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‘Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.’ (Genesis 37:1-2)
Joseph was despised by his brother and rebuked by his father because of his words. Firstly, he brought a ‘bad report’ about his brothers; secondly, he shared the dreams that God was giving him.
As Christians, we will have to say things that will cause people to think we are eccentric at best and inspiring hatred at worst.
i) Words of salvation
The message of the gospel begins with a ‘bad report’. It begins with ‘Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ (1 Tim. 1:15). We all need saving from sin by turning to Jesus and asking Him to be Lord and Saviour; this will not go down well with many people! If we are not prepared to be despised, we will not be prepared to share words of salvation.
ii) Words of light and salt
Christians are called by Jesus to be ‘the salt of the earth’ (Matt. 5:13) and ‘the light of the world’ (Matt. 5:14). As such, we are to speak up for what is good and, on occasion, speak against what is evil. Again, our words will inspire indignation in many.
If we are not prepared to be despised, we will never be salt and light.
RESPONSE
Words are very powerful and are to be put to good use. Paul urges us,
‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.’ (Ephesians 4:29-31)
God urges us as he enjoined Timothy,
‘In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. …’ (2 Timothy 4:1-4)
Good words are ‘out of season’ for many. Many ‘will not put up with’ our words that speak of Jesus having ‘turned their ears away from the truth’. Let’s pray for courage and wisdom to carefully use our words.
If we are not prepared to be despised, we will never speak words of salvation, salt and light!
Key skill to receiving ‘dreams’ from God #1
Read His word prayerfully
All of God’s word is God’s will (His general will) for all of us. However, as we read it, it’s vital to pray and listen to what the Holy Spirit, specifically, wants to say to you. This week, as you read the bible each day (yes, every day!) Ask the Father to speak to you.
Here is the video version of this blog
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - DESPISED BUT NOT REJECTED (JOSEPH PART 1)
Opener
What has been the clearest moment of God has speaking to you?
Introduction - please read in your group
Please read Read Genesis 37:1-11.
This week we begin a series in the life of Joseph. He receives dreams from God that, after a long and winding road, will lead to the salvation of many from from famine.
This week’s message was entitled, ‘Despised but not rejected’. Joseph became hated by his brothers, but he remained loved and favoured by God.
If we are going to expect to receive dreams from God, and persevere in obedience, we must know that we are unconditionally loved, no matter how despised we may be.
This week, in the daily devotionals, we are covering how to receive dreams from God, please be going through these this week.
Discuss/share together in small groups from Sunday’s message:
What did you hear from the Holy Spirit?
What will you do because of it?
How can we pray for you?
Notices
Please share from this week’s Church News