O God of Vengeance, Shine Forth!

On Wednesday afternoon April 7, Phillip Adams, armed with two firearms, approached the house of prominent Rock Hill physician Robert Lesslie. He shot two HVAC technicians working at the property. Adams then forced entry into the house, where he shot and killed Dr Lesslie, his wife, and two of their grandchildren, ages 5 and 9. Phillip Adams later killed himself. At this point, apparently no one knows why.

We live in a world where terrible events happen all too frequently. And many feel as if our world is getting worse.

Look around this world, this country, this city – what concerns you? (more…)

What God Tells Us About Himself 6,800 Times

[From Providence by John Piper (Crossway, 2020), p.90-92. Piper is speaking of the goal of God’s providence in the history of the exodus. Join us for our study of providence Thursday evenings, 7:30-8:30 via Zoom. The preparation guide is available here (a pdf file) – Coty]

God’s name is a message. And the message is about how he intends to be known. Every time his name appears—all 6,800 times—he means to remind us of his utterly unique being. As I have pondered the meaning of the name Yahweh, built on the phrase “I am who I am” and pointing to God’s absolute being, I see at least ten dimensions to its meaning: (more…)

The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson

[John Finney recommended this book during a discussion of the April 4 sermon on Peter’s call to repentance at Pentecost (the sermon begins 33:45 into the video of the service). This excerpt contains almost all of Watson’s outline and selected paragraphs – about one-sixth of the book. The entire text is available online; you can order the Banner of Truth paperback edition here – Coty]

[Preface]…

Christians, do you have a sad resentment of other things and not of sin? Worldly tears fall to the earth, but godly tears are kept in a bottle (Ps. 56.8). Judge not holy weeping superfluous…. Either sin must drown or the soul burn. Let it not be said that repentance is difficult. Things that are excellent deserve labour. Will not a man dig for gold in the ore though it makes him sweat? It is better to go with difficulty to heaven, than with ease to hell….

The well-wisher of your soul’s happiness,

THOMAS WATSON
25 May 1668

  1. A PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE…

the first sermon that Christ preached, indeed, the first word of his sermon, was ‘Repent’ (Matt. 4:17). And his farewell that he left when he was going to ascend was that ‘repentance should be preached in his name’ (Luke 24:47)….

How is repentance wrought?…

  1. Partly by the word…
  2. By the Spirit…

Ministers are but the pipes and organs. It is the Holy Ghost breathing in them that makes their words effectual…

  1. COUNTERFEIT REPENTANCE…

To discover what true repentance is, I shall first show what it is not….

  1. The first deceit of repentance is legal terror…

(more…)

The Discipline of Daily Declarations

Psalm 92 declares that the righteous will “flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Psalm 92:13b-15).

What leads to that type of flourishing – flourishing not for a day or a year or even a decade, but flourishing in delight in God, in proclaiming His goodness and His support, through the end of your life, even if you should live to 90 or 100? That is: What can you do today to bring about such flourishing many years in the future?

In Sunday’s sermon on this psalm we considered its exhortations to give thanks to God, to praise Him for His love and faithfulness and justice, to sing to Him, to recall His works, and to remember how far He is above us. Indeed, the psalmist tells us it is good to “declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night” (Psalm 92:2). That is, we should make such declarations at all times.

In summary, I suggested we consider doing so also in the morning and evening of our lives – when we are young and old. We thus can commit ourselves to the discipline of daily declarations – stating four reminders every day that encourage us to depend on Him and not on ourselves.

The following four declarations are based on Romans 11:33-36 as well as Psalm 92:

