Joseph: From Dream Chaser To God Chaser – Week 6 (10/30/2022)

Joseph: From Dream Chaser To God Chaser – Week 6 (10/30/2022)

October 29, 2022

RECAP:

• Pharaoh’s dream have come to pass: 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine
• Pharoah promotes Joseph to general overseer over the entire economy of Egypt. His role is not the just the survival of Egypt but also that Egypt will become the most powerful nation on earth.
• For all the neighboring countries, Egypt, is now there only source of hope and survival.
• Jacob, the father of Joseph, would send his sons to Egypt to buy food.

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. (Genesis 45:1NKJ)

• Joseph has been carrying this burden for 22 years.
• Instead of seeking revenge, Joseph decided to draw near to the Father.

And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. (Genesis 45:2 NKJ)

• He addressed his brothers in his native Hebrew language to make sure they understood him.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. (Genesis 45:3 NKJ)

• Dismayed: stunned, speechless, dumbfounded.
• They were struck by fear because their sin has finally caught up with them.
• Joseph reveals his true identity.

And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. (Genesis 45:4 NKJ)

Message Focus: Drawing near

Similarities between Joseph and Jesus:
He was mocked by his family; He was sold for 20 pieces of silver; He was stripped of his robe; He was delivered up to the Gentiles; He was falsely accused; He was thrown into prison; He is the instrument of God to bless and save his people.

Drawing near: Similarity between Joseph and Jesus

• When Jesus reveals himself to us as Lord and Savior, He wants us to draw near to Him.
• Drawing near is humbling but not shameful!
• Drawing near is an invitation to repentance.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:8-10 NLT)

Drawing near to God, reveals calling and purpose.

• For your calling and your purpose to be revealed to you is by drawing near to God.

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. 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. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 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. (Genesis 45:5-8 NKJ)

• What you meant to harm me, God has turn it around. Not just for my sake but for your sake as well.
• Same is true on our journey to discover God’s plan and purpose for our lives. We encounter all kinds of people, situations: good, bad, and ugly.

And we know that God causes everything (the good, the bad, the ugly) to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

Drawing near to God reveals His unconditional love

Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him. (Genesis 45:14-15 NKJ)

• After 22 years of carrying this burden. Joseph is finally free!
• He chose to forgive!
• The burden of unforgiveness will rob you of your purpose, your calling
• The burden unforgiveness will rob you of the fellowship with God!

CONCLUSION:
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?

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