Jesus was born as the Word of God...

...and the Prophets had foretold. Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord...Simeon recognizes him as the Messiah and blesses Him. Anna is there also.

Luke 2:36‑38 (NIV) “There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty‑four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”  Fasting is probably one of the more difficult things we American Christians are asked to do especially after the abundant food we have during Thanksgiving and during all the Christmas season.  Let’s see what we can learn from Anna in regard to Christ coming.

1. To be ready for Jesus to come Anna had a dedication to God’s House...She never left the temple. 

Church was not optional for her because she had a passion for God’s house. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV) “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Anna was expecting the Messiah to be revealed and she knew the temple would be the greatest place for having an encounter with Him. The same is true for us. My house…God says…not your house!

2. To be ready for Jesus to come Anna made a choice to worship God night and day. Don’t miss it...Anna saw Jesus because she was a worshiper. Worshipers encounter God because when you seek Him with all your heart…you find Him!

3. To be ready for Jesus to come we must be willing to fast and pray. Anna loved God’s house, she worshiped night and day, and she fasted and prayed. Your pastor and church leadership are admonishing you to join with us in fasting and praying beginning January 1.We are asking you to do a true biblical fast...fast food...you can fast TV, FB, watching sports, or other stuff but fast food in some way. It helps understand what it means to crucify our flesh. Matthew 5:6 (NKJV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” We believe that as we are unified in this fasting and praying that God will reveal Jesus to us in a greater way. 

Matthew 1:20-23 (NKJV) “But while he thought about these things...

... behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." The angel of the Lord gave Joseph a very important message and I want you to hear the same message.

1. Do not be afraid! Joseph’s world seemed to be shaken…His girlfriend is pregnant and he is not the daddy. How hurtful…how embarrassing…how shameful. His whole world is upside down. Maybe your world has been shaken by marriage problems, kid problems, health problems, finance problems, employment problems, or whatever…the message is the same. Do not be afraid. What Joseph did not know…really could not know before this time…had no conception of what God was up to. God was just getting ready to say the King is here. What seems to be bad news to you may just be God wanting to announce…The King is here. The King of kings and the Lord of Lords is on the way. Do not be afraid. 

2. Jesus will save us from our sins! We all come today to hear a Christmas program with good singing and good entertainment. Maybe you came for a different reason. Jesus will save us from our sins. Maybe no one knows the loneliness and pain in your heart, they don’t know your sin or your addiction, they don’t know the darkness in your heart…the sin. Jesus will save us from our sins. Oh, Pastor, you don’t know the depth of my sin. You’re right, I don’t know but Jesus knows and He still loves you! The King is here. He is here to save you and to set you free!

3. Immanuel – God with us! The King is here! Matthew 1:23 (NKJV) "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Listen to His Name. Immanuel – God with us! The King is here! So why did He come? He came for you and He came for me! The King is here to save you from your sins! He did this for Zacchaeus: Luke 19:9-10 (NKJV) “And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." The King is here! Immanuel! He is here for you!

In Isaiah 9:6‑7 (NKJV) it says ...

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” As we draw close to the time we celebrate the birth of Christ I want to make sure that we are worshiping Him. As I attempt to magnify Christ today I want to take these words from Isaiah and share what an incredibly awesome God we serve.  Please celebrate and worship Him with me.

1. Jesus is to be called Wonderful! How many of you with a shout will say that you believe Jesus is wonderful? The main reason I believe that Jesus is wonderful is this: Psalm 40:1‑3 (NKJV) “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth.”

He is wonderful because He listened to my cry. He is wonderful because He brought me out of a horrible pit! 

2. Jesus is to be called Counselor! Isaiah 41:28 (NKJV) “For I looked, and there was no man; I looked among them, but there was no counselor, Who, when I asked of them, could answer a word.”  John 15:26 (NIV) "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.” When you have problems...before you run to everyone else...run to Jesus...run to Holy Spirit...Run to your divine Counselor...He is the Spirit of Truth!

3. Jesus is to be called Mighty God!

–Unto us a child is born...unto us a Son is born...and the government shall be upon His shoulder. Who else can handle the govt. being on His shoulder other than the mighty God...Jesus Christ! Jeremiah 32:18 (NKJV) “You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them‑‑the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts.” 

4. Jesus is to be called Eternal Father! “Maybe some of you did not have a good example of a father or maybe you did not have a father at all. This God child has been born so that gap in your life can be filled.

Psalm 68:5 (NIV) “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” 

5. Jesus is to be called Prince of Peace! Pastor Rick, I have anything but peace today. Run to the Prince of Peace! Psalm 29:10‑11 (NKJV) “The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever. 

The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.” Worship Him!

Today as we continue talking about boundaries...

... we will look at something that has affected or will affect all of us…the passing of a loved one or our own passing. God has set boundaries with death and with eternity and it is my intention to bring comfort as we face this issue of death. Hebrews 9:27-28 (NKJV) “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” I don’t want to shake anyone up today but all of us are going to die if we leave long enough. We may go in the rapture but otherwise, we will die. Wow, Pastor Rick, what great news. 

