JOSEPH, THE EARTHLY FATHER OF JESUS - An Example of Obedience
JOSEPH, THE EARTHLY FATHER OF JESUS - An Example of Obedience
OBEDIENCE? Compliance, rapidly, completely and joyfully. (a form of social influence in which a person yields to explicit instructions or orders - Compliance with a command, prohibition or known law and rule of duty prescribed)
Obedience is a spiritual instrument: - Compliance with instructions for the wise - Sight for the blind – Map, Compass, Guide for the traveller, Staff for the aged and an anchor for the youth. Just as Joseph was obedient to God’s directions, we, too, must obey as we learn His will for our lives
According to God’s righteousness - not self-righteousness
Evidence and fruits of righteousness - Righteousness not passive
Just? - Justified through God's salvation Peace with God - Redeemed -Transformed
-Godly man begins with inner righteousness, not outward actions.
2. Justification produces righteous character:
-Only a justified heart can respond to painful situations with grace.
3. A justified man values God’s will above personal rights:
-Justification brings a person into a place where God’s standard becomes their standard.
4. A justified heart sees people through God’s eyes:
-Justification produces a redemptive spirit toward others.
5. Justification shapes decisions under pressure:
-Justification enables us to do the right thing even when it is costly, painful, or misunderstood.
6. True justice always leans toward mercy:
-A justified heart reflects God’s nature—“mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
Romans 1:17; 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 3:23-24; 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 5:1 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
1. “A man cannot act justly until God has first made him just.”
2. “Justification is the root; justice is the fruit.”
3. “Joseph teaches us that the truly justified do not rush to condemn.”
5. “To be just before men, we must be justified before God.”
6. “Joseph shows that righteousness is revealed not in great moments, but in pressured moments.”
7. “The justified man chooses compassion even when he feels wounded.”
9. “It is justification that gives birth to a character God calls ‘just.’”
10. “Only a heart transformed by grace can respond to disappointment with mercy.”
Challenge:
-Identify a situation this week where choosing righteousness (what’s right and fair) may be difficult. Write down how you would respond with integrity.
Reflection:
-In what situation today could you embody integrity and mercy like Joseph?
-How can you recognize and respond to God’s guidance, even if it disrupts your plans?
Each act of obedience unto God is noticed and recorded
Those obedience and honour done unto God comes back as blessings
-He was showing evidence of being a just man
-Spiritual attention to details
-Obedience to Scripture is obedience to God Himself.
2. Obedience was immediate, not delayed:
-Honouring God’s law includes obeying God’s timing, not just God’s instructions.
3. Joseph practiced obedience even when it was costly:
Their offering (two turtledoves or pigeons) shows they were poor—yet they still obeyed.
-True honour is obedience even when it stretches our resources.
4. Joseph obeyed because he feared God, not because people were watching:
-Honouring God’s law flows from a heart that honours God’s presence, not public approval.
5. Joseph teaches that spiritual leadership begins at home:
-A man who honours God must guide his household in the same path.
6. Joseph’s obedience prepared the child Jesus for His earthly mission:
By completing every requirement of the Law, Joseph ensured Jesus was raised within God’s covenant framework.
-Our obedience often sets the stage for God’s work beyond us.
1. “To honour God’s law is to honour God Himself.”
2. “Joseph teaches us that obedience is the first act of worship.”
3. “Obedience to God’s Word is never optional—it is covenant loyalty.”
4. “True honour is prompt obedience, not delayed intention.”
6. “Joseph’s life shows that obedience is not measured by convenience, but by faithfulness.”
7. “Honouring God’s law may cost you something, but disobedience will cost you more.”
9. “Joseph reminds us that spiritual leadership begins with personal obedience.”
10. “Every time we honour God’s Word, we prepare the way for God’s work.”
Review personal routines:
-Identify one area where you can more faithfully follow God’s “law” or principles in your life today
Practice reverent obedience:
-When you sense guidance or a rule from Scripture, choose prompt, respectful action rather than delaying or rationalizing.
Honor God with offerings of time or resources:
-Consider simple, tangible acts of worship or service that reflect gratitude and obedience (even modest offerings).
Challenge:
-Identify one area where you can align your actions with a biblical principle as Joseph did (e.g., meeting a commitment or performing a duty you’ve postponed).
Consistency is the key in obedience
Rapid obedience ensure consistency - do it quickly
When one puts off doing what God said, it becomes harder to do
God told him to take Mary as his wife despite the unusual circumstances.
