Emmanuel: Joseph’s Obedience and Mercy in Advent

Devotional

Day 1: God with us calls ordinary people to obedient service

Joseph shows that God places Himself into ordinary lives and asks simple obedience. He loved Mary, wrestled with what was right, and when God spoke he moved without argument—protecting what God had entrusted to him even when it cost reputation. When God appoints a role, He asks faithfulness, not perfection; obedience brings God’s presence into the everyday. [46:10]

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 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.

Reflection: What decision are you avoiding because it might cost you reputation, and what is one concrete step of obedience you will take this week to protect what God has placed before you?

Day 2: Trusting God yields rooted, fruit-bearing perseverance

Trusting the Lord and doing good becomes a posture, not a one-time act; it roots life so that hardship does not destroy fruitfulness. Delight in God, commit your way to Him, and wait—this is the practical path that shifts worry into confident perseverance. Living like a tree planted by streams means deep roots that keep you green when drought comes. [01:33:34]

Psalm 37:3-7 (ESV)
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices.

Reflection: Where are you fraying at the edges because you’ve been fretting instead of rooting—name one daily practice (Scripture reading, short prayers, a Sabbath pause) you will start to deepen your roots this week.

Day 3: Mercy covers sin and calls to repentance

The woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery both heard mercy instead of immediate condemnation—Jesus removes the stones and invites a new life. Mercy does not excuse sin but it stops the execution and makes space for repentance and restoration. The sound of stones dropping is the sound of grace that frees a guilty heart to live differently. [01:19:09]

John 8:2-11 (ESV)
Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."

Reflection: Is there someone you have already decided is beyond grace—what is one small, brave step (a phone call, a message, a prayer offered for them) you will take to replace judgment with mercy this week?

Day 4: Holy Spirit equips ordinary craftsmen for kingdom work

God filled Bezalel and Oholiab with skill, knowledge, and creative ability so ordinary trades became sacred service for His house; the Spirit equips everyday work for extraordinary purposes. Hands that fix cars, prepare meals, code computers, or sew linens can be vessels of worship when offered to God's use. Recognize your craft as a calling and look for one concrete way to use it for others. [01:03:31]

Exodus 35:30-35 (ESV)
Then Moses said to the people of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer."

Reflection: What ordinary skill has God given you that you’ve treated as secondary, and what specific act this week will you take to offer that skill to bless someone or serve the church?

Day 5: God accomplishes His work by Spirit, not strength

The mission moves forward not by human horsepower but by the Holy Spirit’s power; trying to force God’s plan by sheer effort leads to weariness and missed obedience. Trusting the Spirit means choosing prayer, waiting, and doing the next obedient thing rather than striving to manufacture results. Rely on the Spirit’s leading and stop arguing with what you lack—God’s power fills the gaps. [01:06:38]

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV)
Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."

Reflection: Where are you currently trying to push something forward with your own strength, and what is one concrete spiritual response (a short prayer, stepping back, asking someone to pray with you) you will do to invite the Spirit in instead?

Sermon Summary

Advent is here, and I’m not settling for “happy holidays.” Jesus is the reason we’re breathing hope again. Emmanuel—God with us—is not an idea; He’s the Living God who moves into ordinary lives and does extraordinary things by His Spirit. That’s why Joseph’s story matters so much. Scripture never records a single word from him, but his actions are loud: when he woke up from that dream, he simply obeyed. He chose mercy over his rights, covered Mary with love, and guarded what God was doing even when the rumor mill burned hot. That’s the shape of faith in real life—quiet, costly, faithful, protective.

I reminded us that God loves using people who don’t feel qualified. Moses stuttered, David was a teen with a sling, Esther was an orphan, Peter tripped over his own tongue, and Rahab had a past—yet the Spirit of God turned each into an instrument of redemption. The same Spirit fills us for work that looks “ordinary”: carpentry and code, hospitality and hands-on trades, art and administration. Not by might, not by power—but by His Spirit. Stop underestimating the gift in you.

We also walked through mercy. In a room full of stones, Jesus wrote in the dust and set a guilty woman free. The sound of rocks hitting the ground is what forgiveness feels like. If you’ve been forgiven like that, you can’t live stingy with mercy. Love covers. It goes first. It makes the call. It clears the air. It refuses to let a text thread write the story of a relationship.

