Cast of Christmas – Joseph
Of all the Cast of Christmas, Joseph is easy to overlook. And is by far the least know…
“Verge ‘n Mary,”
A catholic nun was teaching a Sunday school class about the birth of Jesus Christ…
So lets look at Joseph in the bible…
Matthew 1:18-25 NIV
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed[b] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
We don’t know much about Joseph, but we do know that he played a crucial role in the life of Jesus Christ
…and was the role model of fatherhood and faith.
The bulk of the biblical descriptions of Joseph come from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which describe Jesus’ birth and childhood.
According to the Gospels, Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why we know Jesus as the Son of God. However, we also understand Joseph to be a true father in every way except biological, since Joseph was the legal father who raised Jesus.
So let’s set the stage for what we are going to talk about today BY GETTING TO KNOW A LITTLE MORE ABOUT JOSEPH:
- JOSEPH WAS A COMMITTED MAN: In studying about the Jewish tradition of marriage, many Theologians argued that interpreting their “betrothal” as a modern-day “engagement” is incorrect. The Jewish custom in that time period involved a two-stage marriage: first a legal contract of marriage, followed later by a party with the husband taking his wife into his home and consummating the marriage.
This is why we read in the Gospels that Joseph learned that Mary was expecting before she came to live with him, so he planned to divorce her, in private; but an angel instructed him not to, and instead to take his wife into his home. Therefore, Joseph was already Mary’s legal husband at the time Jesus was conceived.
- JOSEPH WAS A MAN OF HONOR: This is the first thing we know about Joseph, that he was faithful to Mary, even in the moment that he know she was pregnant, but before the angel came, he had decided NOT to call Mary out for becoming pregnant while legally betrothed to Joseph. This would have been scandalous to say the least, AND possibly deadly for Mary.
- JOSEPH WAS A MAN OF FAITH: An Angel appears to Joseph and tells him about Jesus and that the baby Mary carried was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph does not question God. He obeyed. Just like Pastor Cory preached last week, sometimes we have to be faithful and just go with what God says.
- JOSEPH WAS A PROVIDER: Joseph provided for his family as a carpenter, and followed God’s instructions to care for them. He named and circumcised his son, presented him at the Temple in Jerusalem, and took him to the Temple on holy days when possible, all in line with Jewish law.
- JOSEPH WAS A PROTECTOR: Joseph also protected Jesus from Herod, the King of Judea who wanted to kill the child, by taking Mary and Jesus to safety in Egypt and then Nazareth.
Committed, Honorable, Faithful, a Provider and Protector. These are the multiple attributes that make a father, and good father.
And that’s what I want to talk to you about today. One, if not the most important key components,
- TO THE RAISING OF OUR CHILDREN,
- TO THE SUCCESSFUL UPBRINGING OF THE NEXT GENERATION,
- TO UNDERSTANDING THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF A MENTALLY HEALTHY MAN OR WOMAN…
- THE KEY TO UNLOCKING A COMMITTED, HONORABLE, FAITHFUL, PROVIDING AND PROTECTIVE SOCIETY…
is found in two simple words…
DAD’S MATTER
When we look at scripture, and in modern day research, we find the father‘s in one generation will either significantly strengthen or deeply damage, almost every aspect of society, through their direct impact on future generations.
I love football, and I understand the team aspect behind it. If I were to say hey, the quarterback are unnecessary, wide receivers, and the center can handle it. I’d be looked at as crazy… You need that leader to lead the team…
but our society has done that with dad’s. God has place them in the driver seat of the home. He’s connected hearts of children to long for both the relationship with mom and their relationship with dad,
…but like two wings on an airplane moms and dads are balanced by the Lord to complement one another…
BUT SATAN HAS GONE AFTER DAD. He wants to sack The quarterback, move them off the field. Satan has reached over and grab the steering wheel and yanked the father out of the drivers seat, leaving families and children in a ditch…
…so many things go back to when dad’s step-up!
- Every aspect of society is ultimately impacted because every business is run by somebody who had a Dad.