  • First: I can never be God’s counselor – His wisdom is far beyond me. So when oftentimes feeling as if I know better than God how to run the world, or my country, or my life, or the lives of my loved ones, I will humbly acknowledge that He is all wise, and I am not.
  • Second: Everything good in my life is mine only because of Jesus, for I deserve only condemnation. All of us from the time of Adam – except Jesus – do not deserve even to take a single breath. Apart from God’s plan of redemption through His Son, Adam and Eve would have died upon their rebellion against God. To live, to breath, to eat, to grow, to see God’s creation, to have any joy or pleasure – these are all undeserved gifts. And the greatest gift is to be welcomed into God’s intimate family through the sacrifice of Jesus. He is the source of all that is good, whether in us or around us.
  • Third: All those who seem to thrive by turning their backs on Jesus will perish. Though they may flourish for a while, God raises them up only to bring them down – either in this life or in eternity. This reminder guards me from self-pity and envy – what we have in Christ far outweighs any lack we may experience that comes from following Him – and prompts me to witness to His grace.
  • Fourth: I will flourish today and forever only by depending on Him – He is my rock. My task is to depend actively on Him, to turn to Him, to pray to Him, to remind myself of the promises that are all Yes in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). Apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15:5). This declaration helps protect me from self-righteousness and any sense of superiority over others. As the Apostle Paul says, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

I encourage you to modify these or add to them to effectively fight the fight of faith, the fight to depend on God through Jesus. May we all endure in joy in the Lord to the end of this present life – whether that’s tomorrow, next year, or many decades in the future.

 

When is an Attack Not Evil? Suffering in the Apostle Paul’s Life

Psalm 91 includes great promises concerning God’s protection of His people. Verse 10 summarizes them all: “No evil shall be allowed to befall you” (Psalm 91:10). In Sunday’s sermon (video, audio), we considered as examples of the fulfillment of these promises the miraculous deliverance of the Apostle Paul and all his shipmates from a terrible storm, as recorded in Acts 27, and Paul’s statement to Timothy shortly before his certain execution: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18 NIV). The Apostle may well have had Psalm 91 in mind when he wrote those words. He clearly does not consider his upcoming execution as an evil attack, but rather God’s providentially bringing his earthly mission to a close, taking him to Himself.

Paul had this understanding concerning the evil acts of evil men for decades prior to his death. Consider the following quotations from the book of Acts and some of Paul’s letters, cited in chronological order (with my comments in square brackets]. The Apostle sees himself as an instrument in God’s hands to be used for His glory. This includes considerable suffering, as promised immediately upon his conversion. But in every difficult encounter, God was with him (Psalm 91:15), working out His good and wise purposes for His church, including the salvation of individuals and people groups.

I encourage you to meditate on these excerpts, and take heart (more…)

Even the Wind and the Waves Obey Him

George Orjih, a pastor from the northeastern corner of Nigeria, in 2009 was studying for a Masters degree at a seminary in the city of Jos. In the break between terms, he traveled the 300 miles home, in cramped vehicles and on difficult roads, so that he could spend a few weeks with his family and home church. He is described as a loving pastor, “fearless, hardworking, and intellectually sound.” The day after he arrived home, a group of men calling themselves Boko Haram kidnapped him. This group wants Islamic sheria law to apply to everyone who lives in northern Nigeria. George was ordered to deny Jesus and accept Islam. He responded by preaching the Gospel. So he was beheaded on July 28, 2009.

Not 2000 years ago. This century.

Question: When such things happen: Is God really in control? Does He really never leave us nor forsake us? Can we trust Him when we know brothers and sisters in Christ lose their lives? (more…)

Providence: How and Why God Acts

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (Psalm 115:3)

Consider natural disasters and what we think of as the normal processes of nature:

  • A tsunami strikes Sumatra with overwhelming force, killing 250,000 people.
  • The sun rises every morning – indeed, the sun is always rising somewhere in this world.
  • Grass, trees, and crops grow.

Scripture tells us that God controls such events:

  • the wind and waves obey Jesus (Luke 8:22-25)
  • God makes the sun to rise (Matthew 5:45)
  • He causes plants to grow (Psalm 104:14)

Think of key points in biblical history:

  • Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt.
  • Pharaoh refuses to let the people of Israel go.
  • Satan enters into Judas.
  • Pilate releases Barabbas and turns Jesus over to be crucified.

According to Scripture, in all these events, God is working out His perfect plan:

  • Joseph’s brothers act sinfully, but God intends that action for good – even their own good (Genesis 50:20)
  • God hardens Pharaoh’s heart so that he will not let the people go (Exodus 7:2-5, 11:10)
  • Though Satan enters Judas (Luke 22:2-3) and Pilate acts according to his perception of his self-interest (Matthew 27:15-26), the crucifixion and its surround events happen exactly according to God’s plan (Acts 4:24-28).

