Trusted: Lessons from the Life of Joseph
Week 2: “Trusted with a Vision”
INTRO: We come to the beginning part of Joseph’s life today, and it’s the part most people are familiar with – his dreams! So take your Bible and locate Genesis 37. While you’re turning there, I must tell you I don’t really have a lot dreams when I’m sleeping. I have lots when I’m awake, but hardly any during ZZZ time. Truth is, when I out, I’m out. Dreaming is something that rarely happens to me.
My wife, on the other hand, is a nightly dreamer. And man, can she dream! Crazy, weird and wild ones! Most of the time they provide some super fodder for breakfast laughter around our home.
And she’s not the only one who can dream some interesting stuff – Just the other day Jill was telling me about a dream she had the other night in which she is watching the old play Oklahoma and bursting in from the back doors singing, “Oh, what a beautiful morning” was none other than…Steve Archer!
TRANSITION: Fortunately, we don’t have to figure those dreams out in our message. All we have to do this morning is understand what is going on in Joseph’s dreams and what God’s purpose was in relaying this vision to him. What do you say we get started?
JOSEPH’S DREAMS: Let’s begin reading in Genesis 37:2...
[TEXT]
Textually, keep in mind a few things:
• His dreams were forthright (37:7-9). In other words, they were very clear. There was no doubt what was going on in the dream. Do you see Joseph’s clarity in this text? He knew what was happening! Granted – he may not have known when the fulfillment would take place, but he did know what the message was. And he wasn’t afraid to share it. The content was forthright and concise.
One thing I’ve noticed about biblical dreams involving God’s followers is that they were always very clear in authorship and content. This text does not indicate either way if Joseph knew the dreams were from God or not, so we can’t form a conviction regarding this specific situation. But we do know he understood the message plainly. And we know in most other dreams, authorship and content were very plain. There was no doubt what was going on or what the message was. I draw from this a personal belief that if God were to use a dream to speak to you or me, we would have no doubt it was from God and what the message was. One of surest signs that a dream is just that – a dream – is when we ask, “What could this dream mean?” If it was from God, the biblical examples seem to indicate we would know both with great clarity.
• He had two dreams about one future (37:5,9).
This is one of the hallmarks of biblical dreams from God to his people: they were generally regarding the future. At times, even heathen rulers had dreams, and when they were interpreted by one of God’s chosen men or women, the dream was usually about the future.
This means that dreams were at least similar to visions, the difference being that dreams happened while someone was asleep and visions while someone was awake. In fact, “dreams” are mentioned about 122 times in the Bible and “visions” about 101 times.
In case you are wondering where I stand on the issue of dreams from God, let me first say I don’t really know a lot about this stuff. Which means sometimes I don’t know exactly where I stand on this preference issue. I do know that dreams were used on occasion in the Bible, but it was rare. Examples would be Joseph son of Jacob (Genesis 37:5-10), Joseph the husband of Mary (Matthew 2:12-22), Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-15), and several others (Daniel 2:1; 7:1; Matthew 27:19). There is also a prophesy of the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28), quoted by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:17, that mentions God using dreams. Yet, over a period of about 4,000 years, we only have a pocketful of actual dreams recorded in Scripture. Truly, dreams were the exception, not the norm.
Could God use dreams today to speak to people? Sure! But I tend to believe that if we use biblical dreams as a guide, then the dreamer would 1) know who sent the dream and 2) the dream would probably involve the future. That’s just some of my insight.
• His dreams were almost fatal (37:19).
In Joseph’s case, his dream almost cost him his life. In fact, verse 19 of Genesis 37 indicates that his dreamer status is the reason they wanted to kill him.
• His dreams were fulfilled ( 42:6-9).
Best of all, Josephs’ dreams came true. Yes, years later we see Joseph’s brothers bowing down to him in Egypt. And though they didn’t realize it, Joseph knew what was being fulfilled. The Bible says, “he remembered his dream.”
Much like prophecy, this is truly the litmus test of a biblical dream: did it come true? So be careful what you claim to be from God and what you credit to the Father. It isn’t wise for us to speak rashly and make our God out to be a liar!
As interesting as those observations may be, what I find most intriguing about this section of Scripture is this: It tells us more about God’s desire than Joseph’s dreams! WOW! That’s right – This tells us more about God than Joseph. What do I mean? Let me explain briefly.
