Sermons from Good News: Joseph, an amazing man of faith

Note before sharing the sermon: I just wanted to highlight that Jeremiah 29:11 was mentioned in this sermon. A verse that I commonly heard spoken at the Vineyard, it was kind of surprising to not hear it at my current church. I didn't mind, because this was another one of those verses that I believe has been taken out of context in various church circles, being used almost as a "false promise" that because God has good plans and thoughts for us (which He does), that things are going to turn out great in one's life while here on earth: that job, that financial increase, that spouse, that house, that [this thing], that [other thing], and so on... "God wants you to have it" ... nonsense.

Here's what Jesus actually says:

• Jesus tells us to carry our crosses daily. (Matthew 16:24)
• He tells us that we will save our own lives if we willingly choose to lose our lives (while trying to save our own lives will only cause us to lose it). (Matthew 16:25) (Mark 8:35) (Luke 9:24) (Luke 17:33)
• He tells us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), and to store up our treasures in heaven and not on earth. (Matthew 6:19-20)
• He tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear, but rather to trust in Him to provide. (Matthew 6:25-30)
• He tells us to pray by putting God first and then asking for only our daily bread. (Matthew 6:9-11)(Proverbs 30:7-8)

As for Jeremiah 29:11, I even found that it only really makes sense if we place it in context with Jeremiah 29:12-13 as well:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13, NKJV

While it is indeed true that God has plans and thoughts for each person who has ever lived (including nonbelievers), we still have to respond. (My pastor will make that clear in this sermon below.) God always works things out for good ... for those who love Him... (Romans 8:28) yes, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. For those who reject Him or refuse His leading, then those same people will also be rejecting the thoughts and plans that He would otherwise have had for them that would have given them a future and a hope.

However, I've recently been hearing this verse pop up quite a bit in different places, and I've heard only verse 11 without the succeeding verses. And yes, right now, the way God is using it to hit me requires only that verse, and I believe this in part because I already know the succeeding verses. If such a person has it truly ingrained in their minds that for God to have plans for us we need to be seeking Him and His will and His kingdom and His desires, etc... then -- and only then -- are their hearts ready to receive the good plans and good works that God has for them to walk in.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV

Church 12/15/2024

Offertory scripture:

Our giving to the Lord is a powerful thing. It’ll carry over into every area of life.

Galatians 6:7-8

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Sermon message:

Thesis: Joseph, an amazing man of faith.

Today we are focusing on the New Testament Joseph.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Point #1: God knows everything about you.

Psalm 139:13-16 (God knew me before I was formed)

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

Jeremiah 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

Before you were born I sanctified you;

I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Point #2: Let your disappointments lead you to an appointment with God.

Don’t let a disappointment steer you away from God.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Point #3: God’s plans are always better than ours.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

It’s wise to ask God what His plans are.

It’s unwise for us to tell God what we think He should do.

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Point #4: When we respond to what God says to us, He will say more to us.

Matthew 1:20 (God spoke)

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:24 (Joseph obeyed)

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,

Matthew 2:13 (God spoke again)

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

Matthew 2:14 (Joseph obeyed again)

When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,

Matthew 2:19-20 (God spoke yet again)

Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.”

Matthew 2:21 (Joseph obeyed yet again)

Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.