Dreams, Rivalry, and Slavery

Dreams, Rivalry, and Slavery

(Genesis 37:1-36)

Yearly Theme:  “Love Does…”

Series Title:  Hard Knock Life

September 1^st, 2019

Something to think about:

1. E. Lawrence once said, “All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to the day to find it was all vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for the many act out their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible…”

There’s a story of a man who had some dreams that made his brothers pretty mad.  Though they were real dreams – dreams that would someday come true – this man’s brothers were incensed by the audacity of their brother and his dreams.  This man’s name was Joseph…

Turn in your Bibles to:  Genesis 37:1-36

Of these 36 verses, what’s the key point this morning?...

Key Point:  “All wrongs derive from selfish motives.”

Let’s take a closer look at the sequence of events that led to Joseph’s demise:

• Joseph’s dreams brought contempt.

Joseph’s dreams (though true) cost him greatly.  They were the “straw” that brought contempt from his brothers.

• Joseph’s brothers’ rivalry resulted in selfish reaction.

As with Joseph’s brothers, selfish motives can lead us to plot and scheme in order to get rid of that which is causing us frustration.  When this happens, all rational thought is kicked to the curb, and something very sinister begins to control us and forces us to come to illogical and irrational conclusions. 

• Joseph’s enslavement brought more contempt and lies.

Selfish motives put to action are always dependent upon lies and deception to keep up appearances of innocence. 

Something to take home:

The one thing that ultimately lacks when selfish motives take over in our hearts, minds, and lives is:  LOVE.  Paul reminds us that…

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT), ⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

“Do you know who is the most difficult person to love? It is easy to love friends and not too difficult to love those less fortunate than ourselves. It certainly isn't easy loving enemies, but sometimes the person most difficult to love is the one who is MORE fortunate than we are. The one who receives the promotion we deserved. The one who gets the recognition we desired, the honor we sought or the affections of the lover we had hoped to win. It is easy to resent those who seem to be more fortunate.”[1]

Do you struggle with selfish ambition and motives?  Do you desire to have what others who are more “successful” than you have?  Do you desire the recognition and accolades that others close to you receive?  How do you respond to the dreams and promotion of others?

Take time to look inward this week and evaluate what frustrates and angers you.  Is your frustration and anger rooted in Righteousness or Selfishness?  Never react out of selfishness.  The child of God only reacts out of righteousness.

Key Point:  “All wrongs derive from selfish motives.”

[1] Steve Goodier, Life Support, http://www.LifeSupportSystem.com