December 9, 2009

"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." Matthew 1:24

I was giving a children's sermon one Sunday and had all the kids gathered in the front row. I had told a story about the importance of obedience and asked a question about being obedient. One of the little girls raised her hand and I called on her. She said, "Pastor Brad, we don't go no 'bedience at our house!" Out of the corner of my eye I saw two red-faced parents enduring an uncomfortable moment.

Fortunately for all of us, when Gabriel appeared to Joseph in a dream, there was obedience in the house.

Christmas could not have happened without obedience. There are several things that can be learned about obedience through studying Joseph.

Obedience is Imperative!

When God's will is revealed to you you basically have two choices, obey or disobey. Obedience allows God's will to be accomplished and many to be blessed. Disobedience is sin. It is that simple, you can obey or you can sin. There is no third option. There is no negotiating or dealing or compromising - there is obedience and there is sin.

Joseph was a righteous man. That means he was committed to doing what is right and for him, what God said through the prophets and the sacred writings and - in this case, the angel, was right. He didn't decide what was right for him, he left that to God.

Joseph was saved by his obedience and so were we!

Obedience is not an option. It is not multiple choice. If you have chosen to be a Christ-follower you have committed to obey Him, His Word, and His expressed will - every time! To obey is righteous to disobey is sin.

It is that simple and that imperative.

Obedience Is Immediate

The second important thing we learn about obedience is that it must be immediate. As soon as you know what God wants you to do you should do it.

I love what the Bible says about Joseph, "When Joseph woke up...." Joseph acted in obedience the moment he awoke. He didn't wait until later in the day or until the next day, he sprang into action on the first opportunity he had! That's obedience!

Joseph probably knew that delayed obedience is disobedience. Which it is. And disobedience is sin. Being a righteous man, disobeying was not an option.

I heard a story about a missionary family in Africa who had children. As believers they where doing their best to raise their children in the right was. One day the mother came out into their yard to hang up laundry and saw her little son playing at the edge of their lot. She also saw something else that alarmed her. In a very stern but calm voice she said to her young son, "Timmy, I need you to come here to me right this moment." He looked at her, dropped what he was doing and hurried toward his mother. The moment that he did, a huge boa constrictor fell from the tree branch above him. Had Timmy not obeyed immediately, he would have been crushed by the snake.

Immediate obedience saved him from the snake.

Joseph's immediate obedience saved him from the snake - and through his obedience, we can be saved from the snake.

As you celebrate Christmas this year I hope you will let it serve as a reminder that Christmas is about obedience - and obedience is imperative and it must be immediate.

Let me ask you a question, "Do have some 'bedience at your house?"

If you are a follower of Christ obeying Him is imperative and it must be immediate. Otherwise, you are sinning.

Have you been treating obedience as an option?

Where do you need to be obedient?

Will you do it now?

December 8, 2009

"And he gave him the name Jesus." Matthew 1:25

The SignificanceWhat's in a name? Do the titles and names of Jesus hold a significance? In the days when the Bible was being written, the Israelites often chose names for their babies based on the child's character or appearance, i.e. Esau (hairy) and Korah (bald). Some babies were named because of an incident at their birth or their names were based on some hope or prayer of the parent, as in Zechariah's name (God has remembered). Sometimes babies received the name of an everyday object, like Tamar (palm tree), and Tabitha (gazelle). Parents often named their children by the time of day they were born. For example: Shaharaim (dawn), Hodesh (new moon). The condition of the mother also frequently inspired a name: Leah (exhausted) and Mahli (sick).

Jesus was named prophetically. Matthew 1:20-23 says, "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' - which means, 'God with us.'"

Why are there so many different names of Jesus? The names serve as a description of who Jesus is and how He works in the lives of individuals. Some scholars have located over 700 titles and different names for Jesus in the Bible. Let's study a few of them here:

God - Jesus is called God in several passages in the Bible. Along with His sinless life, miracles, and resurrection from the dead, His claims to be God stand firm (John 20:28).

Lord - In the New Testament, this term is used as a salutation to honor a man of distinction. The disciples used this term to salute Jesus as their teacher and master (Matthew 22:43-44).


Word - This title was used by the apostle John to describe the mission of Jesus. The title states Jesus' Godhead and eternal and absolute deity (John 1:1, 14).