1. Our death or the death of a loved one is an appointment with God. Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV) “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Many times we consider, what seems to be the unexpected death of a loved one, or the result of a major “oops” of nature, or that simply, God has not been paying attention. None of this is true. Barnes Notes – Death, it is, in all cases, the result of intelligent appointment, and for an adequate cause. Hear your pastor…An Omni-Present God (A God Who is everywhere), an Omniscient God (A God Who knows everything), and an Omnipotent God (A God Who is all powerful) made the appointment. Trust Him! Why do we have to die? Biblically it is because of sin. Romans 6:23 (NKJV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2. Our death or the death of a loved one only happens once. It amazes me after having done somewhere in the neighborhood of 340 funerals and memorials in the last 29 years how people are so surprised by it. Good news! It is inevitable but it only happens once. In our humanity and because of our deep love for someone, we think that God should make an exception for that person we have prayed for earnestly to be healed. God lives within His own boundaries. Not ours.

3. To those who eagerly wait for Him. So what are we missing? We are missing the fact that our loved ones are completely healed, we are missing the beauty of heaven, and we are missing the fact that God set up this appointment. He loves them. Psalm 116:15 (NKJV)  “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” I love that Paul was from the South. Romans 8:18 (KJV) “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Nothing we go through here will compare with the glory we will experience with God for eternity. No more tears, death, sorrow, crying, and no more pain. Just being with Jesus will make heaven incredible! Praise God!

As we continue discussing boundaries...

... and as we focus more on our own out of control behavior, we must do an honest evaluation of where we are. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (NKJV) “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. So, Pastor Rick, how can we walk worthy or to set limits on our out of control behavior? 

1. Identify the symptoms of your out of control behavior. You will need to take an honest look at the fruit you may be exhibiting by not being able to say no to yourself. You may be experiencing depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, rage, isolations, etc.

2. Identify the roots of your out of control behavior. This is key: Identifying the causes of your self-boundary problems will assist you in understanding your own contribution to your problem. It will also help you identify your developmental injuries (how others have sinned against you).  

3. Identify the boundary conflict. This is where we have to be totally honest with ourselves about our particular self-boundary problems and identify what ours is.

4. Take responsibility and take ownership for the out of control behavior. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

5. Identify what you need. It is pretty much useless to try to deal with your boundary issues with yourself until you’re actively developing safe, trusting, grace-and-truth relationships with others especially in the context of church. You need a deep relationship with the Lord and people who will keep you accountable. 

6. Now I begin. Once you have identified your self-boundary problem and owned it, you now can do something about it. So how do we begin to set boundaries on ourselves? Address your real need. Allow yourself to fail. Listen to emphatic feedback from others. Surround yourself with people who are loving and supportive. John 8:32 (NKJV) “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

As you are in service today recognizing our wonderful veterans..

... I am with Tricia, Stephanie, and my daughter-in-law Sommer spending a family weekend with my son Joshua. Joshua joined the Army a couple of months ago and we could not be more proud of him. As a surprise, our other son Jeremy flew from Arizona to also be with Joshua to be an encouragement to him. He is a Marine. Yes, he is out of the military right now but once a Marine, always a Marine. Veteran’s Day is very special to us because of our sons but also for all the wonderful veterans we have at Life Church. I am convinced that one of the reasons Life Church is such a great church is because of all these veterans. We honor you today. 

One of my heroes President Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it only comes once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.” As Christians we understand that freedom is not free. Jesus purchasing our freedom cost Him His life...He was willing to lay His life down for us. 

John 10:18 (NKJV) "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." Like our veterans...we must be willing to lay our lives down so that we can take them up again. Matt 16:24‑25 (NKJV) “Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”  We have to stand and fight to keep our freedom here in the United States and we have to stand and fight for our liberty in Christ. Gal 5:1 (NKJV) “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Thank you, Jesus, for laying down your life and thank you, Veterans, for your willingness to fight for all of us! God bless you today!

Last week we talked about three laws of boundaries...

... and today we will look at three more:

1. The Law of Envy - James 4:1 (NLT2) “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” If we are focusing on what others have or have accomplished, we are neglecting our own responsibilities and will eventually have an empty heart. Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)
“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” Cloud and Townsend – Envy defines “good” as “what I do not possess,” and hates the good it has. How many times have you heard someone subtly put down the accomplishments of others, somehow robbing them of the goodness they had attained? We all have envious parts to our personalities. But what is so destructive about this particular sin is that it guarantees that we will not get what we want and keeps us perpetually insatiable and dissatisfied. 

2. The Law of Activity - Cloud and Townsend – “Human beings are responders and initiators. Many times we have boundary problems because we lack initiative---the God given ability to propel ourselves into life. We respond to invitations and push ourselves into life.” Being passive and lazy never pays off…God will match our effort but He will not do our work for us. He would be crossing boundaries to do this. He wants us to be active asking, seeking, and knocking. Trying, failing, and trying again is called learning. Failing to try never produces anything good. Proverbs 19:15 (NCV) “Lazy people sleep a lot, and idle people will go hungry.” 

