Character In The Gap
Sermon Notes
[Genesis 37:5-8] One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. [6] “Listen to this dream,” he said. [7] “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” [8] His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.
[Romans 12:6a] “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.”
God prepares the person before He reveals the PURPOSE.
[Ecclesiastes 3:11] Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
[Genesis 39:2-4] The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. [3] Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. [4] This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned.
What feels like a SETBACK may actually be preparation.
[Romans 11:29 NKJV] For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Character is BUILT long before it is revealed.
[Isaiah 64:8] And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.
[2 Peter 1:5-7] In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
[Genesis 41:15-16] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.” [16] “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”
God is PREAPARING you for what He's preparing for you.
[Genesis 41:41] Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.
[Genesis 45:4b-5] he says, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. [5] But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.”
[Genesis 50:20] You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What hobby or interest makes you feel the most alive??
What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you?
Recall a time you experienced spiritual “growing pains”.
Can you recall a time that a trial or test drew you closer to God?
Read and discuss the building blocks of character in 2 Peter 1:5-7. What are some examples in your life?
Is there anything this group can pray for?