Joseph: From Ordinary Man to God’s Chosen Father

Devotional

Day 1: God Uses the Ordinary to Do the Extraordinary

God chooses ordinary people, like Joseph, to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, reminding us that our background or status does not limit what God can do through us when we surrender to His plan. Even when others overlook or underestimate us, God sees potential and calls us to step into roles that may seem beyond us, transforming our ordinary lives into testimonies of His extraordinary grace and power. [53:33]

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: Where in your life do you feel “ordinary” or overlooked, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him to do something extraordinary through you today?

Day 2: Obedience in the Face of Ridicule and Sacrifice

Joseph’s obedience to God’s command required him to endure misunderstanding, ridicule, and personal sacrifice, yet he chose to follow God’s way over his own comfort or reputation, showing that true faith often means surrendering our own plans and enduring hardship for a greater purpose. [58:05]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: What is one area where obeying God might cost you something today, and are you willing to trust Him with that sacrifice?

Day 3: God With Us—The Power and Promise of Emmanuel

The birth of Jesus as Emmanuel, “God with us,” fulfills God’s promise to be present with His people, offering hope, comfort, and assurance that we are never alone, no matter our circumstances or struggles. [51:36]

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Reflection: In what situation do you most need to remember that God is truly with you right now, and how can you invite His presence into that area today?

Day 4: Surrendering Our Will to God’s Plan

Joseph had to surrender his own plans, traditions, and expectations to embrace God’s greater purpose, teaching us that true surrender means letting go of our way and fully trusting God’s direction, even when it challenges our comfort or understanding. [01:03:57]

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 one specific plan or expectation you need to surrender to God today, and what would it look like to trust Him with it?

Day 5: The Gift of Salvation Is for All

No matter our background, failures, or status, we all stand equal at the foot of the cross, and God offers the gift of salvation to everyone who believes and calls on the name of Jesus—reminding us that grace is available to all who will receive it. [01:13:14]

Romans 10:9,13 (ESV)
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. … For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Reflection: Have you personally accepted the gift of salvation Jesus offers, and if not, what is holding you back from calling on Him today?

Sermon Summary

As we gather in this Christmas season, our hearts are drawn to the story of Joseph—a man often overlooked in the nativity, yet essential to the unfolding of God’s plan. Joseph was not a priest, not a scholar, not a man of great renown. He was a working-class man, a builder, a stonemason, a carpenter—just an ordinary man. Yet, in God’s hands, Joseph’s ordinary life became extraordinary because of his obedience and willingness to surrender to God’s will, even when it cost him dearly.

Joseph’s world was turned upside down when he discovered Mary was pregnant. By every cultural and legal right, he could have exposed her, shamed her, or even divorced her. But Joseph was a just man. He chose mercy over judgment, love over law, and in the quietness of his heart, he resolved to protect Mary. It was in this place of confusion and pain that God spoke to Joseph through a dream, calling him to a higher path—a path of obedience that would require him to lay down his own plans, his reputation, and his comfort.

The virgin birth is not just a doctrine to be defended; it is the very foundation of our hope. God chose to enter the world through the humility of a young woman and the faithfulness of a simple man. Joseph’s obedience allowed the prophecy to be fulfilled: Emmanuel, God with us. This is not a distant God, but one who steps into our mess, our questions, and our ordinary lives.

Many of us have been told we are “nothing special,” that we are too ordinary to be used by God. But Joseph’s story reminds us that God delights in taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. The key is not our ability, but our willingness to obey, to surrender, and to trust God’s plan above our own. Obedience is costly—it may bring misunderstanding, ridicule, and pain. But it is through obedience that we become part of God’s master plan, that our lives become a living sacrifice, and that we experience the fullness of “God with us.”

