Gen. 37:1-36 I MUST BE DREAMING
Intro: As a Christian, I'm often amazed at just how good to me God is. When I consider all
that He has done for me, is doing and has promised to do, I am sometimes overwhelmed!
In fact, when I consider how low I was when God saved me, when I look at the changes
He has made in my life, and when I consider what the end of it all will be, well, I feel that I
must be dreaming! I want to look at the life of a dreamer today. A man named Joseph who
had a reputation for dreaming. Joseph's life is one of the most blessed studies in the Bible.
He is a picture of Jesus and a portrait of the amazing grace of God. But, today, I want to look
at the parallels between Joseph's life and that of the average Christian. When we look at what
he endured, it is almost impossible not to see yourself in the life of Joseph. There is hope for
the hurting, help for the struggling and a hand for the falling in these verses about the life of
this man Joseph. I want to speak to you today on the subject I must be dreaming!
I. 37:3 JOSEPH IN THE PLACE OF HONOR
A. Ill. Jacob's love for Joseph. Ill. The coat of many colors.
B. Ill. God's love for His children - Jer. 31:3; Rom. 8:35-39
C. We stand in the place of honor and blessing today - 1 John 3:2; John 1:12;
Luke 12:32 (Ill. Where we came from and where we are - I must be dreaming!)
II. 37:8-28 JOSEPH IN THE PIT
A. Ill. The context. Joseph was cast into the pit because he was in the will of
the Father, v.13-14
B. Sometimes God's people get into the pit also! (Ill. 3 Hebrews, Daniel!)
Don't allow it to steal your dreams! (2 Tim. 3:12; Rom. 8:28)
C. Even when in the pit, Joseph still had the promises of God! (Ill. Verse 20
Dreams don't change just because circumstances do!)
III. 39:1-20 JOSEPH IN POTIPHER'S HOUSE
A. Ill. The context - Blessings - v.1-6; Temptations - v.7-13; Trials -
v.14-20
B. Life contains all three of these circumstances, but they can all be precious
when you are in the will of God!
C. In every area of life, Joseph was an overcomer! (Ill. Rom. 8:37; 1 Cor.
15:57; 1 John 5:4-5) (Ill. I must be dreaming! Jesus has made me a victor
regardless of my situation!)
IV. 39:21-41:13 JOSEPH IN PRISON
A. Ill. The context! Surrounded by hatred, sin and in bondage, Joseph never
lost his dreams! Best of all, God never left him - 39:21!
B. Regardless of how bad life becomes, remember:
1. God will always love you - (Ill. How you know - Rom. 5:8)
2. He is always seeking your best interests - Rom. 8:28
3. He will always be with you - Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20
4. He will still use you - 40:8; (Ill. 3 Hebrews; Daniel) (1 Cor. 1:27-28)
5. He will ultimately deliver you - 41:14 (Ill. In His time!)
C. You may feel that your are in prison today. If so, just keep dreaming!
God hasn't forgotten you - 2 Cor. 1:10
V. 41:14-43 JOSEPH IN THE PALACE
A. Ill. The Context! A slave becomes a ruler!!
B. Ill. Where we come from, what we are and where we are headed!
1 Cor. 2:9!
C. Sometimes I still think, "I must be dreaming!" Mine has been a journey
from the pit to a palace! What a joy when it all ends up at my Father's
throne!!
Conc: Regardless of where you are today child of God, the Father knows, cares and is
working on your behalf! Just don't lose the dream, we're not home yet! Lost friend, What
you need is salvation! The Father has that too! All He asks is that you come to Him and
receive His Son as your Savior. He loves you! Won't you love Him too?
