God’s Got a Plan

“God’s Got a Plan” • Genesis 41

Main Idea: God is at work in every season of life to accomplish his plans and lead people to Jesus…including us.

Theme Verse: Romans 8:28

• “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
• 8:29: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
• The “good” God is working toward is centered on accomplishing his purpose and helping us become more like Jesus.

Today: God’s Got a Plan.

Recap: Joseph is imprisoned on false charges. Pharaoh’s cupbearer meets Joseph in prison, but seems to forget him when he is released.

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-13

• Pharaoh has two dreams that no one can interpret. At that point, the cupbearer remembers Joseph.

Scripture: Genesis 41:14-36

• Joseph is brought before Pharaoh and hears about the dreams. He credits God for the ability to interpret the dreams.
• Joseph explains that Egypt will experience seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. 
• Joseph proposes a plan on how Egypt can prepare for this famine — appoint a wise leader and set aside food now.

Pharaoh’s Right-Hand Man

Pharaoh recognizes Joseph’s wisdom (and the Spirit of God at work in him), so he appoints Joseph as his right-hand man.

• Perhaps this is the moment when Joseph began to realize what God had been preparing him for — that God had a plan for his life the whole time.
• All of his struggles were designed to put him at the right place at the right time to save Egypt (and the world) from disaster.

Life Lesson From Joseph’s Story: The thing that feels like a setback right now might actually be part of God’s setup for your Kingdom calling. 

• Sometimes, God blesses our lives by saying yes to our heartfelt prayers. Sometimes, he blesses us by saying no — or not yet.

The Heart of a Leader

Scripture: Genesis 41:41-57

• Joseph is given power, prestige, and a life of luxury. 
• God expects Joseph to use that power to bless others, not for selfish gain.

One consistent pattern in the Bible is the way God seeks out humble leaders with Christlike hearts. 

• God wants these leaders to use their positions to help or bless others.

Leaders in the Church

God knows the danger of letting the wrong kind of person gain access to power, so he commands the church to be wise and discerning about the types of people they appoint to leadership positions. 

• God consistently values character over business acumen, leadership skills, or administrative success (see 1 Timothy 1:3-7, Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3).
• Things like self-control, gentleness, patience, temperance are all requirements for serving in leadership… along with not being greedy, not being violent, not being quarrelsome. 

Consider Joseph’s Journey: He was in slavery or prison for thirteen years before ascending to power.

• God used this extended season of suffering to soften his heart, refine his character, and prepare him to be the kind of compassionate servant leader the world needed.
• Joseph was likely not ready for this level of power and influence at 17 years old. So God needed to refine him first.

Life Lesson from Joseph’s Story: God desires servant-minded, sacrificial leaders who will use their power and influence to bless others in the name of Jesus.

Joseph’s Leadership in Egypt

Scripture: Genesis 41:56-57

• God saved the whole world through Joseph.

Remember: This was part of God’s promise to Abraham — God would bless Abraham’s descendants so they could be a blessing to the world (Genesis 12:2-3).

• The ultimate fulfillment of this promise is the salvation we have in Christ (see Galatians 3:14), but Joseph’s story is an illustration of the work that the people of Israel and (later the church) are called to do.

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-17

• We are the light of the world. Live in a way that helps others experience the blessings God has given us in Christ.
• Call to action: Trust that God has a plan, and remember that our struggles and trials are often ways that God prepares us for the Kingdom work he is calling us to do. 

Study and Reflection

“The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.” 

– John Stott

Read: Mark 10:35-45

1. What request did James and John make in this story? What do you think was their motivation for asking this?
2. Why did the other ten disciples get so angry when they found out what James and John had asked?
3. When Jesus says the rulers of the Gentiles “lord it over them,” what is he describing? 
4. How does Jesus define greatness? How does his vision of greatness compare to the examples of power we see in the world?
5. What makes servant-leadership so different from selfish leadership? What kind of leader was Joseph? What are some specific actions he took that demonstrate his leadership style?
6. Max Lucado once said, “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.” What does this mean to you, and how does it connect with the sermon and today’s reflection passage?
7. Bryan mentioned that sometimes God blesses our lives by saying yes to our prayers, but sometimes he blesses us by saying “no” or “not yet.” Can you think of any examples where you can look back and thank God for unanswered prayers?
8. Thinking about the qualifications for elders serving in the church (1 Timothy 1:3-7, Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3), why do you think God places such a high value on the heart or character of the leader? What happens when highly skilled leaders in the church lack Christian character?
9. What is one specific way you can be a better servant or servant-leader this week?