Messiah - The long awaited "anointed one" who would deliver Israel. Jesus came to deliver mankind from sin and death (John 4:25-26).

Alpha and Omega - These two characters were the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This descriptive title expresses the eternal nature of God - the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8; 22:13).

Savior - Jesus is the person who rescues mankind from an eternity in hell.

Redeemer - "One who frees or delivers another from difficulty, danger, or bondage, usually by the payment of a ransom price." In the New Testament, Jesus is viewed as the ultimate Redeemer who gave His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45, Titus 2:14).

Light of the World - Jesus is the Person who brings true knowledge of God. Those who reject this light bring judgment upon themselves (John 8:12; 3:19-21).

Lamb of God - This title refers to the Old Testament sacrificial system where God accepted the blood of animals as atonement for sin (John 1:29, 36). Jesus' blood made atonement for sin!

Ruler of Creation - Christ existed before the creation of the world and He is sovereign over it (Revelation 3:14).

Mediator - Because Jesus is fully God, He can represent God to man. Because He is fully man, Jesus can represent man to God. Reconciliation is possible (1 Timothy 2:5).

Bread of Life - Jesus is the one and only supplier of true spiritual nourishment (John 6:35).

Way, Truth, and Life - Jesus is the only way to heaven, the only source of truth, and the foundation of all life (John 14:6)!

This is a short, but inspiring list of the names describing Who this baby born to Joseph and Mary would become. But their ultimate meanings only find significance it they mean something to individuals like you and me! What do the names of Jesus mean to you? Do they have personal significance? Is Jesus your Savior, your Mediator, your Redeemer? If not, we encourage you to learn more about Him and accept the gift of salvation He has offered to you.

December 7, 2009

"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37

Christmas was impossible and Mary knew it. Elizabeth knew it, too. But it happened!

No less than Gabriel himself challenged Mary and Elizabeth to not just think "outside the box", he asked them to think "outside the world".

Elizabeth knew that an elderly barren woman can't conceive. Not possible!

Mary knew a virgin cannot conceive. It just isn't possible.

They had to think big. That had to think beyond the possible. There is no way Christmas could have happened! But it did!

It happened because God wanted it to happen and "nothing is impossible with God."

Here is more amazing news about Christmas - impossible things can happen! Things that are impossible for us are easy for God!

A barren woman gave birth to a prophet named John! Impossible, but it happened!

A virgin conceived and gave birth to a son they named Jesus! Never happened before and never happened since - but it happened! Nothing is imposssible with God!

Christmas proves that impossible things happen! Christmas proves that life can come from barreness! Christmas proves that God can bring life where there is no hope of life. He can do that because He IS hope and He IS life!

God only knows potential! He only sees possibilities.

If you learn anything from Christmas this year, learn to think "out of the world". Fill your thoughts with a God Who knows no limits and has only possibilities. Let Him fill your spirit until you can cry with confidence, "Nothing is impossible with God".

If you come into this Advent season facing some overwhelming circumstances, think out of this world!

If you come into this Advent season feeling impotent and hopeless, think out of this world!

Remember that Christmas was impossible - but it happened! And it happened because "nothing is impossible with God" and Christmas proves it!

December 6, 2009

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." Matthew 1:18-25

Bob Burns may be the most ordinary person in America. He’s 54, married, wears glasses, makes mortgage payments on a three-bedroom, ranch-style house, and works 40 hours a week as a maintenance supervisor at Windham Technical High School in Willimantic, Conn. (pop. 15,823). Burns drinks coffee each morning, reads the newspaper each day, walks his dog each evening and attends church most Sundays.

The 5-foot-8-inch, 190-pound Burns is such an average Joe that he’s the unpretentious star of the 2005 book The Average American: The Extraordinary Search for the Nation’s Most Ordinary Citizen by Kevin O’Keefe.

“I’m a little bit of a local celebrity,” says Burns, who feels honored to be singled out for being perfectly ordinary. “I’m just the everyday person who does his or her job to the best of his ability.”

Christmas is a big story about a lot of little people. The Christmas story features and incredible God Who delights in doing extraordinary things through ordinary people.

