GOD HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU

Gen. 37:1-11
Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 2 This is the account of Jacob’s family line.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s
wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because
he had been born to him in his old age and he made an ornate[a] robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved
him more than any of them they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to
his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out
in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8
His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of
his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another
dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 When he told his father as well as his
brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come
and bow down to the ground before you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
(Rachel- , youngest of Laban , mom of Joseph and Benjamin)

Intro:
• A certain evangelist's wife died, and when he had to be away in meetings, he hired a babysitter to take care of his two sons.
• Whenever he had been away, he would always bring them a gift when he arrived back home.
• One day, however, he came home and had forgotten to buy the boys a gift.
• When they asked for their presents, the father told them that he would take them to the store and that they could have
whatever they wanted.
• When they arrived, the first thing they saw was the candy counter.
• They decided they wanted to buy candy.
• Their father said, "Let's look around a little more first."
• Then, they went to the toy department and saw some cowboy suits, complete with guns, hats, ropes, etc.
• Then both yelled, "This is what we want!"
• Their father replied, "Let's just look around a little first."
• Next, they went into the sporting goods and found basketballs.
• They began to dribble these about the place and told their father that they wanted to buy the balls.
• The father said, "let's look around just a little bit more."
• So they continue to shop and as they did, they spotted 2 BRAND NEW 10 SPEED BICYCLES against the back wall.
• Their father saw what they were looking at and said, "How would you like to have those bikes?"
• Those 2 boys left that store with far more than they bargained for because their father refused to let them settle for less.---
their father was ready to give them the BEST!
• You see, he had intended to buy the bikes all along!
• Those 2 boys thought candy would be wonderful, but their father had something far more wonderful in mind.

v So it is with the Lord, He has plans for us that we can only begin to imagine.
v We see things and formulate plans that we think would be wonderful, but God has something far more special for us than
WE COULD EVER IMAGINE.
v A look at the life of Joseph illustrates this truth.
v Joseph's LIFE DEMONSTRATES FOUR FACTS that we WILL FIND TRUE as WE TRAVEL THE PATH GOD HAS CLEARED FOR
YOU & ME . – ARE WE READY?
v TOPIC: GOD HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU.

v Now let’s break down these truths and realize what has God prepared for his people.
v One that is so special for you and me.

I. V. 1-4 THERE IS A SPECIAL PERSON INSIDE YOU - Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 2
This is the account of Jacob’s family line.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s
wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because
he had been born to him in his old age and he made an ornate[a] robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved
him more than any of them they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

WE read in verse 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age and
he made an ornate[a] robe for him. – NOTICE THESE TRUTHS:
(1) Jacob recognized Joseph’s birth to Rachel as a blessing from God
• Jacob had worked many years for a man called Laban to earn the privilege of marrying Laban’s daughter Rachel.
• Jacob loved Rachel very much but she was barren for many years while his other wives were giving him many sons.
• We read in Genesis 30:22-23, “Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by giving her a child. She
became pregnant and gave birth to a son. ‘God removed my shame,’ she said. And she named him Joseph...”
• The named Joseph means “MAY HE ADD” in Hebrew.

(2) Secondly, Jacob saw that Joseph had been gifted with dreams revealing God’s plans (they would be proven later to be 100%
accurate).

** Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons – TRACE OF FAVORITISM..
Ø VS 4 - When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them they hated him and could not speak
a kind word to him
o Jacob was a product of favoritism; he could have learned his lesson.
** The special coat to Joseph is a sign that Joseph was esteemed above his brothers.
Ø The coat signified Joseph as being Jacob’s choice as the future head of the clan—an honor normally bestowed upon
the firstborn son.