Or consider the acts of nations and individuals today:

  • Joe Biden becomes president of the United States and signs dozens of executive orders.
  • China incarcerates more than a million Uighurs in concentration camps and violates its treaty with Britain in cracking down on pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong.
  • An elderly atheist who has ridiculed Jesus for decades comes to faith.
  • You and I are breathing right now.

Scripture tells us that God is in control even of such events:

  • “The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” (Daniel 4:25)
  • “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1)
  • God “has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. (Romans 9:18)
  • God gives us “life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25)

Such Scriptures paint a picture of a sovereign God ruling all events, moving all creation forward to His appointed end.

This raises a multitude of questions: What is God’s goal in all this? How is this sovereignty related to our responsibility for our actions? How is that sovereignty related to His commands to us – and our obeying or disobeying those commands? Does God’s control extend even to evil acts of evil men and all natural events? Does He providentially control all things?

These are not questions that we should leave for theologians to ponder. For we all face death, disease, and tragedy; we sin and others sin against us; and the world often looks to be spiraling out of control. We need to take to heart the assurances of Scripture that God is working all things together for His good and wise purposes. But if those assurances are to play their intended role, we need to understand what the Scriptures promise, and what they do not. We need to understand how and why God acts as He does.

I invite you to consider these questions together over the next several months. Over about twenty weekly lessons via Zoom, we will search the Scriptures to see if and how these things are true. Each week we will examine a passage or two in depth, studying the goal, nature, and extent of God’s providence. While we will use John Piper’s excellent new book, Providence, as a resource (with a portion assigned to read each week after you have studied the relevant Scriptures), this is a Bible study, not a book study. Indeed, we will assign only about half of Providence as required reading.

The Apostle Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed through the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). Our society, our schools, our media, our government, and (sadly) even many of our churches minimize the role of God’s providence in our lives if they speak of it at all. We need to have our minds shaped by God’s Word on this issue, so that every day, whether we encounter victory or defeat, health or disease, joy or sorrow, prosperity or devastation, we can follow our Savior with confidence, trusting that He will use us for His glory, bring us safely to His heavenly kingdom, and fulfill His perfect plan for this world.

We meet Thursday evenings via Zoom, 7:30 to 8:30pm, beginning March 4. The study guide for the first week is available (Word file, pdf). Speak to me directly or fill out the DGCC Contact Form to express interest in the study. Anyone who is willing to prepare each week is welcome to join us. You can see the Table of Contents and read the first chapter of Providence here. Desiring God has partnered with WTSBooks to offer a pre-publication discount of 50%, with a copy of the ebook available for download immediately at no extra charge. Physical copies of the book should ship shortly.

 

 

Donald Trump and the Nature of Sin

January, 1977, western Kenya. Twenty-year-old Coty Pinckney arrives to begin teaching secondary school days after Jimmy Carter has been inaugurated president.

Students gather around to discuss the American election. One asks: “Why did Gerald Ford leave office?”

“Because he lost the election.”

“We know he lost the election. But why did he leave office?”

Thirteen years after Kenya’s independence, with their first president still in power, these students had never witnessed a peaceful transition between presidents of opposing parties. Indeed, the great majority of Kenyans had much more faith in a party or a leader than they had in the democratic system. When informed that 99 percent of Ford’s supporters would have abandoned him if he had tried to remain in office, the students were astounded.

Over the last 44 years many in the US have lost faith in that system. I have no idea what percentage of Trump voters would support his staying in office despite the election results, but it is surely several multiples of one percent. Similarly, had President Obama tried to remain in office in 2016, citing the dangers of a Trump presidency, several multiples of one percent of his voters would have supported him.

One of the primary strengths of the US constitution is its recognition of man’s sinful nature and the corrupting effect of power. Through constitutional checks and balances and, with the 22nd amendment, a limit on a president’s time in office, we weaken the authority vested in one man and encourage greater faith in the system for those holding opposing political views.

But over the last century, as the power of the presidency and the impact of the national government on our lives have grown, we have placed relatively more of our faith in political parties and particular leaders, and less in the democratic system. Thus the trends cited above.