3. The Law of Exposure - A boundary is a property line. It defines where you begin and end. We have been trying to communicate why we need such a line in our lives. Probably the most important reason that we need boundaries is because we do not live in a vacuum. You live in relation to God and to people. Your boundaries define you in relationship to others. The law of exposure tells us that our boundaries must be out in the open for everyone to see, we must value relationships enough to be honest, and we must operate in love. Don’t be surprised when people break the rules when they do not know what they are.

Life Church and Board of Deacons, thank you...

... so much for honoring our wonderful pastors last week…you’re the best! Romans 13:7 (NLT2) ⁷ …Give respect and honor to those who are in authority. 

Elders of Heart --Years ago I was at the altar begging God for His help and His blessings. I told Him how I needed help here at Life Church (Then Leesburg First A/G). He spoke to me and told me that He had already sent the help I needed and I just needed to acknowledge them and allow them to minister along side of me. Lord, can you be a little more specific? He said, I have sent all these retired ministers to help you and to hold your arms up, you just need to ask them and they will gladly help you. Really? They are retired! Yes, they are, but they want to still be used for Me. These Elders of Heart (retired ministers) are worthy of your honoring of them because of how they have followed righteousness and mercy. They have truly been a blessing to me for many years. Let’s celebrate them: Vern and Millie Baumruk, Don and Pam Ewart, Ken and Pat Fleming, Walter and Ella Martin, Richard Maynard, Gerald and Linda Messman, Harry and Mertha Neff, Richard and Nancy Newton, and Freda Wright.

Dr. Stephen Duke – He helps us with counseling every week and is here to minister great wisdom to those who are going through tough life situations. Thank you, Dr. Duke!

Pastoral Staff  -- I am sure you are aware that it is absolutely necessary for the success of a church to have a pastoral team that has the same heart and the same spirit. We must be one as we serve together. My philosophy of ministry is servant leadership and my pastors must be here to serve God and serve people. Being a pastor simply means you are responsible to serve more people. We honor: Harriet Browne – Minister of Heart Joseph and Jan Diaz – Oversees our CG and helps with pastoral care. Dwaine and Elaine Umbel – These guys were extremely successful and loved in the ministry before they came to us. They help also with pastoral care, communion, and have gifts of encouragement. Marty and Faye Morelli – Senior adult minister, altar ministry, welcome room, and many other things that bless Life Church. Aaron and Tatyana Baty – These guys have taken our worship to the next level. Our music department was struggling when they came…they turned it around. A team of about 40 is now a team of around 150. Juan and Kacey Rodriguez – He ministers to our youth, young adults, and Spanish Ministry. What a blessing they are. Mark and Christie Ann Lojuidice – Pastor Mark has become more than a children’s pastor, he has become my associate pastor, a confidant, a sound board, a brother who listens to my frustrations and still respects me. He has become a very dear friend.

Tricia Welborne – Pastor Juan did a great thing when he honored my sweet wife. A pastor’s wife has a tough job but she handles it well and is loved and respected, not just by you, but by me. Love you so much, Tricia!

On this Pastor’s Appreciation let’s look...

 ...at one more of these laws of boundaries. Galatians 6:1-5 (NKJV) “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” 

1. The Law of Evaluation. Sometimes when we have to confront someone, we don’t want to do it because we are afraid that it will hurt them. Often leaders have to take responsibilities from someone who is not performing well. You may be reluctant to do it but you have to evaluate whether your decision will harm the person. Telling the person may hurt them but it probably will not harm them. There is a difference. It hurts when a dentist drills on my teeth to get rid of a cavity but is he harming me? Of course not. He is helping me to not have worse future problems. Hurt and harm are different. When you eat the sweets that give you the cavities does it hurt? Of course not, it feels good. Does it harm you in the long run? Yes! So that is my point here. Things can hurt us and not harm us. In fact, they can even be good for us. And there are things that may feel good at the time that can be harmful to us. So here is the question…should we avoid setting good godly boundaries because doing so may cause someone to be hurt or get angry? I believe Jesus calls this choosing the narrow gate…not the broad way.

In light of Pastor’s Appreciation, sometimes the boundaries we share with people seem so confining and so limiting. The whole idea about boundaries is about having limits or lines that cannot be crossed. Jesus says narrow is the gate and difficult is the way but I am glad He did not stop there…which leads to life. When we give biblical boundaries we are not trying to harm you but we are trying to help you find life. John 10:10 (NKJV) “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Do you understand what this verse is all about? It is about gates and boundaries and about someone who loves you enough to keep you safe and having a blessed life. Deciding to set boundaries is difficult because it requires decision making and confrontation, which, in turn, may cause pain in someone you love. Sometimes the truth hurts (not harms) but it still needs to be said.

Last week we talked about two laws of boundaries...

... and today we will look at four more:

1. The Law of Respect. We hear from people often who say…if I set boundaries or if I say no to them they will reject me. We focus so much on others that we lose clarity about ourselves. Cloud and Townsend – We need to respect the boundaries of others. We need to love the boundaries of others in order to command respect for our own. We need to treat their boundaries the way we want them to treat ours. If we love and respect people who tell us no, they will love and respect our no. Freedom begets freedom. 