****What is special about you? - There is A SPECIAL PERSON INSIDE YOU

Ø Joseph was different
• If you read the story of his life, it is plain to see that Joseph stood out from his brothers in his commitment, his
character and in his clothing and as a result, his brothers hated him!
Ø Being different is socially unacceptable
• The secret to popularity is CONFORMITY.
• The world tells us to get along, you must go along.
• This is the siren cry of the world.
• Everyone wants to fit in, everyone wants to be accepted.
Ø Being different is OK
• While the world calls us to conform, the Bible gives us a far different message.
• The Bible warns us against conformity, Rom. 12:1.
o This literally means, "DO NOT LET THE WORLD PRESS YOU INTO ITS MOLD."
Ø Be different because you are different
• The main reason why you should be different is because YOU ARE!
• God made YOU AN INDIVIDUAL, (**** DNA - It's the genetic code that determines all the characteristics of a living
thing), and you do not have to conform to the crowd.
• There are those who go with whatever crowd they get around.
• They worship with the saints and they groove with the sinners.
• THIS OUGHT NOT BE SO!
• Think of Daniel, at the age of 17, he took a stand that was the EQUIVALENT TO SOCIAL SUICIDE.
• He chose to be different.
• As a result, God was able to bless his life and get great glory from Daniel.

ü All I am saying is that you do not have to fit into anyone's mold to BE ACCEPTED.
ü The only person you have to please is the Lord God!
ü If you are living your life in a manner that pleases Him, then you are living the right kind of life.
 ü God made you special and your duty is to live for Him.
• There Is A Special Person Inside You
II. V. 5 THERE IS A SPECIAL PLAN FOR YOU- . 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the
more.
Ø This verse tells us that Joseph dreamed a dream.
• In this dream, the Lord revealed the future to Joseph.
• In this dream, God showed Joseph that one day all the resources (sheaves) and all the ruler (stars) of the world
would bow down at the feet of Joseph.
Ø God had a special plan for the life of Joseph, and He has a special plan for your life as well.
• Sadly, many people lack the faith or the vision to find out what God's plan for them is.
• There is something that God wants you to do!
• He has something for you to do that no one else can do.
• He wants to work in you, through you and around you in a very unique and special manner.
• He has something only you can do and it will not be done unless you do it!
Ø You might as well know up-front that there will be those around who will try to STIFLE (suppress) YOUR DREAMS.
• You might as well know that there will be those who will hate you because you have a dream.
• Notice how Joseph's brothers reacted to Him, v. 19. - They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.
• There will always be those who lack the faith and the vision and will tell you that your dreams are either
inconceivable, impractical, or impossible.
E.g
• Alexanders Graham Bell's father-in-law called the telephone "a toy no one will play with."
• The famous British physicist, Lord Calvin, said, "Radio has no future."
• British Royal astronomer George Bidell Airy, said, "The computer is absolutely worthless."
• In 1899 Charles H. Duell, Director of the United States Patten Office, made this statement: "Everything that can
be invented has been invented."
o He was so convinced of this that he tried to get President McKinley to abolish his job next year.
• Well, the very next year the human voice was sent over radio waves for the first time.
• In 1901 the first Mercedes automobile was constructed.
• In 1903 the Wright Brothers successfully flew a powered airplane.
• In 1904 the photoelectric cell was developed.
• All of this only five years after Mr. Duell said nothing was left to be invented.
But, regardless of what the critics say, never let anyone kill your dreams, Pro. 29:18. - Where there is no vision, the people perish:
but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Ø It was knowing that God’s plan will prevail that sustained Joseph during the times when he was a slave in Egypt and
when he was in prison.
• Always remember that you are a special person created for a special purpose!
Ø Often, during the storms and battles of life, our dreams seem to be all we have left!
• There Is A Special Person Inside You
• There Is A Special Plan For You
III. V. 18-36 THERE ARE SPECIAL PROBLEMS FOR YOU
Ø The life of Joseph is one of great problems and trials.
• In v. 18, his brothers conspired against him.
• In v. 21, he was thrown into a pit.
• In v. 28, he was sold as a slave.
• In ch. 39, he is falsely accused of rape.
• In ch. 40 he is thrown into prison.
• Joseph was Forsaken By His Family, Forgotten By His Friends and Frustrated By His Failures.
