Staying Focused: Navigating Blessings Without Distraction
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the story of Joseph, focusing on the theme of distraction, particularly how God's blessings can sometimes divert us from His will. We began by reflecting on Joseph's coat, a symbol of favoritism that led to his brothers' extreme jealousy and ultimately his sale into slavery. This set the stage for our main discussion: what do we do when God's blessings distract us from His will?
We explored various modern-day examples, such as the blessing of children, a coveted job, or a college education, and how these blessings can sometimes lead us away from God's intended path. The key question we pondered was, "What do you do when God's blessing distracts you from His will?" We examined how even good things, like family and career, can become distractions if they take precedence over our relationship with God.
We then turned to Deuteronomy 8, where God warns the Israelites not to let the abundance of the Promised Land make them forget Him. This passage served as a reminder that blessings should not lead us to arrogance or self-reliance but should keep us humble and focused on God.
Joseph's story in Genesis 39 was our primary text. Despite being sold into slavery, Joseph prospered in Potiphar's house because the Lord was with him. This prosperity could have easily distracted Joseph, making him think that his current success was the ultimate plan for his life. However, Joseph remained focused on God's greater purpose.
We concluded by emphasizing the importance of humility. Joseph's success was not due to his own abilities but because God was with him. This humility is crucial for us as well. We must recognize that our blessings come from God and should not distract us from His will. Instead, they should draw us closer to Him, keeping us humble and focused on His greater plan for our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Blessings Can Distract Us from God's Will: Even the blessings we fervently prayed for, like children or a job, can become distractions if they take precedence over our relationship with God. We must constantly evaluate whether our blessings are leading us closer to or away from God's will. [29:36]
2. Humility in Blessings: Joseph's story teaches us the importance of humility. Despite his success in Potiphar's house, Joseph recognized that his prosperity was due to God's presence with him. We must also acknowledge that our blessings come from God and not from our own efforts. [41:12]
3. God's Warnings Against Forgetting Him: Deuteronomy 8 warns us not to let God's blessings lead us to arrogance or self-reliance. We must remember that everything we have is from God and should keep His commandments and statutes, staying humble and grateful. [34:11]
4. The Danger of Ego: Blessings can feed our ego, making us think we achieved success on our own. Joseph could have easily fallen into this trap, but he remained humble, recognizing God's hand in his success. We must guard against letting our ego distract us from God's will. [42:26]
5. The Importance of Remembering God: Regularly remembering God's past deeds and blessings helps us stay focused and humble. The Psalmist's prayer in Psalm 77 serves as a model for us to continually remember and thank God for His works, keeping us grounded in our faith. [50:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:08] - Joseph's Coat and Favoritism
[27:32] - Modern-Day Distractions
[29:36] - When Blessings Distract from God's Will
[33:02] - God's Warning in Deuteronomy
[37:12] - Joseph's Success in Potiphar's House
[41:12] - Humility in Blessings
[45:31] - Joseph's Recognition of God's Hand
[50:46] - Psalm 77: Remembering God's Deeds
[52:59] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[59:55] - Introduction of New Church Members
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 39:1-6
2. Deuteronomy 8:6-14
3. Psalm 77:1-12
#### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 39:2, what is the reason given for Joseph's success in Potiphar's house?
