God’s Dream for our LivesGod’s Dream for our Lives

No matter what earthly dangers exist, the safest place to be is following Christ—wherever He leads. No matter how safe and secure some places and situations seem, we’re on shaky ground if it is not God’s desire for us to be there.

If God meant for to us to live inside an invisible fence, why did He place some of His choicest servants in prison, a lions’ den, a human-sized furnace, a shipwrecked boat?

Why did he send Paul to Rome, or Jonah to Nineveh, or Esther to the palace in Persia? They had a purpose to fulfill.

If God is everywhere and in everything, He is calling for us to follow Him back to the streets, to redeem a world caught in the vise grip of death.

Here’s the bottom line:

If we stay on the porch, where it’s supposedly safe, we’ll not only miss our destiny, but the roof may collapse—and we’ll deserve it!

Dr. Francs Schaeffer, a Christian philosopher, predicted 20 years ago that, “The greatest threat to the cause of Jesus Christ would be that the United States of America would become a nation filled with Christians whose goal in life is personal peace (or safety) and prosperity.”

You can live on bland food so as to avoid an ulcer; drink no tea or coffee or other stimulants, in the name of health, go to bed early and stay away from night life, avoid all controversial subjects so you never create an offense; mind your own business and avoid involvement in other people’s problems; spend money only on necessities and save all you can.

And still slip and break your neck in the bathtub, and it will serve you right!

Joseph was reared in a blended family of successful ranchers, his jealous brothers kidnapped him and took him to a foreign country.

He eventually rose to a top governmental position from which he saved the Near East from famine by investing in grain trading, only to become the most influential man in the nation.

1. His Pride

“Holding an Godly dream with an ungodly attitude.”

(Genesis 37:10)

He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?”

Genesis 37:10

2. The Plot against Him“You must be willing to carry God’s dream even when it leads you into harms way.”

(Genesis 37:18)

When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.

Genesis 37:18

3. The PitEven when you’re in the pit, God has Judah (Praise).

(Genesis 37:26)

Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood?” Genesis 37:26

4. Potiphar, The Captain of the bodyguard.His master took note of Joseph.

(Genesis 39:3)

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

Favor: What is it?Favor is the special affection of God towards you that releases an influence on you so that others will be inclined to like, respect , and cooperate with you! Whether they want to or not!

5. The Porn Trap

Fleshly Temptation (the ungodly attraction).

(Genesis 39:7)

5. The Porn Trap

The Display of Honor and Character.

(Genesis 39:8,9)

5. The Porn Trap

• The enemy is after the dream (the word of the Lord).• Why Temptation? Preparation for greater rule!

(Genesis 39:10)

6. The Prison

Favored and put in charge.

(Genesis 39:21-23)

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 committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it.

Genesis 39:22

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

7. The Palace

Interprets Pharaoh’s dream and gives God the Glory (don’t take your training for granted).

(Genesis 41:16)

Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” Genesis 41:16

8. The Vice-Presidency

Joseph is made a ruler of Egypt second only to Pharaoh.

(Genesis 41:41-44)

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck.

Genesis 41:41-42

He had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!” And he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:43-44

God’s Dream for our LivesGod’s Dream for our Lives