God Always Wins
Notes
Transcript
“God Always Wins”
Message Two
Genesis 37-50
ETS: God won over various circumstances in Joseph’s life.
ESS: We should trust that God always wins in every circumstance we face in life.
OSS: [MO: Devotional] {SO: I want the hearers to trust God through every life circumstance they face.}
PQ: What specific circumstances can we examine God winning in the life of Joseph?
UW: Circumstances
Intro.:
“You relax on a plane, even though you do not know the pilot. You relax in a ship, even though you do not know the captain. You relax on a bus, even though you do not know the driver. Why don’t you relax in life knowing that God is in control?” (Author unknown)
Furthermore, Dr. Chuck Kelley, President emeritus of NOBTS once shared a story about his dad being a pilot. He shared about going on a flight with him years ago where they encountered a storm. Kelley shared that while the storm was rough and caused for a difficult flight, he never once experienced fear or thought they might be in trouble because he knew the pilot.
When we encounter different circumstances in life, whether ideal or not, we who have faith in Jesus and know God as our Father ought to find ourselves relaxing because He always wins.
TS: Today, let us examine a few specific circumstances in the life of Joseph where God won.
God won over dishonesty. (Gen. 37:18-36, Gen. 45:1-13, key verses 18-20;31-32; 36; 45:1-13)
Notice a few things about the dishonesty:
the brothers plotted ahead (dishonesty always involves a plot)
the brothers must have felt shame and embarrassment internally when they were the ones who had to go tell their dad that Joseph was still alive (lying got them no where)
God won over dishonesty by causing the dishonest ones to be the very ones to deliver the news that the son was alive
APPLICATION: God is powerful even over dishonesty, and His plan always wins.
God won over false accusations. (Gen. 39-41; key verses 39:12-23; 41:37-41)
Notice the following aspects:
False accusations deceived the husband (he didn’t ask questions, he immediately reacted)
The story was dramatized to fit the agenda of the one accusing.
God still worked amidst the wickedness of humans.
APPLICATION: God nor His plan is not hindered by the wickedness of humans and evil.
God won over famine. (Gen. 41-47; key verses 41:53-57, 45:4-8)
Key aspects of the situation:
The brothers who engaged in dishonesty were desperate because of the famine
Joseph was responsible for stewarding the resources during the famine.
God provided.
APPLICATION: God is powerful even over famine, whether that be physical or spiritual, He places people in our life to provide for us what we need even in our deepest desperation.
God won over grudges. (45:4-5; 50:15-21)
Key aspects:
Joseph, under human standards, had every right to hold a grudge and harbor bitterness.
Joseph forgave them, fed them, and took care of them.
APPLICATION: God is powerful even over grudges and circumstances that tempt us to harbor bitterness towards others. Through revealing His plan to Joseph and Joseph’s understanding of the plan, God provided for the very ones who had done the hurting, dishonest, evil deed through the one who was hurt and betrayed.
CONCLUSION:
God ALWAYS wins. We simply must surrender to His will and plan as He reveals that to us. Joseph did just that, even amidst some of the least ideal circumstances he encountered. We must remember that God is powerful over all, and He always wins- over dishonesty, false accusations, famine, grudges, etc. He wins over everything!! What is keeping you from trusting God amidst your current circumstances?
Fear?
Bitterness?
Feelings of spiritual famine/distance from God?
Anger?
Grudges?
etc.
God is worthy of your trust, and He always wins over every circumstance we face.
Next week, we will study about self-image and how that impacted Joseph’s ability to be used by God amidst everything he encountered. When we fail to love ourselves, we fail to love (and even criticize) God’s good creation. It is important that we love ourselves in order to accomplish God’s task for our lives.