2. The Law of Motivation. Most of us know someone in the church who is always doing something for someone who asks them to do it. It appears they are doing what they are doing to be a good Christian. But there’s a problem…these people do not seem to be very happy. They get grumpy and snappy. Maybe they had a mother or father who would ask them to do something for them and if the person asked did not do it, love was withheld. We end up giving, not out of love, but out of fear. These false motives and others keep us from setting boundaries. 

3. The Law of Evaluation. Sometimes when we have to confront someone, we don’t want to do it because we are afraid that it will hurt them. You may be reluctant to do it but you have to evaluate whether your decision will harm the person. Telling the person may hurt them but it probably will not harm them. There is a difference. It hurts when a dentist drills on my teeth to get rid of a cavity but is he harming me? Of course not. He is helping me to not have worse future problems. Hurt and harm are different. Cloud and Townsend – We need to evaluate the pain our confrontation causes other people. We need to see how this hurt is helpful to others and sometimes the best thing that we can do for them and the relationship. 

4. The Law of Proactivity - Cloud and Townsend – “But when is enough enough? Reaction phases are necessary but not sufficient for the establishment of boundaries. It is crucial for victims of abuse to feel the rage and hatred of being powerless, but to be screaming “victim’s rights” for the rest of their lives is being stuck in a “victim mentality.” The person who has been hurt or abused cannot stay in a reactive state because it has diminishing returns. Once you recognize your new boundaries, embrace them and move on. Proactive people have learned to die to themselves, move on, and not to return evil for evil. 

Last week we talked about three laws...

... of boundaries and today we will look at three more:

1. The Law of Respect. We hear from people often who say…if I set boundaries or if I say no to them they will reject me. They get angry if I set limits. They will not talk to me if I tell them what boundaries are. We are so afraid that others will not respect our boundaries. We focus so much on others that we lose clarity about ourselves. Cloud and Townsend – We need to respect the boundaries of others. We need to love the boundaries of others in order to command respect for our own. We need to treat their boundaries the way we want them to treat ours. If we love and respect people who tell us no, they will love and respect our no. Freedom begets freedom. Matthew 7:12 (NKJV) “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

2. The Law of Motivation. Most of us know someone in the church who is always doing something for someone who asks them to do it. It appears they are doing what they are doing to be a good Christian. But there’s a problem…these people do not seem to be very happy. Many times they become critical about how more people should help and how they should do more. They get grumpy and snappy. Maybe they had a mother or father who would ask them to do something for them and if the person asked did not do it, love was withheld. We end up giving, not out of love, but out of fear. Maybe it is fear or people’s anger that keeps us from setting boundaries or keeping the ones we have. These false motives and others keep us from setting boundaries. 

3. The Law of Evaluation. Sometimes when we have to confront someone, we don’t want to do it because we are afraid that it will hurt them. You may be reluctant to do it but you have to evaluate whether your decision will harm the person. Telling the person may hurt them but it probably will not harm them. There is a difference. It hurts when a dentist drills on my teeth to get rid of a cavity but is he harming me? Of course not. He is helping me to not have worse future problems. Hurt and harm are different. When you eat the sweets that give you the cavities does it hurt? Of course not, it feels good. Does it harm you in the long run? Yes! Cloud and Townsend – We need to evaluate the pain our confrontation causes other people. We need to see how this hurt is helpful to others and sometimes the best thing that we can do for them and the relationship. We need to evaluate the pain in a positive light. 

In Galatians 6:4-8 (NKJV) ...

...“For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Last week we talked about the safe boundaries of being in covenant relationships in the body of Christ. We all need the safety of the church. Today we are going to look at the laws of boundaries and how important those laws are for us to obey them. Today we will look at three of those laws.

1. The Law of Sowing and Reaping. We learned in school growing up the law that was called cause and effect. The Bible calls this law the law of sowing and reaping. You reap what you sow. It is not God’s intention to punish us by this law but He is simply telling us how things are. Unfortunately, we can interrupt the law of sowing and reaping and we find ourselves rescuing irresponsible people. Cloud and Townsend – Rescuing a person from the natural consequences of his behavior enables him to continue in irresponsible behavior. 

2. The Law of Responsibility - The law of responsibility always includes loving others. The commandment to love is the entire law for Christians. Problems arise when boundaries of responsibility are confused, we are to love one another, not try to be one another. I can’t feel your feelings for you, I can’t think for you. I can’t behave for you. I can’t work through the disappointment that limits bring for you. In short, I can’t grow for you; only you can. Likewise, you can’t grow for me. We are mandated by scriptures to take personal responsibility. Philippians 2:12 (NIV) “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…”

3. The Law of Power

--Even though you do not have the power in and of yourself to overcome many problems, you do have the power to do some things that can lead you to freedom. You have the power to agree with the truth about your problem. You have the power to submit your inability to God. You have the power to seek and ask God, for revelation about what your boundaries should be. You have the power to turn from the evil that you find within you. You have the power to humble yourself and ask God and others to help you. You have the power to seek out those whom you may have injured and make amends. You are not powerless!

Matthew 19:4-6 (NLT) “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?”...

... Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” As we continue this series on boundaries I want to share with you today one of the safest places you can be is in the Church…the Body of Christ. We are not talking about just showing up and being here physically but what I am talking about is being in covenant relationship with each other. It is absolutely true that we are stronger when we are together spiritually, physically, and emotionally and bonded together by Holy Spirit.  

1. Jesus speaks of being in covenant relationship and how those boundaries protect you. We are to cleave to one another in the church in covenant love just like a husband and wife cleave to each other in marriage…at least, the way God intended.Notice where it says the words joined or joined together…there is a Greek verb “Kolloah” which means being joined together in covenant relationship between a husband and wife.

2. This being “joined together” can also be carried over into our business relationships. This Greek word “Kolloah” can be used in a contract with two business people having an agreement like with the prodigal son.

Luke 15:14-15 (NKJV) “But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.” Notice the prodigal son had joined himself…he had a commitment (covenant) to work for this man.

3. We can also be in Covenant relationship with the Lord…we must be “joined together” with Him.1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV) “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. When we are in “Kolloah” with the Lord we are in the safest place we can be in. Beautiful boundaries that truly provide relationship and protection. 

4. This concept of “being joined together” also applies to being in covenant with the local church body. Paul who had previously been Saul had a major conversion on the road to Damascus and God turned him every which way but loose. He saw his need to be joined to the local church. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” When you are joined to us in covenant relationship, you are in the safe boundaries of the church.

Today we are continuing the series about Boundaries.

Cloud and Townsend, “Remember the old saying, “Insanity is genetic. You inherit it from your kids”? Well, boundaries aren’t inherited. They are built. To be the truth-telling, responsible, free, and loving people God wants us to be we need to learn limits from childhood on. Boundary development is an ongoing process, yet its most crucial stages are in our very early years, where our character is formed.” The role of a parent or grandparent is to build healthy boundaries for children. At the same time, it is a child’s job to push against those boundaries in a safe way. 

1. Bonding and Boundaries. Building good boundaries begins when we are babies. This is called Bonding. A close, safe, nurturing bond between a parent and a child is essential for development into a healthy, whole adult. Bonding is the bedrock on which we build boundaries. When babies come into the world their first need is to know they are loved, protected and nurtured. A person will feel insecure later in life if they do not feel secure at the beginning of life. Unfortunately, not all parents develop a loving bond with their babies and children. 

2. Separation and Boundaries. After Bonding, the next step is Separating. During the first four months of life, mother and baby are one in the eyes of the baby. There is no distinction. During the second half of year one, the baby starts to separate and develop an identity. All that nurturing pays off. The little one feels secure enough to do some exploring. They want to take the world in through their senses…especially their mouths. The separation phase is the time to begin building boundaries. As a child develops an identity over the next months and years he or she learns to use two powerful words: “No” and “Why?” You want them to say “No” when someone tries to do something wrong with them or to them. As painful as it is at times, all those years of testing the limits helps a parent and child set and keep clear boundaries. 

3. Isaac and Rebekah – Boundaries Crossed. Boundaries were crossed when Rebekah came with a plan to deceive Isaac obtaining the blessing for Jacob instead of Esau. Boundaries were crossed when Jacob would not say “no” to his deceiving mother. The point here is this…when boundaries are crossed and deception rules the day, people get hurt and upset. God’s Word will keep us within biblical boundaries for everyone’s safety. 

This week we are continuing the series Boundaries.

  Cloud and Townsend – Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership. Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom. If I know where my yard begins and ends, I am free to do with it what I like. Taking responsibility for my own life opens up many different options. However, if I do no not own my life, my choices and options become very limited. We let others own us. Think about this…how confusing would it be if someone told you to “guard this property diligently, because I will hold you responsible for what happens here” but they didn’t tell you the boundaries of the property. Three things we must understand:

1. I am responsible “to” you but I am not responsible “for” you. We are responsible to others and for ourselves. Please explain, Pastor. Galatians 6:2 (NKJV) “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Everyone has responsibilities that only he or she can carry. These things are our own particular “load” that we need to take daily responsibility for and work out. Galatians 6:5 (NKJV) “For each one shall bear his own load.” Everyone has responsibilities that only he or she can carry. These things are our own particular “load” that we need to take daily responsibility for and work out. 

2. Boundaries help us keep the good in and the bad out. Boundaries help us to distinguish our property so that we can take care of it. We need to keep things that will nurture us inside our fences and keep things that will harm us outside. Fences protect our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” We need to protect our hearts by establishing boundaries or fences…by keeping the good in and the bad out. 

3. Our boundaries or fences need a gate. Many times we have said in this message that our fences, our boundaries, need a gate to keep bad out and to keep good in. Wow, whoever this gate is has to be strong, wise, discerning, and has an important responsibility of managing this process of what is entering and exiting. John 10:7 (NIV) Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” Lordship tells me I have to give ownership of my fences, my boundaries, and my yard to Jesus. He will make sure no one enters who shouldn’t and He allows in what and who needs to come in. Jesus is the Gate of our boundaries. 

Today we are starting a new series called Boundaries ...

...and I believe God is going to challenge us in so many ways. Nehemiah has just received news about those who had escaped their captivity and had made it back to Jerusalem but there was a problem. Nehemiah 1:3-4 (NKJV)  “And they said to me, "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire." So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” The wall (the boundary) had been broken down and the gates had been burned. They were so glad to be home but because their boundaries had been broken down, they had no protection or security. 