As we reflect on Joseph, let us remember that the call to follow Jesus is a call to surrender, to unity, and to sacrificial love. Whether in our families, our church, or our daily work, God is looking for men and women who will say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” In this, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the world sees the living body of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Mercy Over Judgment in Relationships Joseph’s first instinct was not to seek revenge or public shame, but to protect Mary quietly. True righteousness is not proven by how strictly we enforce the rules, but by how deeply we love and extend mercy, even when we feel wronged. In a world quick to demand a “pound of flesh,” God calls us to reflect His heart by choosing compassion over condemnation. [47:17]
2. Obedience Transforms the Ordinary Joseph’s life was unremarkable by worldly standards, but his obedience to God’s voice made him a central figure in salvation history. God does not require extraordinary talent or status—He seeks hearts willing to obey, even when it costs us our comfort or reputation. When we surrender our plans to God, He takes our ordinary and makes it extraordinary for His glory. [53:33]
3. The Cost and Power of Surrender Obedience to God’s call often means letting go of our own desires, traditions, and even the approval of others. Joseph’s surrender was not passive; it was an active, costly decision to trust God’s plan above his own. True surrender is the pathway to freedom, unity, and abundant life, but it requires us to lay everything on the altar and say, “Your will, not mine.” [63:57]
4. God With Us: The Heart of Christmas The miracle of the virgin birth is not just a theological point—it is the assurance that God steps into our world, our struggles, and our ordinariness. Emmanuel means God is present, not just in the spectacular, but in the daily grind of life. This presence is what gives us hope, courage, and the power to live differently. [51:36]
5. Sacrificial Love Defines True Leadership Joseph’s masculinity was not shown in dominance, but in sacrificial love and spiritual guidance. True leadership, whether in the home or the church, is measured by our willingness to lay down our lives for others, to protect, provide, and nurture those entrusted to us. This is the kind of leadership that changes families, churches, and communities. [67:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:36] - Opening and Announcements
[35:45] - Coffee Maker Story & Teamwork
[36:09] - Christmas Series Theme Introduction
[37:13] - Joseph: The Overlooked Man
[39:09] - Reading Matthew 1:18-25
[41:37] - Jewish Betrothal and Joseph’s Dilemma
[43:43] - Joseph’s Character and Cultural Context
[45:19] - Joseph’s Choices Under the Law
[47:17] - Mercy Over Judgment
[48:52] - The Angel’s Dream and Obedience
[51:36] - The Virgin Birth and Emmanuel
[53:33] - Ordinary to Extraordinary
[55:46] - The Challenge of Obedience
[57:54] - Joseph’s Work and Integrity
[63:57] - The Cost of Surrender
[67:06] - Sacrificial Leadership
[70:34] - The Necessity of the Virgin Birth
[73:14] - The Level Ground of the Cross
[75:00] - The Invitation to Receive Christ
[83:22] - Closing Announcements and Potluck
[85:46] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Ordinary Made Extraordinary – The Story of Joseph**

---

### Bible Reading

**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.

---

### Observation Questions

What options did Joseph have when he found out Mary was pregnant, according to the culture and law of his time? ([45:19])
How did Joseph respond differently than what most people might have expected in his situation? ([47:17])
What did the angel tell Joseph in his dream, and how did Joseph respond to that message? ([39:55])
What does the name “Emmanuel” mean, and why is it important in this story? ([51:36])

---

### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Joseph chose mercy over judgment, even though he had every right to expose Mary? What does this reveal about his character? ([47:17])
The sermon says Joseph was “just an ordinary man.” Why do you think God chose someone like Joseph for such an important role? ([53:33])
What does Joseph’s obedience, even when it cost him his reputation and comfort, teach us about what it means to follow God? ([56:57])
The sermon mentions that “God with us” means God steps into our mess and ordinary lives. How does this change the way we see God’s involvement in our daily struggles? ([51:36])

---

### Application Questions

Think about a time when you had the right to “get even” or demand justice, but could have chosen mercy instead. What would it look like to choose compassion over condemnation in your relationships this week? ([47:17])
Joseph’s obedience required him to lay down his own plans and reputation. Is there an area in your life where God might be asking you to surrender your own plans or comfort for His will? What would it look like to take that step? ([56:57])
The sermon says that many of us feel “too ordinary” to be used by God. Have you ever felt this way? What is one ordinary part of your life that you could offer to God for Him to use? ([53:33])
Obedience can be costly and misunderstood by others. Have you ever faced ridicule or misunderstanding because of your faith or a decision to obey God? How did you handle it, and what did you learn? ([56:57])
The message says true leadership is shown by sacrificial love, not dominance. In your family, workplace, or church, what is one way you can lead by serving or sacrificing for others this week? ([01:07:06])
“God with us” means God is present in the ordinary and the messy parts of life. Where do you need to experience God’s presence right now? How can you invite Him into that area? ([51:36])
The sermon challenges us to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” What is one specific area where you need to pray this prayer and trust God’s plan above your own? ([01:03:57])