In this text and through these dreams we get a glimpse into God’s sovereignty and providence. We see God taking the initiative and laying out a plan to save the Hebrews, long before any of them knew there would be a famine. We see God preparing a remnant well in advance of the need. We see God selecting his leaders for tasks and roles long before anyone ever knew they would be called upon for certain duties. Yes, we see God at work in sovereign, providential ways preparing his people for what was to come, long before they ever knew it. Now that’s the God we can trust – a God of providential sovereignty.
To be sure, Joseph’s response was critical. But it is exactly that – a response to something initiated by God. Do you see it? God is the one beginning the vision and laying out the plan. It starts with him because it is in his character to sovereignly direct the affairs of men and women. We do not trust a God caught off guard or cornered by the events of our world. Not at all! Instead, we wholly lean on our God, whose character is one of vision and providence, a God who is sovereign and reigns supreme. We trust completely in our God’s ability to do what Paul said only he can do in Romans 8:28:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.”
This is exactly what God was doing in Joseph’s life, and he started it by giving Joseph a dream – a glimpse into what his vision was for Joseph’s life.
Let me put it to you another way: This dream was God’s preferred future for Joseph. For that’s what a vision is – a glimpse into God’s preferred future for you.
Yes, this dream, though not entirely played out at the time when he was only 17, was God’s preferred future for Joseph. Joseph was to be the vehicle by which God would save many lives – 66 direct descendants to be exact. If you count his sons’ wives and then Joseph’s wife and sons in Egypt, you could surmise that Joseph was instrumental in protecting and rescuing somewhere between 80-90 people. That’s all that was left during the famine, and it was taking its toll. Would the Hebrews survive? Thanks to God, yes! It was his vision to save them using Joseph; that was his preferred future for them.
Make no mistake – it is in the character of God to do exactly that: save people! So he oversees the future, sovereignly directs it, and orchestrates events and lives for his redemptive purposes. Just as he did for the Jews in Genesis, so God will do today – he will save those who trust him!
Let me show you two verses – one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament – that speak to this character quality of God:
Jeremiah 29:10-14 says, This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
In other words, it was in God’s character in the times of the prophets to save his people the Israelites from captivity and exile. I have written one phrase by this verse: “No punishment!” It is not God’s first desire to punish or discipline, but he did because it was in their best interest. Yet, even in that, his character came through in blazing color – “there is a better future for you.”
2 Peter 3:9 tells us that “the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
How beautiful, eh? It is in God’s character to do everything possible, even delay judgment, in order to give all people ample time to believe. Why? Because it is not his first desire or initial reaction to condemn; he desires to save. His preferred future for you is heaven, not hell. I have written one phrase by this verse: “No perishing!”
Without a doubt, our God is a visionary God, sovereign and providential in his actions and plans! He is a God we can trust! Joseph did exactly that, and God subsequently entrusted him with this task – to be faithful to God’s vision for his life as revealed in his dreams.
TRANSITION: This brings me to ask you one single question: Are you being faithful to God’s vision for your life?
APPLICATION: I’m not asking if you’re being true to your vision or your wants, and I’m not suggesting you look for dreams or late-night trances that satisfy your secret desires. I am simply asking you if you are living out the character of God, displaying to those around you his vision for them and you? Remember – He is a God of vision, and he does have a preferred future for us. Do others see that by the way you
• live your life?
• raise your children?
• spend your money?
• treat your wife?
• Invest your time?
You see, I have never really bought into the whole man-made ‘vision’ thing that has been going around for the last 10+ years. Sure, I think it is a biblical concept and believe it is a productive tool for leadership. But I have never agreed that we think of the vision. I remember back in Atlanta when the vision gurus were in our area and suggested we discover and decide our church’s vision; I felt a strange chill on my spine, for when did I ever get the right to decide what the vision of the church is supposed to be!? God settled that long ago, recorded it for us in His Word, and calls us to follow in the footsteps of the apostles and “make disciples in all the nations!”
And for years now I have always been troubled by the apparent ownership some national leaders and preachers try and give us over the concept of vision. From my angle, we are entrusted with a vision – God’s! We may have some room to word it in a way that speaks to our generation, and we have some freedom to try different methods in accomplishing that vision. But discovering or deciding the vision? That’s been done by Someone far wiser and more powerful than any human – our sovereign God and providential creator, the Almighty! It is merely my job to get in line with his vision and live it out in a world that desperately needs to know about the character of this sovereign God I trust! As I do that, I become like Joseph – trusted with a vision.
