Lessons from Joseph
Matthew 1:18-25 and 2:13-23
Introduction – HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
- Through the life of Joseph, men today can learn several lessons about fatherhood
-- I’ll be the first to admit that aside from God, no one has it all figured out
-- Fatherhood can be an adventure – and yet sometimes life’s biggest blessing
- Through biblical examples (like today) we can learn how to be faithful
-- Joseph was just a man who was willing to lean on and obey God’s calling
- Setup: What we will read through is probably very familiar to all
-- Most are familiar with these passages around Christmastime
- Father’s Day can be so much more than a day for dad to get a new tie …
-- It can also be a day for men (and women) to choose to live to God
- Read Matthew 1:18-25 and Matthew 2:13-23 / Pray
- TR: From these few passages I see three key thoughts
-- Joseph, a man chosen by God to shepherd the King of Kings, still teaches us
-- Get this: A father is more than just the XY chromosome donor …
- Consider: What if we looked at this through the lens of discipleship?
-- What if we viewed this as an example for all on how to live today?
Point 1 – A father (or a disciple) is righteous
- Before Joseph was with Mary, he was righteous and living right (v18)
- But in order to righteous, we must first desire it!
- FACT: Joseph was a man who desired to know more about God
-- Matthew 5:6, “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.”
-- GR: chortasthesontai – to be filled; to desire nothing else
- Being satisfied (saw this in 2 Peter) means to be content with what God gives
-- Joseph was such a man; he was content with the things of God
- Why? Because he desired to know more about God, desired to grow close
-- This drawing in of God allowed him to be called righteous
- Joseph lived in a way that was pleasing to God
-- GR: dikaios – upright, honest, with integrity, good character
-- APP: Joseph brought honor in God’s eyes
- However, notice that he was still fully human (not super human) (v19)
-- In his own righteousness, even though he was to marry Mary, he had doubts
- Not doubts that he loved her … but doubts that he would discredit her
-- APP: Get this: honor is important, how you are viewed mattered
-- And Joseph did not want to dishonor Mary, or God, in these events
- But notice what God does (v20):
-- Because he was righteous, God sent an angel (peace and calm: “fear not”)
-- This angel gave a preview of God's eternal plan (wonderful blessing)
-- It is God's joy to bring His children into the fold – to show them – comfort them
- Real talk: I’m sure Joseph had his doubts, but don’t miss this:
-- God brings peace in the midst of our doubts, esp. when we are living for Him
- TR: Being righteous before God leads us to be …
Point 2 – A father (or a disciple) is willing
- Fact: After Jesus was born; Herod was afraid of losing his power (v13)
-- APP: A king being born is a threat to current king – so he has to go
-- This means that Herod is now on a war path to destroy any threats to him
- Because of his faith, Joseph again was visited by an angel (again, “fear not”)
-- APP: Don’t miss this, Jesus was always to be protected; God could’ve done that
-- But instead, he used the man of faithfulness that He appointed
-- For you and me we must see this: God continues to use us for his purpose!
-- APP: God provides a way when we are in doubt, afraid, uncertain, etc.
- This morning, I see three reasons he was willing to move when God spoke:
• The first is Protection – knew that God had his best interest at heart
• The second is Faithfulness – knew that faithfulness to God was key
• The third is Obedience – knew that obeying was putting feet to words
- FACT: It’s not always easy to follow God's prompting
- When God calls us to move - we must already be willing (ready, listening)
-- Joseph knew this promise, also knew the words of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
-- Jesus later taught in John 14:15, “If you love me, obey my commandments”
- When God calls us to move, are you willing? Are you willing to obey?
-- Often times it means we give up our preferences and the things we want:
-- Example: Life changes, work changes, discipleship changes
-- FACT: Attitude and humbleness to Him affects our willingness to respond
- TR: When God commands us to move …
Point 3 – A father (or a disciple) is obedient
- Bottom line: When God directs, we have to go – we can’t wait/vote on it
-- Because Joseph obeyed in v14, God rewarded his family with protection
- Now, take a look at this protection and how good it is:
-- This protection was sovereign; it was God directed and it
-- Fulfilled scripture & fulfilled the prophecy (Messiah from Nazareth) (v23)
- What we need to know today is God’s protection is always perfect
-- Fact: Sometimes He removes things from your life that are harmful
-- Other times He chooses to not give you what you want b/c it’s not good
- The promise we have to stand on (same one Joseph stood on) is:
-- Genesis 22:17-18, “I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”
- But you might say that was the OT, ok, here is NT promise for you:
-- Turn to and read Romans 8:26-34
Conclusion
- Look, here is the big idea of today, and what we can glean from Joseph
-- APP: If we are obedient to God then the outcome is always perfect
- Notice that throughout; Joseph is not recorded as speaking (GET THIS)
-- There is no arguing, no disagreeing no debating, not FB post ... just agreement
- His action is clear ... when God speaks, I will simply follow!
-- APP: Actions speak louder than words (do it, don’t just say it)
- God calls us to three things, all of which Joseph demonstrated for us:
1. Righteous (the gift of Christ gives us access to righteousness)
2. Willing (God was willing to give us His Son to die for our sins)
3. Obedience (Even to the death, we must obey God as Christ did)
- Father's Day allows us to honor our Dad's
-- But it’s also a chance to honor our Heavenly Father
- Would we change our will (desire) to follow God’s calling daily?
-- RE: Joseph moved his entire family several times without complaining
- He responded each time God commanded because he was faithful
-- Why? Because he lived in total obedience ... can’t we do the same?
- Pray
