The Story Begins: Overcoming “Sandpaper People”

The Story Begins: Overcoming “Sandpaper People”

Genesis 37

4-5-20 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…”

 Ecclesiastes 3:5b – “…a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.” 

“Sandpaper people” are abrasive, demanding and rub us raw.

I. "Sandpaper People” Make Life More Difficult and Painful. (Genesis 37:1-4)

Sandpaper people:

• Say Hurtful Things to You
• Do Hurtful Things to You
• Take Revenge on Others
• Gossip and Judge
• Point Fingers
• Are Always Negative

II. “Sandpaper People” are Unreliable. (Genesis 37:5-20)

 Proverbs 6:16-19 – “There are…seven that are an abomination to (God): haughty eyes, a lying tongue…hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Proverbs 25:19 – “Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.”

Proverbs 25:24 – “It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”

Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

III. “Sandpaper People” are Relationally Hurtful. (Genesis 37:21-35)

2 Timothy 4:9, 16 – “Do your best to come to me soon.  For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me…At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.”

2 Timothy 4:17 – “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it.”

IV. “Sandpaper People” Never Stop God’s Plans. (Genesis 37:36)

• Conforming us into Christlike character.
• Creating opportunities to share the Good News.

Steps to Overcome the “Sandpaper People”

1. Trust God.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

2. Serve others.

 Matthew 25:35-40 – “‘For I (Jesus) was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you…clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me…then the righteous will answer Him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you…And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” 

3. Stay connected to Christ centered people.

April Transformation Verse: Luke 24:46 – “It is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.” 

Weekly Transformation Verse: Proverbs 14:30 – “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, bur envy makes the bones rot.” 

Weekly Reading Plan: Genesis 37-38, Psalm 27, Matthew 27 

Going Deeper This Week

1.  Share with the group, your family, or think to yourself an instance since the COVID-19 slowdown or knockdown, how you have clearly experienced His presence in a new way?
2. What is a challenge you are experiencing in this season that you would like prayer?
3. What lessons can we learn from Joseph’s life with “Sandpaper People”?
4.  How do you battle things like disappointment, discouragement, and isolation?
5.  Under what circumstances might we envy God’s plan for someone else’s life rather than accept the one He has laid out for us?
6.  What have you noticed characterizes most sandpaper people? Make a list and use it in your closing prayer as you pray for others.
7.  Read Psalm 105:4 and 50:15. What are some clear reasons God has orchestrated troubled times or people to be in our lives? Who can you share these truths with this week?