-He obeyed without argument, showing that obedience is rooted in trust, not understanding.
2. Joseph obeyed immediately, not eventually:
-Real obedience is prompt—delay is a form of disobedience.
3. Joseph obeyed even when obedience was inconvenient:
He fled to Egypt by night, leaving comfort and familiarity behind.
-Obedience often requires sacrifice and discomfort.
4. Joseph obeyed in dangerous and difficult seasons:
He responded instantly to God’s warning about Herod.
-Obedience to God is the safest place in times of danger.
5. Joseph obeyed repeatedly, not occasionally:
-Every directive from God found in him a willing heart.
-Obedience was not an event but a lifestyle.
6. Joseph obeyed even when the assignment changed suddenly:
-When God redirected him to return to Israel, he obeyed again.
-True obedience is flexible and follows God’s leading without resistance.
7. Joseph obeyed in both crisis and calm:
-Whether in the shock of unexpected news or during routine life, Joseph remained consistent.
-Obedience must be constant—not only in emergencies.
8. Joseph obeyed without needing explanations:
-God’s commands often came with minimal details.
-Joseph teaches us that obedience does not depend on full information but full submission.
9. Joseph obeyed because he valued God’s voice above personal plan:
-Each directive from God overruled Joseph’s preferences.
-A truly obedient heart places God’s will above personal comfort or logic.
1. “Obedience is not complete until it is immediate.”
2. “Joseph shows that trust in God is proven by obedience to God.”
3. “A man who obeys God at all times becomes a man God can use at all times.”
4. “Delayed obedience is silent rebellion.”
6. “True obedience does not wait for explanations.”
7. “Obedience may be costly, but disobedience is deadly.”
10. “When God redirects, the obedient follow without hesitation.”
11. “Every act of Joseph’s obedience built a shield around God’s purpose.”
Cultivate receptivity:
-Develop a habit of quiet time, prayer, and scripture reflection to recognize God’s nudges.
Practice prompt obedience:
-When you sense guidance, commit to a specific action immediately.
Challenge:
- Identify one moment when you sense God guiding you. Write down the direction and your planned action.
- Take a concrete step in obedience related to that guidance
- Journal how obeying this guidance affected your peace, relationships, or sense of purpose.
Reflection:
-In what area of life today could you practice Joseph-like readiness to listen and obey?
-How does timely obedience to God’s directions change outcomes for you and those around you?
Isaiah 7:14 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
The best time to act on God’s instructions is immediately
- Not waiting to have full understanding
We would understand it better when God unfolds His purpose
...Call hHis name Jesus ...Emmanuel ...God with us
-Mary was the virgin spoken of
You Must Do As He Commands,
For There Is No Other Gospel Way;
Never Put The Message By,
Never Stop To Reason Why,
When The Saviour Speaks To You, Just Obey
-When God speaks, obedience outweighs comprehension.
2. God’s instructions often exceed human reasoning:
-God’s call will sometimes stretch us beyond what we can mentally grasp.
3. Obedience is trusting God’s plan without knowing the full picture:
-We don’t need to know the how —just Who is speaking.
4. Partial understanding is never an excuse for partial obedience:
-Though Joseph received short notice information, his obedience was complete.
He followed the piece of the plan God handed him.
5. God reveals enough to obey, not everything to satisfy curiosity:
-Joseph was given only the essentials:
“Fear not”
“Mary’s child is of the Holy Ghost”
“Call his name Jesus”
-Everything else Joseph learned as he walked.
6. God entrusts His greatest plans to those who obey without argument:
-Joseph became guardian of the Messiah because he obeyed a plan he could not fully comprehend.
7. Obedience in mystery opens the door to revelation later:
-Joseph understood more as he walked with God.
-Understanding often follows obedience—not before.
1. “Obedience does not require full understanding; it requires full trust.”
2. “Joseph obeyed the prophecy he could not fully explain.”
3. “When God speaks, our job is to obey, not to fully understand.”
5. “A man who obeys without knowing all the details is a man God can trust with destiny.”
6. “Joseph teaches us that the unknown is not a barrier when God has spoken.”
7. “Faith obeys first and asks questions after.”
9. “Obedience in mystery positions us for destiny.”
10. “Joseph shows that God does not demand comprehension, only cooperation.”
Cultivate patience for understanding:
-When God reveals something, walk in obedience first, then let understanding develop.