Little is known of Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph. He is the often over-looked character in the Christmas Story. However, he shows us how God can do extraordinary things through an ordinary guy. I want to examine three attitudes he displayed that allowed God to do a miraculous work!

ATTITUDE ONE – “I Will Commit”, V. 24

The first time we become acquainted with Joseph he is identified simple as Mary’s “husband” or by our terms in our culture, her fiancée’. She is clearly the celebrity; he is part of the supporting cast.

See if you can put yourself into Joseph’s place. You are excited about your upcoming wedding. You have been working overtime to put away extra money and trying to get a jumpstart on your lifetime dream. And then out of nowhere, Mary rocks his world by telling him she was pregnant. Wow! Never saw that one coming! He knew she wasn’t pregnant by him, so with a broken heart he began to think about a graceful way out of this impending marriage. He wanted to believe her story about her pregnancy being from the Holy Spirit – but, REALLY!

While he is trying to sort it all out, an angel comes to him in a dream and vouches for Mary’s story. Then the angel gives him some specific instructions from God.

God comes to Joseph and asks for some significant commitments at a time when Joseph is very much conflicted. His heart is still breaking. His confidence is shattered. His future is up for grabs. And he is trying to figure out the right thing to do.

Is it just me or does God seem to challenge us with commitments at times when we are at our weakest? But isn’t that exactly when we need to make a commitment to trust God and to obey God? Nothing brings clarification quicker than committing to God’s will.

William H. Hinson tells us why animal trainers carry a stool when they go into a cage of lions. They have their whips, of course, and their pistols are at their sides. But invariably they also carry a stool. Hinson says it is the most important tool of the trainer. He holds the stool by the back and thrusts the legs toward the face of the wild animal. Those who know maintain that the animal tries to focus on all four legs at once. In the attempt to focus on all four, a kind of paralysis overwhelms the animal, and it becomes tame, weak, and disabled because its attention is fragmented.
When Joseph was hurt and confused and uncertain about his next move - what did Joseph do? Joseph obeyed God immediately! IMMEDIATELY! These were not easy things that were being asked of him!

I think that is very impressive! He was an ordinary guy but his commitment – EXTRAORDINARY!

Commitment always comes down to those "get in or get out moments". When life gets hard or you face a major disappointment or your lose hope you are faced with a crucial choice - WILL I QUIT or WILL I COMMIT?

Joseph chose to commit rather than quit. He jumped back into the game and obeyed God and submitted to His plan.

What is your attitude toward obedience?

Do you want to allow God the chance to do something extraordinary in you? Ask yourself, “Am I totally committed to God’s will?” Where do you need to get back in?

ATTITUDE TWO – “I Will Care”

Joseph was an ordinary guy, but his commitment was extraordinary. But I am also impressed with how he cared for Mary. Listen to the Scripture: Matthew 1:24-25.

Let’s be brutally honest this morning – men are not ordinarily wired to be care-givers. I confess that it doesn’t come naturally to me. That is why I find Joseph’s caring extraordinary – ESPECIALLY when you consider:

She had just broken his heart and turned His life upside down!

I want to highlight several things that I think are extraordinary about the way Joseph cared for Mary:
HE CARED FOR HER REPUTATION, v. 19

HE TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER WELFARE, v. 24

HE PUT HER NEEDS AND THE CHILD’S NEEDS AHEAD OF HIS OWN, v. 25

"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe. Dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible."

I have seen the extraordinary things God can do through a church that commits to caring for others.

MINISTRY TO ABUSED WOMEN – Carol & Barbara Crockett
DIVORCE RECOVERY MINISTRY – Sharon Brown & Jane Sharrar
AA MINISTRY – Gary Ruddick
MANNA MINISTRY – Anne Roberts & Crew
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY – Mark & Jennifer Pannell

These people where motivated by the desire to redeem the reputation of struggling people, to help them take responsibility for themselves, and being willing to put the needs of others ahead of their own.

It doesn’t have to be that dramatic – start in your own marriage – your own family – your LIFE Group.

So, what about your attitude toward caring? What ordinary thing do you need to do to allow God to be EXTRAORDINARY IN YOUR LIFE?

Joseph chose to care for Mary’s needs above his own! Am I totally committed to caring for others? If not - why not? What needs to happen?