2. According to Deuteronomy 8:11-14, what does God warn the Israelites about when they enter the Promised Land?
3. How does the Psalmist in Psalm 77:11-12 suggest we combat forgetfulness of God's deeds?
4. What modern-day examples of blessings becoming distractions were mentioned in the sermon? ([29:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that the Lord was with Joseph, and how did this affect his actions and success? ([38:26])
2. How can the abundance described in Deuteronomy 8 lead to arrogance and self-reliance, and what are the consequences of this? ([34:11])
3. What role does humility play in recognizing that our blessings come from God, as seen in Joseph's story and the sermon? ([47:28])
4. How does regularly remembering God's past deeds, as suggested in Psalm 77, help us stay focused and humble? ([50:46])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a blessing in your life that has the potential to distract you from God's will. How can you ensure it doesn't take precedence over your relationship with God? ([30:46])
2. Joseph remained humble despite his success. How can you practice humility in your own life, especially when you experience success or blessings? ([41:12])
3. Deuteronomy 8 warns against forgetting God in times of abundance. What practical steps can you take to remember and honor God during prosperous times? ([34:11])
4. The sermon mentioned that blessings can feed our ego. Can you identify a time when a blessing led to pride or self-reliance? How can you guard against this in the future? ([42:26])
5. The Psalmist in Psalm 77 emphasizes remembering God's deeds. What are some specific ways you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine to stay grounded in your faith? ([50:46])
6. How can you balance the blessings of family, career, or education with your commitment to God's will and involvement in the church? ([30:46])
7. Think of a recent blessing in your life. How can you use this blessing to draw closer to God and serve His greater purpose? ([40:31])
Devotional
Day 1: Blessings Can Distract Us from God's Will
Description: Blessings, even those we have fervently prayed for, can sometimes become distractions that lead us away from God's intended path. For instance, the joy of having children, the satisfaction of a coveted job, or the achievement of a college education can inadvertently take precedence over our relationship with God. It is crucial to constantly evaluate whether these blessings are drawing us closer to or away from God's will. The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors serves as a poignant reminder. His brothers' jealousy over this symbol of favoritism led to his sale into slavery, setting the stage for a life filled with both blessings and trials. We must ask ourselves, "What do you do when God's blessing distracts you from His will?" [29:36]
Deuteronomy 8:11-14 (ESV): "Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
Reflection: Think about a blessing in your life that might be taking precedence over your relationship with God. How can you realign your focus to ensure that this blessing draws you closer to Him rather than away from Him?
Day 2: Humility in Blessings
Description: Joseph's story teaches us the importance of humility in the face of success. Despite his prosperity in Potiphar's house, Joseph recognized that his success was due to God's presence with him, not his own abilities. This humility is crucial for us as well. We must acknowledge that our blessings come from God and not from our own efforts. When we remain humble, we can better understand and follow God's greater purpose for our lives. Joseph's ability to stay humble despite his success serves as a model for us to emulate. [41:12]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent success or blessing in your life. How can you practice humility by acknowledging God's hand in this blessing and giving Him the glory?
Day 3: God's Warnings Against Forgetting Him
Description: In Deuteronomy 8, God warns the Israelites not to let the abundance of the Promised Land make them forget Him. This passage serves as a reminder that blessings should not lead us to arrogance or self-reliance but should keep us humble and focused on God. We must remember that everything we have is from God and should keep His commandments and statutes, staying humble and grateful. This warning is as relevant today as it was for the Israelites, reminding us to stay grounded in our faith and dependence on God. [34:11]
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (ESV): "Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
Reflection: Consider a time when you may have taken credit for a blessing or success. How can you shift your perspective to recognize and remember God's role in your achievements?
Day 4: The Danger of Ego
Description: Blessings can feed our ego, making us think we achieved success on our own. Joseph could have easily fallen into this trap, but he remained humble, recognizing God's hand in his success. We must guard against letting our ego distract us from God's will. The danger of ego is that it can lead us to believe we are self-sufficient, causing us to drift away from our reliance on God. By keeping our ego in check, we can stay aligned with God's purpose and remain humble in our blessings. [42:26]
Proverbs 16:18 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where pride or ego might be creeping in. What steps can you take to humble yourself and acknowledge God's role in your life?
