E-pistle for July 26, 2013
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation July 26, 2013
Joseph's dream of destiny
(Genesis 37:1-36)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on why Joseph was hated by his brothers
1. Because he brought a bad report about them to their father, Jacob . . . whether Joseph
was merely was obeying his father's orders or being a "TATTLE-TALE" is not clear from
the Scripture, vv. 1-2.
2. Because he was their father's favorite son of his favorite wife, Rachel, Joseph became the
object of criticism and envy, vv. 3-5, 11.
3. Because his father favored him with obvious preferential treatment by giving him a distinctive
tunic of many colors, v. 3.
4. Because he told his brothers about his two prophetic dreams, vv. 5-11.
II. Meditation: on Joseph's dreams of destiny
1. DREAM ONE: While binding sheaves in the field, Joseph's sheaf arose and stood upright,
but the brothers' sheaves bowed down to his, vv. 6-7.
2. INTERPRETATION: Joseph would reign in dominion over his brothers, v. 8.
3. DREAM TWO: The sun, moon, and stars all bowed down to Joseph, v. 9.
4. INTERPRETATION: Joseph's father (sun), his mother (moon), and his brothers (stars) all
would bow down before him, v. 10.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual principles taught in this chapter
1. It is usually unwise to share God's personal vision or revelation with others . . . especially
with unbelievers, I Corinthians 2:14.
2. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery and many years passed . . . between God's vision
and its fulfillment, there always is a time of testing of a person's faith.
3. God is able to overcome all malice, betrayal, and lies . . . He can bring good our of bad,
Romans 8:28.
4. "WHAT GOES AROUND, COME AROUND" or "CHICKENS ALWAYS COME HOME TO ROOST"
. . . just as Jacob deceived his father, Isaac, to obtain Esau's blessing so also Jacob's sons,
deceived their father about the violent "DEATH" of Joseph, vv. 12-36; Numbers 32:23.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be open to see God's spiritual vision and to hear God's prophetic word about my personal
destiny in my life.
2. Expect a long and tedious period of delay between God's promises to me and their fulfillment,
II Peter 3:8-9.
3. With living and growing faith, trust in the Lord to accomplish His will for me, in me, and through
me.
4. Be absolutely sure that God knows my sinful nature, and that He will repay my deeds with His
righteous (poetic) justice . . . my only hope is Christ's mercy and grace, Romans 6:23.
The motive makes the difference
(Matthew 24:1-46)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus told the parable of the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins, vv. 1-13.
2. Jesus told the parable of the master who gave five talents, two talents, and one talent,
to the three servants; later the Lord returned to demand an accounting, vv. 14-30.
3. Jesus taught that the Son of Man will judge the nations like a shepherd who divides
the sheep from the goats, vv. 31-46.
4. All three of these teachings emphasize the necessity of faithful service to the Lord,
while alertly watching for His return.
II. Meditation: on verse 40
"THE KING WILL ANSWER AND SAY UNTO THEM, "ASSUREDLY, I SAY UNTO YOU,
INASMUCH AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHERN, YOU
DID IT TO ME," Matthew 25:40.
III. Revelation: on spiritual maturity and the changing motivations of service
1. Our initial service for the Lord often includes and "EGO" motive . . . it makes us
feel good.
2. Spiritual growth produces a better motive: we serve that Lord out of our love for
needy and hurting people, I Corinthians 13:1-3.
3. The third step toward maturity produces an even more worthy motive: service to
others in order to bring glory and honor to the Lord God, I Corinthians 10:31.
4. The highest motive is realizing that our loving service to others is, literally, our
service to Jesus Christ, Himself, v. 40.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Carefully guard my heart so that the motivation of my service for the Lord grows
out of true humility, rather than ego.
2. "LOVE THE LORD MY GOD WITH ALL MY HEART, WITH ALL MY SOUL, AND WITH
ALL MY MIND . . . AND LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSLEF," Matthew 22:37, 39.
3. Faithfully labor for the Lord only to honor and glorify His holy name, not for my own
honor and glory.
4. See the face of the Lord Jesus Christ in every hurting and needy person to whom I
attempt to minister.
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the
closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."
--Helen Keller
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