THE PURPOSE TEST!
Genesis 45:1-7
INTRODUCTION: This is the last of Joseph’s ten tests of character. It is called “The Purpose Test.” In this lesson we will learn how to know what God’s purpose is for our lives:
Genesis 45:3-7. Today we will talk about how Joseph came to know and fulfill God’s purpose for his life: Philippians 2:11-13. Just as God worked in Joseph’s life so he could know and fulfill God’s purpose for his life, so God is still at work in our lives so we can also know and fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.
I. KEY # 1: BELIEVE YOU HAVE A GOD GIVEN PURPOSE!
Our God is a purposeful God. He did not create anything without a purpose. When our God formed each one of us in our mother’s womb, He gave us special gifts to accomplish His purpose for our lives! Psalm 139:13-16. Our God never makes something for nothing. Not only does God have a purpose for every life, but He also has a plan how each of us work into His overall plan for the ages. Ecclesiastes 3:1. My friend this is our time, we are not here at this time by accident, God has a purpose for each of us: Ephesians 2:8-10; Esther 4:12-14.
II. KEY # 2: BELIEVE THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL!
We will never fulfill our God given dream and our God given purpose if we keep on blaming others for our circumstances! Joseph didn’t blame his brothers for what they had done to him. Joseph told them “God did this for good!” Genesis 45:5-7. Joseph did not need to know everything God was up to but he did have to believe that God had a purpose for his life and that his God was in control. Do you believe that? Romans 8:28; Isaiah 55:10-11. If we believe that God has a purpose for us we will chose to live as optimist and not as pessimist!
III. KEY # 3: DISCOVER YOUR GIFTS AND YOUR DIRECTION!
God has given each of us gifts. Why would God give us both natural and spiritual gifts and have no purpose in mind for us to use them for His glory and mankind’s good? Joseph’s gift was leadership. No matter where we find Joseph he is always leading and his gift kept moving him forward towards God’s plan for his life: Proverbs 18:16. Do you understand that God is telling you that your gift properly used will open doors for you? Romans 12:6-8. Only God knows the specifics of your destiny and He will not give you all the details. He will give you enough so that you can chose to trust His will for your life and begin to follow His leading. Instead of trusting and obey we want to tell God what our destiny should be: Isaiah 64:8; Galatians 6:9. Abraham Lincoln, although he went through many failures trying to fulfill his Godgiven dream simply never gave up and God used him to do away with our nation’s second greatest sin, slavery. Now God may be raising you up to do away with the most terrible sin our country and now our state has ever been involved in: abortion.
IV. KEY # 4: SET YOUR COURSE AND BE FAITHFUL!
Being faithful is the key in all these areas. We must be faithful in our humility, our perseverance, and our stewardship of God’s blessings. Colossians 3:22-24. Joseph did not know the specifics of God’s plan for his life until it all unfolded. But Joseph was faithful in all the situations God place him in. And the end Joseph looked back and thanked God for all God allowed to happen in his life. The Lord determines the direction of our lives and our faithfulness to Him determines our character and our character determines how far God will move us in the direction He wants us to go. We too must be faithful to trust God with the details of our dream so He can bring us into our destiny for His glory and mankind’s good!