Day 5: The Importance of Remembering God
Description: Regularly remembering God's past deeds and blessings helps us stay focused and humble. The Psalmist's prayer in Psalm 77 serves as a model for us to continually remember and thank God for His works, keeping us grounded in our faith. By recalling God's faithfulness and blessings, we can maintain a heart of gratitude and dependence on Him. This practice helps us stay connected to God and prevents us from becoming self-reliant or forgetful of His goodness. [50:46]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific ways God has blessed you in the past. How can you make a habit of regularly remembering and thanking God for His faithfulness in your life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "What do you do when God's blessing distracts you from his will? For example, you prayed for children. You couldn't wait to be a parent. You feel like it's God's calling on your life and you promised God, God, if you would bless our lives with children, we promise to raise them to know you like Hannah did Samuel in the Old Testament. We will, we will raise them to know you and you prayed and you fasted and eventually you were able to have a child and God answered your prayer. But now, now they've grown up a little bit and they're pretty good athletically." [29:36](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What do you do when God's blessing distracts you from his will? When the genuine blessing of God, your children, is distracting from the will of God, which is to be involved in his church. Or you wanted to, you wanted to go to college so bad, right? You wanted to go to college so bad, you would be the first in your family to get a college degree. You prayed, you worked hard, you got the grades, you got a couple of scholarships, you're in, but you didn't realize, right? You didn't realize that there were going to be a lot of things that you could do in your free time." [30:46](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So God says himself, I'm going to bless you like crazy. He says it to his people, I'm going to bless you with things that you hadn't even thought of. There are things that I'm going to provide for you in this promised land that is going to be so bountiful. Don't let it take you away from me. Don't let it, don't let yourself think that you did it yourself. Don't become arrogant. If you do, it's all going to fall apart. How do you keep from letting the blessing of God distract you from the will of God?" [35:57](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Humility is the difference between someone who is blessed and it ruins, and someone who is blessed and it strengthens. Humility makes that difference. I think about it in my own life. I've shared, I don't know where I would be without God. God. I was not on the trajectory I'm on in my life without him. And I did not have, there are clearly things that I'm able to do in my ministry that I was not able to do without him. But there may be gifts that he's developed in my life and things that he's been doing, and it's apart from me." [48:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's tempting, right? When we experience the blessing of God, it is tempting. It's tempting to think that the promises of God aren't what we thought they were, and we'll try to reinterpret them, or we'll try to make them something else because, well, I thought, but it's like when you get a new big house, you know, like just a new, big, nice house, and man, it needs new furniture, right? You can't put the old furniture in the big new house, and it needs new decorations because you got to make the new big house. I mean, you got to do it." [43:54](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "One of the things I see about how blessings become distractions here in Joseph's story is that blessings can become distractions when they feel spiritual. When they feel spiritual to us. Verse two said, the Lord was with Joseph. Did you know that there are only six people in all of scripture that it says that about? Only six. And Joseph is the only one it says it about more than once. That's a big deal. God, this feels very spiritual. This feels very right. This must be your best for me." [41:12](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Blessings can become distractions too when they feed your ego. Ego is dangerous. I mean, there are very few things more dangerous than ego. Blessings, man, they become distractions when they feed into that ego. It says, so Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him and he made him overseer of his house, put him in charge of all that he had from the time that he had made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, it just, it prospered." [42:26](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Humility, we talked about ego, but humility is the difference between someone who is blessed and it ruins, and someone who is blessed and it strengthens. Humility makes that difference. I think about it in my own life. I've shared, I don't know where I would be without God. God. I was not on the trajectory I'm on in my life without him. And I did not have, there are clearly things that I'm able to do in my ministry that I was not able to do without him. But there may be gifts that he's developed in my life and things that he's been doing, and it's apart from me." [48:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It's tempting, right? When we experience the blessing of God, it is tempting. It's tempting to think that the promises of God aren't what we thought they were, and we'll try to reinterpret them, or we'll try to make them something else because, well, I thought, but it's like when you get a new big house, you know, like just a new, big, nice house, and man, it needs new furniture, right? You can't put the old furniture in the big new house, and it needs new decorations because you got to make the new big house. I mean, you got to do it." [43:54](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's sort of like thinking because you're having difficulties in your marriage that we just need to go to church together. We're having difficulties in our finances, difficulties in our other relationships, difficulties, whatever it is. If we just go to church together, but just going to church together, it's not going to solve all the problems, right? It's not going to fully get better until you humble yourself before God and do the work of putting him at the center of your relationship." [41:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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