Walking in the Covenant, Building the Kingdom

Thanksgiving! Lutheran Church

Pastor Bruce L Kotila

June 6, 2010

Joseph and the Dream Giver

Genesis 42-43             Guilt, Forgiveness and God’s Sovereignty

Outline

Genesis 42:1-5            Joseph’s brothers come to buy food

Genesis 42:6                Joseph’s dreams are fulfilled

Genesis 42:7-9            Joseph recognizes/remembers his brothers

Genesis 42:10-20        Joseph accuses his brothers

Genesis 42:21-24        Joseph’s brothers acknowledge their guilt

Genesis 42:25-38        Joseph’s brothers return to Canaan

Genesis 43:1-15          Jacob is forced to release Benjamin

Genesis 43:16-34        Joseph and his brothers feast together

Key Verses

• “But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm may befall him." (Genesis 42:4)
• “Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. (Genesis 42:6)
• “But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, "You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land." (Genesis 42:8-9)
• We are all sons of one man, we are honest men, your servants are not spies” (Genesis 42:11)
• “Then they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood." (Genesis 42:21-22)
• Then he said to his brothers, "My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack." And their hearts sank, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?" (Genesis 42:28)
• “When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. (Genesis 43:26)

Observations from Genesis 42-43

1. Jacob’s favoritism continues some 20 years later.
2. In accordance with God’s timing, Joseph’s dreams (God’s plans) are fulfilled.
3. As God intervenes, that which was forgotten, both good and evil, is remembered
4. Spiritual principles are inviolate, you will reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7)
5. Unresolved guilt hardens the heart and makes it difficult (maybe impossible?) to receive grace and celebrate goodness.

Application

1. Which storyline could you most identify with in these chapters?
2. What is the (kairos) major point of learning for you? Enter the circle and work both sides repent (observe, reflect, discuss) and believe (plan, account and act). 
3. Record and pray through any discoveries.

Walking in the Covenant, Building the Kingdom

Thanksgiving! Lutheran Church

Pastor Bruce L Kotila

February 28, 2010

Joseph and the Dream Giver

Genesis 39       Prosperity in the Midst of Adversity

Outline

Genesis 39:1-6a           Joseph prospers under Potiphar

Genesis 39:6b-18         Joseph suffers for righteousness

Genesis 39:19-23         Joseph prospers in prison

Key Verses

• “And the Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2)

• “Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand” (Genesis 39:3)

• “on account of Joseph…the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field” (Genesis 39:5)

• “But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer” (Genesis 39:21)

• “The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper” (Genesis 39:23)

Key Words

• Favor
• Successful
• Prosper
• Blessing
• Kindness

Observations from Genesis 39

1. Evidence of God’s call emerges before the fullness of time (Genesis 39:4; 39:22-23)

2. Biblical favor is not dependent upon (defined by) circumstances

3. Temptation, whatever its form, looks and waits for a point of vulnerability (Genesis 4:7; Luke 4:13; Psalm 119:9-11)

In our members there is a slumbering inclination towards desire which is both sudden and fierce. With irresistible power desire seizes mastery over the flesh. All at once a secret, smouldering fire is kindled. The flesh burns and is in flames. It makes no difference whether it is sexual desire, or ambition, or vanity, or desire for revenge, or love of fame and power, or greed for money, or, finally, that strange desire for the beauty of the world, of nature. Joy in God is in course of being extinguished in us and we seek all our joy in the creature. At this moment God is quite unreal to us, he loses all reality, and only desire for the creature is real; the only reality is the devil. Satan does not fill us here with hatred of God but with forgetfulness of God…The lust thus aroused envelops the mind and will of man in deepest darkness. The powers of clear discrimination and of decision are taken from us…It is here that everything within me rises up against the Word of God. Bolding mine (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Temptation, pp 116-117)

4. The experience of betrayal is common to the human experience

5. Suffering for righteousness is to be expected (2 Timothy 3:12)

Application

1. As you look back on your life do you find evidence of God using you in ways that are consistent with the dream that you currently hold for life and ministry?

2. Have you ever suffered for doing what is right? What emotions did you experience? How did it impact your relationship with God?

Walking in the Covenant, Building the Kingdom

Thanksgiving! Lutheran Church

Pastor Bruce L Kotila

February 21, 2010

Joseph and the Dream Giver

Genesis 39       Prosperity in the Midst of Adversity

Outline

Genesis 39:1-6a           Joseph prospers under Potiphar

Genesis 39:6b-18         Joseph suffers for righteousness

Genesis 39:19-23         Joseph prospers in prison

Key Verses

• “And the Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” (Genesis 39:2)

• “Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand” (Genesis 39:3)

• “on account of Joseph…the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field” (Genesis 39:5)

• “But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer” (Genesis 39:21)

• “The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper” (Genesis 39:23)

Key Words

• Favor
• Successful
• Prosper
• Blessing
• Kindness

Observations from Genesis 39

1. Evidence of God’s call emerges before the fullness of time (Genesis 39:4; 39:22-23)

2. Biblical favor is not dependent upon (defined by) circumstances

3. Temptation, whatever its form, looks and waits for a point of vulnerability (Genesis 4:7; Luke 4:13; Psalm 119:9-11)

In our members there is a slumbering inclination towards desire which is both sudden and fierce. With irresistible power desire seizes mastery over the flesh. All at once a secret, smouldering fire is kindled. The flesh burns and is in flames. It makes no difference whether it is sexual desire, or ambition, or vanity, or desire for revenge, or love of fame and power, or greed for money, or, finally, that strange desire for the beauty of the world, of nature. Joy in God is in course of being extinguished in us and we seek all our joy in the creature. At this moment God is quite unreal to us, he loses all reality, and only desire for the creature is real; the only reality is the devil. Satan does not fill us here with hatred of God but with forgetfulness of God…The lust thus aroused envelops the mind and will of man in deepest darkness. The powers of clear discrimination and of decision are taken from us…It is here that everything within me rises up against the Word of God. Bolding mine (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Temptation, pp 116-117)

4. The experience of betrayal is common to the human experience

5. Suffering for righteousness is to be expected (2 Timothy 3:12)

Application

1. As you look back on your life do you find evidence of God using you in ways that are consistent with the dream that you currently hold for life and ministry?

