Genesis 37

Genesis 37

Dare To Dream

August 10, 2008

This summer we are spending some time looking at stories from the book of Genesis that make up a valuable part of our faith tradition. These are stories of folks like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph – folks who were called by God and touched by God in certain ways – and – while they were not perfect – were used by God to bring His will and His love into the world.

As we look at these stories I believe we are discovering that God is at work in our lives and in our world – and that God can use us – as imperfect as we may be – to do His work and will in the world – if we will let Him use us.

We have looked at Noah — and how he was obedient to God – even when it was costly and messy to be obedient – and discovered a blessing for himself and his family – and all people – because of his obedience to God.

We have seen the story of Abraham – and seen how God – many times –

calls us to do new things –

calls us do away with things we may be comfortable with —

calls us to do things we have never done before

or –

calls us to do old things in new and different ways –

and – even though we may not know exactly what will happen when we try doing new things as individuals or as a Church –

or we may not know exactly what will happen when we try – as individuals or a Church — doing old things in new ways –

we need to step out in faith and follow God.

We’ve also seen in Abraham’s story that God keeps His wonderful promises – when we trust in Him – and how at times we have to have faith in God and God’s will for our lives.

We’ve seen as we’ve looked at Jacob – Abraham’s grandson how God does not call us or choose us because of what we have done – but because of who God is – and we’ve seen how we might be able to run from God’s love – but can not hide – and we have seen how he dared to let God change him – make a difference in his life – and how he changed to be a person who made a difference in the lives of others – how God is always with us – even in the midst of our problems and troubles.

Today we are going to start looking at one of Jacob’s sons – Joeseph – and how God gives us dreams – and how we need to dare to dream and follow the dreams God gives us.

Listen to God’s word from Genesis 37

Dream on!

When do you hear that expression?

Probably when someone talks about wanting something that is so far out of reach that it seems it will never be achieved.

Dream on!

You want to win 10 million dollars?

Dream on!

You want a job with lots of money but little responsibility?

Dream on!

You want politicians to campaign by making positive statements of what they are going to do – without slinging mud at their opponents?

Dream on!

You want t a world where there is peace – where there is no poverty – where every person knows and experiences the love of God?

Yea – yea — I know – dream on!

You know — dreams are important parts of our lives.

We may try to suppress them – we may try to be realistic and not dreamy –

we may try to squelch dreams and deal only with reality — but dream can be important.

Dreams can lead to hope.

Dreams can help us look past what is to what can be.

Dreams can help us see the world in a different light.

Dreams can help us see God’s will for our lives.

Dreams can give us a new perspective on life - God’s perspective.

Dream on!

Dream on!

But – even though dreams can come to us almost suddenly –

although they may come to us in ways we are unaware of –

and even though dreams may come upon us when we least expect it –

have you ever tried to keep a dream alive – or make it become a reality - when it seemed impossible and useless to even try?

Have you ever tried to keep a dream alive or make it come true when it seemed that everyone is working against that dream and doing all they can to the kill the dream?

Have you ever felt like Don Quixote – the man from LaMancha – dreaming the impossible dream – daring to believe that dreams can come true?

A lot of times our dreams get us in trouble.

There are times when dreamers are not very popular people.

The problem with dreams is that – too many times – they go against reality – the way things are – and those who like things the way they are become opposed to the dream and the dreamer that threatens their status quo.

There are times when dreamers and their dreams are not very popular.

Take Joseph for example.

Loved by his father Jacob.

Loved so much he gives him a luxurious, beautiful coat.

Loved so much his brothers become jealous of him.

Joseph – the daddy’s pet!

Joseph – the dreamer!

Young Joseph – audacious enough to dream that his older brothers and his parents would bow down to him.

Young Joseph – audacious enough to flaunt his fathers love for him by wearing his beautiful coat.

They didn’t have coats like that!

The older brothers may have reacted to the beautiful coat in much the same way a bull reacts to a red cape!

And when he dared to tell them his dreams – well – it seems that may have been the straw that broke the camels back.

When they see him coming into the fields – what do they say?

“Here comes the dreamer!.”

“Here comes the one who dares to believe that our power will not last!

“Here comes the one who is not happy with the way things are — and wants to change things!”

“We’ll show him a thing or two!”

But – before they kill him – they decide to sell him to some traders on the way to Egypt.

Either way – he’s out of their way.

Now what will become of his dreams?