Challenge:
-Reflect on a current situation where you sense God’s direction but don’t yet grasp the full meaning.
-Practice obedience today in a small step related to that situation; note any subsequent clarity you gain.
-Pray for continued understanding of God’s larger plan in your life
Reflection:
-In what area of your life might you be waiting for deeper understanding of God’s promise? How can you stay obedient while you wait?
Natural man and mind cannot please God
Logic, facts, prededences and figures may not agree with God’s method
Are you struggling to do God’s will? - Flesh and blood cannot please God
Situations for obedience may be difficult but the blessings are sure
-Nothing about a virgin conception made sense naturally.
-He teaches us that God’s voice must overcome human logic.
2. Obedience demands overcoming fear:
-Fear of shame, fear of misunderstanding, fear of future uncertainty could have paralyzed Joseph.
-True obedience often begins with conquering fear.
3. Obedience means letting God redefine the impossible:
-God asked Joseph to embrace a miracle that had never happened before in human history.
-Obedience grows when we allow God to redefine what is possible.
4. Obedience requires surrendering personal plans:
-Obedience is accepting that God’s plan is better than our plan.
5. Obedience involves trusting God with our reputation:
-People would question Joseph’s decision to take Mary.
-He risked misunderstanding and public judgment.
-Obedience means fearing God more than fearing people.
6. Obedience sometimes requires believing what the natural cannot verify:
-Joseph had no physical evidence of the Holy Ghost conception—only God's word.
-Obedience means acting on God’s word even when the natural offers no proof.
7. Obedience is choosing faith over feelings:
-Joseph’s feelings of confusion, hurt, or disappointment could have dominated him.
-Obedience is a decision, not an emotion.
8. Obedience becomes easier when we remember God’s identity:
-The angel addressed him as “Joseph, thou son of David,” reminding him of God’s covenant and calling.
-You obey better when you remember who you are and whose plan you're part of.
9. Obedience requires focusing on what God has said, not what circumstances show:
-Circumstances said Mary was unfaithful.
-God said the child was of the Holy Ghost.
-Obedience is choosing God’s word over visible evidence.
10. Obedience succeeds when we yield our “thoughts” to God:
-Joseph was “thinking on these things” when God spoke.
-Obedience begins when we bring our thoughts under God’s instruction.
1. “Obedience begins where human logic ends.”
2. “Joseph obeyed God in an instruction that defied nature—because he trusted the God who created nature.”
3. “When the natural says ‘impossible,’ obedience says ‘God is able.’”
5. “Joseph believed God’s word above the evidence of his eyes.”
6. “Obedience is not the absence of impossibility—it is the presence of trust.”
7. “Faith obeys what feelings cannot understand.”
9. “When God speaks, the impossible becomes a command, not a barrier.”
10. “Joseph teaches us that you do not need proof to obey—just God’s word.”
11. “Obedience thrives when we remember our identity in God’s plan.”
-When facing difficult obedience, name the natural obstacles honestly (reputation, fear, practical consequences).
-Identify the first step you can take that aligns with God’s direction, even if it carries risk.
Challenge:
-Which obstacle feels most immediate to you right now, and why?
-How can you frame obedience as a step of trust in God’s larger plan rather than focusing solely on the risk?
KEY POINTS & LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
There is only one best option - Total obedience to God
-The other side of the coin comes with consequences
Obedience pays off all the time - Even when it comes with difficulties
Disobedience brings consequences, even in apparent "success"
-Wisdom calls for a review and crossing over to obedience side
Wisdom is the principal thing - when applied rapidly and consistently
1. Obedience brings divine protection:
-Obedience places us inside God’s protective covering.
2. Obedience brings divine direction:
-God reveals His will step-by-step to those who obey the steps already given.
3. Obedience brings supernatural provision:
-Provision often follows obedience.
4. Obedience positions us for destiny fulfilment:
-Obedience sets us in the exact place where God’s purpose can unfold.
5. Obedience brings peace and assurance:
-Obedience resolves inner conflict.
6. Obedience creates generational impact:
-Our obedience often shapes generations beyond us.
7. Obedience invites God’s continued presence:
-Obedience maintains fellowship and clarity with God.
1. Disobedience exposes a person to danger:
-Disobedience removes divine covering and invites unnecessary trouble.
2. Disobedience interrupts divine guidance:
-Rejecting God’s voice can lead to confusion and wandering.
3. Disobedience can destroy destiny:
-Disobedience can sabotage what God entrusted us to protect.