And in the tension and confusion—like Joseph felt while considering what to do—God speaks. Be still. He has a plan that didn’t start yesterday and won’t end because you’re anxious tonight. Seek Him early. Trust the Lord and do good. Plant your roots by the river and refuse to be ruled by drought headlines. When He says go, go. When He says no, honor it. Obedience is not glamorous, but it is the doorway to blessing, protection, and fruit that lasts. As for me, I’m not letting the rocks cry out. I’m going to praise Him and tell somebody about Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. Emmanuel inhabits ordinary, obedient lives God does not wait for impressive resumes; He fills surrendered people. Joseph’s quiet yes made room for the world’s salvation story to unfold in his home. The Holy Spirit makes carpenters, parents, students, and servers into carriers of the Presence. With God-with-us, common life becomes holy ground. [46:10]
2. Mercy over rights reshapes destinies Joseph had every legal right to step away, but he chose love and covered Mary. Mercy interrupts the chain reaction of shame and writes a different future for everyone involved. In marriages, friendships, and church family, this is where healing begins—when we decide love will win over vindication. [69:59]
3. Forgiveness sounds like dropping stones The woman was guilty, but Jesus silenced the executioners and lifted her to new life. That sound—the thud of stones falling—is what grace feels like when you know you deserve worse. Receive it deeply, then walk away from sin with the humility and courage that mercy creates. [82:53]
4. Be still; God unfolds the plan Joseph wrestled in the dark before clarity broke in. God’s plan is older than your worry and sturdier than your confusion. Wait in His presence, listen for His voice, and let Him order the next step—He has not abandoned the work He began. [87:33]
5. Obedience opens unexpected, protective pathways Joseph moved at once—took Mary home, fled to Egypt, returned when God said, and guarded the holy. Obedience doesn’t demand all the bus stops; it trusts the Driver. When we do what He says, we find protection, provision, and purpose waiting on the other side of our yes. [98:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[46:10] - Advent: Emmanuel, God With Us
[49:21] - God Uses the Unlikely
[52:01] - The Spirit Is Our Teacher
[58:05] - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Work
[63:31] - Spirit-Filled Craftsmanship and Calling
[69:59] - Joseph’s Dream and Obedience
[73:54] - Mercy Over Rights
[79:09] - Stones Drop, Mercy Speaks
[89:31] - Be Still: God Has a Plan
[93:34] - Trust the Lord and Do Good
[95:54] - Planted by the River
[98:59] - Wake Up and Go
[104:39] - Blessings on Obedient Lives
[109:00] - Refuse to Let Rocks Cry

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 1:18–25 — Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 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.

Observation Questions

What specific words and actions in Matthew 1:18–25 show Joseph’s character as both “just” and merciful? Consider what “resolved to divorce her quietly” implies about his heart. [01:09:59]
After the angelic dream Joseph “woke up” and acted. What actions did he take, and what do those actions say about obedience under social pressure? [01:38:59]
In the story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus’ silence and then command stop the execution and lead to forgiveness. What physical and emotional details in that scene help us understand what forgiveness sounds and feels like? [01:22:53]
Exodus 35:30–35 (quoted in the message) describes people filled with the Spirit for ordinary crafts. What details in that passage (as remembered in the talk) make the point that the Spirit equips ordinary work for God’s purposes? [01:03:31]

Interpretation Questions

How does Joseph’s combination of righteousness and mercy reframe the usual opposition between “doing the right thing” and “showing compassion”? What tension exists between moral conviction and gracious action? [01:13:54]
What does Joseph’s immediate obedience after receiving the angelic word suggest about the relationship between clarity from God and faithful action? How should a person weigh waiting for clarity against taking the next faithful step? [01:38:59]
How does the image of “stones dropping” (the accusers leaving one by one) reorient an understanding of justice, repentance, and restoration? What does that image demand from those who have been forgiven? [01:22:53]
Psalm 37’s image of a tree planted by streams was used in the message to describe stability in anxious seasons. What does being “planted by the river” require in daily choices and spiritual disciplines? [01:33:34]