They seem to be meaningless hallucinations.

It seems that “the way things are” has destroyed another dream of how things can be.

But – guess what — the last verse in our lesson for today lets us know we have not seen the last of this dreamer – or heard the last of his dream.

In the end – his dreams come true!

His whole family does bow down to him.

Now — that’s next week — but for today — let’s look at Joseph and his audacity to dream dreams.

Joseph dared to dream.

God gave him dreams – - visions for how the world could be - visions for what could be done - - visions for what God willed. Joseph dared to dream those dreams – and even when it seemed impossible – - they finally came true.

So — what about you?

Do you dare to dream?

Do you dare to question the way things are?

Do you dare to let God give you a dream – a vision for how things can be – -

a dream – - a vision for a better world –

a dream – - a vision for a better community –

a dream - - a vision for a better church –

a dream - - a vision for a better way to live?

Do you dare to dream?

Do you dare to dream – or – are you satisfied with the way things are?

Do you dare to dream – or do you let reality take away whatever vision for how things can be different that you may have?

Dare to dream!

Dare to dream!

Dare to see how things can be – regardless of how impossible it may seem!

Dare to let God give you a vision – a dream of a world where His love is known and experienced by all and shared with all –

Dare to dream!

Dare to dream!

Dare to let God give you a vision – a dream of a community where all work together for the good of all – where neighbors that have joyously help those who don’t have – where all people are treated with respect.

Dare to dream!

Dare to dream!

Dare to let God give you a vision – a dream of a church where our worship and our fellowship is what defines who we are – and where our love and our commitment to reach out to others with the love of God in Jesus Christ is the witness we give to the community.

Dare to dream!

Dare to dream!

Dare to let God give you a vision – a dream of a life where you live in God’s ways – experience God’s love – and share God’s love with those around you!

But wait —

What’s that you say?

Dream on — Preacher?

Dream on!?

You know what — I couldn’t agree more!

Yea — Dream on!

Dream on!

Even when it seems that everything is going against the dream – dream on!

Even when it looks like the world will never change – the community will never change – the church will never change – your life will never change –

don’t give up!

Dream on!

Dare to dream!

Dare to dream!

Dare to let God give you a dream – a vision – for how things can be – and the courage to work to make that dream – that vision – a reality – no matter how difficult or how impossible it may seem.

But — of course – the big question is –

How do we dare to continue to dream when the dream of a better world – a better community – a better church – a better life – may seem impossible?

First — we dare to dream by faith.

Faith in the vision God has given us – and the God who has given us the vision.

Faith in the vision – and in God – regardless of how things may look.

Second — we dare to dream by obedience.

Obedience to the vision – the dream – to God – and how God calls us to live. Obedience to the vision – the dream – to God – regardless of how things may look.

Third — we dare to dream by action.

We act on the vision – the dream – God has placed within us for a better world – a better community – a better church – a better life. We act on the dream – the vision – regardless of how things may look!

We dare to have faith in God – and in the dreams God places within us.

We dare to live in obedience to God – and to the dreams God places within us.

We dare to act in obedience to God – and to act out the dream God places within us.

Here’s the challenge that is before you —

Let God give you a vision.

Let God give you a dream.

Let God give you a vision – a dream – of His will for the world – the community – the Church – your life – and commit to that dream.

Let God give you a vision for how He wants the world — the community – the Church – your life – to be – and commit to making that dream a reality.

Here are some dreams I believe God has for this Church:

I believe God has a dream for this Church to make it a point to reach out to community – and include all people in the community into our ministry and fellowship.

I believe God dreams for this Church to be dedicated to Great Commission – reaching all people with the message of Jesus!

Jesus does not call us to stay within our walls – but go into all the world and show His love to all people. I read recently that Jesus spent more time at parties – meeting people where they were – than he did in the synagogues. We can’t expect people to come to us – and come to Jesus – unless we – the people of Christ – go to them.

I believe God dreams for this Church to be dedicated to growing in God’s spirit – and doing God’s will!

These are things I believe in – and dream of.

These dreams can be powerful – but they may not be popular as working to fulfill them may go against “the way things are” – but they can point us towards “the way things can be”.

I’m inviting you to join me in my dream – my vision for how this Church can be.

I invite you to dream on with me.

I invite you to:

Have faith in the dream.

Be obediant to the dream.

Act on the dream.

Yea — Dream on!

Dream on! Amen.