Desperation for God: Lessons from Joseph's Faithfulness
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the theme of desperation for God and the importance of seeking His presence in our lives. We began by acknowledging that our talents and gifts are insufficient to bring about the transformation we desire in our communities and personal lives. It is only through the Holy Spirit that true change can occur. We prayed for a renewed desperation for God to move in our families, neighborhoods, and beyond.
We also took a moment to honor Dave Goralski, a beloved member of our church, as he transitions to a new role in Delavan. We prayed for God's anointing on his ministry and expressed our gratitude for his service.
Our main focus today was on Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, as we explored his life and the lessons we can learn from his faithfulness. Joseph's dedication to God played a significant role in Jesus's upbringing, and we emphasized the importance of a father's example in a child's life. We discussed the impact of having a present and engaged father, both in practical and spiritual terms.
Joseph's initial reaction to Mary's unexpected pregnancy was a logical decision to divorce her quietly, showing his mercy and love despite his confusion. However, God met Joseph in his circumstance, providing clarity and direction through an angelic message. Joseph's obedience to God's word, even with unanswered questions, serves as a powerful example for us.
We were reminded of the importance of seeking God's wisdom in difficult circumstances rather than relying on our own understanding. We shared a personal story illustrating the need for Holy Spirit direction in our lives, emphasizing that God's Spirit will never contradict His written word.
As we concluded, we reflected on our role as spiritual parents and the importance of passing our faith to the next generation. We were encouraged to seek God's guidance in all areas of our lives, trusting in His faithfulness and walking in obedience rather than fear.
Key Takeaways:
- Desperation for God is essential for transformation. Our talents alone cannot bring about the change we desire; it is the work of the Holy Spirit that makes a difference. We must seek God's presence and intervention in our lives and communities. [37:33]
- Joseph's life teaches us the importance of a father's example. His dedication to God significantly influenced Jesus's upbringing. Fathers and spiritual mentors play a crucial role in shaping the faith and character of the next generation. [47:05]
- In unexpected circumstances, God provides clarity and direction. Joseph's decision to obey God's message, despite his initial confusion, demonstrates the importance of trusting God's guidance even when we don't have all the answers. [55:18]
- We must seek God's wisdom rather than relying on our own understanding. In challenging situations, it's easy to react based on our limited perspective. Instead, we should seek God's perspective and respond with His wisdom. [57:05]
- The Holy Spirit provides direction in our lives, but it will never contradict God's written word. We must be discerning and ensure that our actions align with Scripture, seeking the Spirit's guidance in areas not explicitly addressed in the Bible. [01:05:23]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[37:33] - Desperation for God
[39:52] - Honoring Dave Goralski
[42:08] - Joseph's Faithfulness
[43:06] - Lessons from Joseph's Life
[44:43] - Joseph's Background
[45:38] - Joseph as Protector and Provider
[46:04] - Joseph's Last Mention
[47:05] - Importance of a Father's Example
[48:16] - Impact of a Present Father
[49:45] - Passing Down Faith
[50:33] - Joseph's Unexpected News
[52:37] - Joseph's Initial Reaction
[54:17] - God Provides Clarity
[55:18] - Obedience Despite Questions
[57:05] - Seeking God's Wisdom
[59:06] - Foundation on God's Word
[01:01:11] - Holy Spirit Direction
[01:04:05] - Spirit and Scripture Alignment
[01:05:23] - Reflecting on Spiritual Parenting
[01:07:41] - Seeking Clarity and Direction
[01:09:47] - Invitation to Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 1:18-25
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Proverbs 3:5-6
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Joseph's initial reaction to Mary's unexpected pregnancy, and what does this reveal about his character? ([52:37])
2. How did God provide clarity and direction to Joseph in his difficult situation? ([55:18])
3. What role did Joseph's dedication to God play in Jesus's upbringing, according to the sermon? ([47:05])
4. What are some of the benefits mentioned in the sermon of having a present and engaged father? ([48:16])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Joseph's decision to obey God's message, despite his initial confusion, serve as an example for believers today? ([56:14])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that desperation for God is essential for transformation in our lives and communities? ([37:33])
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of seeking God's wisdom rather than relying on our own understanding in challenging situations? ([57:05])
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of spiritual parents in passing down faith to the next generation? ([49:45])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced an unexpected situation. How did you seek God's guidance, and what was the outcome? How might Joseph's story inspire you to respond differently in the future? ([55:18])
