Ol Old Today lets ask ourselves: Am I seeking solitude on my own? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

“God Speaks in Solitude: Joseph” (part 6) Genesis 41-45

Ol Old

Today let’s ask ourselves: • Am I seeking solitude on my own? • Am I willing to welcome forced solitude? • Am I aware when God is calling me away to solitude?

“God Speaks in Solitude: Joseph” (part 6) Genesis 41-45

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples.

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 1) The solitude of revelation. 41:15-16,25,28,32

“All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”

“Then [Jesus] returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart”

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 1) The solitude of revelation. 41:15-16,25,28,32 • Joseph experienced solitude by being the only one who knew what God knew.

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 2) The solitude of leadership. 41:37-44

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 2) The solitude of leadership. 41:37-44 • An entire nation depends on him alone. 41:55

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 2) The solitude of leadership. 41:37-44 • God intends solitude to push the leader into greater dependence.

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 3) The solitude of secrecy.

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 3) The solitude of secrecy. • Secrecy is needed to clarify God’s voice. Isaiah 30:15

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.’”

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 3) The solitude of secrecy. • Joseph understands how to use secrecy to bless others and glorify God. 42:6-9a; 43:32; 45:1-5

The solitude of God’s blessing – 3 examples. 3) The solitude of secrecy. • Joseph hides his identity to get his whole family to Egypt and save them.

Application: Some considerations… 1) Leadership – the clash of two kingdoms.

Application: Some considerations… 1) Leadership – the clash of two kingdoms. • How am I leading and why? Who is promoting me – God or the world?

Application: Some considerations… 1) Leadership – the clash of two kingdoms. • God’s call to leadership is a call to greater solitude, brokenness, repentance, humility and servanthood – just like Jesus.

Application: Some considerations… 2) Wisdom – the ability to hear from God.

Application: Some considerations… 2) Wisdom – the ability to hear from God. • How do you hear from God?

Application: Some considerations… 2) Wisdom – the ability to hear from God. • Do you believe that you can?

Application: Some considerations… 2) Wisdom – the ability to hear from God. • How do you know when you have heard from God?

Application: Some considerations… 2) Wisdom – the ability to hear from God. • God’s voice demands solitude before and after God speaks.

Application: Some considerations… 3) Secrecy – a response to God’s voice.

Application: Some considerations… 3) Secrecy – a response to God’s voice. • Once I have a sense of God’s meaning, whom do I tell?

Application: Some considerations… 3) Secrecy – a response to God’s voice. • Am I living in a community of holy friends who will listen with me?

“God Speaks in Solitude: Joseph” (part 6) Genesis 41-45