Staying True to the Dream
Living the Dream • Sermon • Submitted
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· 15 viewsDo you ever feel like the world puts you impossible situations sof that no matter what you do it's not right. Pastor Bill helps us navigate the waters of temptation so that we can please God no matter what.
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Introduction
Have you noticed the world has a knack of putting you in impossible situations.
An impossible situation is a situation that no matter what you do it’s not going to be the right thing.
No matter what you decide your going to hurt someone.
No matter which way you turn you are offending someone.
I think about the CPS worker that has to go into a home and remove the children from their parents for negligence of some kind. That’s an impossible situation.
Or the sniper in Afghanistan that’s been given an order to kill on site. That’s an impossible situation.
Or the mother and father that need to show tough love to their son or daughter by forcing them to take responsibility for their life can feel like an impossible situation.
The police man that has to make a split decision to save his own life or take the life of another is an impossible situation.
Sometimes we even put ourselves in impossible situations. Like when you know if you tithe other bills will not be paid. You gave your word to the creditor, but you also gave your word to the Lord. It’s an impossible situation.
Your friends are wanting you to hang with them but you don’t do that stuff anymore. It’s an impossible situation.
Your Boss is telling you to take advantage of people when you know it not good for them. It’s an impossible situation.
I could go on and on with different scenarios of impossible situation because they happen to us almost daily.
I’ll bet that many of you in this room are in an impossible situation in your life right now.
So what do we do in the situations of life. How do we handle ourselves as christians when we are backed up against the wall.
I believe we can find the answers we need in the life of Joseph. Many times in Joseph’s life we find him in impossible situations.
11 times in the scriptures the phrase “Blessed is the man” appears. These can be summed up into three truths that will give us the answers we need.
In we pick up the story of Joseph being sold by his brothers into Egypt. He is bought as a slave by the captain of of the guard to Pharaoh.
Let me read the first few verses of Genesis 39.
Bible Message
2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.
Gen 39:
Blessed is the Man that walks in Righteousness
Blessed is the Man that walks in Righteousness
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Righteousness come through God’s Word.
Righteousness come through God’s Word.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Righteousness brings God’s blessing.
Righteousness brings God’s blessing.
God blesses the righteous.
God blesses the righteous.
Ps
Righteous.
2. God blesses the righteous.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
So we see it in the life of Joseph.
Ps 1:
4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.
Gen 39:
Your righteousness blesses those around you.
Your righteousness blesses those around you.
Gen
Joseph had his spirit in tune with God but what happens when outside forces begin to tempt you.
When you find yourself in an impossible situation let the Word of God be your guide.
When you find yourself in an impossible situation let the Word of God be your guide.
Now let’s read about Joseph’s impossible situation.
11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house,
7 And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge.
Gen 39:
Blessed is the Man that Endures Trials
Blessed is the Man that Endures Trials
Blessed is the Man that Endures Trials
Blessed is the Man that Endures Trials
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
James
Your desires determine your actions.
Your desires determine your actions.
Guard the desires of your heart.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Phil 4:
Be in control of your thoughts.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Focus your affections on Christ.
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Sinful desires give birth to sin.
Sinful desires give birth to sin.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Joseph knew that his sin was offence against God himself.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
Gen 39
Sin is an offence against God as a person.
Sin is an offence against God as a person.
Sin is an offence against God as a person.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Ps
13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
Sin always leads to death.
When all else fails: Run!!
When all else fails: Run!!
11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.
11 But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. 13 And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house,
Better to loose your coat and keep your good name.
Gen 39
The truth will always come out in the end.
When you find yourself in an impossible situation choose God and let Him fight for you.
When you find yourself in an impossible situation choose God and let Him fight for you.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
So what if you don’t always pass the test and the trial. I think if we were honest, many of us might have fallen to the temptation that Joseph had. But we must remember that Joseph is a picture of Jesus. And Jesus was tempted in all points as we are yet he didn’t sin. David was tempted and he fell to the temptation; a man after God’s own heart.
Jame 4
So what if you don’t always pass the test and the trial. I think if we were honest, many of us might have fallen to the temptation that Joseph had. But we must remember that Joseph is a picture of Jesus. And Jesus was tempted in all points as we are yet he didn’t sin. David was tempted and he fell to the temptation; a man after God’s own heart.
Blessed is the Man that the Lord Forgives
Blessed is the Man that the Lord Forgives
13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
Blessed is the Man the Lord Forgives
Blessed is the Man the Lord Forgives
Blessed is the Man the Lord Forgives
Blessed is the Man the Lord Forgives
Faith in the Lord brings forgiveness of sin.
Faith in the Lord brings forgiveness of sin.
6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Romans 4:
Jesus is our Righteousness
Jesus is our Righteousness
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Our sin was nailed to his cross.
We are found righteous in Him.
We strive to be like Joseph, but sometimes we end up like David.
When you put yourself in an impossible situation, Jesus can always get you out.
When you put yourself in an impossible situation, Jesus can always get you out.
Whether your Joseph or David, Jesus in the answer for your impossible situation.
When you need protection like Joseph you run to Jesus.
The world is going to hate you no matter what. But the Lord will forgive you if you are willing to humble yourself and ask him for forgiveness.
When you need forgiveness like David you run to Jesus.
Jesus is always the answer for your impossible situation.
David Cried out:
13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
2 Sam
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:
Are you ready to cry out to the Lord today and confess your sin, repent and be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
If you need forgiveness today Jesus is ready and waiting. If you need strength today to overcome the temptations of sin, run to Jesus for help and protection.
If you need forgiveness today God is ready and waiting. If you need strength today to overcome the temptations of sin, the Spirit is strong enough for you.
You have to act! You have to respond! You have to run from sin and run straight into the Father’s arms!