdom Investment Service. How can you prayerfully consider your contribution to the growth and expansion of God's kingdom, both financially and spiritually? ([02:34])
Joseph turned every adverse situation into an opportunity to serve and excel. Identify a current challenge in your life and discuss practical ways you can turn it into an opportunity to serve others and glorify God. ([40:04])
Forgiveness is essential for healing and restoration. Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you start praying for them and seeking to bless them, even if it feels difficult? ([48:54])
Jacob's spirit was revived when he learned that Joseph was alive. How can you seek God's restoration in areas of your life where you have experienced loss or grief? ([59:33])
Reflect on the importance of investing in the future of your church. What specific steps can you take to support the church's growth and ensure it continues to be a place of blessing and favor for future generations? ([03:26])

Sermon Clips

1. "And you know what? This is an opportunity for us to really invest. Invest in the future of the kingdom of God. And so we're going to have a kingdom investment service where we focus on the future of what God has in store for Calvary. It's coming up in October. It's going to be on a Sunday. We're going to have a kingdom investment service leading up to that. We're just going to ask God to speak to our hearts on what we're going to invest." [02:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If God ever gives you a dream, there might be some people that don't feel comfortable with your dreams, but that doesn't mean you should quit believing that your dreams can come to pass. Not everybody's going to celebrate your dreams. Are you going to let the enemy rob you of your dreams with an attitude? Are you going to let the enemy rob you of your future by getting mad that somebody doesn't like you?" [19:17] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Joseph may have had dreams and the people may not may have hated him. But if Joseph had wisdom, he probably wouldn't have been treated near as bad as he was. He was a tattletale does who loves tattletales, especially when you're doing wrong who who who loves hearing somebody talk about all the great things. They're going to see but they never talk about the great things that you could potentially see. What Joseph didn't realize is his dreams were not for him. His dreams were for his brother." [20:50] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The only people that can really hurt you are the people that are closest to you. You can't you know, Kamala Harris Kamala Harris, whatever, whichever you way you want to say it and Donald Trump are not going to hurt you unless they're your father or brother or sister or close family. You got to love somebody openly for them to I guess if you love them enough and they turn and do something wrong you they can hurt you. But it's not the people that are distant that are going to hurt you outside of your world." [24:19] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Joseph is going to become one of the greatest biblical figures in the Bible of resilience and healing from pain that of the world could ever look to as an example. This story has the potential to heal America. What do you do when your dreams get dashed? What do you do when people don't agree with your dreams? Do you just run?" [26:17] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If you're going to be a saint of God, be a good saint. Be the best saint you could ever be. If you've been hurt, don't let your hurts define you. If you're going to be a child of God, be the best. Don't be a bitter, hateful, unforgiving, envious, self-seeking, self-centered child of God. Be a true Christian." [41:07] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When people make fun of your walk with God, you're blessed. When people talk bad about your decisions to serve the Lord, you're blessed. When Joseph, when you start talking about God's dreams, you're blessed. When your brother start making fun of it, you're blessed. Do you realize the way God sees things is a whole lot different than the way we see things? God says, when I start putting my hand on your life, the blessing of the Lord is coming on your life. It doesn't matter what people think about you." [46:48] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "God taught me something. He said, until you start praying for them and blessing them, this is going to hang over you like a cloud. And so, you know, I went to pray for somebody. I knelt down. I was like, OK, fine. Here we go. I can do this. I've been praying all my life, right? I can totally do this. Why is this so hard? Anybody ever done that? Unforgiveness is ruling my life." [48:54] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I hugged them and didn't even remember what they did to me did you catch that I I spoke to them and loved on him and didn't even remember they had wounded me you know why because I was healed gone not not even gone erased not just erased forgotten forgotten yeah you can actually love this so much the next time you see them all you're thinking is their success because that's all you've been praying and that's when you know it's over it's never coming back." [52:16] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "If you want healing I know where you can find it I'm not saying they didn't do you wrong I'm not justifying or even saying what they did was okay what they did may have been really terrible but how you respond to it matters it's not what was done to you that determines your success how you respond to what was done to you are you going to let somebody else's lack of wisdom cause you to not have love for the rest of your life like you really want to love are you going to let somebody else's ignorance like those brothers that didn't care about him cause you to lose hope for your future and mess your marriage up and your children up and your future up in your relationships why let somebody else's actions rob you of a future you know what Jesus said pray for them" [01:03:29] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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