Extraordinary calling of ordinary people
Luke 23:50
Good morning everyone, glad that you are here
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year
As we are in the last Sunday of 2025 and heading fast to 2026, could we take a minute to pray that the Lord would be allowed in our lives to lead us and guide us into the New Year.
I need His direction, I forget what I go into a room for…sometimes. I look for my cell phone while I am talking on it! I need Jesus!
Prayer-
I did a study on Joseph of Arimathea. I don’t think I have ever preached a sermon about this Joseph and I knew little about his life but after this study I see that we can learn quite a bit from him. My study took me to the bible and to a book written by Ken Costa of Joseph life.
Ordinary people can do extraordinary things when God is in it and is allowed to be God and us to be servants of the Most High God.
If we allow God to use us in our everyday lives, that is where our light of God will shine brightest.
Jentezen Franklin says that World-changers are built in the ordinary.
To me, world changers are people who do things that are not common.
They are people who don’t blend in and are not like everyone else.
World-changers think for themselves and do not go with the crowd just because everyone else does.
BEFORE JESUS DIED-Joseph of Arimathea followed Jesus surreptitiously (sur-uhp-ti-shuh-slee) big word- (secretively, sneaky, avoiding being noticed, unauthorized) as he was afraid, and he was afraid that it would ruin his career.
AFTER Jesus died, something changed in Joseph’s life, he bravely identified with Jesus and gave Jesus an honorable burial.
WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO FOLLOW JESUS AT ALL COST
NO ONES CALLING IS HIGHER THAN ANOTHER- WE HAVE TO BE OBEDIENT TO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO AND WITH WHAT RESOURCES WE ARE GIVEN.
Here is the text- Luke 23:50-56
What do we know of Joseph of Arimathea?
WE know that he is part of the Sanhedrin (71 rabbis appointed to counsel)
He was an IMPORTANT MAN
He was probably wealthy
A man of influence
Received money from the Temple tax collected
He was a secret follower of Jesus- He would have lost everything that he worked for had the Sanhedrin found out he was a follower of Jesus.
They expected a savior to come from the scriptures…but Jesus was not who they were looking for
To Them He was not coming in a manger
The long awaited messiah would not allow them to beat and strip him and for sure not crucify him.
I believe Joseph had a Damascus road experience of his own. I believe he went from ordinary to extraordinary by his faith in the crucified Jesus. His faith came alive and it changed him forever.
Pastor we have been talking about the virgin birth and incarnation. Joseph of Arimathea was an ordinary person doing extraordinary when he was obedient and allowed the Lord to use him.
He was used in the story of Jesus and he lived out his own story of salvation through Christ
Mark 15:42-47- Read from bible-
All four Gospels show that although Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, he was a believer in Christ. Mark and Luke mentioned with subtlety that Joseph was looking forward to the kingdom, but Matthew put it even more bluntly, that Joseph “had become a disciple of Jesus” (Matt. 27:57).
Yet when the time came, ordinary Joseph acted in a way that made his faith public. Luke wrote in his Gospel that Joseph disagreed with the Sanhedrin on their attempt to do away with Jesus, but that opposition alone might not have fully exposed him as a disciple of Jesus. However, there was no doubting his allegiance when he boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. His request was astonishing because Joseph stood to lose everything: his wealth (Matt.27:57), his influence as a member of the Sanhedrin, his reputation, and even his life. Yet regardless of the cost, Joseph (along with Nicodemus) took Jesus off the cross, wrapped him in spices, and buried him in a freshly-cut tomb. Joseph’s secret was out. There was no turning back. He was now known as a Christ follower.
What can we learn from the example of Joseph? Here are a few quick thoughts on why Joseph’s example is useful for us today:
Courage: Mark 15:42 says, “Joseph took courage and went to Pilate.”
Can you picture him pacing outside Pilate’s door and taking a deep breath before entering?
This was a big step for a man who probably didn’t want to stick out or draw any attention to himself. For too long, he had been a secret follower, and now he was pushing himself.
But he’d rather live with the consequences of this act of courage than regret never stepping up.
That is what happens when we encounter Jesus and allow Him to work in our lives
The medal of honor is the highest medal awarded in the USA. Most recipients would say they did what was needed and that they were scared but knew what was needed at the time to get the task done.
Courage is not being a tough guy who is not afraid- it is being scared and still doing the right thing for the right reasons.
Courage as a noun- the ability to do something that frightens one:
Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Valor is courage or bravery, especially in battle. Wikipedia
Courage is not following the crowd. Joseph had a faith in Jesus and was considered a disciple. This happened despite his being a member of the Sanhedrin, who were, as a group, bitterly opposed to Christ. However, Joseph held to his belief in Jesus and had a faith in Him despite his surroundings.
