Fulfilling Your Dream

Fulfilling Your Dream

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Intro:

Growing up have you ever been asked the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The answers would always vary. Usually the answer was whatever we were excited about at the time. A fireman was the quickest one I could remember. The next was one of the superheroes, and of course there was the dream of being a martial artist after watching a Bruce Lee movie.

In our teenaged years those dreams turned to making money. Dreams of being rich. Finding that job that would take care of us and our families. The choices of careers took over where the fantasies left off. As our learning increased so did our dreaming. Did you know that God has a dream for us? Yes, God has a dream for you!

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Genesis 37:2–11 (NKJV)

5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”

8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”

10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” 11 And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

The Dream

Josephs dreams revealed to him and those who heard them that he was going to be a leader and a ruler over his people. His dreams revealed a greatness in Joseph that was yet to discovered. We know now that he became second to pharaoh and ruled the land of Egypt.

1. Your dream shows the greatness that God has put in you.

2. Your dream shows your purpose in God’s plan.

3. Your dream will always be in association with people.

4. Your dream will carry you outside the walls of the church.

Your Greatness:

The greatness that God has put in you is who you are. You are not to be anyone but you. God has designed you to fulfill the plan He has for you.

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

a. The dream God placed in you is what you were created to do.

b. Being rich and famous does not determine your greatness, greatness is fulfilling your purpose to the highest capacity that God has given you.

Josephs dream showed that he would be someone great and his brothers and father knew the interpretation of his dreams. Joseph didn’t pursue this greatness. He stayed obedient to his father and faithful to God.

c. You don’t pursue the greatness; the greatness will pursue you.

You just must be the best at what God has you doing at the time. Listen and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit and be faithful to God in what you’re supposed to be doing.

Your Purpose:

God does everything with a purpose. Josephs dreams revealed his purpose. However, it didn’t reveal how it was going to come to pass.

Genesis 45:3-8

5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Joseph came to understand what his purpose was while going the struggles and the heartache, and by his position. He didn’t know at the beginning. It was revealed through the process.

Our purpose may not always be clear. You can since your purpose, just not be clear about your purpose.

a. Your purpose is a direction of travel. It gives you the direction to go.

b. Your purpose is a part of God’s larger plan not yet revealed.

c. God’s plan is revealed as you move in your purpose.

Your Association with People:

Joseph understood why God sent him to Egypt. He was used to save his people and those of Egypt.

Going after your dreams will involve people. God is interested in the welfare of the world, not just you.

a. God gave you a dream to affect others and to bring glory to His name.

b. To fulfill your dream will require a servant’s heart.

Matthew 23:11 (NKJV)

But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

God is going to use you to be a servant to people.

c. People are the primary reason you are called of God. You are to demonstrate His love to others. People need you and you need people.

Outside the Walls of The Church:

The dream God gave to you may not only consist of inside the church ministry. It may be a doctor, lawyer, professional sports, pro wrestling, construction, business, etc.…

The point is you can be used by God in any arena or profession on earth.

1. Joseph was a Hebrew in covenant with God, yet he was over all of Egypt.

2. He learned the ways of the Egyptians, he had to understand and know their way of life.

3. Joseph never lost his identity of who he was or of who his God is.

In fulfilling your dreams, you will be working in the world. In whatever occupation God has placed you, be faithful. Be faithful first to God and then to your employer. If you’re a boss already then, it’s faithful to God, then your employees.

Wherever Joseph found himself scripture says God was with him. Why? He was faithful to God and those he worked for and God raised him up.

Opposition to Your Dreams:

Joseph faced massive opposition to his dreams.

1. Himself: when God reveals some things to you, it’s best to keep it to yourself, or tell someone who is trustworthy and Godly. You can’t just blurt things God tells you out.

2. Family: family can hurt you, they may not understand what God is doing with you. It may go against family tradition.

3. Being falsely accused of something you didn’t do. I simply call this drama. Allowing yourself to fall into drama will hinder your dream quickly.

4. Ignored: you may feel as if your being ignored. Rest assured God is not ignoring you.

Conclusion: Victory

Joseph came to power over all of Egypt. He was able to sustain his people and the people of Egypt through a seven-year famine in all the land. After being dumped in a waterless well, sold into slavery, became head over Potiphar’s house, lied on by his wife, put in prison, and finally raised to power. Josephs dreams came to pass. He fulfilled his dreams. He overcame every obstacle that was against him and his dreams because God was with him.

1. Joseph was obedient to his father’s teaching of God.

a. We must be faithful to those God has placed over us.

b. Our Pastor, Boss at work, laws of the land.

Romans 13:1–2 (NKJV)

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

2. Joseph worked hard wherever he found himself.

a. He got in a got it done. He wasn’t complacent.

b. Because of this God granted him favor in the sight of all his employers.

c. They raised him up to leadership.

3. Joseph trusted God in every situation.

a. If you aint got faith, you aint got nothing. It was his faith that sustained him through each situation.

4. Joseph used the gifts God gave him.

a. The Spirit of God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams. It was through that gift that he was brought out of prison and ultimately before Pharaoh.

b. Joseph also was given a word of wisdom to let pharaoh know what needed to be done about the famine.

c. God has given us spiritual gifts to fulfill his plans and purposes in our lives. They are meant to be used out in our sphere of influence.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV)

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

God has deposited in us a dream to be fulfilled in this day and hour. It will affect those around you and bring the kingdom of God into any situation. The dream God has given you is His will for your life. You are destined for impact. God gave you a dream to impact the culture around you. His provision, and His protection is there. It is His will for you to bring heaven into the earth realm. You start right where you are. Decide today I’m going after the dream God has given to me.