ATTITUDE THREE – “I Will Contribute”

Joseph was an ordinary guy who made an extraordinary commitment and who showed extraordinary caring. He did one other thing that allowed God to do an extraordinary miracle – he contributed!

It wasn’t like Joseph was able to write a big check or peel off some big bills. He was a small businessman – a young man just getting started. He was facing the responsibility of a wedding and had a dowry to pay. He was an ordinary Joe like you and me – bills to pay and not enough coming in.

But yet He did an extraordinary thing – he gave what little that he had!

I think we live under the delusion that when we get to where we can afford it – THEN WE WILL GIVE. We live on “Someday Isle” – “Some day I’ll do this or some day I’ll do that”. That just isn’t true.

Where would we be today if Joseph had taken that attitude? What if he would have said, “When I can afford to do this I will.”? He knew that if he couldn’t afford to give then he would never be able to afford it.

Joseph didn’t have much, but he offered it all to God. How about you? Am I withholding anything from God? What is your attitude toward giving to God?

God did an extraordinary thing because Joseph contributed the little that he had – which was all He had - to God

On April 21st, in the year 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz, Mexico. He brought with him only about 600 men, and yet over the next two years his vastly outnumbered forces were able to defeat Montezuma and all the warriors of the Aztec empire, making Cortez the conqueror of all Mexico. How was this incredible feat accomplished, when two prior expeditions had failed even to establish a colony on Mexican soil? Here’s the secret. Cortez knew from the very beginning that he and his men faced incredible odds. He knew that the road before them would be dangerous and difficult. He knew that his men would be tempted to abandon their quest and return to Spain. And so, as soon as Cortez and his men had come ashore and unloaded their provisions, he ordered their entire fleet of eleven ships destroyed. His men stood on the shore and watched as their only possibility of retreat burned and sank. And from that point on, they knew beyond any doubt there was no return, no turning back. Nothing lay behind them but empty ocean. Their only option was to go forward, to conquer or die.

Fill in this blank - God could do something extraordinary through me if I would commit to ______________.

Is there something you need to leave behind – a bridge you need to burn………?

Consider this question - God could do something extraordinary through me if I could care more about __________________________.

Here are a few issues that can hinder us from caring:

Insecurity – Only helping people you feel equal or superior to
Elitism – Only helping people that you think are in a position to benefit you
Codependency- Helping in ways to protect your relationship rather than really help
Control Issues - Staying wrapped up in one’s own power needs.
Immaturity - Caring more about your needs and your concerns than others.
Lack of Trust – Not willing to allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to help others

Are any of those issues your issue? Any of these can keep you from developing a caring attitude.

A pastor friend shares this story:

My dad was a preacher at a small church in Northwest Indiana. Sometimes he would take me and my little brother Steve to the Thursday morning Bible study. George, an elderly gentleman, would split his donut with my little brother. One Sunday my brother came to church with a sandwich bag full of Cheerios. George leaned over and asked Stevie if he could have some. My brother reached in his bag, pulled out a Cheerio, and split it in half, giving George half a Cheerio! I think our view of our own generosity is often like that! God gives us so much, and we give Him back half a Cheerio!

Complete this thought - God could do something extraordinary through me I if would give Him ________________.

Is that your giving attitude toward God?

GOD WANTS TO DO SOME EXTRAORDINARY THINGS IN YOU AND THROUGH YOU THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON – IF YOU CAN HAVE THESE THREE ORDINARY ATTITUDES – COMMITMENT – CARING.

December 5, 2009

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

How would it impact your job if you were never at your best? How far would your worst get you on a regular basis?

What would it do for your relationships if you always showed your worst side?

How would you feel about your worst moments? What if you judged yourself only by your really bad moments? How would that affect your self-esteem?

What would you get for Christmas if Santa made your list based on only your worst days?

Give those some thought and I doubt if your answers will be positive.

As you think about what results from your worst efforts and poorest attitudes in life, let me brighten your day a bit!

There is good news of great joy from the reality of Christmas! As this verse from Romans reminds us, God's response to man's worse was giving His best!

Who does that? Who would give his very best for people who are doing their very worst? Who would send the best they have to redeem those who have already seemingly wrecked their his dream? Who would do that?