So what was Nehemiah’s first response to this dilemma? Nehemiah 1:5-7 (NKJV) And I said: "I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.” His response was to pray, to worship, and to repent of the sins of the people and himself. We should do the same. 

Let’s face it, so many people do not know where to draw the line or where to set boundaries in what they do and what they allow others to do to them. Even those close to them…especially those close to them. With God’s help in this series we will obviously look to God’s Word to see how we can obtain the boundaries and the security we need. After Nehemiah prayed, worshiped, and repented, he did something novel, he rebuilt the boundaries and restored the gates. We must do the same. As long as there are breaches in the wall, the enemy has access. Life Church, it is time to restore the boundaries in our personal lives, in our families, and in our churches. Let’s rise up and build!

Resilient People - 2

Resilient People - 2

Subject - Joseph Teaches Us to Deal with Our Rockies 

by Rick Welborne

Genesis 37:18‑28 (NLT) 

18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 

19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 

20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” 

21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 

22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. 

23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 

24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 

25 Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. 

26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? His blood would just give us a guilty conscience. 

27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. 

28 So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. 

–As we begin this message Joseph is captured by his brothers of whom he had gone to check on, they throw him in a pit, and eventually sell him into slavery.

–He is carried off into a foreign land, no money, no friends, no power, no home or daddy to take care of him...No beautiful robe…He is looking at the Rocky Mountains.

Ortberg: Your heart is revealed and your character is forged when life does not turn out the way you planned.

–Sooner or later we all see the Rockies...it may be in your marriage, your work, your ministry, your finances, or maybe in your health.

–It is in the act of facing the Rockies that you discover what lies inside you and decide what lies before you.

What important decisions do resilient people make when they face the Rockies.

1. Resilient people exercise control rather than passively resign.

–Something what surprises us about resilient people is how they exercise so much control in a stress filled situation.

–Many POWs or hostages share that the single most stressful aspect of their situation was that they had lost command over their existence.

–A study of those in Korean war camps found a group who had what they called “give up itis”...these were the ones who were least likely to survive and recover.

–Amazingly losing control of their daily lives was worse psychologically on them than threats, hunger, beatings, and isolation.

–In contrast, those who triumphed over adversity share a common trait...they managed to have a sense of command over their future.

Luke 18:1 (NLT) 

1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.  

–To take command some would exercise, they would memorize stories, figure out ways of communicating with one another, some kept a census of the bugs around them.

–Some used tapping to communicate or sweeping a broom a certain way...the POWs encouraged one another by reminding themselves and their friends that their bodies had been captured but their spirits had not, they prayed.

–Joseph was a prisoner...far from home, separated from his father, betrayed by his brothers, surrounded by strangers who bought him and sold him. The robe is gone and what it meant...his privileged life is gone but:

Genesis 39:2 (NKJV) 

2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 

–There is nothing more awesome or more important than knowing that when you are looking at the Rocky Mountains...The Lord is with you!

–Even though Joseph had lost his freedom he refused to look at himself as powerless...What have you lost that has made you feel out of control...The Lord is with you!

–You may have never thought of this but the Scriptures have many accounts of POWs and hostages who refused to be just victims. Daniel, Peter and the apostles arrested, Paul and Silas, the three Hebrew young men.

Ortberg: Faith believes that with God, we are never helpless victims.

–This is really amazing...Joseph began to serve his new master with all his heart:

Genesis 39:3‑6 (NLT) 

3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 

4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 

5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 

6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well‑built young man, 

2. Resilient people remain committed to their values when tempted to compromise.

–You are making the best of a bad situation...things are getting better...God is giving you favor with your master...God is with you! Potiphar’s wife is attracted to Joseph because he is well built and handsome.

–Most preachers when they tell this story make her out to be like a super model because it makes for a juicer story so because of her persistence and his loneliness we will assume that he was tempted but did not give in.

Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV) 

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

–Joseph could have taken the attitude of a victim and could have given in but he did not! He tells her of his master’s trust...honoring relational commitment.  This is a classic case of resilient thinking.

–When John McCain’s biography came out in his presidential campaign of 2000 people were fascinated by the account of how he could have been released by Hanoi but refused unless his comrades were freed also.

–Loyalty to values even when it means suffering is a powerful catalyst for character formation...what values do you cling to? Look at how sin and temptation works:

Genesis 39:9‑10 (NIV) 

9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" 

10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.  

–Ok, Joseph, let’s don’t sleep together...let’s just be together...just hang out and talk, right! He still refuses and she becomes angry...

Genesis 39:11‑12 (NIV) 

11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 

12 She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. 

–What is it with Joseph and garments? He ran to get away! Many think people are most tempted to sin when they are partying and having a good time but most of us are most vulnerable when we are sad or lonely.

Carl Jung: Sin is always a substitute for legitimate suffering. It is an attempt to obtain the pleasure that does not rightly belong to me or evade the pain that does. 

–Discouragement is the blue light that makes sin appear irresistible. All of us in one way or another know the temptation of Joseph...the temptation that comes when life does not turn out the way we expected...Rockies.