Of all people, Christians should be especially wary of such trends. For we know that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We know that “there is no one righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). We know that “man in his pomp, yet without understanding, is like the beasts that perish” (Psalm 49:20). We know that our Lord Jesus says, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).  And yet many professing Christians saw Donald Trump as something of a savior – just as, eight years earlier, many professing Christians of a different political bent saw Barack Obama as something of a savior.

Scripture is clear: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation…. Blessed is he … whose hope is in the LORD his God” (from Psalm 146:3-5).

These last few days provide us with a valuable spiritual lesson in this regard. Consider: What does Donald Trump love? His supporters believe he loves this country. Most recognize that he loves his children. His opponents say he loves power, and (to use biblical language) he loves magnifying his own name.

But in the weeks leading up to the assault on the Capitol, and especially in his speech to the protesters, what did he accomplish? He harmed his country. He seriously damaged his legacy. He effectively destroyed any chance of his receiving the Republican nomination for president in four years (unless the party splits and he’s nominated by the Trump rump for a quixotic final campaign). Compared to a week ago, today his family members are much less likely to hold future political office.

That is: Donald Trump harmed what he loved most.

Some are deeply disappointed in the man. Others point to these events, saying, “He acted as I always knew he would! He is evil and dangerous!”

But, friends, these last days just give us a very public example of what all of us sinners do. We harm what we love most. We think that sin will lead to joy and fulfillment – but it always, always leads to the destruction of joy, and, left unchecked, to the loss of what we love most.

For me that became apparent when I almost destroyed my marriage five years after my students asked about Gerald Ford, during my second period of residency in Kenya. As a confident and accomplished PhD student in my mid-twenties, I was forced to acknowledge that sin was not just breaking a few rules. Sin was a deep part of me, affecting the core of who I was. Furthermore, my wife Beth was similarly stained. Our marriage had no hope if it depended on either of us. We both wanted this marriage, we both loved this marriage – and we were both destroying it.

God graciously saved our marriage and redeemed us by the blood of His Son – the only possible way to redeem the mess we had made. Here we are, happily married 38 years later.

The point: What is true of me, what is true of Donald Trump, is true of everyone, and thus of every political leader. One way or another, in obvious ways or not (1 Timothy 5:24), every one of us sinners harms what we love most.

So don’t put your trust in Biden or Harris or Pence or Haley or the next charismatic politician. Don’t put your trust in the Republicans or the Democrats. Put more trust in the democratic system than in individuals or parties. Help others to do the same.

But even that system will fail one day – maybe soon. We can and should love our country and work for its improvement – but in God’s providential plan it will not endure. Along with all of this creation, it will be shaken and removed (Hebrews 12:27). Yet in Christ we are “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). He is the only source of eternal joy; His is the only Kingdom that will endure; He is the only remedy for the destructiveness of our sin.

Thus, in light of a public sin by our president and the subsequent harm to what he loves most, may we ask God with David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24).

2021 Is About Jesus

What are you anticipating in this New Year?

  • The end of lockdowns, mask-wearing, and social distancing?
  • A less rancorous political climate?
  • The birth of a child or grandchild?
  • Marriage?
  • A new job?
  • Professional advancement?
  • Beginning college?
  • Achieving personal goals – for reading, for exercise, for healthy eating?
  • Becoming a better person?
  • Healing relationships?

At the turn of the year, we do well to look forward with eagerness to what is ahead, and to discipline ourselves to work towards and pray for goals and events such as these.

But of even greater importance, we must remind ourselves as the calendar turns of the story in which we play a part.

Philosopher Alasdair Macintyre writes, “I can only answer the question, ‘What am I to do?’ if I can answer the prior question, ‘Of what story . . . do I find myself a part?’”

In the Bible, God reveals to us the Great Story – the story of His creation of a good world in which He placed the first man and the first woman; the story of their arrogant rebellion against Him, and the consequent corruption of themselves and creation; the story of His great plan, implemented over millennia, to redeem a people for His own possession from among fallen humanity, as He worked through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and the prophets, promising to bless all nations, to establish an eternal, righteous kingdom, and to send a suffering servant to take on Himself the punishment His people deserve; the story of the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of that Promised One, the Lord Jesus; the story of the partial fulfillment of  those promises at the cross and in the expansion of the church across ethnicities; the story of what is still to come: the fulfillment of every promise through the return of the Lord Jesus, God the Father summing up all things in Him, His people living for all eternity in the joy of their Master as they see Him face to face.