4. Disobedience creates regret:
-Regret is often the silent fruit of refusing God’s instruction.
5. Disobedience can affect others, not just us:
-Disobedience often harms those connected to our decisions.
-The more a man refuses God’s command, the less clearly he hears God.
-Disobedience clouds spiritual sensitivity.
1. “Every act of obedience prepares the way for God’s next miracle.”
2. “Obedience places us under God’s protection; disobedience places us outside it.”
3. “When we obey, God handles what we cannot.”
5. “Destiny begins where obedience becomes a lifestyle.”
6. “God’s blessings walk on the same path as our obedience.”
7. “Obedience today secures tomorrow’s victory.”
8. “When we obey God, heaven becomes responsible for the outcome.”
1. “Disobedience always costs more than obedience.”
2. “When we refuse God’s voice, we release trouble into our own path.”
3. “Disobedience delays destiny; obedience accelerates it.”
5. “What obedience would have protected, disobedience can destroy.”
6. “When we silence God through disobedience, we become deaf to His direction.”
7. “Disobedience is choosing our own way—and choosing our own consequences.”
-Think of a situation in your life where obedience to God or to a clear moral principle paid off.
Challenge:
-Write down your personal situation where obedience paid off. Describe what you did, why you chose obedience, and the outcome.
-List at least three positive outcomes that resulted from obeying in that situation
- Identify at least two potential negative consequences that could have happened if you had chosen disobedience.
Reflection:
-How does recalling a past obedience moment strengthen your faith to act rightly in current or upcoming situations?
Disobedience is a barrier - It hinders God’s plan and purpose for our lives
Subtle disobedience is a subtle poison
Rash disobedience swiftly destroys
-Complete obedience saves lives and destinies
-The heat of situations brings them out
The consequences of subtle disobedience are loud and great
-Moses was unable to go into the Promised land
-Serious consequences of disobeying God's commands
-One moment of misaligned action can cost us years of faithful service
2. Disobedience often flows from misplaced emotions:
-Acting out of anger and frustration rather than quiet trust in God can lead to errors
3. Disobedience distorts God’s representation through us:
-Disobedience leads to misrepresentation of the character and method of God.
4. Disobedience may produce required result, yet still displeases God:
-Water still came out of the rock—even though Moses disobeyed. Results do not validate disobedience.
5. Disobedience can bring painful but just discipline:
-Though God still loved Moses, He disciplined him by forbidding him from entering the Promised Land.
6. Disobedience deprives us of the fullness of God’s intended blessings:
-Disobedience often stops us short of God’s larger intentions.
“A lifetime of obedience can be wounded by a moment of disobedience.”
“No height of past faithfulness exempts us from present obedience.”
“Unchecked feelings can lead to actions God never commanded.”
“We misrepresent God whenever we handle His instructions our own way.”
“A wrong method can hide a right God.”
“God may allow results, but He never endorses rebellion.”
“Divine discipline is not rejection—it is the seriousness of a holy God.”
“Leadership multiplies both obedience and disobedience.”
“Disobedience may not stop God’s promises, but it can stop our participation in them.”
“Some losses are not from the devil; they are from ignoring divine instructions.”
“Obedience keeps us inside the circle of God’s best.”
“One wrong strike can cancel a lifetime of right steps.”
“Partial obedience is polished disobedience.”
“God’s methods matter as much as His miracles.”
-When faced with pressure, pause to confirm God’s instruction before acting, especially if there is a tendency to rely on past methods.
-Develop a habit of speaking faith-filled, God-guided responses (even in challenging circumstances) rather than default actions that bypass God’s method.
Challenge:
- Choose one small, concrete action today that aligns with God’s instruction even if it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.
-Record how this exercises your trust in God’s guidance and note any changes in how you handle pressure or criticism.
Reflection:
-In what area of life do you feel pressured to skip God’s method and take a shortcut?
-What would a faithful spoken response look like in that context?
-How could you cultivate a habit of turning to God’s word or counsel before acting when stressed?
(a) his family (b) the ark (c) obedience (d) all of the preceding
Obedience is a live saver -Obedience saves time and resources
-The obedience process may be slow but the benefits are far reaching
Obedience always bring God’s approval
1. Obedience positions us for divine preservation:
-Noah’s obedience became the vehicle of his survival. God preserved him because he obeyed.
2. Obedience qualifies us for God’s favor:
-Noah found grace because his life aligned with God’s will—not because he was perfect, but because he walked with God.
