JOSEPH - FATHER OF JESUS - “A LEADER’S COST”
Matthew 1:16 - 20
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Proverbs 29:25
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
LEADERS WHO LIVE LIFE OBSESSED WITH HOW OTHERS SEE US AND THINK ABOUT US WILL NEVER WALK IN THE FULLNESS OF THEIR CALLING.
When you live your life in the light of what other people think of you - you will eventually end up hating everyone.
Joseph has an opportunity set before him.
Joseph was engaged to a woman named Mary.
An engagement in that day was:
- 1 year period… in order to break it off during that time you had to file for divorce or die.
- If you died, the other person would be considered a widow or widower.
Matthew 1:18 - 19
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
EXPECT MORE DREAMS AND VISIONS TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT YEAR…
- AS THE END TIMES APPROACH DREAMS AND VISIONS WILL BECOME MORE COMMONPLACE.
1) MANY TIMES FULLY FOLLOWING MEANS
When God asks you to do something, you will come up to a point of time in walking that out where you will be faced with the decision:
FULLY
Pleasing others can seem the easier route.
Galatians 1:1
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Galatians 1:10
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
WHEN YOUR WORTH IS LINKED TO THE WORLD’S LIKES
YOU LOSE SIGHT OF THE LORD’S LEADING.
But
WHEN YOU ATTACH YOUR WORTH TO HIS WORDS
THE WORLD’S WORDS BECOME WEAK.
2) IF YOU ARE NOT READY FOR PEOPLE TO
YOU ARE NOT READY TO DO THE
Matthew 10:22
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
OBEDIENCE FACILITATES AN ATMOSPHERE FOR THE
If you want to see the miraculous done in your life, you need to let go of the world’s likes and be willing to follow God through an unpopular direction.
3) SUPERNATURAL
Matthew 1:24
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
MOST of the time we do not know the details.
GENERALLY, God is not asking for our understanding, He’s asking for our obedience.
Remember - OBEDIENCE IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY / THE OUTCOME IS GOD’S.
Psalm 118:6 - 9
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
FREDRICK DOUGLAS - “One and God make a majority.”
GOD SEES THE BIG PICTURE, BUT ALL YOU SEE IS THE PUZZLE PIECE.
Every small step of obedience sets in motion the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA IF YOU JUST STARTED A CHAIN REACTION THAT WOULD CHANGE YOUR FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS, OR HOW IT WOULD AFFECT YOUR CHURCH, YOUR JOB, YOUR FUTURE… YOU JUST OBEYED.God says “START TITHING REGULARLY”…
“God, you know what my finances look like… this puzzle piece does not feel really good naturally, but I will obey and do what you are asking me…”Every small step of obedience sets in motion the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW THAT SMALL STEP OF OBEDIENCE CAUSED A BOSS’S HEART, OR A RANDOM STRANGERS HEART TO GIVE YOU FAVOR AND/OR BLESS YOU AND STARTS A CHAIN REACTION OF AMAZING THINGS…God says, “START SERVING WITH KIDS”…
This puzzle piece does not make sense… how does serving with kids help???”Every small step of obedience sets in motion the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA THAT YOU ARE IMPACTING ONE OF THE NEXT PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, OR THE NEXT BILLY GRAHAM.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOUR SMILE, YOUR CARE CAUSED A YOUNG PERSON TO DECIDE TO NOT KILL THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY KNOW - THAT TEACHER - CARES ABOUT ME…God says “JUST GO ASK HER OUT”…
“Shouldn’t I have a thus sayeth the Lord…. how does this work God? Are we going to have kids? How many?”Every small step of obedience sets in motion the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan.
YOUR ACT OF OBEDIENCE IS VITAL TO THE COMPLETION OF GOD’S PLAN.
Proverbs 29:25
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
“SAFE” = to be inaccessibly high.
REAL SAFETY in life is:
I OBEY AND TRUST GOD… AND EVERY OTHER WORD OF MAN OR THOUGHT OF MIND IS LESS THAN GOD’S PLAN FOR MY LIFE.
WE ALWAYS GIVE OUR BEST TO WHAT WE VALUE THE MOST!
If you VALUE GOD more than you VALUE YOURSELF OR PEOPLE -
You want to give your best to HIM!
WHEN JESUS INTERSECTED INTO JOSEPH’S LIFE - AN OPPORTUNITY AROSE TO BECOME A PART OF SOMETHING LARGER THAN THE LIKES OF OTHERS.
JESUS GAVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE USED BY GOD - TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
JESUS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TODAY.