So let me ask you three follow up questions, leaving you with three words that I hope ring in your ears this week. I won’t be long here, but I do want to leave you with some applicational questions to consider.
1. How does God’s visionary character affect our sensitivity?
The best time to adjust your life to God’s vision is when you are young. In this text, Joseph was 17. Later in the Old Testament we know God called to Samuel when he was a young teenager as well. And in the New Testament, Timothy was probably a young man about 18 when he left home with Paul to be trained in missions and pastoral work.
Bottom line? Listen to God and be aware of how he wants you to adjust your life to his vision, especially when you’re young. You’re never too old, but it does get harder the older you get. Think about it – going overseas or over the border is harder if you’ve already got a wife and 2.4 kids that weren’t expecting a 4 year detour to Peru; families entangled in debt may find it hard to pull up stakes and plant a new church because of financial needs and pressures; men with no training and already set in a career may have difficulty getting the proper training if they have already settled in somewhere and don’t have the freedom or money to pursue theological schooling.
I’m not saying it’s impossible, only more difficult. That’s why I encourage Jr. Highers and high schoolers everywhere to filter every decision they make through the lens of God’s values – how should his vision and character affect who I marry? Where I go to college? What I do for a vocation?
Develop a deep sensitivity to God’s visionary character, and do it when you are young. Parents take note – do your best when your kids are young to teach them how to listen to God. Done early, it can make life much more enjoyable later.
Still, all of us, not just our young people, need to cultivate a sensitive ear towards the Lord, which is why we give adequate time on a weekly basis for you to respond to God during our celebration service as well as in our small groups. Call it whatever you want – a response time, an invitation, an altar call – it’s when you and I need to stop and listen and respond. Some say, “But it can be embarrassing” or “It’s in public.” Yes, I know – I get in front of this public crowd every single week! And sometimes I get embarrassed. But we want to continually be asking, “What does God want from me this week in light of what I have learned about him today?”
This is why your Elders spend every Tuesday morning praying for you and your needs – to keep our sensitivity as a church to God high by listening to him.
This is why we conduct our Fireside Chats – to be open to how God may be leading you and our church’s leadership.
This is why we ask you to bring a Bible and look at it with us. It’s how God speaks to us.
You see, if it’s God’s vision we need to grasp, it is highly important we develop a strong sensitivity to him. Are you doing everything possible to hear God?
Now let me ask you second question:
2. How does God’s visionary character affect our activity?
Throughout the life of Joseph we see that he did this: he acted in accordance with what he knew. His sensitivity was matched by his activity. For instance,
• He willingly spoke up about his dreams. Whether this was a wise move or not is debatable; the Bible doesn’t condone or condemn it. But we do know that he was not afraid to act on what he knew.
• He was willing to interpret dreams for others, and often this was evidence God was with him. People knew Joseph was favored by God because of his actions.
• He was faithful with his responsibilities, even when it was uncomfortable and costly, as was the case both in Potiphar’s house and in prison. Yet, this was one of the reasons people noticed him as a man favored by God – he was actively responsible and trustworthy.
As far as we know, Joseph never turned back, gave in, or changed courses. He seemed to have an idea, even at 17, of what God was envisioning for him, and he followed it. Period.
Likewise, we need to do more than hear his vision for us; we need to obey it. Period! There should be no turning back, changing courses, or giving in.
That simple understanding lays the foundation for why we operate the way we do at FFC. It forms the backbone for our activity. We have been given a mandate from our Lord; he has laid out for us his preferred future for people. And our sole role is to be involved in that mission: making disciples. Or, as we word it around here, we want to develop devoted followers!
Have you ever wondered why we at First Family do what we do, or why we do things the way we do them? Some of you may know, but for our many newcomers and recent new members, perhaps you think it’s just great genius on the part of the pastor (highly unlikely). Seriously, there is a “method to our madness.”
That method – celebrating with the collective church on the weekends, growing in a small group during the week, and serving on a team sometime between Sundays – finds its roots and foundation in the character of God and the teachings of Scripture. It’s how we go about carrying out God’s vision for his church – God’s vision to make disciples of all the nations! In fact, if you’ll take your worship folder, you’ll see that each week we print our MVP statement right there for you. See it? Say it with me:
“First Family Church develops devoted followers of Jesus Christ
who celebrate, grow and serve.”