3. Obedience prepares us ahead of crisis:
-The ark was built before the rain came. Obedience equips us for the future we cannot see.
4. Obedience often doesn’t make sense now, but it makes salvation later:
-Building a massive ship on dry land seemed unreasonable, yet it became God’s instrument of rescue.
5. Obedience brings generational blessings:
-Noah’s entire household was saved because of his obedience. One person’s obedience can change a lineage.
6. Obedience gives us a testimony that speaks for generations:
-Noah’s act of obedience still teaches faith thousands of years later.
7. Obedience invites God’s covenant and promises:
-After the flood, God established His covenant with Noah and promised never again to destroy the earth by water.
8. Obedience brings peace in the storm and guidance afterward:
-Throughout the flood, God guided Noah step-by-step until he landed safely again on dry ground.
9. Obedience brings divine remembrance:
-“God remembered Noah”. Obedience causes us to stay on God’s mind and agenda.
“God preserves those who follow His instructions even when judgment surrounds them.”
“Grace rests where obedience lives.”
“When we obey early, we are ready when the storm arrives.”
“Obedience may look foolish for a moment, but disobedience looks fatal forever.”
“Generational blessings begin with personal obedience.”
“A single obedient act can echo across history.”
“Those who obey God qualify for promises others never touch.”
“God leads the obedient both through the waters and back to dry ground.”
“Obedience keeps your name before God in seasons of crisis.”
“Obedience is proof of trust; blessings are God’s response.”
“When obedience is complete, safety is guaranteed.”
“Those who obey God never drown in the floods life sends.”
“The obedient may be mocked, but they eventually rise above the waters.”
-Identify a task where God’s direction is available but obedience is challenging.
-Break the task into concrete, actionable steps that you can begin today.
-Seek and follow God’s instructions even if they seem impractical or overwhelming in the moment.
Challenge:
-In what area of life do you feel overwhelmed by the scale of obedience required?
-What is one small initial action you can take today?
-How does considering Noah’s example reshape how you view process and timing in God’s deliverance?
Walking and working with God requires obedience - Faith in action
Wise men display wisdom in adequately obeying instructions - Doers
A foolish man ignores instructions - Curious Hearers without actions
God demands obedience in our daily lives
-Hearing alone is not enough; doing is what makes a person truly wise.
2. Obedience brings stability in life’s storms:
-The wise man’s house withstood the rain, floods, and winds because it was built on the rock of obedience.
3. Disobedience leads to destruction:
-The foolish man heard the same words but ignored them; his house collapsed in the storm.
4. Obedience requires action, not just agreement:
-It’s not enough to agree mentally; action must follow.
5. Obedience shows discernment and foresight:
-Building on the rock shows understanding of consequences and careful preparation.
6. Obedience demonstrates trust in God’s word:
-Obedience is believing that God’s instructions are better than human logic.
7. Obedience protects from preventable loss:
-The foolish man’s collapse could have been avoided through obedience.
8. Obedience is the mark of true discipleship:
-Jesus equates obedience with following Him wisely.
“Wisdom without obedience is like a house without a foundation.”
“Hearing God’s word is preparation; obeying it is protection.”
“The obedient man stands when the world falls around him.”
“Disobedience is the blueprint for disaster.”
“The wise act; the foolish only listen.”
“The obedient anticipate, the foolish ignore.”
“Trust is proven by doing, not by doubting.”
“Obedience is the shield against self-inflicted storms.”
“Obedience is the evidence of a heart transformed by God.”
“The obedient build on rock; the disobedient, on sand.”
“Wisdom speaks, obedience listens.”
“Life’s storms test obedience, not knowledge.”
“Obedience turns words into safety.”
“The foundation of success is built with the bricks of obedience.”
Check your daily habits:
-Identify one area where you know Jesus’ guidance but struggle to live it out
-Create concrete action steps: For each area, define 1–2 specific actions you can take today to align your life with His teaching.
Build a rock, not sand:
-Prioritize Jesus’ commandments in small, consistent ways (prayer, Scripture study) to reinforce your foundation.
Challenge:
- Choose one teaching of Jesus you’ve heard but haven’t consistently applied.
-Write down a concrete action you can take to live it out.
- Reflect on a recent “storm” in your life. How would building on Jesus’ teaching (instead of your prior response) have changed the outcome?
TRUST AND OBEY
1. When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear,
Not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss,
Not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows,
And the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do;
Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Comments
Post a Comment