Faith and Obedience: Lessons from Mary and Joseph

And therefore, I want you to know we as God's people, saved and redeemed by the blood of the lamb, can always, always, always stand firmly on the word of God for it alone is truly the foundation for our lives. If there's one thing that I've spoken time and again, if there's one thing I can make the church understand, is that God's word is paramount. It is the authority of all we believe, say and do. [00:45:43] (44 seconds)


And as we read it, as we contemplate it, I want you to consider the following questions. Where do you place your hope when everything around you feels unstable? Are you a person of faith? Are you a person of faith in these moments or just when the moments are good? Are you a person of faith in these moments or do you respond as a person of fear? Doubt. Do you act upon God's word in these moments? [00:46:49] (39 seconds)


And Mary said, Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departs from her. In those days, Mary arose, and she went with haste to the hill country, to the town in Judah, and she entered into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. [00:50:02] (24 seconds)


And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. And Mary says, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estates of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed, for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. [00:50:45] (30 seconds)


Mary believes she's a person of faith over fear. And the question that we need to begin to ask ourselves is when God's spirit prompts us. Or when God's word instructs us. Do we respond with faith or excuses? Are we more like Moses or Mary? Now turn to Joseph. You got this other character in the birth story that is so incredibly interesting. [01:07:27] (30 seconds)


And this isn't the last time that Joseph acts with obedience. In the scripture that we read this morning, it tells us that Joseph being warned again in a dream, the angel tells him, flee to Egypt. What does Joseph do? He goes that very night. He doesn't even wait. Like, hey, listen, I'm going to get a few more. I'm going to get a few more hours, all right? [01:15:02] (20 seconds)


What I want you to understand, what I want you to understand about Joseph is that Joseph was a serial obeyer. What about us? Can the same be said of us? Are we truly willing to be obedient to God regardless of the cost? Are we willing to be obedient to God regardless of what others might say or think about us? [01:15:49] (28 seconds)


But I also think that there are some lessons we can learn from the perspective that those who were around from the very beginning, Mary believed she had faith. And Joseph obeyed. He lived out faith. And the question for each of us is simply, will we be people of faith and obedience? Will we be people who see God for who he is as sovereign and good even when circumstances are dismal, difficult, and dark? [01:17:00] (34 seconds)


Will we be people who build our lives on the foundation and authority of God's word? Will we walk in obedience no matter the cost? Because I believe that is what Jesus has called us to. There's an old hymn that simply says this. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. [01:17:33] (39 seconds)


Lord, make our hearts, make mine like the heart of Mary. being willing to act, to take steps of faith, to do what is right regardless of the cost. Modeling my life not only after them but after my savior Jesus who went to the cross for my sins. Jesus, have your way in our lives and in your church this morning as we contemplate cry out and respond to your word. [01:19:14] (83 seconds)