–If Joseph would have given in here he would have betrayed the one who trusted him, would have betrayed God, and would have probably never known his destiny. He ran!

–It is good that he ran...it is great to run from sin but sin can be very persistent so run to God.

–Joseph stands firm, he is loyal to his master, very honest with his seductress, and true to his values. Surely God will have to reward him...right?

–Mrs. Potiphar stands there with his cloak in her hand and then she does so much we hear today...she plays the “race card” before those in the house...this Hebrew who was brought here has done this.

–We think...this cannot be...this floozy cannot get away with this...Joseph is right and righteous...He must be rewarded...not yet...more mountains! God’s ways…not our ways.

–Potiphar goes on the war path and has Joseph thrown into prison and his wonderful wife goes home and waits for a more compliant servant.

–Keep in mind...the story is not over yet...Joseph goes to prison...bad things happen to good people....Key:

Genesis 39:20‑21 (NIV) 

20 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 

21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 

–The Lord did not spare Joseph from prison...The Lord often does not spare his children from the Rockies or from adversity. But the Lord was with Joseph just like He is with you in your situation. 

–Joseph decided he would rather face life with the Lord and have nothing than face life without the Lord and have everything...what about us?

3. Resilient people find meaning and purpose in their mountains.

–Victor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning he shares how he discovered that the imprisoned person who no longer had a goal was unlikely to survive the Nazi death camps.

–He said that even though there were few...He could remember those who walked thru the camps encouraging others and giving them their last piece of bread.

Frankl: Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms–to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way. The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the sufferings that it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross gives him ample opportunity to add a deeper meaning to his life.

–Joseph was able to find purpose and meaning even in prison...even looking at the Rockies...The Lord was with Joseph.

–God shows up on the mountain (transfiguration) but He also shows up in the storm and when we find something bigger than we are.

Genesis 39:21‑23 (NLT) 

21 But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the LORD made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 

22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 

23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The LORD was with him and caused everything he did to succeed. 

–What could your purpose be in a prison when you were not supposed be there anyway? He had a couple of cell mates...a baker and a butler who needed him. Look what adversity taught him about his beautiful robe. 

Scott Peck: It is in this whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has its meaning...It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually...it is for this reason that wise people learn not to dread but actually to welcome problems and actually welcome the pain of problems.

Key: 

A. As long as he was wearing the Robe, Joseph could never move into community with his brothers.

B. As long as he was wearing the Robe, Joseph would never know what he was capable of under pressure.

C. As long as he was wearing the Robe, Joseph would never understand that God is enough even when you have lost everything.

Resilient People - 1

Resilient People - 1

Subject: Joseph Teaches Us to Face Our Rockies

by Rick Welborne

Genesis 37:1‑10 (NLT) 

1 So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner. 

2 This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. 

3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 

4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. 

5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 

6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 

7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 

8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 

9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” 

10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” 

–In his book Undaunted Courage Stephen Ambrose shares of Lewis and Clark’s expedition across America.

–For two years they battled hunger, fatigue, desertion, hostile enemies, severe illness, and death but finally reached the head waters of the Missouri River. 

–The information they had led them to believe that once they reached the continental divide, they would face about a half day trip and then reach the Columbia River.

–They were on their way to becoming heros or at least that is what they thought.  They assumed the hard part was behind them...smooth sailing after this.

–Lewis left the rest of the party to climb the bluffs that would enable him to see the other side hoping to see the waters that would carry them the rest of the way.

–Imagine how he felt, rather than seeing what he expected, he was the first non-Native American to lay eyes on the Rocky Mountains?

1. What do you do when you think your biggest problems are behind you, only to find out you have just been warming up?

–How do you rally the troops who are following you looking for good news?

–I can imagine Lewis turning to see some of the party coming to the top of the bluff wanted to see their wonderful victory.

–Hey guys, don’t come up yet...what will he say...I have just a little surprise for you.

–Have you ever thought you have finally defeated the giant (the sickness, the family crisis, the marriage problem, the financial issue) just to be faced with yet another giant.

–A few years ago...Economy goes south, people go south, family issues, church issues, H-plori, broken foot, melanoma on the back, chest, head,...the ear...really.

–Major problems with the back...surgery...another giant defeated...smooth sailing and a time of peace and rest...surprise...no cartilage between the bones in your feet...ok!  

–What do you do when you think your biggest problems are behind you, only to find out you have just been warming up?  We will get to Joseph.

–Lewis and Clark would eventually see that crossing the Rockies would be the greatest accomplishment of the whole trip.

–This new revelation and new challenge would call forth from them creativity and perseverance that they never knew they had.

–They would create memories and see sights that would be spectacular...taking on the Rockies would build into them tremendous confidence because if you could take on the Rockies you could tackle anything.

–On this side of the Rockies, of course, they could not know any of this.  When they thought the trip was about to get easy they had to face their highest challenge.

–Hear your pastor, whether you have walked for God a short time or for many years...

Unexpected mountains can throw you for a loop.

–We launch into a great adventure, start a new job, take on a new ministry assignment, start a family...there seems to be so much promise and we are filled with so much hope.

