Joseph- Maneuvering Through Life's Unexpected Turns Part 1: Purpose

Joseph- Maneuvering Through Life's Unexpected Turns Part 1: Purpose 

Gensis 37

Be a follower for all seasons.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking

of bread and to prayer.”

Acts 2:42 (NIV)

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love

God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans 8:28

“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.”

Genesis 37:2a

“But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.”

Genesis 37:2b

“Jacob 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.”

Genesis 37:3

“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.”

Genesis 37:4

“One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him

more than ever.”

Genesis 37:5

 “So Joseph followed his brothers to Dothan and found them there. When Joseph’s

brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him.”

Genesis 37:17-18

“So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water

in it.”

Genesis 37:23-24

“Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders.”

Genesis 37:27

“Meanwhile, the Midianite traders arrived in Egypt, where they sold Joseph to Potiphar, an

officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was captain of the palace guard.”

Genesis 37:36

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”

Genesis 50:20

“If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”

Romans 8:31

1. Detours are for our development.

“Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that

everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”

1 Timothy 4:15-16 

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work

until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Philippians 1:6

2. Detours prepare us for deployment.

“For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call

on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

Romans 10:13-15

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And

I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8 

3. Detours alter our destination.

”My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond

anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9