Guess what? We didn’t think of that! Sure, we worded it in a way that fit us, but we didn’t discover some new mission for the church or unearth some new identity for the body of Christ. No, we just took the Scriptures and acted on what God has already said. That’s what we did when we first got going, and that’s what we will keep on doing – celebrating, growing and serving!
You see, we are a church that finds simplicity very attractive. I have always felt it shouldn’t be hard to “have church.” So a few years ago, as I and others in our church plant team understood more of God’s character and heartbeat, we set some values down about how we would live that out – how we would act as a body because of God’s vision for us, his church. Things such as small groups throughout the week (why cram it all in on one day?), upbeat worship that people participate in (remember – no funerals allowed because it’s Easter every Sunday!), intense teaching (teaching sound doctrine is what we do), a staff of equippers (we follow Ephesians 4 and help you do the work), team ministry (the Bible is full of teams), and an outreach focus (it’s not about us!) – These things are all in our DNA. That’s how we act in light of God’s visionary character and his desire to see all men come to the knowledge of the truth.
The reason I want you to know this is because churches are filled with people who like to talk about God’s vision, but not as many like to walk with God’s vision. God’s preferred future for them – and others around them – becomes something to analyze, organize, scrutinize and even plagiarize. Yet, they never mobilize and do anything. Guess what? If that’s your tendencies, you will be very uncomfortable at First Family. God has called us to obey him without question, to prod each other towards deeper growth and the development of Christ-like character, to witness as on-mission, Spirit-empowered ambassadors, to sacrificially serve others, – those are all active verbs and we are fully engaged in that call. We are committed to helping everyone become more than hearer; we want you to become a doer (James 1)!
Furthermore, God’s vision at FFC is as strong as ever! We have no desire to mimic someone else or the latest fad, nor do we think that we have to keep up with the ‘church Jones’! We sense no need to copy the culture unnecessarily or to try and emulate the world in order to draw people inside our doors. No, we believe God’s character and call is quite attractive enough, and as we allow that – the character of God – to dictate our understanding of who we need to be and how we need to operate, the church then becomes what God intended for it to be – the body of Christ marching on the gates of hell! That’s his preferred future for us, his vision for our lives. I say, “Let’s roll!”
So let me take a minute make sure the table is set properly. We are who we are, humbly, yet without apology. We believe in small groups, expect upbeat, participatory worship, love the casual feel, urge you to serve somewhere every week (be a “twofer”), and don’t apologize for our intensity. Is everything perfect? No (especially me!). Can we do a better job at times on certain things? Sure! But there is no lack of commitment to God’s vision for our future. We will pursue it passionately and act on what we know to be his will for us.
Granted – as we grow and get older, sometimes you have to tweak the style of things. For instance,
• Drinks in the service: We value the casual, and since we started, bringing pop, coffee, or water into the service was not a problem. And I hope one day we can go back to that in some way. But for now we can’t allow drinks in the gathering place because we rent from a school; it’s not our building. So we need to adjust. We still value being casual and “normal, but we have to tweak our style a bit.
• Last year we made a change in our Elder oversight and moved from family-based oversight to group-based oversight. As we have done that, our communication has increased, as well as the personal touch. We just know more about what is going on in the lives of our members and attenders. The value of the personal to didn’t change, but the style of it did.
• Before last year’s round of Lighthouses (small groups) we adjusted our small group teaching pattern and went from post-sermon to pre-sermon. Now, in most groups, you discuss and study the text a week in advance, getting better prepared for what I’ll deliver on Sunday. Our value has changed – we’re still Scripture focused in all our small groups. But we adjusted the way we did that for better results.
• Even our worship patterns at times are adjusted. I’ve noticed how, for some time now, Josh has been leading without his guitar. Why? I found out it was because of sound issues and his desire to interact more with you so that you will participate. I’m fine with that, because the style adjusts, but the vision and values don’t. Participation and celebration are central to what we like to do here each week, and so the goal is for God to hear you, not for you to watch them, eh? Add to that our most recent staff addition – our Pastor of Celebration – and you can see another tweak or change. We have now moved from part-time and volunteer oversight to full-time oversight and equipping. And what a good thing this will be for FFC! Marty is one of the best equipper and team builders I know, and so he fits with our church and staff perfectly. And I don’t know anyone who can celebrate like Marty, amen? Responsive in nature, theological in content, exciting in atmosphere…I’m looking forward to June 1! Will it be an adjustment is style? Sure! Anytime you add a leader of that quality you experience some give-and-take in the dynamics. And rightly so! But here’s what hasn’t changed – God’s vision for FFC! Our Elders spent extensive time with Marty, and I talked with him for hours about who we are at FFC – he’s excited to join a church and a team where the vision is strong and the table set. He knows we don’t need a “worship rescuer;” and he is aware we’re not after a “service savior.” As I have been saying for months, “We already have One – Jesus Christ!” But we do need an equipper and a leader, and God is bringing us the best I know.
