GOD'S PLAN IS ALWAYS GOOD

Just the other day, January 15th, was my daughter Erin’s birthday. I have always had dreams for her, since the day she was born. She’s a treasure! That same day was someone else’s birthday —

I Have a Dream — video clip

That same day was someone else’s birthday — Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK). Some of you get out of school and off work tomorrow in honor of Reverend King. He was an amazing human — imperfect like all of us — but a person of great determination — a person driven by lofty dreams. He learned from His father that it was not acceptable to sit by and allow himself or others to be victimized by prejudice and hatred. It was not an easy road…as a child he suffered depression and anger…he questioned a lot of things. As he grew older he knew he had to do more…and he did.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK). Some of you get out of school and off work tomorrow in honor of Reverend King. He was an amazing human — imperfect like all of us — but a person of great determination — a person driven by lofty dreams. He learned from His father that it was not acceptable to sit by and allow himself or others to be victimized by prejudice and hatred. It was not an easy road…as a child he suffered depression and anger…he questioned a lot of things. As he grew older he knew he had to do more…and he did.

Five years after his “I have a dream” speech (1963) at the March on Washington, MLK was brutally assassinated while standing on the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis (April 4, 1968). He was only 39 years of age.

pics of Lorraine Hotel Memphis

He was greatly influenced by his father and others who dreamed of racial equality and peace. It was not a smooth road for him. Although he won the Nobel Peace Prize, he was still targeted by bigoted governors, individuals, and organizations. He was even targeted and surveilled by J. Edgar Hoover. He faced lots of violence and death threats, but none of that stopped his passion for freedom and equality. His influence still lives on today. There is still far to go…but we are a better country because of his bravery, passion, and persistence.

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Prayer

Joseph had big dreams too. In we find the famous story of young Joseph. He was his father’s favorite…Israel even gave him a special coat of many colors. His brothers resented him, especially when Joseph told them about the two dreams he had

Genesis 37:7 NIV

We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

Genesis 37:9 NIV

Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

Genesis 37:

Israel was a dreamer (worked 14 years for Rachel’s hand in marriage). Their son Joseph was a dreamer — but his dreams caused his brothers to hate him. They plotted to kill him, but ended up selling him into slavery. Joseph the dreamer became Joseph the slave — Joseph the prisoner — BUT --- he eventually became Joseph the prince. God used all of those situations, according to His good will, to bring Joseph to a place where he could save many lives from a deadly famine in the land.

Here’s a quick run-down: Joseph was sold to Potiphar (an Egyptian official) and Potiphar placed Joseph in charge of his whole house. However, Potiphar’s spoiled and evil wife accused Joseph of assaulting her, so Potiphar had him thrown into prison. God blessed Joseph in prison and he was placed in charge of all the prisoners. Joseph was able to interpret dreams — Pharoah had a disturbing dream — Joseph interpreted his dreams --- forecasting 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine.

Genesis 41:39–40 NIV

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Genesis 41:39-40

God used all of these situations to lead Joseph to where God’s will would be accomplished.

Big Idea: God uses dreams, people, and setbacks to prepare you for His purpose

Transition: Even though it sometimes take a while to recognize, God’s plan and purpose is always good

DREAMS PREPARE YOU FOR GOD’S PURPOSE

Illustration: Dreams dramatically shape our world

Henry Ford

Alexander Graham Bell

Thomas Edison failed at least 1000 times before succeeding with the light bulb…he didn’t give up and the momentum of that invention continues to this day — technology is almost impossible to keep up with

The Wright brothers failed a lot in their attempts to fly…but they kept it up — they had a dream

So many more — Winston Churchill, Billy Graham, Countless missionaries, Inventors, visionaries, scientists, etc.

Can you imagine a world without Velcro?

A. Big dreams create passion

Jacob (Isreal) agreed to serve Laban for 7 years for his dream-girl (Rachel) — ended up having to serve 14…but he willingly did it b/c she was his dream come true

B. Big dreams create momentum

Joseph’s life was shaped by the dreams of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather

He inherited passion, tenacity, and determination from his father

What began with Abraham, continued with Isaac and with his son Jacob —

Joseph picked up the dreamer’s mantle from them — he had a special faith and trust in God that caused him to keep trusting and obeying the Lord...