This is the story in which we play a part. Our goals, our marriages, our careers, our health – as real, important, and valuable as they are – all should aim at fulfilling our role in that one Great Story. Jesus is the center. Jesus is the goal. Jesus is the One carrying all creation towards its designated end. This year of 2021 is all about Jesus.

We must remind ourselves of this story daily – for the world around us proposes dozens of alternate stories: Stories with wealth at the center, or a political leader at the center, or societal reform at the center, or fame and accomplishment at the center, or despair and hopelessness at the center. Apart from constant reminders, we will drift into stories completely contrary to the One True Story.

How do we build such reminders into our lives?

God chose to reveal Himself to us through a Story. We must learn it.

Summaries of the Great Story are helpful. But nothing is more important in this regard than reading the Story itself.

For twenty consecutive years, I have read through all of Scripture annually, following a reading plan that takes me through this Great Story chronologically, while including daily readings from both Testaments. From “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” on January 1 to “Amen! Come Lord Jesus!” on December 31, the Story rings out repeatedly, year after year, decade after decade, shaping my thoughts, reminding me that Jesus is at the center, and that my role – as one worthy of condemnation but by His love and grace part of His Bride – is to display Him, to thank Him, to honor Him, to magnify Him.

Take this journey with me in 2021. Download the reading plan through this link, or pick up a printed copy on Sunday. For this year – as every year – is all about Jesus. Fight the false stories by reminding yourself daily of the True Story. He reigns in 2021 – and He will reign forever and ever. Make sure you are reminded of that truth every day.

 

By Faith, Joseph

Picture a nativity scene. Whether the scene consists of figurines in your home or of live persons and animals – what characters are in it?

  • Mary
  • The baby Jesus.
  • Shepherds
  • Wise men (though they didn’t arrive until several days after Jesus was born)
  • Animals (though Scripture doesn’t tell us there were any animals present)

Whom did I leave out?

Joseph.

But leaving out Joseph is not unusual.

In Scripture, Joseph’s actions are only recorded in Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke 2. He is referred to five other places:

  • In Jesus’s genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3
  • Two times in John’s Gospel Jesus is referred to as the “son of Joseph”
  • Finally, in Matthew 13:55 Jesus is called “the carpenter’s son” – that’s the only verse that refers to Joseph’s profession. He’s a builder – probably working with both wood and stone.

So Scripture tells us little about Joseph.

Furthermore, Joseph tells us nothing about himself. Indeed, Joseph never speaks in Scripture.

  • Mary speaks.
  • Elizabeth speaks.
  • Zechariah speaks (when he’s not muted by the angel Gabriel).
  • The shepherds speak,
  • The wise men speak,
  • Even Balaam’s donkey speaks!

But Scripture records not one word from Joseph.

Furthermore, he disappears early in the story of Jesus. He’s present at Jesus’s birth; then when Jesus is 12, Joseph and Mary search for Him in Jerusalem after Passover. But as the narrative resumes when Jesus is about 30, Joseph is not there. Presumably he dies in the interim – but we don’t know when or how.

Thus, we know very little about Joseph.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that of the 461 songs we have sung at this church in the last almost 18 years, not one mentions Joseph.

Today we examine the Christmas story through the eyes of this man whom God chose as the earthly father of our Lord and Savior. As with Zechariah, we’ll look at Joseph’s faith – and how he fits together with those listed in the Hebrews 11 hall of fame for faith: Men and women who held firmly to God’s promises, and by His grace advanced His great plan, whether they had substantial earthly success or lost everything in this life.

Matthew gives the most detailed account of Joseph, so we’ll focus on the Christmas story told in Matthew 1:18-25 under these headings:

  • A Deep Disappointment
  • A Dramatic Dream
  • A Costly Obedience
  • Following Joseph’s Faith

A Deep Disappointment

Mary and Joseph are engaged to be married. In this culture, betrothal is binding, requiring a legal divorce to end. But there is no consummation of the marriage until the wedding day, when the groom takes his bride from her parents’ house.