Other than God - no one! But God did!

From the moment that Adam exercised his will against God and activated the sinful nature in the human race, God announced His plan to redeem the race. The only way that God could restore a fallen race and rescue it from its worst self was to send His very best!

That is exactly what He did!

Did we request it? No, we were clueless.

Did we deserve it? Not even close.

Did we need it? Absolutely! It was our only hope.

Why would He do it? Ah, that's the good news of Christmas!

It is called unconditional love! It is called grace! It is free - but it is not cheap. It cost God His best for a people at their worst!

Joy, to the world, the Lord has come!

December 4, 2009

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7

Are you familiar with Murphy's Law? I'm sure you are. It states: "If anything can go wrong, it will."

There is an extension of Murphy's Law: "If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong."

Murphy's Law operates year round but it especially seems to go into effect during the Christmas season, which stands to reason because there are so many extra things going on. And when there is all that extra stuff happening there will that many more things that go wrong. It think you know what I mean.

I am sure that there were times when Mary and Joseph must have thought Murphy's Law was working against them! Consider:

What a terrible time for an unplanned pregnancy!

What a terrible time to have to scrap all the wedding plans!

What a bad time to order a census!

What an awful time to have to take a trip!

What a bad place to have to go!

What a terrible time to not have a reservation!

I have to give birth to my baby where?

Christmas can be inconvenient! Murphy's Law for sure - right?

Actually, not! For there was a much higher law at work! Rather than Murphy's Law at that first Christmas there was instead - Mercy's Law!

Mercy's Law? What's that?

Mercy's Law states: "Even when everything around you seems to be going wrong - a miracle can still happen!"

Mercy's Law is powerful. It is the story of Christmas. It is the message of Christmas. Christmas proves that Mercy's Law trumps Murphy's Law everytime!

Christmas getting inconvenient for you? Are all the extra demands overwhelming you already? Waiting for Murphy's Law to go into effect?

Let me remind you of the good news of Christmas! If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, if you know Him as your Savior and if you are walking in spiritual fellowship with Him - you answer to a higher law than Murphy's Law! You live under Mercy's Law! Mercy'e Law trumps Murphy's Law everytime!

Christmas proves that no matter what is going wrong in your life a miracle can still happen!

December 3, 2009

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." Galatians 4:4-5

Christmas happened at the perfect time and Christmas means that God's time is always perfect! God is always on time! He has never been late!

I am sure you have wondered about His timing. His timing is almost always different from ours.

Probably Joseph and Mary questioned God's timing. His plan sure messed up theirs. You know that nice big wedding they were planning? It never happened because God's timing was different than theirs.

And remember that census thing when they they had to go all the way to Bethlehem for Joseph to register? Bad timing! Mary was extremely pregnant when that all happened. They had to pack up their bags and hop on a donkey and ride over bumpy roads through rugged terrain. Not a comfortable trip under normal circumstances but REALLY bad when you are nine months pregnant. Terrible timing!

Mary and Joseph were not the only ones traveling to Bethlehem for the census, but they did come far and they did travel slolwy. So, when they got to this small town with limited lodging they arrived at a bad time - after everyone else! By the time they went to check in to the inn they where left out of the inn because the inn was out of rooms! Not good timing.

The timing was terrible for Mary and Joseph! There is not two ways about it! God's plan for these two teens was not timed for their comfort or convenience. Were you to have pulled them aside for a moment and asked them, "Hey, guys, what do you think of God's timing?" I am sure they would have been hard pressed to give you a positive answer about God's timing.

But, the important fact is this, they obeyed God! If they questioned His timing they didn't doubt His purpose. They understood that even though God's plans messed up the timing of their plans and caused them terrible stress, they knew there is never a good time to disobey God. That time never comes!

The writer of the Epistle to the Galatians acknowledges that God's timing was the perfect when He sent His Son to save the world. Christmas proves that God's timing is always right. Mary and Joseph had trouble seeing it then, but they know it now!

Are you struggling with God's timing in your life? Have you been waiting for Him to do something that seems overdue? Are you way past impatient and bordering on doubtful? Let me point you to the Christmas story to remind you - GOD IS ALWAYS ON TIME!

Christmas proves it!