Obedience Over Approval: Lessons from Joseph's Faith

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound story of Joseph from Matthew chapter 1, focusing on his response to the unexpected and challenging news of Mary's pregnancy. Joseph, a righteous man, faced a dilemma that tested his faith and character. He was betrothed to Mary, a commitment far more binding than modern engagements, and upon learning of her pregnancy, he initially planned to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace. However, an angel appeared to him in a dream, revealing that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and urging him not to fear taking her as his wife.

This narrative highlights a critical lesson for believers: pleasing God often means disappointing people. Joseph's decision to obey God, despite the potential for public scorn and personal sacrifice, underscores the importance of prioritizing divine truth over human opinion. In a culture that often values public perception, Joseph's story challenges us to focus on God's truth, which remains constant and unchanging, unlike the fluctuating opinions of society.

Moreover, the message emphasized that obedience to God is greater than the miraculous. While miracles are significant, they often follow acts of obedience. Joseph's willingness to embrace God's plan led to his participation in the greatest miracle of all—the birth of Jesus, the Savior. This teaches us that our simple acts of obedience can set into motion God's extraordinary plans.

Finally, the message called us to reflect on our own lives. Are we living for God's approval or the approval of others? Are we ready to be criticized for our obedience to God? Joseph's story invites us to say "yes" to God's call, even when it defies societal norms or expectations. It encourages us to trust in God's plan and to take steps of faith, knowing that our obedience can lead to transformative outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Pleasing God vs. Pleasing People: Joseph's story teaches us that pleasing God often means disappointing people. In our journey of faith, we must prioritize God's truth over societal opinions, understanding that true fulfillment comes from aligning with His will. [43:49]

2. The Power of Obedience: Obedience to God is greater than the miraculous. Miracles often follow acts of obedience, as seen in Joseph's life. Our willingness to obey God's call, even in small ways, can lead to extraordinary outcomes. [01:05:23]

3. God's Truth Over People's Opinions: Focusing on God's truth helps us overcome the fear of people's opinions. When we meditate on His word and allow it to guide us, the opinions of others become less significant. [51:26]

4. Criticism as a Sign of Impact: If you're not ready to be criticized for your obedience to God, you're not ready to be used by Him. Taking a stand for God's truth often invites criticism, but it also signifies that you're making a difference. [53:51]

5. Simple Acts of Obedience: You have no idea what you might set into motion with one simple act of obedience to God. Whether it's inviting someone to church or stepping into a new ministry, your obedience can lead to life-changing miracles. [01:06:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [19:25] - Introduction and Context
- [37:36] - Joseph's Dilemma
- [41:59] - Cultural Consequences
- [43:49] - Pleasing God vs. Pleasing People
- [44:58] - Angel's Message to Joseph
- [51:26] - Criticism and Obedience
- [53:51] - Real-Life Example of Obedience
- [56:50] - Joseph's Decision
- [01:01:05] - Obedience and Miracles
- [01:02:06] - Biblical Examples of Obedience
- [01:04:01] - Joshua and Jericho
- [01:05:23] - The Call to Obedience
- [01:06:27] - The Power of Simple Obedience
- [01:10:11] - Invitation to Respond

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 1:18-25

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Joseph's initial plan upon learning about Mary's pregnancy, and what does this reveal about his character? [41:59]

2. How did the angel's message in Joseph's dream change his perspective on the situation with Mary? [44:58]

3. What cultural consequences did Joseph face by choosing to stay with Mary, and how did this decision reflect his priorities? [41:59]

4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between obedience and miracles, particularly in Joseph's story? [01:01:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Joseph's story teach about the tension between pleasing God and pleasing people, and how might this apply to modern believers? [43:49]

2. How does the sermon suggest that focusing on God's truth can help believers overcome the fear of people's opinions? [51:26]

3. In what ways does the sermon illustrate that criticism can be a sign of impact when obeying God? [53:51]

4. How does Joseph's obedience set into motion God's extraordinary plans, and what does this imply about the potential impact of our own obedience? [01:06:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between pleasing God and pleasing people. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [43:49]

2. Are there areas in your life where you feel God's truth is being overshadowed by societal opinions? How can you refocus on His truth this week? [51:26]

3. Have you ever faced criticism for a decision you made based on your faith? How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience? [53:51]

4. Consider a simple act of obedience God might be calling you to this week. What steps can you take to follow through, and what potential outcomes could arise from this obedience? [01:06:27]

5. How can you cultivate a mindset that values obedience over the miraculous in your daily life? What practical changes can you make to prioritize this? [01:01:05]

6. Identify a situation where you might need to take a stand for God's truth, even if it means facing criticism. How can you prepare yourself to handle the potential backlash? [53:51]