Joseph knows Mary’s parents – the two families surely met to arrange the marriage. But most likely Joseph doesn’t know Mary well. They will have had little together, and most likely no time at all alone together.

Nevertheless, Joseph undoubtedly is excited, greatly looking forward to the marriage, confident that Mary is the wife God intends him to love and to serve, hopeful that they will have children together.

But then someone tells him the horrible news: Mary – his Mary, his lovely young fiancé, is pregnant. How could that happen?

He hasn’t even been permitted to be alone with her – how could someone else? This is completely contrary to all he knows about her. But then, he must admit he really doesn’t know that much.

Deeply disappointed, deeply saddened for her and her family, as well as for himself, he must act.

Marrying her is not even an option. What kind of wife will she be if she is unfaithful even during the engagement?

He only has two choices:

  • He can stand her before the entire town, display her obvious pregnancy, swear that he has not touched her, and then say that he divorces her. This will publicly shame her and her family.
  • Alternately, he can meet with her family with only two witnesses present and divorce her quietly.

Despite all his hurt, despite the temptation to lash out at the one whom he thinks has hurt him, Joseph decides on the second choice.  This will be just – the right response to apparent sexual sin – and merciful – not putting Mary and her family to public shame.

A Dramatic Dream

Before he has acted, however, Joseph dreams. He sees an angel, a messenger from God.

What does the angel say?

The angel definitely speaks the words from the middle of verse 20 to the end of verse 21. A minority of scholars – including D.A. Carson – think the angel’s words continue through “Immanuel” in verse 23. Since there are no quotation marks in ancient Greek manuscripts, we can’t know with certainty.

Here then are the angel’s words, assuming the minority is right:

“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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for this very one will save his people from their sins. All this has come about in order that the word spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.”  (Matthew 1:20b-23a ESV; verses 21-22, own translation).

What is the angel saying? Let me expand on these words with an interpretive paraphrase:

“Joseph, you fear that Mary has been unfaithful, that she has had sexual relations with another man. But that’s not the case. This pregnancy is not to her shame; rather, it is to her honor and glory. Indeed, this pregnancy is the greatest privilege imaginable. Remember the prophecy in Isaiah – ‘a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and that son will be Immanuel, God with us.’ That son – a descendant of David – will be the Messiah, the eternal king. Furthermore, that son will be not only a king, but also a Savior from sin. For Isaiah also prophesies, ‘The Lord will lay on Him the iniquity of you all.’ Those prophecies are now fulfilled. Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit – not by any man. Thus, this child is Immanuel. And you too, Joseph, have a great privilege. A thousand years ago, David was your ancestor. You are the heir of David – though there has been no king among your ancestors for over 500 years. But now your adopted son – this child in Mary’s womb – will be the suffering servant and eternal king. You will be his earthly father. You and Mary have central roles in God’s great plan. Take Mary as your wife.”

How does Joseph respond?

A Costly Obedience

In Zechariah’s case, the angel appears right next to him while he is serving in the temple. There can be no denying the reality of the angel.

In Joseph’s case, the angel appears in a dream. But Joseph doesn’t suggest, “Maybe I imagined that angel. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part.”

Instead:

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25)

Immediately, as soon as he woke up, Joseph goes to the house of Mary’s family. He has to bring witnesses – but not for divorce. Instead, they witness a private marriage ceremony. Joseph then takes Mary to his home, but does not have sexual relations with her until after she gives birth.

Then according to the angel’s command, he names the child Jesus – not Joseph. He is obedient.

This obedience is costly. What is the cost?

In the eyes of everyone around him, Joseph is a fool, a complete fool. There’s only one way for a young girl to get pregnant. So, everyone naturally assumes that’s the case. They think: Either Joseph lacks self-control; deceiving Mary’s parents, he arranged to have sexual relations with Mary before the wedding day. Alternately, Joseph marries a woman who has been sexually promiscuous while engaged. In either case: He’s a fool.

Realize: God asks Joseph to believe in a miracle when there is an obvious, natural explanation for the event. It’s one thing to believe a miracle has occurred when an elderly woman, long past the age of childbearing – like Elizabeth – gets pregnant. It’s quite another when a young teen gets pregnant – that’s not unusual! No miracle is necessary.

