One of my favorite Bible characters is Joseph. He teaches us so much about continuing to trust God and the keys to holding on to faith during tough times! Check out the outline below and the video above for what might have been the strongest message in this series so far!
HEROES–Joseph
(Hebrews 12:1) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin
that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us.”
For when life isn’t turning out the way you planned…
“Don’t give up on your dreams.”
(Genesis 37:5-7, 19-20) “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his
brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, ‘Listen to this
dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when
suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered
around mine and bowed down to it.’ ‘Here comes that dreamer!’ they
said to each other. ‘Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of
these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll
see what comes of his dreams.’”
DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS…
1. Even if you didn’t start off well.
(1 Timothy 1:12-13) “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.”
2. Even if those closest don’t support you.
(Mark 6:3-4) “’Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the
brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here
with us?’ And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, ‘Only in
his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a
prophet without honor.’”
3. Even if your journey is full of surprises.
(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.”
4. Even if it takes a long time to realize it.
(Habakkuk 2:3 LB) “These things I plan won’t happen right away.
Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be
fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely
come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single
day!”
FINAL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
–>“Focus on what happens in you not just to you.”
(James 1:2-3) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
–>“Your response to offense shapes your future.”
(Genesis 50:20-21) “You intended to harm me, but God intended it
for good…”
–>“Every dream is challenged, but remember God is with you.”
(Psalm 139:8-10) “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make
my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the
dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will
guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”