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The Task That Marked His Life – Matt. 1:20-23
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian at iTunes. Last week we looked at what appeared to Joseph as a tragedy. It’s hard for us when the plans/activities we so carefully lay out and follow are suddenly shattered. We often forget God is behind the scenes working His perfect will in our lives. He will develop and use us according to HIS plan, even if we have to suffer some hurt along the way. Now let’s see how God changed apparent tragedy into an awarding task!
- DIVINE REVELATION! Revelation is the disclosure of something previously unknown. Have you ever been studying a passage of Scripture when all of a sudden you have a deeper/richer meaning of that passage? That’s divine revelation! Notice that God came to Joseph in the midst of a major crisis. Often a major crisis means a major change in our life! In a major crisis God is always available to us; the question is-are we available to Him? Notice that Joseph didn’t fly off the handle when forsaking God because things weren’t going exactly Joseph’s way! God, in our language, said to Joseph, “if you think finding out Mary was pregnant shook you up, wait until you find out Who the baby is! Sit down Joseph, because the Baby is The Son of God!” Put yourself in Joseph’s place! Often, not always, but often when we get so focused on our life and plans we forget to focus on God, He allows our dreams to be shattered so He can achieve through us more than we ever thought we could achieve on our own! It doesn’t mean we are in total rebellion, it just means God wants to get our attention! Divine Revelation always comes with
- DEFINITE REQUIREMENTS (Vs. 20-21) We don’t know how long it was between verse 20 and 21. Joseph probably fell asleep from exhaustion! An angel came to Joseph in a dream and gave him very clear and very specific instructions. God assured Joseph that his plan to marry Mary was the right one. God gave him two requirements –the marriage, and the name! Now both Joseph and Mary know what’s going on! However, there is the matter of their families. Do you think someone somewhere did the math? How difficult would it be for them to explain this to their family? Would youbelieve it? Remember, God never tells us to do anything without giving us exact instructions and guidance to where He wants us! With all this, God also gave Joseph:
- DELIGHTFUL REALIZATIONS! It’s not likely Joseph woke up with full understanding and complete peace in his heart. He probably had many more questions than answers. However, he did exactly as the Lord directed. Remember, total surrender and obedience to God brings about the realization that God’s plan for your life is infinitely richer and deeper than anything you can devise. God has a plan that is designed to mark your life for Christ. He will tell you exactly what it is and how to do it, and pour out blessings more than you can imagine; but it comes at a high price! Are you willing to pay the price?
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