Trusting God's Plan: Lessons from Joseph's Life
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound wisdom found in the story of Joseph from Genesis 50. Joseph's life teaches us the importance of not letting our feelings dictate our understanding of God. Many people reject God based on their emotions and experiences, but this is a dangerous path. Instead, we should look to Joseph's example, who, despite being betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, chose to see God's hand in his suffering. Joseph's three statements to his brothers encapsulate a powerful approach to life: avoiding God's chair, taking God's view, and reflecting God's love.
Firstly, Joseph avoided God's chair by not assuming the role of judge or moral authority. He recognized that only God has the right to judge and that taking on this role leads to self-destruction. Secondly, Joseph took God's view by understanding that what his brothers meant for evil, God intended for good. This perspective allowed him to see beyond his immediate suffering and trust in God's greater plan. Lastly, Joseph reflected God's love by forgiving his brothers and providing for them, demonstrating a Christ-like love that transcends human understanding.
These principles are not just historical lessons but practical guides for our lives today. By avoiding the temptation to judge, taking a higher perspective on our circumstances, and loving others unconditionally, we align ourselves with God's will and experience true peace and fulfillment. This approach requires humility and confidence, qualities that Joseph exemplified and that we can cultivate through our relationship with Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Avoiding God's Chair: We often push God out of His chair by becoming our own moral authority, meeting others' needs, worrying excessively, or holding grudges. Each of these actions assumes a role that belongs to God alone and leads to spiritual and emotional turmoil. Recognizing and repenting of these tendencies allows God to reclaim His rightful place in our lives. [08:59]
2. Taking God's View: Joseph's statement, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good," teaches us to see our circumstances from God's perspective. This viewpoint acknowledges the reality of evil and suffering but trusts in God's ultimate plan to bring good out of every situation. This perspective is crucial for maintaining faith and hope in difficult times. [23:32]
3. Reflecting God's Love: Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers is a powerful example of reflecting God's love. This act of grace was possible because he avoided God's chair and took God's view. True love and forgiveness flow from a heart that is humble and confident in God's sovereignty. [29:17]
4. Humility and Confidence: These two qualities are essential for living a Christ-like life. Humility keeps us from assuming God's role, while confidence in God's plan allows us to face challenges with peace and assurance. Together, they enable us to love others as God loves us. [30:01]
5. The Cross as the Ultimate Example: Jesus' crucifixion is the ultimate demonstration of God bringing good out of evil. By submitting to God's will, Jesus turned an act of profound injustice into the salvation of humanity. This example encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when we face suffering and injustice. [31:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - Introduction and Personal Anecdote
[02:49] - The Danger of Defining God by Feelings
[03:40] - The Temptation to Judge God by Experience
[04:47] - Reading from Genesis 50
[06:11] - Joseph's Three Profound Statements
[07:16] - Avoiding God's Chair
[08:59] - Four Ways We Push God Out of His Chair
[15:08] - The Simplest Way to Become Like Satan
[19:17] - Excessive Worry and Keeping a Grudge
[22:31] - Taking God's View
[23:32] - You Meant It for Evil, But God Meant It for Good
[29:17] - Reflecting God's Love
[30:01] - Humility and Confidence
[31:33] - The Cross as the Ultimate Example
[34:00] - Applying the Gospel in Our Lives
[35:34] - Prayer and Reflection
[37:01] - Encouragement for the Week
[39:09] - Invitation to Accept God's Authority
[40:36] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 50:15-21
2. Romans 8:28
3. Matthew 6:14-15
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the three profound statements Joseph made to his brothers in Genesis 50:19-21? How did these statements help complete the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers? [07:16]
2. According to the sermon, what are the four ways we often push God out of His chair? [08:59]