–Then it happens, we endure some stuff and face challenges that stretch us to what we thought were our limits and there it is...not just the mountain but a whole range.

John Ortberg: Reality sets in.  We face the obstacles.  Unexpected conflict saps our spirit.  Plans go awry.  People we were counting on let us down.  The economy zigs when it should have zagged.  Just when we were hoping for easy portage and smooth sailing, we are looking at the Rocky Mountains.  What happens next?

2. This is where being resilient servants of God becomes our survival. 

–There is a field of study in social sciences known as resiliency...Researchers study people who have survived traumatic ordeals...when life did not turn out the way they had planned.

–Prisoners of war, hostages, those in consecration camps, victims of crippling accidents

were studied to see how they responded to their trauma. 

–These studies found that people responded in two ways: Many are simply defeated by such adversity and are defeated by their difficult situations...basically give up!

–Others are marked by resiliency, a condition whereby they actually enlarge their capacity to handle problems, and in the end, they not only survive but grow.  

–What makes the difference?  How do you endure when you face a mountain so big that it seems un-cross-able?  Why do the Rockies energize some people and defeat others?

–The researchers found:

–Resilient people continually seek to reassert some command and control over their destiny rather than seeing themselves as passive victims.

–Resilient people have a larger than usual capacity for what might be called moral courage–for refusing to betray their values.

–Resilient People find purpose and meaning in their suffering.

–We can add to this list as believers in Christ is that - Resilient people have a deep dependency on God. 

3. Let’s look at Joseph in the light of good news/bad news.

–It has always been fun to look at stories that were good news/bad news and actually back to good news before the story was over.

–Two friends agree that whoever dies first will get word back to the other one whether or not there is baseball in heaven...The good news is there is baseball in heaven.  The bad news is that you are pitching on Friday.

–Joseph’s life was definitely one of those good news/bad news stories.

–Joseph is daddy’s favorite...that’s good news...His brothers hate his guts...that is bad news!

–His daddy gives him a beautiful coat...that’s good news...his brothers rip it off, cover it with blood, pretend he’s dead, sell him into slavery in a distant land...that’s bad news.

–He get’s a great job with Potiphar, a wealthy not to bright boss who likes him. He empowers Joseph to run his house...he is handsome...things going well..that’s good news.

–Potiphar’s wife thinks he is handsome and tries to seduce him...that’s bad news.  Joseph resists the temptation...that’s good news!

–The wife is furious and lies about him and has him arrested...he ends up in prison...that is bad news.

–In prison Joseph meets Pharaoh’s butler, interprets his dream that predicts he will be paroled, arranges for the butler to get him released...this is good news.

–The butler forgets and Joseph languishes in prison...that’s bad news.

–As you read Joseph’s story you have to wonder how will it all end.  (Of course we know but he didn’t). What matters in a good news/ bad news story is how it all ends.

–If it ends with bad news, all the good news that went before was just a cruel farce that raises false hopes. If it ends with good news, the entire story gets redeemed. 

–All the bad news is seen in a new light...With Joseph, let’s go back to the beginning.

4. When you speak of Joseph it is almost impossible to not talk about his fancy coat and his dreams.

–Joseph wore the robe...the robe said he was the chosen one by his father...the golden boy

–Any of you ever feel that another sibling was the golden one in your family...the oldest!

–He never had to worry about whether daddy loved him or not...the robe declared it.

–When his brothers walked in the room their dad might ask how the flocks were doing but when Joseph walked in Jacob would light up.

–Parents may not think their kids can see it when they have a favorite but your kids can see it a mile away.  Comedian...we have two great kids and then this other kid!!!

–The robe definitely let the cat out of the bag...a long coat with sleeves...coat of many colors...a hand tailored coat from Nordstrom while yours came from Target.

–Price did not matter for this son...what made this so explosive was that in that day clothing was an expression of status...dad’s pet...in your face favoritism. 

–When Joseph wears the robe it makes him feel special but every time the brothers saw it

...it made them die a little on the inside.

–The brothers can’t take it anymore...they tear the robe off of him and sell him into slavery...Joseph thinks this is bad but the Rockies are still ahead.

–Joseph’s dreams did not help his relationship with his siblings either...dreams in that day were considered to be prophetic...even though the author of Genesis never says they are from God.

–These dreams are about Joseph’s future and you would think he would have enough sense to keep quiet:

Proverbs 17:28 (NLT) 

28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. 

–Joseph does not keep silent...he gathers his brothers...who don’t have a special robe...

Who have been hurt deeply by their father...who hate him and tells his dream to them.

–There was a field of sheaves...mine stood up and yours bowed down to mine...I guess this means one day I will rule over you and you will bow and submit before me...let’s play

Genesis 37:8 (NKJV) 

8 And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.   

–Joseph must be a SH...he tells them another dream about the sun, moon, and stars bowing before him...

–It never dawns on him to keep quiet...all he can see is he is going to accomplish great things, he is going to be famous, he is going to make his father proud, he is wearing the robe and he is dreaming great dreams.

–What he does not know is that he is about to see a mountain range that looks a lot like the Rockies and life is not going to be easy!