Eventually his brothers did bow down to him…just as the dreams showed

Fulfilled dreams have a snowball effect.

Application:

You may never know how your God-given dreams will effect the world, so keep pursuing them

Do you feel like its too hard…that there are too many obstacles…that it doesn’t seem possible?

Transition: God’s plan and purpose is always good…we can pursue it with confidence as we pursue Him with all of our hearts. He uses people’s dreams and their influence...

THE INFLUENCE OF OTHERS PREPARES YOU FOR GOD’S PURPOSE

Exposition

Genesis 37:3 NIV

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.

We could talk about how the other children must have felt because of this favor placed upon Joseph, but the key focus in this story is how Joseph responded to the dreamers and influencers in his life.

A. Israel’s influence upon Joseph

His father had a huge influence upon Joseph’s outlook, attitude, etc.

His brothers had to have had a big negative influence upon Jospeh…but he didn’t internalize it or allow him to become a bitter and sad person.

B. The influencers that influence your life

God uses the influence of many people to prepare us for His purpose in our lives

siblings

family

friends

bosses

God uses the influence of many people to prepare us for His purpose in our lives

Think about it…all the way back to your earliest days of life, you have been influenced

Who are those people?

parents

siblings

family

friends

bosses

etc.

Application

On the flip side:

What kind of influence are you to those in your life?

God will use you to encourage, challenge, value, and mentor people in your life

Get involved and actively strive to be a strong and positive influence

Especially let your influence point people to the hope we have in the Lord

Transitions: God’s preparation for His purpose in our lives allows and uses obstacles for His good and perfect plan

BRICK WALLS PREPARE YOU FOR GOD’S PURPOSE

Exposition:

Obstacles are part of life — how we respond to them is key to following God’s plan

Joseph seemed to take his really bad breaks in stride — thrown into an empty well, sold by his own brothers, falsely accused, imprisoned, etc. But he kept the faith and followed the path God placed before Him

What kinds of brick walls did he face that we can also face?

A. The wall of rejection

Genesis 37:9 NIV

Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

Genesis 37:8 NIV

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.

Genesis 37:7 NIV

We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

Since God’s purpose and plan is always good and is always about saving lives…you can count on opposition

Genesis 37

The enemy will throw out everything but the kitchen sink to stop us from trusting God

God uses criticism, failure, and other obstacles to prepare us for His purpose

B. The wall of injustice

…This wall prepares you for God’s purpose

He didn’t deserve the treatment he received from his own brothers…but God had a plan

Joseph could have turned his back on God when he brothers betrayed him, but stayed strong, refusing to deny his faith or his God-given dreams

C. The wall of temptation

…This wall prepares you for God’s purpose

Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph but he refused

Genesis 39:9 NIV

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

Genesis

She became angry & accused him of trying to take advantage of her

Potiphar angrily had Joseph thrown into prison...

D. The wall of obscurity

To feel alone, mistreated, and rejected can send anyone into an emotional and spiritual tail-spin

Let us be encouraged by the fact that Joseph chose to be faithful to God even in that situation and God blessed him with a promotion

Application

Not everyone will embrace your faith in Jesus

Not everyone will appreciate the dreams God places in your heart

It doesn’t matter because you will find God’s favor when you choose to follow His heart each day

Like Joseph, God may ask you to wait for a season before the dreams he has given you are fulfilled

Remember: time and pressure come together to create beautiful things

Conclusion

God’s purpose and plan for you is beyond good

Challenge

God often uses dreams, people, and brick walls to prepare you for His purpose

What are your God-given dreams? Do you know?

What is God’s purpose for your life?

Practice listening for God’s voice

In the quiet hours of the morning or late at night

As you consume the truth of His Word

As you pour out your heart to Him each day

As you gather in worship every week

God wants you to know He has a plan and a purpose for you and He is walking you through that process so don’t take a detour.