• But remember, that all these things that happened to Joseph were just part of God's plan for his life.
Ø This is a HARD PILL TO SWALLOW, but it is still true: Life is unfair!
 • If the SON of GOD came to this earth and was crucified, then what MAKES US THINK THAT LIFE WILL TREAT US
FAIRLY?
• Why did these things happen to a young man who was guilty of nothing more than obeying the will of God?
• The answer is found in Genesis 50:20. - 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
• You see, Joseph is the Old Testament illustration to one of the New Testaments greatest promises, ROM. 8:28.
Ø Through all the problems that Joseph faced, the Lord is teaching him the difference between growing old and
growing up!
§ Are You Only Growing Old But Not Growing Up Or Are You Both Growing Old And Growing Up?
§ Growing old is mandatory, GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.
• Let’s be real, we are all getting older.
o You and I grew the same age over the last week.
o None of us have actually grown younger.
• But God plans for us to GROW!- that is why He is always doing great things in our lives.
• Remembering these will help us when the storm clouds of life begin to gather about us.
§ God is always Guiding you - Psa. 37:23
§ God is always Guarding you - Psa. 121:5-8
§ God is always Gaging you - He is constantly measuring our growth.
• God is far more concerned about how we react to what we face than what we face. - Psa.
105:17-19
§ God is always Growing you - God isn't as concerned about delivering us out of our mess as He is about us
growing out of the mess we are in.
• He is in the SAINT BUILDING BUSINESS.
Ø Remember, whatever you may face in this world, however deep and dark the valleys you are called to walk through,
however heavy the loads you are called upon to bear,
§ God Is Merely Allowing These Things In Your Life to Strengthen And To Help You Become More Like
Him.
• The question is: How are you responding to problems that come your way?
• There Is A Special Person Inside You
• There Is A Special Plan For You
• There Are Special Problems For You
IV. 39:2 THERE IS A SPECIAL PERSON WITH YOU- The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his
Egyptian master.
Ø Repeatedly, the Bible tells us that God was ever with Joseph - 39:2; 39:3; 39:21; 39:23; Acts 7:9.
Ø In everything Joseph faced he had a Helper and a Companion!
Ø Three times in chapter 39 we are told that the Lord was with Joseph.
• It will be helpful for us to see just how the Lord was with him.
1. 39:1-3 God Was With Him In Servitude –
• Even though he was a slave, Joseph conducted himself like the ruler God was preparing him to be.
• Instead of griping, complaining, whining, bellyaching, and fussing about his situation, he just served Potiphar and
did the best job he could do.
• What a lesson!
• If we ever expect to rule, then we must first learn to serve!
• You will never be over until you first learn to be under!
• Joseph was learning about humility.
2. 39:7-19 God Was With Him In Seduction
§ Potiphar's wife tried everything in her power to seduce Joseph, but he stood strong in the Lord and
fended off her advances.
§ God was teaching Joseph that no price could be placed on a clean conscience.
§ He lost his coat, but he kept his conscience.
 § God was teaching Joseph a lesson in purity and in self-control.
§ Both are essential to those in leadership positions.
3. 39:21-23 He Was With Him In Suffering –
• Even when Joseph was forced to endure the shame of a false imprisonment, God was with him and
blessed him.
Ø Well, you know the rest of the story. God Turned Tragedy, Temptation, Torment And Trouble into a GREAT TRIUMPH.
Ø Joseph NEVER QUIT ON THE LORD.
Ø He never stopped believing, he never stopped trusting, he never stopped dreaming until the Lord brought to pass
everything in his life that God wanted to do.
Ø Through it all, Joseph never wavered, he never compromised and he never flinched at what the Lord allowed in his
life.
Ø As a result, he won the victory and so can you - 1 Cor. 15:58. - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord.
• Conc:
Ø There is this man who watched a volleyball game
Ø He looked at the scoreboard and it said, "18 to 0."
Ø A boy was sitting on the bench while his team was in the court.
Ø The other team was continually scoring, and the fellow said to the little boy on the bench, "SON, IT LOOKS PRETTY
BAD FOR YOUR TEAM DOESN'T IT?"
Ø The boy said, "Ah, no sir, we haven't even come to score yet!"
Ø Well dear friend, sometimes it may look like the devil is winning.
Ø But remember with God on your side, you will always win because HE HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU.
Ø So, Keep Hoping, Keep Trusting, Keep Serving because God is preparing a great victory for you to enjoy.
Ø He TRULY HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU!