So Now What: What do you do when your dreams turn into nightmares?

Sermon Notes June 4-5,2011
Sermon Text: Gen.37: 18- 27
Sermon Title: So Now What: What do you do when your dreams turn into nightmares?

18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 19“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.


Introduction:
Life is not always fair. It doesn't give you a warning when something is about to happen. Everyone has dreams. No matter how small or large your dreams may be, there is always someone or something waiting to disrupt your dream. In order for your dream to become reality you must go through some things. We see this with Joseph. The very thing that fueled him burned others. Instead of cheering him, his brothers devised a plan. In verse, 20 of the text, Joseph's brothers make a statement that is echoed by all mankind. Now what? When things don't go as we have planned and our dreams don't seem to be coming to reality, we too must answer that same question. Joseph did several things that can help us. First, he followed his dream. Secondly, he walked in the confidence that God was with him. Lastly, he worked like he knew God was going to work it out.

Point 1: Follow your dreams
Follow your dreams no matter where they take you, be it the pit, the palace, or the prison. Joseph had no idea where his dreams would take him. He had no idea they would get him into so much trouble. He was simply doing what came natural to him. After all he was only dreaming. Following your dreams may not be easy. We should always have a plan but realize that things may not go as planned. Proverbs 19:21 tells us that there will be dips and curves. Our dreams may not always have a direct route to reality. Dreams are much like rivers. Very seldom do
they run a straight course. Sometimes they even run through granite. You have to be dream drive. Despite her many advances, Joseph was not interested in sleeping with Potipher's wife. It would have distracted him from his dream. Don't be willing to have a rendezvous with the
flesh. Flesh is not just sexual. It's how you would do things your way. Instead of doing things God's way you want to take things into your own hands.

Point 2: Walk in confidence that God is with you
Joseph was successful because he knew that God was with him. With this knowledge he could operate without fear and do things greatly. When you realize that God is with you, give Him the credit. As you point people to him, He will give you more. Everyone can't handle this. They forget to do as instructed in Deuteronomy 8:18 (But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today).

Point 3: Work on your dreams like you know that God is going to work things out.
Whenever he was Joseph was in charge. People saw favor on his life. Joseph worked as he was working for God and not the warden. When you work, know that you are working on your dreams! Your job is the root to your plans of your destiny.

When life throws you a curve and you have to answer the question of now what, remember to follow your dreams. Know that God is with you and its going to work out.