Introduction

Do you have a dream?

Dreams in ancient times sometimes were a means of God’s revelations. It was so for Joseph. It planted in his heart a vision of what the future would be.

Dreams give hope. They display a powerful image of what life can be.

Has your dream been shattered? Worse yet, has your dream turned into a nightmare and come true?

Joseph was called, derisively, the dreamer. Some of his dreams were prophetic. He saw himself as a leader of men.

Joseph knew that God had a plan for his life…he didn’t know all the details. He knew God was shaping and molding him for a greater service.

I. Affirmative living means recognizing the presence of God in your life.

A. What happened to Joseph never caused him to give up on God.

B. In fact, everything that happened to him only drew him closer to God.

1. Gen. 39:2,3 And the LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.

2. Gen. 39:20-23 So Joseph's master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king's prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail. But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. And the chief jailer committed to Joseph's charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper.

3. Having the approval and support of God can help us overcome any circumstance of life.

C. Do you notice God in your life? Do you believe he has a plan for you?

II. Affirmative living means making the best of bad situations.

A. Joseph was hated and sold into slavery. He was unjustly accused and placed in prison. Though forgotten, he never lost hope. We couldn’t have blamed him if he had.

B. But, whatever happened to Joseph, he kept on making the best of it. He was sold into slavery only to become the head servant. Sent to prison, he took over the administration. Brought before the king, he became Pharaoh’s right hand man.

C. Are you faced with troubles that bear down on you?

1. It may be that God has allowed this for some greater reason.

2. God may be shaping you for a greater service.

3. Before Joseph ran a nation, he had to run a house and then an institution.

4. Whatever your task before you, follow Paul’s advice to slaves:

Col. 3:23,24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

5. When God is ready for you and you are ready, God will use you for a greater service.

III. Affirmative living means maintaining your principles even when inconvenient.

A. Joseph faced his biggest challenge when accosted by his master’s wife. (Gen. 39:7-11)

B. People face many challenges like Joseph every day in America

· 2556 babies are born out of wedlock

· 7742 teens will become sexually active

· 2795 teens will become pregnant

· 1106 teens will have abortions

· 3561 couples will divorce today

Sometimes we mess up; sometimes we fall victim to others sins.

C. He could have given all kinds of excuses to give in, but he was willing to do what was right, in spite of the consequences.

1. Rom. 13:13,14 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

2. Col. 3:5-7 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

3. 1 Pet. 4:1,2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

D. Have you been mistreated? If so, you need to dare to dream again.

IV. Affirmative living means recognizing God is in control.

A. Joseph, when he was finally reunited with his brothers, said to them, “What you did to me you meant for bad, God used for good.” Joseph believed that ultimately God is in control, and that all things work together for good.

Genesis 50: 19-21 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

B. Have you wondered if God has deserted you, or if your life has any purpose at all? If so, you need to dare to dream again.

1. God works His will in His time; it took some years for the dream of Joseph to become reality. Eccl. 3:11 He has made everything appropriate in its time.

2. Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

3. God may not be done with you

Conclusion

Have faith in God, that God is working in your life to shape and mold you, so that He can use you to do good.

Even if you have failed in the past God can still use you for His good.

1 Tim. 1:12-16 have hope