3. How did Joseph's perspective on his suffering reflect his trust in God's greater plan? [23:32]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the simplest way to become like Satan? [15:08]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it dangerous to let our feelings dictate our understanding of God, according to the sermon? How does this relate to Joseph's story? [03:40]
2. How does Joseph's statement, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good," help us understand the concept of taking God's view on our circumstances? [23:32]
3. In what ways does reflecting God's love, as Joseph did, require both humility and confidence? [30:01]
4. How does the cross serve as the ultimate example of God bringing good out of evil, and how can this perspective help us in our own lives? [31:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you pushed God out of His chair by becoming your own moral authority or excessively worrying. How did this affect your spiritual and emotional well-being? What steps can you take to avoid this in the future? [08:59]
2. Joseph forgave his brothers despite their betrayal. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? What practical steps can you take this week to move towards forgiveness? [29:17]
3. How can you cultivate a habit of taking God's view in difficult situations? Think of a current challenge you are facing and discuss how you can see it from God's perspective. [23:32]
4. The sermon mentioned that true love and forgiveness flow from a heart that is humble and confident in God's sovereignty. How can you develop these qualities in your daily life? [30:01]
5. Jesus' crucifixion is the ultimate demonstration of God bringing good out of evil. How can this example encourage you to trust in God's plan during times of suffering and injustice? [31:33]
6. Identify one area in your life where you have been holding a grudge. How can you release this grudge and allow God to bring healing and reconciliation? [21:08]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of not letting others look to us to meet their deepest needs. How can you set healthy boundaries in your relationships to ensure that you are not taking God's place in someone else's life? [16:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Authority
Description: One of the most profound lessons from Joseph's life is the importance of recognizing and respecting God's authority. Joseph avoided God's chair by not assuming the role of judge or moral authority. He understood that only God has the right to judge, and taking on this role leads to self-destruction. Many times, we push God out of His chair by becoming our own moral authority, meeting others' needs, worrying excessively, or holding grudges. Each of these actions assumes a role that belongs to God alone and leads to spiritual and emotional turmoil. Recognizing and repenting of these tendencies allows God to reclaim His rightful place in our lives. [08:59]
Romans 12:19 (ESV): "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have taken on the role of judge or moral authority. How can you step back and allow God to reclaim His rightful place in this situation today?
Day 2: Seeing Through God's Perspective
Description: Joseph's statement, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good," teaches us to see our circumstances from God's perspective. This viewpoint acknowledges the reality of evil and suffering but trusts in God's ultimate plan to bring good out of every situation. By taking God's view, Joseph was able to see beyond his immediate suffering and trust in God's greater plan. This perspective is crucial for maintaining faith and hope in difficult times. When we face challenges, it is essential to remember that God can bring good out of even the most challenging circumstances. [23:32]
Genesis 45:7-8 (ESV): "And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God."
Reflection: Think of a difficult situation you are currently facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it through God's eyes and trust in His greater plan?
Day 3: Reflecting God's Love
Description: Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers is a powerful example of reflecting God's love. This act of grace was possible because he avoided God's chair and took God's view. True love and forgiveness flow from a heart that is humble and confident in God's sovereignty. By forgiving his brothers and providing for them, Joseph demonstrated a Christ-like love that transcends human understanding. Reflecting God's love in our lives means extending grace and forgiveness to others, even when it is difficult. [29:17]
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV): "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?