- Every ministry is run by somebody who had a Dad
- Every government is run by somebody who had a Dad
- Every church, Every organization where there’s somebody breathing, they had an earthly father
WE SEE SO MANY POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE NEXT GENERATION WHEN INPACTED POSITIVITLY BY DAD, but we also see the negative aspects AS WELL
The most common denominator today of people in prison, is not social or economic upbringing… it’s not skin color. It’s not environment whether raised in a Big City or a small town…
The most common denominator of people in prison today, is fatherlessness
The one common denominator in sex trafficking is fatherlessness
The one common denominator of people get involved in the porn industry is fatherlessness
What is the one coming denominator of kids that drop out of school, the kids that are there on drugs, the rampant uptick in bullying in school and children committing Suicide at an ungodly rate, all that goes back to one common denominator FATHERLESSNESS.
This is why God commands us to take care of most vulnerable in society, those, without a Husband or a Father…
James 1:27, NIV:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
We are commanded to take care of the fatherless and the windows, and what do those things have in common?
The most significant man in both of their lives has been removed, and he says in their affliction their suffering the quarterback has been removed, and now they’re suffering as a result of it.
So, if you look at the role of FATHERS, it will either greatly positively impact culture or greatly negatively impact culture.
In his book, Faith of the Fatherless, a Psychology of Atheism, Dr. Paul C. Vitz researched Atheists of the last 400 years he said, the most prominent atheist around the world and the last 400 years had in common that they were abandon or abused by their dads.
Then you also look at Key significant ministry leaders around the world, and one of the common denominators is either they had a great Godly dad, or God set a male mentor into their lives to take up that role of a father figure and help them move on.
So I’m talking to you Step-Dad, and Men who can’t have children or your children are grown up and out of the house. When the biological father is out of the picture, it is your job to step up and be a POSITIVE MALE MENTOR to the next generation.
Dads are the central figure in the identity formation of a child.
- A boy will learn his self-worth and self-control from Dad.
- And girl’s positive self-esteem is a direct result of the affection given to her by her Daddy.
Dad dads are phenomenal for children and when they’re involved, their kids are less likely to struggle with depression, anxiety learning disorders, eating disorders, and the list goes on, and on.
Proverbs 27: 6
…and the glory of children is their father.
A father in the family not only results in the positive physical upbringing of children, but just as significantly is the spiritual aspect.
Research showed that when mom leads the home and dad‘s not there, 2% of the kids become regular attendees of church.
That research also showed that when dad makes church a priority in the family, that percentage goes up to 44%
DAD’S MATTER
So today, I want to leave you with a greater understanding of the Role of A Father…
Role #1: A Faithful Provider
Jesus taught us to pray…”Give us this day our daily bread.” The word “Father” means source. It’s about providing what your kids need to survive (food, clothing, shelter) and to SUCCEED. Jesus showed that the provision of an earthly father helps us to understand the provision of God.
For too many fathers, this is the primary extent of their fathering—providing for physical needs. They spend more time and energy on this than anything. But this isn’t all there is to be a father. Your kids need spiritual and emotional nourishment as well. They need your time, your attention, your love, your prayers.
It is a father’s job to give his children what they need to help them to survive and to succeed. But most importantly to know God, obey God, and do His will.
An earthly father represents God our Father Who is a faithful PROVIDER.
The Bible calls God Jehovah Jireh, God my Provider. God has no problem supplying anything in any amount to anyone in any place at any time.
He fed the entire nation of Israel for 40 years in the wilderness.
He sent ravens to bring bread and meat to Elijah.
He fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish.
Philippians 4:19 (ESV) says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
In this time of social, political, and economic unrest, believers must remember that God will provide for them. And we learn this by watching our Father’s
Role #2: A Strong Protector
Jesus said we should pray to the Father to “Deliver us from evil.”
Matthew 2:13 says God wakes up Joseph and says, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
A father is a strong protector. He protects what is priceless to Him. Think about it:
Football teams lose if they have no plan for defense.
Nations fall if they don’t have a national defense.
The point is: the father is the Head of the Department of Defense in his family.
Physically, we are to protect our kids from physical harm. Research shows that human trafficking is connected to fatherlessness. The majority of those in the porn industry have come from fatherless homes. We know from Scripture that Job got down on his knees and interceded on behalf of his children. It’s recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke that a man whose son was demon-possessed came up to Jesus and knelt down and interceded, begging Jesus to deliver his son from a demon.
