May 4, 2008 - Gifts Refined
Have you been keeping up with Joseph by reading his story? Thirteen years has now passed since we left him in his father’s fields. Life got very tough for him. From suffering the enmity of his brothers as they dumped him in a well, to losing his family, his nation, and his language when he was sold to foreigners, we now find him, at age 30, in prison for a crime he did not commit. Not only that, when he gains the favor of those in the prison and then his one link to freedom forgets about him, it’s a wonder he had any faith at all. How did he endure through so much adversity? And, what impact did all those hard times have upon his life and faith?
Last week I asked you if you thought people were called from birth. We had the sense with Joseph’s dreams that he was, in light of the fact that God spoke through dreams at that period of time, and dreams would very much factor into Joseph’s future. But Joseph did not mention God when 17 and living at home. Will he now? As we look at him thirteen years later, what does it mean to believe? What shapes Joseph’s life?
This week’s Scripture will be Genesis 41. While I will only read selections on Sunday, I would suggest you read the whole chapter (as well as chapters 39 and 40 if you have time!) so that you are fully informed. As you read ask these questions:
- How is Joseph’s faith expressed?
- How does he talk about God, that is, what kind of God does he believe in?
- How do your life circumstances color your view of God?
- How does this passage encourage you when circumstances are tough?
Sermon: Genesis 41 - Gifts Refined