With God's protection and guidance, we should be able to conquer our fears and live a life full of determination. It is God that commands us to have courage, for that means having faith and confidence in Him. Through scripture, we can find the courage God desires us to have.
Deuteronomy 31:6-8-Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
THAT WILL PREACH
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Peace through strength and strength from the Lord
Joshua 1:9-11-Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”So Joshua ordered the officers of the people. “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’ ”
Notice the wording in the verse? Our text says Joseph “took courage” while others say, ‘he gathered up courage’ or he ‘went boldly’ or ‘without fear.’ This was a huge step for Joseph because listen, ‘he was risking it all for Jesus.’ How long has it been since you have risk anything’ for Jesus, let alone ‘all.’ He was a man of plenty (rich) and he could have lost all he had by being identified with Jesus. He was a man of position (Sanhedrin) & could have been banished by being identified with Jesus. He was a man of prestige (highly respected) & asking for the body of Jesus – a victim of crucifixion – could have damaged his reputation. His actions took courage!
We see courage and #2 we see that he followed Jesus and he followed Jesus example.
Follow Jesus. We don’t know how vocal Joseph was in his opposition to the Sanhedrin regarding their actions toward Jesus, but he was against their plan. However, we do know for sure that Joseph risked everything in asking Pilate for the body of Jesus.
We know Joseph had an experience where he believed that Jesus was the messiah- For a Jew that was not going to go well but after that experience and after Jesus died, Joseph lived out his faith.
Jesus said in Luke 9:24, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.”
Joseph, alone, took Jesus’ body off the cross and carried him to his tomb. He had the gruesome and unpleasant task of removing the spikes and the crown of thorns. Because of his love for Jesus, the weight he carried in his heart was probably greater than the weight he carried over his shoulders. His love for Jesus prompted him to do such a task. Loving others often carries a physical and emotional weight to our lives.
Matthew 4:19
“Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'”
Luke 9:23“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'”
Matthew 16:24
“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.'”
Luke 14:27
“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Author Ken Costa says that “to be a good leader you must first be a good follower”
A good leader follows Jesus- following Jesus makes you a better leader-
There is a cost to being a leader-
There is a cost to following Jesus-
Not the everyday things- that’s for the ordinary. I am talking about the times that we must move people or move a vision forward. God does not give us easy, He gives us things that require his power and his presence to do something that is bigger than we are. Joseph realized that he had a responsibility given him when he followed Jesus and he used his resources and his obedience .
We do not know exactly when Joseph was finally convinced that all other voices that are loud mean nothing from hearing the still small voice of God and listening.
The author Ken Costa says
For years inside the church we have used the term ‘convert’ or ‘conversion’ to speak of salvation and well we should because it is a Bible term. But what exactly does it mean to be converted? We know this about financial conversions. For every 100 Japanese yen you possess you can convert it to about $1, 100 Israeli shekel coverts to a little over $28, & 100 British Pounds gets you slightly over $150. You convert what you have into what you need. This is what happens in the human heart & life, we bring to Jesus what we are, trust Him, & He converts us into what we need to be. The Greek word for conversion carries the idea of ‘turning’ which is why repentance & conversion run parallel. Logically, Joseph may have been one of the council assigned to go, hear, & see Jesus, for the purpose of reporting. It is likely that He, like Nicodemus, found Jesus to be the Messiah.
Mark and Luke says that he was also ‘looking for the Kingdom of God’ which was a phrase that would parallel the teaching of both Jesus and John the Baptist.
I mention Nicodemus because John tells us that Nicodemus helped Joseph with the burial. Neither of these men had let it out that they were Jesus followers. John 3 records the encounter of Jesus & Nicodemus. What most people don’t know is that he defended Jesus before the council (John 7). Yet, their story had not been told. One theologian has suggested that during the trial & crucifixion these two men were hiding in the tomb which Jesus would ultimately lay. Candidly, it seems that both men had made decisions to follow Christ, but until now had kept it to themselves.\\
Joseph took the battered body, wrapped it in a clean linen sheet, and then put it in his own tomb. It was his personal tomb, but he gave it up for the cause of Jesus. And, wonder of wonders, three days later God gave it back—because it wouldn’t be needed. It had been vacated. And that empty tomb has become a symbol of glorious hope. Death has lost its sting. Joseph gave God what was his, and God gave it back.
PRAYER POINTS:
Lord, give me the courage to stand for you boldly.
Father, help me to overcome every fear that limits my faith.
Lord, use my resources for your glory.
I receive the grace to serve God with all I have.
Lord, help me to be a true disciple, both in secret and in public.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
You shall have the boldness to stand for Christ in every situation!
Your resources shall be used for God’s glory!
Fear shall not hinder your faith in Jesus’ name!
God will raise you to fulfill divine prophecy!
You shall not miss your moment to serve the Lord!