---

Sermon Clips

Joseph didn't want a pound of flesh. He did not want, because he loved her, he did not want a pound of flesh from her. Amy, how the world would change if the men of the gospel of Jesus Christ today that say they're saved and the women that say they're children of God would not demand their pound of flesh all the time. How would that really change? [00:47:36] (30 seconds) #NoPoundOfFlesh

My thing to you today is I want you to understand today, you may be ordinary. People may think that there's nothing there. But I want to encourage you today that if God chooses you, he'll take you from ordinary to extraordinary, baby, no matter what your friends have to say. So I want you to know today I'm excited for what God's doing. [00:53:38] (23 seconds) #NotAReligiousOrg

Here it was that we have to learn today that if we're going to be used of God in a mighty way, we need to have some obedience in our life. And I know we don't like that. Half of you just cut me off. He said, what? No, I'm doing it my way. Boop. You hit the off button right there. See, that's where we have to repent. That's where we have to go to God and say, not my way, God, your way. [00:55:36] (23 seconds) #GreedBreedsMisery

Daddies, mamas, listen to me. The way you live your life in front of your kids is going to set them up for the future. Either they're going to fail or they're going to succeed. And because you've had a bad physical father or a bad physical mother here on earth does not mean that you have to fail, but that means you have to work harder to get past what you've been taught as a child. Come on. [01:01:13] (34 seconds) #CallOnJesus

Joseph looked at his circumstances, and by the way he grew up, they were pretty bad. But he was obedient to God. He listened to God's plan, and he surrendered. Some of you today are having trouble in your life because you won't surrender to God's plan. You want to do it your way. You want to keep one foot in your family tradition. You want another foot over here with Jesus, and Jesus said, that doesn't work. [01:03:14] (35 seconds) #ChosenEarthlyFather

A simple man, yes. He was a simple man. He was a simple man, unwavering on his commitment to protect and to provide for his family, recognizing that true masculinity is expressed through sacrificial love and spiritual guidanceship. Over in Romans 12, verse 1, it states that we're to live life in such a way it is what? A sacrifice, a sacrifice, a living sacrifice. [01:06:30] (36 seconds) #PainOfObedience

If it's a living sacrifice, living for Jesus Christ is going to cost something. There is going to be pain at times to go from ordinary to extraordinary. There are going to be pains at times. Do you hear me with? There is going to be confusion. There is going to be stuff that you have to seek the Lord's face on and listen to what he says. When everybody else around you is telling you to do it a different way, you have to stay planted and stay firm to the obedience of God and do it the way God says. [01:07:11] (37 seconds) #ObedientLikeJoseph

``All of us are sinners. We're all on an even playing field when we come to the cross of Calvary. There is no one, your money, your prestige, nothing, you are no higher than anybody else. You are just as dirty as a thief on the cross. You have a choice like the thief on the one side cursed him or you can be like the thief on the other side and you can say, remember me. And that's your choice today. You have that choice. [01:13:14] (28 seconds) #ChooseLifePath

Jesus died on the cross to set you free from everything, all your fear. Hey, everything that binds you up, the prisons that you're in today in your mind and you feel physically that God wants to set you free and the only way you can be set free is to accept that free gift of Jesus Christ and you have to accept it. You say, but preacher, I believe in Jesus. Well, the devil believed there was Jesus and knew him, amen. [01:14:23] (31 seconds) #JesusSetsYouFree

You don't need to change anything. You need to come knowing that he's the one that died on the cross. He's the one that's going to save you, not Bubba, not this church. No matter how much money you give, no matter how much times you come to the church, no matter how good you are, you and I can never get up to God's level. It's going to take us having God come down to our level and praise God, the Bible says, is it Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. Will you accept him today? Have you accepted him today is the question. And if you do that, you're going to have a Merry Christmas. Amen. [01:15:41] (41 seconds) #FaithNotWorks

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the significance of Joseph's obedience in Christmas story?

How does the virgin birth affirm Jesus' divine nature?

In what ways can ordinary people become extraordinary through faith?