Application Questions

Emmanuel inhabits ordinary, obedient lives. What ordinary skill, job, or daily rhythm do you tend to dismiss as “unspiritual”? How will you invite the Holy Spirit this week to use that ordinary work for kingdom purposes? Be specific. [01:03:31]
Mercy over rights reshapes destinies. Is there a relationship now where you are tempted to protect your rights or reputation instead of extending mercy? What concrete step of mercy could you take this week (a call, a quiet apology, a protective action)? [01:13:54]
Forgiveness sounds like dropping stones. Who has offered you grace you didn’t deserve, and how has that freedom changed your behavior toward others? Identify one person you can offer that same unearned grace to this month. [01:22:53]
Be still; God unfolds the plan. What situation are you currently “tossing and turning” about? How will you practice seeking God early this week (time, place, Scripture, specific prayer) to wait on his clarity? [01:29:31]
Obedience opens unexpected, protective pathways. Is there a clear “go” or “no” from God you have been ignoring because you want all the bus stops explained first? What is one small, concrete first step of obedience you can take in the next 48 hours? [01:38:59]
Rumor, gossip, and community pressure were real for Joseph. If a difficult truth about you becomes public, what posture will you choose: defensive vindication or protective mercy? Name one boundary or practice (e.g., don’t respond by text, make one phone call, ask a trusted friend to advise you) to help you respond well. [01:13:54]
The Spirit equips ordinary people for extraordinary work. Who in your circle (family, workplace, neighborhood) needs to be reminded that their calling matters? How will you encourage or practically support one person this week to see their daily work as holy? [01:03:31]

Sermon Clips

This is one of the things that separates Christianity from any other religion in the world. We have a God that is with us. We have a God that has taken up residence inside of us for everyone that has said yes to Jesus Christ, that has asked him to come in to be the Lord of their life. You have this person called the Holy Spirit living inside of you. The very power that raised Christ from the dead is in you. You have been empowered supernaturally. [00:48:01] (26 seconds) #ResurrectionPowerInYou

If you open your Bible and you sit down and you say, oh God, teach me, he will. He will sit down there with you and he'll say, okay buddy boy, we're going to learn some things about God and he's going to teach you. See, some of us are too busy going getting commentary and going and listening to preachers when the best preacher on the planet is the Holy Spirit. [00:51:33] (22 seconds) #LetTheSpiritTeach

Not by might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord Almighty. Not by might, not by power, but by his spirit. See, that's where God is going to do his work inside of you. It's going to be through the Holy Spirit living in you and coming out of you and equipping you for all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. [01:08:29] (30 seconds) #NotByMightBySpirit

``Christian, stop thinking that you can't do anything. Stop thinking that you've reached your capacity, that you've gone as far as you can go. The Holy Spirit is limitless on power and understanding and wisdom. He can do things in you in a second that would take other people 20 years to accomplish. [01:09:59] (25 seconds) #LimitlessByTheSpirit

Joseph chose mercy over his rights. He chose mercy. I got a good friend of mine sitting in the back, his name's Rusty Brindle. He wore a long coat today to match his long hair. He tells me all the time, I want mercy. God give me mercy. Mercy. I need mercy, God. Joseph chose mercy over his right. He would have been well within his rights to say this girl has done something that I didn't sign up for and I don't want no part of this and walked away. He chose love and he showed mercy. [01:12:52] (62 seconds) #ChooseMercyOverRights

Christian, do you know you've been forgiven? Do you know that you've been forgiven of your sin? Do you know that God has given you grace and mercy instead of the judgment that we deserve, that Christ died for our sin so that we could be set free from it and it would no longer have any jurisdiction over me? [01:25:10] (22 seconds) #ForgivenAndFree

If right now you're in a current state of difficulty and you're debating with God whether this is his plan, my encouragement to you is stay in it. If God has called you to it, God will provide for you in it and so don't quit before God has a chance to get all the things lined up that need to be lined up so that that thing can come to pass. [01:29:48] (21 seconds) #StayInItTrustGod

When you have a man that has his confidence in God, it doesn't matter what the community is saying about you. It doesn't matter what the rumor mill is saying. It doesn't matter. My confidence is in God. I have heard from God and I know that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. See, if you have that kind of confidence, all this other stuff doesn't matter. [01:37:52] (22 seconds) #ConfidenceInGodOnly

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