7. Think of someone in your life who might benefit from an invitation to church or a spiritual conversation. What specific action can you take this week to reach out to them? [01:07:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing Divine Approval Over Human Opinion
Joseph's story in Matthew chapter 1 presents a profound lesson about the tension between divine approval and human opinion. When Joseph learned of Mary's pregnancy, he faced a significant dilemma. As a righteous man, he initially planned to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace. However, an angel appeared to him in a dream, revealing that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and urging him not to fear taking her as his wife. This narrative underscores the importance of prioritizing God's truth over societal opinions. Joseph's decision to obey God, despite the potential for public scorn and personal sacrifice, challenges believers to focus on God's unchanging truth rather than the fluctuating opinions of society. In a culture that often values public perception, Joseph's story invites us to align our lives with God's will, understanding that true fulfillment comes from pleasing Him. [43:49]

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to seek human approval over God's? How can you take a step today to prioritize God's truth in that area?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Obedience
Obedience to God is a central theme in Joseph's story, illustrating that it is greater than the miraculous. When Joseph chose to embrace God's plan, he became part of the greatest miracle—the birth of Jesus, the Savior. This teaches us that miracles often follow acts of obedience. Joseph's willingness to obey God's call, even in the face of uncertainty and potential criticism, set into motion God's extraordinary plans. This narrative encourages believers to trust in God's plan and to take steps of faith, knowing that our simple acts of obedience can lead to transformative outcomes. It reminds us that our willingness to obey God, even in small ways, can lead to extraordinary results. [01:05:23]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: What small act of obedience is God calling you to today? How might this act set into motion something greater in your life or the lives of others?


Day 3: Anchoring in God's Unchanging Truth
Joseph's story highlights the importance of focusing on God's truth to overcome the fear of people's opinions. When Joseph received the angel's message, he chose to trust in God's plan rather than succumb to societal pressures. This decision required courage and faith, as it went against cultural norms and expectations. By meditating on God's word and allowing it to guide us, we can find strength to prioritize His truth over the opinions of others. This narrative encourages believers to anchor their lives in God's unchanging truth, which provides stability and direction amidst the ever-changing opinions of society. [51:26]

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more of God's truth into your daily routine to help you stand firm against societal pressures? What specific steps can you take to meditate on His word today?


Day 4: Embracing Criticism as a Sign of Faithfulness
Joseph's story teaches that taking a stand for God's truth often invites criticism, but it also signifies that you're making a difference. When Joseph chose to obey God's call, he risked public scorn and personal sacrifice. This narrative challenges believers to be ready to face criticism for their obedience to God, understanding that it is a sign of faithfulness and impact. It encourages us to trust in God's plan and to take steps of faith, knowing that our obedience can lead to transformative outcomes. By embracing criticism as a sign of faithfulness, we can find strength to persevere in our journey of faith. [53:51]

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)

Reflection: What criticism have you faced or are you afraid of facing for your faith? How can you reframe this criticism as a sign of your impact and faithfulness to God?


Day 5: The Ripple Effect of Simple Obedience
Joseph's story illustrates the profound impact of simple acts of obedience. When Joseph chose to embrace God's plan, he became part of the greatest miracle—the birth of Jesus, the Savior. This narrative teaches that our willingness to obey God's call, even in small ways, can lead to extraordinary outcomes. It encourages believers to trust in God's plan and to take steps of faith, knowing that our simple acts of obedience can set into motion God's extraordinary plans. Whether it's inviting someone to church or stepping into a new ministry, our obedience can lead to life-changing miracles. [01:06:27]

"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What simple act of obedience can you take today that might have a ripple effect in your life or the lives of others? How can you trust God with the outcome of this act?

Quotes



It means that in the process of obeying Scripture and obeying God and choosing the ways of God, often other people are going to be disappointed. There will be times where people will not understand the decisions that you are making, based on how you are interpreting Scripture. [00:44:48] (19 seconds)


We live in a culture, and by the way, this isn't helped by the fact that billions of dollars is being spent trying to get our attention and trying to help us to be insecure and think that other people are better than us. But we spend so much time even within the church, even as followers of Jesus, consumed and focused on people's opinion that in the process God's truth feels and seems so much more distant. [00:49:08] (32 seconds)


Here's something to think about: if you're not ready to be criticized for your obedience to God, you're not ready to be used by God. Let me say that again: if you're not ready to be criticized for your obedience to God, you're not ready to be used by God. Joseph and Mary would be criticized the entirety of their lives. [00:51:26] (22 seconds)


There's going to be times when you're reading the Bible and you're going to be challenged with something that is culturally unpopular and you're going to have to make a decision. Am I going to obey God or am I going to surrender to the opinions of other people? [00:53:51] (14 seconds)


Obedience is greater than the miraculous. Now, I gotta give a disclaimer here. I'm a miracle guy. I believe in miracles. I believe God has not gotten exhausted over the years and just said, yeah, I did all those miracles back then, but boy, I am tired. I don't have it in me anymore. [01:00:41] (15 seconds)


You don't see the miracle happen until a man or a woman of God takes a risk and does the thing that God is asking them to do that seems so insane and so out of the box that it's probably going to be criticized and people are probably going, what are you doing? [01:01:49] (15 seconds)


You have no idea what you might set into motion with one simple act of obedience to God. What is he calling you to do? Sometimes we think obedience is these huge, grand things. Can I just say, sometimes obedience, God starts with just asking you to do. God starts with just asking you to do simple things. [01:06:40] (19 seconds)


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Transcript
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