The stigma of this supposed shame follows Mary, Joseph, and Jesus for decades. For example, in John 8:41, some Jewish leaders arguing with Jesus say, “We were not born of sexual immorality” – implying, “Like you!”

To fulfill God’s plan, Joseph obeys the angel – and by faith takes on himself this disgrace.

So how might we add Joseph to Hebrews 11? What statement could we make about him?

Here’s my suggestion:

By faith, Joseph took on himself the public shame of marrying a pregnant girl. Believing in God’s promise of a Messiah and Savior, he looked not at his humble origins or his perceived social standing, but gladly and immediately accepted his role as the earthly father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Following Joseph’s Faith

Joseph’s example leads to five exhortations for us:

1) Believe God’s promises

The angel does not have to convince Joseph that the Messiah is coming. Joseph knew the Scriptures. He knew what God had promised. He trusted those promises. He did not know that God would send the Messiah during his lifetime, and he had no hint about the important role he would play. But because he believed in God’s promises, when the angel spoke, reminding him of Isaiah’s prophecy, he was ready to obey.

Just so with us.

  • Believe Jesus is returning as promised
  • Believe that God will fulfill His plan, bringing all those who are His to Himself
  • Believe that those will include some from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.

These are God’s promises. These are certain to come about. Trust those promises.

2) Believe that God is using you to fulfill His promises.

Believe not only that God will use you in the future; believe that He is using you now.

Note: Joseph was already engaged to Mary before the angel spoke. He thought he was simply picking an attractive and godly wife from a good family. But all the while he was fulfilling God’s plan.

Similarly, God is using you right now. Your family, your choices, your obedience – your failures, your hurts and even your sins – God weaves all this together to bring about the fulfillment of His every promise.

My role and your role are unlikely to be as prominent as Joseph’s. But God nevertheless is using you now even while He prepares you for the purpose you will fulfill in the future.

So trust Him. Step out. As with all those listed in Hebrews 11, you can’t know ahead of time how He will use you – but He will.

3) Speaking may not be important for fulfilling your role

We preachers are called to speak – and praise God for the way He uses preaching. Praise God also for the way He uses witnessing, and words of comfort and encouragement.

But none of Joseph’s words are recorded in Scripture – only his actions.

Perhaps your actions are much more important than your words in fulfilling your role in God’s great plan.

Ask: How can I act to show the preciousness and authority of Jesus? How can I act to display the Gospel?

4) Trust and obey today

Like Joseph, when you know what following God implies, act right away.

This doesn’t mean that we should act rashly (though undoubtedly our obedient actions – like Joseph’s – may appear to be rash to others.) Scripture elsewhere exhorts us to count the cost and to seek counsel.

But when you know what actions faith in God’s promises requires, step out. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t dawdle. Joseph upon waking took Mary as his wife. Act similarly.

5) Gladly accept the cost of following Jesus

Jesus the baby appeared to be the result of sexual immorality. Joseph appeared to be an absolute fool for marrying a girl he did not impregnate. Those rumors, that innuendo, followed Jesus and presumably Joseph their entire lives. The social cost was high.

And Jesus took on even more shame: Hanging naked on a cross, executed as a common criminal, taking on Himself the punishment deserved by all His people of every century. But Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, for the joy of playing His role in glorifying God through the redemption of all His beloved people. Now He is exalted to the highest place, seated at the right hand of God. He promises to return to right all wrongs, to establish justice, to usher in His eternal Kingdom, to perfect all His people – and to say to you face to face: “Enter into the joy of your master.”

He will say that to you if you are among His people.

Are you?

If you’re not sure: Look to Him! He is gracious, merciful, and slow to anger. He is love and mercy. Repent. Confess. And God will lay your every sin, your every disobedience, your every rebellion on Jesus. He will then justly accept you as His own.

If you are sure: Know: Whatever the cost, whatever the loss, whatever the shame of playing your role in following Jesus, He is worth it.

By faith, be like Joseph. Trust the promises. Fulfill your part in God’s plan. And enter the joy of your Master.

[This devotion is based on the December 20 sermon. You can watch or listen to that service here.]