Truth is, this is what all really good teams do –adjust style without forsaking vision. I was even thinking this past week about how Julie and I have followed this pattern in the parenting our four children. When they were all under 8, it was a different ball game. Really different! We could play on the floor, tell made-up stories at bedtime, and make snacks into airplanes and trains. But as they have grown, we have had to adjust our style a bit.
I don’t think Brett, who is now 16, is really into my Billy stories at bedtime. (Just ask my kids who Billy is and they’ll tell you). We still love to talk at night, and often I’ll go plop down on his bed and talk sports with him. But I don’t do a whole lot of Billy-izing with him now.
And I don’t think Bethany, now almost 14, would like it very much if I sat down for snack with her after school, say at MacDonald’s, and pretended each French fry was an airplane coming in for a landing in her mouth. I suspect that would be a little “over the top” as a dad of a 14-year old daughter. So instead, we go to Starbucks, first making sure our hair is done right and that all our clothes are straight, and we get a 6 oz.cup of “double mocha cappuccino triple caffeinated chocolate expresso” for $9.95!
Yet, we haven’t changed our vision: to raise four kids in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Yes, we tweak and adapt to a growing family, both in age and interests. But God’s vision remains the same!
The principle is equally true at FFC – we are constantly evaluating and adjusting our style – our methods. But we don’t mess with God’s mandate. His vision for us and those around us is non-negotiable. And since we know God’s character and nature is redemptive and compassionate (i.e., his preferred future for people is one of hope), we should live for him and conduct church in such a way that others are drawn to him. It is not simply enough to hear him (sensitivity); we need to obey him (activity).
Quickly, ponder a final question with me:
3. How does God’s visionary character affect our longevity?
I’m struck by Joseph’s long-term commitment, aren’t you? And if anyone ever had a reason to give up, it was Joseph. Yet, something caused him to trust continually, to obey constantly, to follow enduringly. It was God’s character and faithfulness, and the result was the development of the same type of character traits in Joseph.
Be aware, First Family, that your sanctification, as well as our church’s development, is a process. It takes time. As I said last week, God owns no microwaves. So don’t give up. Stay in the race and keep running. In a phrase, don’t quit. Even when things look bleak, stay faithful. Even if the path seems extra steep, keep walking. You never know when you’ll round the corner and God will make his purposes and vision even clearer. You never know when you’ll suddenly see the ‘why’ behind the ‘what.’ It may not happen here on earth, but sometimes it does, as it did with Joseph. So keep on keepin’ on! God isn’t finished with you or us. Truly, it is not in his character to leave things unfinished or halfway. In fact, Paul assured us in Philippians 1:6 that we can be “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Maybe this morning you want to re-sign instead of resigning. Great idea! Follow God’s own character and vision – never give up! Finish strong!
CLOSING: So what do you do with all this? How can we keep the story of Joseph and the words sensitivity, activity, and longevity ringing in our ears throughout the week? How should we respond to God after seeing Joseph’s faithfulness to God’s vision for his life? Its simple – focus on and be faithful to the One with whom the vision starts – God! Avoid the distraction of human vision and instead become enthralled with God’s vision – who he is and what he wants for you, for us, for others. Let him and his character consume you. As you are faithful to that, God will use you in mighty ways and you will find yourself to be someone God can trust with a vision.
As a way to help you do that, I’m going to ask that you sing with me this morning, a capella, the old Irish hymn that was ‘English-ized’ in 1905 – “Be thou My Vision.” Let’s close this morning with a commitment to let God’s vision be our vision. Can he trust you with what he wants to do in your world? Will he find you faithful to live out his character? This song truly captures what our heart’s cry should be – to grasp the heart of God and his vision. As we are consumed with him, all else falls into place. Sing with me, would you, this prayer?
“Be Thou My Vision”
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