WE SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR OUR KIDS TO DELIVER THEM FROM EVIL AND LEAD THEM AWAY FROM TEMPTATION.
A man has to step up and say, our family is not going to watch those kinds of shows or not visit those kinds of websites. We should be guarding the music they listen to, what friends they have, and what movies they watch.
The father who protects says, “I love you too much, not to shield you and protect you.”
Men, are you stepping up as the PROTECTOR of your kids? Are you preparing them to trust God as their Heavenly Father who can deliver them from every kind of evil?
Role #3: A Loving Leader
When Jesus was baptized, He heard His Heavenly Father proclaim to the world, “This is my beloved son, my son whom I love. In whom I am well pleased.”
A FATHER IS TO LEAD WITH LOVE.
Every one of your kids needs to know that you deeply love them. When a child has a dad who says, “I love you, I’m proud of you, and I’m going to stand with you and always be there for you,” it changes the life of that child forever.
We just said that you are the defender of your family… but Dad’s, you are also the captain of the OFFENSE in your family. You don’t need anyone’s permission to lead. You have God’s authority. Some of the greatest and most significant decisions of our lives happened because our dad gave us solid counsel and direction when we needed it most.
We are to do the WILL of our FATHER. That means He has a plan for our lives and is directing our steps. He is leading us. Consider the devil’s strategy: if you were on a battlefield, who would you shoot at, the grunts on the ground, or the 4 Star General leading the troops? If you are playing chess, how do you win, you take out the King? If you want to keep a team out of the Superbowl, just put the quarterback out of commission.
Fatherlessness is a big problem to God—whether dad is not present or simply not engaged with his family. David Blankenhorn said in his book, Fatherless America, “Fatherlessness is the most harmful demographic trend in this generation. It is the leading cause of declining child well-being in our society. It is also the engine driving our most urgent social problems. From crime to adolescent pregnancy to child sexual abuse, to domestic violence against women.”
Role #4: A Willing Helper
God calls Himself a Helper to the Fatherless. Jesus said that the Father would send the Helper in the form of the Holy Spirit to assist us in our daily lives. Earthly fathers must view themselves as willing servant leaders to come alongside their children on a daily basis.
The willing helper is willing to get their hands dirty. He looks for ways to help his children get through each season of life to find God’s will and be found faithful to Him. Fathers have been given authority and placed in the driver’s seat and often don’t know it.
Role #5: A Truthful Teacher
Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) says…
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
A father is biblically supposed to be the head of a child’s Department of Education.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:1-4 (ESV):
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain[a] insight,
2 for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
The Book of Proverbs is filled with what a Father should teach to his children.
Deuteronomy 6:7 says, “You shall diligently teach them…” A father should teach the faith and practically how to do stuff:
- Tie a shoe
- Ride a Bike
- Greet people
- Make friends
- Work hard
- Write a Check
- Balance a Budget
- Drive a Car
- Survive this crazy world
My dad, all growing up… “HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT???”
You get the idea. But when do you do all of this teaching? Well, teach your kids around mealtime, travel time, and bedtime—these are all good times to teach things to your kids.
Listen and understand…
WHEN A FATHER IS SPEAKING INTO THE EARS OF HIS CHILDREN, HE IS ALSO SPEAKING INTO THE EARS OF HIS GREAT, GREAT, GRANDCHILDREN.
God our Father sends His Word to teach us, His Son to teach us, and His Spirit to teach us all things.
Role #6: A Compassionate Friend
Psalms 103:13-14 says, “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”
Sometimes it is difficult to know when to show comfort and when to tell your kids to quit whining and grow up.
Kids need both.
The pivotal moment in the Prodigal Son story is when the father looks up and is moved with compassion and ran to his returning son.
Compassion leads to friendship. As they grow older into their teens and into adulthood, you will slowly become a more and more compassionate friend. Jesus said about friendship in…
John 15:15 (ESV)
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
There comes a day when we no longer call our kids servants, but friends.
<John and Kathie, let’s start the Ending Music HERE>
Role #7: The Ultimate Sacrifice
<INSERT PICTURE 1>
The photo you see behind me is of Michael McGuire attending a University of Kentucky basketball game with his toddler son, Easton.