2. Consider the role of spiritual mentors in your life. Who has been a spiritual parent to you, and how have they influenced your faith journey? How can you be a spiritual parent to someone else? ([49:45])
3. In what areas of your life do you feel a need for desperation for God? How can you cultivate a deeper longing for His presence and intervention? ([37:33])
4. Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you ensure that your actions align with God's written word and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance? ([01:05:23])
5. Identify a specific situation where you have relied on your own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom. What steps can you take to change this approach in the future? ([57:05])
6. How can you actively demonstrate the importance of a father's example or a spiritual mentor's influence in your community or family? ([47:05])
7. Reflect on the sermon’s emphasis on obedience despite unanswered questions. How can you practice obedience in your faith journey, even when you don't have all the answers? ([56:14])
Devotional
Day 1: Desperation for God's Presence Transforms Lives
In our journey of faith, we often rely on our talents and abilities to bring about change in our lives and communities. However, true transformation is not something we can achieve on our own. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings about the deep, lasting change we desire. This calls for a renewed desperation for God's presence and intervention in our lives. When we seek God earnestly, we open ourselves to His transformative power, allowing Him to move in our families, neighborhoods, and beyond. Our desperation for God is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our need for His strength and guidance. [37:33]
Isaiah 44:3-4 (ESV): "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel a deep need for God's transformative presence? How can you intentionally seek His Spirit's work in those areas today?
Day 2: A Father's Example Shapes Future Generations
Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, provides a profound example of the impact a father can have on a child's life. His dedication to God and his role as a protector and provider significantly influenced Jesus's upbringing. Fathers and spiritual mentors play a crucial role in shaping the faith and character of the next generation. Joseph's life reminds us of the importance of being present and engaged, both practically and spiritually, in the lives of those we mentor. By living out our faith authentically, we leave a lasting legacy that can guide and inspire future generations. [47:05]
Proverbs 20:7 (ESV): "The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!"
Reflection: Who in your life looks up to you as a spiritual mentor or role model? How can you be more intentional in setting a godly example for them today?
Day 3: Trusting God's Guidance in Uncertainty
Joseph faced a challenging situation when he learned of Mary's unexpected pregnancy. His initial reaction was to divorce her quietly, but God intervened, providing clarity and direction through an angelic message. Joseph's obedience to God's word, even with unanswered questions, serves as a powerful example for us. In unexpected circumstances, we are reminded to seek God's wisdom and trust His guidance, even when we don't have all the answers. God's plans often surpass our understanding, and His guidance leads us to paths we might not have chosen on our own. [55:18]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is a current situation in your life where you feel uncertain? How can you actively seek and trust God's guidance in this situation today?
Day 4: Seeking God's Wisdom Over Our Own Understanding
In challenging situations, it's easy to rely on our limited perspective and understanding. However, the Bible encourages us to seek God's wisdom, which often transcends our own. Joseph's story illustrates the importance of seeking God's perspective and responding with His wisdom. By aligning our decisions with God's word and seeking His guidance, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace. God's wisdom is a reliable compass that directs us toward His perfect will, even when our path seems unclear. [57:05]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: Think of a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God's wisdom and perspective in making this decision today?
Day 5: Aligning with the Holy Spirit and Scripture
The Holy Spirit provides direction in our lives, but it will never contradict God's written word. As we seek the Spirit's guidance, we must be discerning and ensure that our actions align with Scripture. This requires a deep understanding of God's word and a willingness to submit to His authority. By aligning our lives with both the Spirit and Scripture, we can walk confidently in God's will, knowing that His guidance is trustworthy and true. This alignment empowers us to live out our faith authentically and effectively in a world that often challenges our beliefs. [01:05:23]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where your actions may not align with Scripture? How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to bring these areas into alignment today?
