Speaker: Matt Fry
This week, we begin a new teaching series called "Destiny." Last week, we looked at how do we go from our dream to our destiny. Today, we're going to talk about the first challenge of realizing our destiny.
To accompany the new series, Pastor introduced the book Dream to Destiny.
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. Jeremiah. 29:11 (NIV)Do you realize that God has a dream for your life? He has a dream and destiny that is unique to you. You are a masterpiece created by God.
So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner.We begin by talking about Joseph. As a younger person, he received a dream from God. There were many challenges for him over the years. The first challenge, or test, we would like to talk about is PRIDE.
2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.
3 Jacob[a] loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.[b]4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.
5 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.
9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!”
10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” 11 But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. Genesis 37:1-11 (NLT)
Pride is defined as a "Feeling of deep pleasure derived from ones own achievements or from qualities and possessions greatly desired." In a nutshell, "It's all about ME."
In Joseph's family, there were issues. His 11 brothers HATED him and were angry about the attention their father gave to him. Things got worse when Joseph shared his dreams with them.
God gave Joseph a vision or dream of the future. However, there were a few things Joseph didn't do well with the pride challenge.
There are three things we have to do to overcome the pride challenge.
What We Say And How We Say It Is Important
We have to be careful about how we talk so that we don't sound boastful. We've all been guilty of this.
Pastor talks about a trip to the mountains when he was younger. He bragged about being an athlete and how great he can ski, even though he hadn't done it before. He even skipped the training. (Crowd laughs)
As he follows some advanced students, he follows behind them on the Diamond Slope (extremely difficult). His goal was to just stay on his feet. As he took off, he was surprised at how well we he was doing. Going down the hill, he just went straight. He didn't know how to turn so he begin to speed up. As he reached the bottom, he didn't know how to stop so he did a baseball style skid.
Later on, the Ski Patrol came up to him and told him that he was BANNED from ever skiing on the Black Diamond again. He didn't fall, but his ego was crushed.
Later on, the Ski Patrol came up to him and told him that he was BANNED from ever skiing on the Black Diamond again. He didn't fall, but his ego was crushed.
Arrogance and pride always lead to a crash and burn. Remember, it's not always about you and what God is doing in YOUR life. Instead, you should be open about hearing the dreams from others.
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. James 4:13-16 (NLT)
Let's spend more time bragging about God and the cross.
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
You Don't Have A Mouth Problem, You Have A Heart Problem
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speakswhat the heart is full of. Matthew 12:34 (NIV)
How many people love social media? Pastor Fry says he loves Twitter. God can use technology to reach people. At the same time, we have to be careful about what we put on Twitter and social media. Is it about me? How many miles you've run, books you've read, and the trips you've taken? Social media can make it hard to be humble.
One day, the Holy Spirit touched him and asked him if he was spending most of his time bragging about himself or bragging about the cross? We want the affirmation, but what's in our heart?
Insecurity
What's in our heart is insecurity. We want people to like us. Bragging is a way to gain acceptance from others.
Pastor Matt reminds us that we should seek security through others, but through Jesus. God loves us. He is our heavenly father. You are a child of the King. Find your security and identity in him.
God's love for you is not only unconditional, but there is nothing we can do to make him love us more.
Every son or daughter wants to hear acceptance from their father (or mother). You just need to know that God already loves you. The question is this, "Are we RECEIVING his love?"
It's not that we don't need acceptance, we do, but let's focus on God.
Fear
There is fear in our hearts about a job, the future of our country, finances, and the like. Thankfully, God has not given us the spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians. 1:17
God has the whole world in his hands. That really is true.
Moses was a true humble man.
(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) Numbers 12:3 (NIV)
Interesting fact, Moses wrote that about himself. (crowd laughs)
Find Your Identity And Your Value In Christ Not In What Others Thing Of You
Find your identity in him. Three things you are challenged to do while we go through this series
- Spend time with God every day. Get in the Word. Find a good devotional. Start with the book of James. If you need pictures, we have Kid Bibles. (crowd laughs)
- Be apart of a connect group. Don't do life alone.
- Join us every weekend during these ten weeks and let's see what God does.
Do You Need A Fresh Start?
If you need hope or help. God wants you to know that he loves you. Jesus died and rose from the grave. If you would like to know Jesus as your savior then pray this prayer.
Dear God, I realize I've sinned and I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross and rising from the grave. Come in to my heart and save me. Thank you for giving me eternal and abundant life. Help me to live for you, for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
To share your story, want more information about next steps, or just in need of prayer, please contact Pastor Matt Fry.
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