A news article explains the photo…
Michael’s wife Mollie said her husband is a roof bolter for Excel Mines in Pikeville, Kentucky.
Michael, covered in soot from head to toe, was observed sitting in the stands with their 3-year-old son, Easton. Mollie said her husband had worked the dayshift from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time but had to stay late.
“When he called, he said, I’m not going have time to go shower, or I’ll miss most of the game with Easton,” Mollie told FOX Television Stations.
Mollie said it was very important for Michael to attend the game with his son, so the family decided to met up at the arena.
“We had purchased tickets to attend the game, it would be the first Kentucky college game Easton had ever attended,” she continued. “My husband grew up watching the games with his dad on TV, so it was important to him to start this tradition with Easton.”
DAD’S SACRIFICE SO MUCH FOR US…
In the book of Ephesians we are told that Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church… A love so great, that He would sacrifice His own life, for those He loves.
As fathers, we must be willing to sacrifice our lives for our children…
Dad’s sacrifice their old Lifestyle
Life was easier without responsibilities. It used to be Beer with the boys as you gathered to watch Monday night Football. You could do whatever you wanted.
But nowadays, there are little ones counting on you. Sure, you still catch Monday Night Football and see how many 50-cent wings you can down. But most days, you sip iced tea and your wingman uses a sippy cup.
Dad’s sacrifice their Time
There is always something else that needs to be done and somewhere else you want to be. Then, you see those big blue eyes of your daughter staring up at you. And you realize, The only place you need to be, is right besides her, playing barbies or being the lead role in her tea party. Because it’s this sacrifice of time that she will remember that Daddy is always there for me.
Dad’s sacrifice their Money
You’d love new golf clubs or the 80-inch TV but you put that on your “wish list.” You work hard so your loved ones have what they need. Food, Shelter, clothes, provisions and yes, even entertainment. You prioritize their needs before yours.
Dad’s sacrifice their Sleep
Remember sleeping past 10 a.m. once upon a time? You are lucky to make it past 8 on weekend mornings and 6:30 during the week. Your first instinct might be to shoo your child back to the television. But you don’t. You get up and play because he or she will remember what type of man you are forever.
Dad’s sacrifice their Dream Job
You work hard and you’re talented. Naturally, opportunities present themselves. There is always a kicker though. This one moves the family across the country. That one requires that you travel for three weeks a month. The money is incredible, but how much of your soul will it cost? The corporate ladder only needed to be climbed just so far. To keep climbing may require too much precious time away from your family.
Dad’s sacrifice Being Cool
You’re cool, right? Nope. You’re a good dad, but you aren’t cool. Your clothes are old, you’re carrying too much weight, you’ve lost too much hair, and you have no idea who sings the most popular song. No, you aren’t cool, but there is a very positive trade-off. You are Superman in the eyes of a special little child.
Dad’s sacrifice their love of sports, or fishing, or hunting
Back in the day, you had season tickets and never missed a game. Occasionally, you spend what amounts to a full car payment to take the whole family with you for a game. You arrive late because your daughter puked on the way. You leave early because your son is starting to lose it. You listen to the rest of the game on the radio on the way home, but you’re OK with it because a good father knows what’s really important.
Dad’s sacrifice their “Stuff”
The big game is on and you want to watch. That’s when your daughter comes in and wants to watch her favorite show. So you give up the big screen and watch the game from your phone.
Your office used to be your man-cave, now it’s filled with toys, and barbies and trucks and lego land mines that you set up and scream to the top of your lungs.
Dad’s give up so much of “their stuff” but it’s worth it to hear the laughter of a child.
Dad’s sacrifice their heart
He just learned how to ride a bike and now he’s backing your car down the driveway. A few days ago, she was playing with Barbies and now she has a date coming to pick her up. Yesterday, you were holding his hand walking into kindergarten and now the trunk is packed for the military.
“The most difficult sacrifice for any great father is letting go.”
Ending
Joseph raised Jesus will all the qualities of a Godly Father.
“When children feel the love of God flowing through your heart into theirs when they hear the Word of God boldly pouring from your lips, and when they see the power of God at work through your changed life and answered prayer, they will be drawn to know, love, and follow the God of their father.”
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