Quotes
"Lord, when the church stops becoming desperate for you, the church is in trouble. Lord, we're not talented enough. We're not gifted enough to see your kingdom come, to see lives transformed and change on our own. It's your Holy Spirit. It's the work of your hand in our lives. So, Lord, let us stop being frustrated with our situations and more so being desperate for you to change those situations, Lord. To change our family, to change our neighbors, to change our coworkers, to change our city, our county, our state, and our country, Lord." [00:36:49] (44 seconds)
"Joseph's dedication to God played a significant role in Jesus's life. And I believe that God obviously could have raised Jesus up sinless and exactly how he was to be without a father, without a righteous father. But I believe that God cared about the example that Jesus was going to see as a young child. And so he saw somebody who was dedicated to him. And I want to emphasize this morning, especially to those of you who are fathers in the room, that the example of a father is so important to the life of a child." [00:47:05] (35 seconds)
"There's a lot of statistics out there, and some of them vary, but they're pretty consistent that when a father is present or when he is active in the life of a kid that there is so much benefit. Children who have a present engaged father are twice as likely of those who do not to enter college or find stable employment after high school. They're 75 percent less likely to have a teen birth, 80 percent less likely to spend time in jail, and half as likely to experience multiple depression systems." [00:47:51] (38 seconds)
"God met Joseph in his circumstance and gave him clarity and direction. God met Joseph in his circumstance and he gave him clarity and he gave him direction. Look at what it says in verse number 20 through 21 of the text. It says, thank you, Lord, for your grace. And your mercy, in spite of our limited understanding, to give us direction when we need it. And God gave Joseph clarity and direction." [00:54:31] (59 seconds)
"Joseph obeyed God's word, even though he had many unanswered questions. I think we struggle with that sometimes in the American church. We want to have, everything figured out. We want to have all the answers on the table. Lord, I'll do this if you, you know, X, Y, Z, and we have all this long list. I think of Pastor Bo's message last week, where he emphasized that God's responsibility are the results, but our responsibility is obedience." [00:56:06] (34 seconds)
"When we face difficult circumstances, we must be careful to seek God's wisdom and not respond according to our own understanding. Have you guys ever experienced, like, something that happened in your life and you responded in your own understanding, only to find out hours or days later that you completely missed it and didn't understand the full picture? So when I was younger, we had a new neighbor that moved next door to our house." [00:57:05] (30 seconds)
"See, we need to acknowledge God in every decision, in everything that we're doing. And get His understanding and His perspective. And that starts with the Word of God. It starts with His Word. Man, we have so many questions sometimes about our life and what we're supposed to do. And so many of the answers are right here in this book. And if we will dig into it, if we will read it, then when life happens, we're going to know what the Word of God says, and we're going to know how to respond." [00:59:06] (29 seconds)
"There's times where life happens, we don't understand it fully, we don't always know what to do, and we need the Holy Spirit to bring revelation to what we're supposed to do. I want to share a story with you guys. When my wife and I moved here to Wisconsin, back in 2016, we still had a house that we had bought in Springfield, Illinois. And so we're trying to sell a house so that we can try to find a place to live here." [01:00:11] (28 seconds)
"Listen, we have been given such a great gift with the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was talking to his disciples, he said it would actually be better for him to go and ascend into heaven, because then he could send the Holy Spirit. And Jesus said that right now, I am with you. He said, but soon I will be in you. See, the Holy Spirit is God in us. It's God's Spirit inside of us that wants to direct us and wants to lead us. And we have to tap into that. We have to spend time in prayer. We need to listen." [01:04:14] (31 seconds)
"Father, I thank you that you are a faithful, good shepherd. That God, you walk with us. There's nothing that surprises you, Lord, about our life. God, you see it all and you know how to walk forward in it. So Lord, help us when we do come across circumstances and situations that are too big for us to seek your understanding, to seek direction and wisdom from you, to know how to walk, but to trust and have faith rather than walk in fear and worry." [01:15:59] (33 seconds)
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