2. Have you ever suffered for doing what is right? What emotions did you experience? How did it impact your relationship with God?

Walking in the Covenant, Building the Kingdom

Thanksgiving! Lutheran Church

Pastor Bruce L Kotila

February 7, 2010

Joseph and the Dream Giver

Genesis 37:18-36

Outline

Verses 18-28, Joseph sold into slavery

Verses 29-35, Jacob deceived by his sons

Verse 29, Joseph sold to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the bodyguard

Key Verse

“Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams” (Genesis 37:20).

“Meanwhile, the Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the bodyguard” (Genesis 37:36).

Observations from Genesis 37:18-36

1.      Joseph’s hubris makes him oblivious to the depth of his brother’s hatred, the current danger and leads him to a sense of invincibility (a weakness of the young). Verses 18-20

2.      The account, viewed in its entirety, demonstrates the sovereignty of God over the affairs of human kind and that the plans of the Lord cannot be thwarted. Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-6; Luke 22:31-32

3.      In the days following the giving of the dreams the exact opposite of what was prophesied happens in the life of Joseph. Verse 24

4.      The heart can grow unbelievably cold when filled with hate for extended periods of time. Verse 25, also Hebrews 12:15

5.      We are told twice, for emphasis, that Joseph is sold into slavery in Egypt. Verses 28, 36

The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson

Ordinary Leaves His Comfort Zone (21-26)

Ordinary Meets Bullies in the Borderland (27-33)

Living Past the Edge (72-85)

“The closer we get to our own invisible Wall of Fear, the more fear we feel, and the more likely we are to believe a dangerous misconception. Ordinary expressed it this way: “But if I was supposed to do this Big Dream, then I’m sure I wouldn’t feel so afraid. (91)

Misconception #1  Since I feel fear, my Dream must not be from God

Misconception #2  I can’t go forward unless God takes my fear away

Unexpected Opposition (100-111)

Our New Dream was to serve God in Africa. Without a doubt, it was the biggest most unexpected change our family had ever experienced. Still, I knew it was the right thing to do. My wife and family knew it, too. And God had confirmed it in several highly specific ways. But the moment the Dream was announced, people started lining up at our front door. They had come to let us know, in the kindest but strongest way possible, that we were wrong, wrong, wrong!

Who’s In Your Borderland

1.      A Border Bully Opposes You

·        The Alarmist

·        The Traditionalist

·        The Defeatist

·        The Antogonist

2.      A Border Buddy Affirms and Supports You

3.      A Border Buster Helps You Pursue Your Dream

Walking in the Covenant, Building the Kingdom

Thanksgiving! Lutheran Church

Pastor Bruce L Kotila

January 17, 2010

Joseph and the Dream Giver

Genesis 37:1-17

Outline

Verses 1-2a, the generations of Jacob

Verses 2b-4, Joseph’s relationship with his brothers

Verses 5-11, Joseph’s dreams

Verses 12-17, Jacob sends Joseph to find his brothers

Key Verse

“What is this dream you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground? (Genesis 37:10b)

Learning from Joseph’s Dreams

1.      Joseph’s dreams are really God’s dreams (given by God). Our job is to listen to God’s voice, discern and interpret, not create. Acts 2:14-28

2.      Joseph’s dream is given for the salvation (benefit) of others. God’s dreams for us will also result in the salvation of others in that we have been called to a ministry of reconciliation and to the task of making disciples. 2 Corinthians 5:20; Matthew 28:18-20

3.      Joseph’s dreams are intentionally ambiguous. They are not specific as to the how, when, what or why. We are given a compass and not a road map, direction but not the details. John 5:19; Galatians 5:2

4.      Joseph said “yes” to God’s dream and began to act upon it. Saying yes to God’s dreams requires faith and perseverance. Luke 9:57-62; Hebrews 11:1

5.      Joseph’s dream doesn’t reflect the full implications of God’s plan. Ephesians 3:20-21

6.      Joseph’s dream includes a moral imperative even though it is never stated.

The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson

Ordinary Embraces His Big Dream (13-20)

You Were Born For This (72-85)

“What keeps people from embracing and pursuing their God given dreams?” (76-77)

·        I don’t have a dream

·        I have to invent my Dream

·        I have a Dream, but it’s not that important

·        I have a Dream, but it’s up to God to make it happen

·        I had a Dream, but it’s too late

God is not intentionally hiding your Dream from you. It’s already in you. It’s already who you are. Your opportunity is to discover it. These explorations have helped others:

Think back to what you wanted to do when you were growing up

Interview three people you respect, who you think are living their Dream

If someone came along and gave you all the money you ever wanted, what would you do with it?

Observe your life and write down your conclusions.

1.      What have I always been good at? 

2.      What needs do I care about the most? 

3.      Who do I admire most?

4.      What makes me feel most fulfilled?

5.      What do I love to do the most?

6.      What have I felt called to do?

Ask yourself what legacy you would like to leave for your children and grandchildren: What do you most want to be remembered for?