Joseph The Dreamer
Sweet Dreams • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Intro
Intro
An inspiring story. The story of Joseph is, I believe, the most beautiful in the book of Genesis.
A story that has inspired poets, musicians and artists of all ages:
In 1743, George Frideric Handel (music composer) composed the musical work Oratorio, entitled Joseph and His brethren;
The German novelist Thomas Mann wrote 4 novels on the book of Genesis, 3 of them dedicated to Joseph's life.
But the story of Joseph is not only a literary masterpiece, but serves to anticipate the most beautiful story ever: Jesus’ story.
Joseph’s life foreshadows Jesus Christ.
Tremper Longman III; Raymond B. Dillard
In fact, Arthur Pink, author and Calvinist teacher, in the book "Gleaning in Genesis", found 101 connections between the life of Joseph and the life of Jesus. Like Jesus:
Joseph was the perfect son;
Joseph was the perfect brother;
Joseph was the perfect manager;
Joseph was the perfect leader;
However, just like Jesus, Joseph was rejected and betrayed.
It is also through this Christological lens that we want to read the story of Joseph.
It is not just a beautiful story that of Joseph, because it indicates the life of Jesus.
Son of art. For Joseph's adventure, everything began through a dream, just like his father Jacob.
Probably, Jacob told his son Joseph the dream of the "ladder" that connected heaven and earth.
Most likely, the dream of the ladder also had an impact on Joseph's life.
Application. This reminds us that, if we want our children to have dreams, we parents must transmit what God has revealed to us.
Lord, help us to raise up a generation capable of dreaming. If we want Joseph's dreams, Jacob must tell his dreams:
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Sermon's outline. Regarding the sign of Joseph I would like to consider some aspects:
The discernment of the dreamer;
The hatred for the dreamer;
The dreamer's tunic;
The dreamer's perseverance.
N.1 - The Dreamer’s discernment
N.1 - The Dreamer’s discernment
Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.
Dreams are for everyone, not bed resorts. The dreamer, despite his very young age, shows considerable discernment.
In fact, Joseph knows what is good to tell in public and what to tell in private:
Dreams, the words of God, divine revelation are for everyone, they must be shared and shared;
Bed reports (Genesis 37:2) are to be managed with care and discernment.
Joseph only told his father about the bad behavior of his brothers, while he shared the dreams with his entire family.
Application. Unfortunately, we can often run the risk of reversing things:
we proclaim to everyone the bed reports of others, and we keep God's dreams to ourselves.
How can you recognize a bed report from a divine dream?
The difference between news and gossip lies in whether you raise your voice or lower it.
The prophet Isaiah says:
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
We are dreamers, not gossipers.
May the Lord help us to announce the great things that God has done for us:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
N.2 - The hatred for the Dreamer
N.2 - The hatred for the Dreamer
His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.
Growing Hatred. The passage just read states that Joseph's brothers hated him on three occasions.
Verse 3 states that Joseph's brothers did not speak kind words to him.
Verse 11 states that the brothers were jealous of Joseph.
Hatred and jealousy toward Joseph increases because of divine dreams.
Even Jacob's father gets involved in the animosity against Joseph and reproaches him (Genesis 37:10).
Hatred, reproach, jealousy, this was the family context in which Joseph lived.
Application. Because of our faith in Jesus, we are despised, hated and rejected.
About this hatred, we can see how it is growing more and more.
In Nigeria, on April 13 of this year, 56 Christians were brutally murdered. Among the victims were children of 4 and 5 years old.
We are hated and persecuted:
Jesus said:
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
John said:
Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
Paul said:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Maybe you feel tired of being hated by your colleagues, family and friends because of your faith. Don't let this hatred prevail.
Even the apostles were persecuted, yet:
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
In Joseph’s story, we see God accomplishing His purpose despite the intention of others.
Derek R. Brown; Miles Custis; Douglas Mangum; Matthew M. Whitehead
N.3 - The Dreamer's tunic
N.3 - The Dreamer's tunic
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.
The favor of the Heavenly Father. In these verses Joseph receives the favor of his earthly father through an ornate robe (Genesis 37:3).
Later, Joseph received two divine dreams as evidence of the favor of the Heavenly Father.
Application. How many churches, how many ministers, how many believers, have received the ornate robe, the approval of men, but not the approval of the Heavenly Father?
We desire the approval of God!
What is the use of having ornate and colorful clothes, but my ministry does not have the favor of the Lord.
We want dreams, Lord!
The dirty robe. The brothers will later strip Joseph of his tunic, they will dirty it with blood simulating a terrible accident.
Jacob's sons, however, could not dirty Joseph's dreams, nor take them away from their recipient.
At the end of the book of Genesis, all of Joseph's brothers will bow before him.
Application. The titles, honors, and glory that this world can offer are like that ornate tunic: it can be torn, soiled, stolen, etc...
But the approval, the favor of God, the divine dreams, no one can take them away from you!
Just like Joseph, you feel stripped of your honor, your dignity, because someone has taken away your ornate robe.
They can take away your robe, but not God's dreams.
Paul’s dream. Because of the heavenly vision, the enemies of the apostle Paul had taken everything from him: friends, honors, freedom, titles, respect, etc.
Yet here is what he writes to the Church in Rome:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
N.4 - The Dreamer's perseverance
N.4 - The Dreamer's perseverance
His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
Jacob is listening. What is the point of revealing these dreams: receiving hatred, indifference, ridicule.
Before his eyes, Joseph saw no positive response.
Yet, in the midst of all that jealousy and hatred, a man had responded positively to Joseph's dreams by keeping them in his heart.
Application. Just like Joseph, you too receive only hatred, rejection and derision when you share the Gospel.
You are asking yourself: "What is the point? It is better to remain silent... They do not want to know about Jesus..."
But you do not know that for you too there is a Jacob who listens to you, there is someone who recognizes that yours are not fantasies but words of truth.
The martyrdom of Stephen. The book of Acts presents the martyrdom of Stephen as a moment of profound injustice, violence and hatred.
Yet, even in the midst of that hatred, while Stephen was being stoned, Luke tells us that among that enraged crowd there was a young man, Paul, who will be marked by Stephen's courageous testimony.
To the Sunday school teachers, to the elders, to the deacons, to all those who serve the Lord by sharing divine dreams, do not be discouraged: know that, in the midst of all this indifference and contempt, there is a Jacob, there is a Paul who listens to you and like Mary:
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Trustworthy Dreams. Joseph the Dreamer. In the midst of hatred, in a dysfunctional family, this young man will see the realization of his dreams.
Do not be discouraged. Do not stop telling the dreams, the promises of God.
Do not let hatred shut your mouth... Tell what God has shown you, because a Jacob is listening to you.