Day 4: Cultivating Humility and Confidence
Description: Humility and confidence are essential qualities for living a Christ-like life. Humility keeps us from assuming God's role, while confidence in God's plan allows us to face challenges with peace and assurance. Together, they enable us to love others as God loves us. Joseph exemplified these qualities by trusting in God's plan and not taking on the role of judge. Cultivating humility and confidence in our lives requires a deep relationship with Christ and a willingness to submit to His will. [30:01]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Redemptive Plan
Description: Jesus' crucifixion is the ultimate demonstration of God bringing good out of evil. By submitting to God's will, Jesus turned an act of profound injustice into the salvation of humanity. This example encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when we face suffering and injustice. Joseph's life and Jesus' sacrifice both remind us that God can bring redemption and good out of the darkest situations. Trusting in God's redemptive plan requires faith and a willingness to see beyond our immediate circumstances. [31:33]
1 Peter 2:24 (ESV): "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering or injustice. How can you trust in God's redemptive plan and see the potential for good to come out of that situation?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Treat feelings like children. Don't ignore them, but for crying out loud, don't let them drive. Don't let feelings determine the direction of your life. But most people who have rejected God. Who have rejected God on the basis of intellectual argument, have rejected God on the basis of how they feel. They've rejected God on the basis of, well, if God can let that happen, then I don't want to know him. Or, there can't be a God if this has happened in my life." [02:49] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The biggest mistake you'll ever make in your life, and it's a big temptation. I've been tempted to do it. In fact, if I'm going to be honest with you, maybe I've done it once or twice. And I think it's probably the biggest temptation that we face. And that's to make conclusions of God on how we feel, based on our experience. I will conclude. My position on God, based on my experience, I want to show you this morning that that's a destructive, disastrous thing to do, and I want to give you a different option." [03:40] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Don't give me the seat of God in your life. Don't look to me to answer all the needs of your heart because you're going to be disappointed. How many know that most love songs you hear on the radio really should only be sung to God? Because there's nobody else worth living for and dying for. There's nobody else in this planet worth giving your life for save God and God alone." [18:05] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The simplest way to become like Satan is to act like God. The simplest way to become like Satan is to act like your God. Push God out of his seat. Adam and Eve did it several thousand years ago and caused the destruction of the planet. You don't realize what damage, futuristically, you're doing when you push God out. Push God out of his chair. Become your own moral authority." [15:08] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Life is hard, but God is good. There's no way to bring those two concepts together. On an earthly plane. You can only do that from a God's perspective. Particularly when you're in the middle of it. That's why I'm saying he took God's view of life. I'm just wondering right now. If you can take God's view. If there's a circumstance or a matter or a situation in your life. Then you can say, well, I'm going to take God's view on this. They might have meant it for evil. Or maybe they didn't understand what they were doing. God will bring it. Bring it about for good." [26:36] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Joseph completes the reconciliation with three profound statements. I'm going to read them in a moment and then we're going to dig into them. These three statements. I suggest to you. Are not a symbol of principle. the pinnacle of wisdom these three statements if you can grasp them and implement them in your life will change the trajectory of your entire future they are incredible each one is worthy of a series within itself we're going to briefly touch on each of the three statements this morning these three statements completed the reconciliation between joseph and his brothers and i suggest they are the one of the greatest demonstrations of christ-likeness that you'll find in the bible." [06:11] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He avoided God's chair. When do you ever push God out of his chair? You might sit down there well you know I've never pushed God out out of his chair I mean uh you know that used to be my chair where pastor tim is sitting and uh I don't sit there anymore uh I've been pushed out of my chair I'm sitting a little bit along the row but you know that's okay because I'm not God so you can push me out of my chair and continue to live but you don't push God out of his chair and you sit and you think well I've never pushed God out of his chair have you let me give you four ways in which you and I attempted to push God out of his chair." [08:59] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. They hated him. His brothers hated him. They had a gut full of him. And he was proud and They hated him. He was a braggart and everything else. And they just wanted him out. He was the father's favorite and so forth. And they had a gut full of him. They wanted him dead until the older brother, he intervened. And he was the one that said, let's make some money off him. We kill him. We get nothing. Let's sell him as a slave. And they trafficked him. You meant it for evil. That's pretty evil. But God meant it for good." [23:32] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The cross itself is probably the greatest example of human history of God bringing good out of evil. Of you meaning this for evil. The crucifixion of this Jewish prophet. But God bringing about good, the salvation of humanity. I mean, the cross is the greatest symbol. It is the greatest story of man meaning for evil. But God bringing it for good. And in that humility and confidence, Jesus was able to love those who persecuted him." [31:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you refuse to be God, if you refuse to be your own moral authority but trust and obey, don't let people look to you to meet their deepest needs, don't worry, forgive. That's the fastest way to be happy and the fastest way to be like Jesus. Stay out of God's chair." [22:31] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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