God is sovereign

When have you had a day that just didn’t go your way? What happened?

When has life felt like it isn’t going your way?

Do you think days or seasons like this have a purpose? How?

1. Suffering is a part of following Jesus (Gen 37)

Genesis 37:3–5 “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.”

What problem do you see here? (v.3) Favoritism

Do you think it was wise for Joseph to share his dream? Why or why not? Probably not

Quick comment on how dreams are different than for Christians today

Genesis 37:18–22 “Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.”

What kind of sin do we see Joseph’s brothers commit here? Why?

Genesis 37:26–29 “So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened. Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes.”

WHY DO WE SOMETIMES LET OUR Circumstances DETERMINE WHETHER WE THINK GOD IS WITH US OR NOT?

It happens when we fail to pray or to remember God’s Word

It’s also because we are weak and we need God

WHY DO WE HAVE THIS FALSE IDEA THAT CHRISTIANS WON’T HAVE TO ENDURE DIFFICULTIES?

Lots of false prosperity gospel teaching out there

Philippians 1:29 (ESV)

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Suffering is a part of the Christian life

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The wonderful news is that no matter what is going on in your life students whether you feel it or not Jesus is with you

2.God uses evil for good (Gen 50:15-21)

Genesis 50:15–21 “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Why did Joseph weep in v.17?

Because Joseph knowing the evil his brothers did to him, still loved them as brothers

According to v.20 was God in control of everything that happened to Jesus?

Yes, but it doesn’t mean that God was evil

God knew and planned this life for Joseph but used it for good

God is not responsible for evil because evil actively runs in people, God doesn’t force people to do evil He simply allows people to do things and then uses it for good

The greatest evil was the crucifixion of Jesus that God planned before the world existed and yet God used it for good

Acts 2:22–23 (ESV)

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Whose plan was it for Jesus to die on the cross? God

Whose fault was it for killing Jesus? People

According to v.21 what was Joseph’s action now that his brothers were in his hands?

Joseph didn’t play the victim but instead showed grace because he knew that God was with him this whole time

Remember students when you are going through a really unfair evil time in your life that God is going to use it for good