The First Christian (2)

Working The Plan

The 6 types of working genius. by Patrick Lencioni

This book attempts to help the reader find fulfilment in their work, their vocation, by tapping into the natural strengths of those around them.

Wonder: identifies the need for improvement or change

Invention: confirms the importance of that need, and generates an idea or solution

Discernment: assesses the merit and workability of the idea or solution

Galvanizing: generates enthusiasm and action around the idea or solution

Enablement: initiates support and assists in the implementation of the idea or solution

Tenacity: commits to ensuring that the idea or solution gets completed and that results are achieved

It’s a great book for a group- a work place, a church, or a civic group who is trying to accomplish a purpose or a task.

it’s all about people- groups of people with different gifts and graces, different skillsets and abilities. It could help you in the task of hiring or recruiting people to lead because it looks for specific skill sets that people may have that when added to the mix will help the purpose get pulled over the finish line.

But what about when there is no group- just you- and God’s purpose has been revealed to you. How do you know how to respond.

Matthew 1:18 ESV

18 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.

birth- the genealogy word used in Matthew 1.1

Matthew 1:1 ESV

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

some prefer the word “history”- the best word is “birth”

It’s important to note that the pledge to marry was legally binding. Only a divorce writ could break it- and infidelity at that stage was considered adultery.

The marriage itself took place when the groom took her home to be his bride, and note that Joseph was already called “husband” in Matthew 1.19

Matthew 1:19 ESV

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

“before they came together”-there are instances in the nt where this phraseology does not mean sexual intercourse- but note here, it does. Sexual intercourse would have only been proper after Mary was taken home to be Joseph’s bride, and that had not yet taken place.

Mary was found to be pregnant before they had come together, and they were presumed to have been chaste.

“found”- does not imply that Mary was trying to hide the fact- rather that it became painfully obvious that she was pregnant.

Matthew 1:19 ESV

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

There are 3 ways to read this verse.

First, Joseph - knowing about the virgin conception, was a just man and did not desire to bring the matter out in the open- he felt unworthy to continue his plans to marry one so highly favored and planned to withdraw. This idea assumes that Mary told him about the conception- but the language of the verses imply that Joseph discovered the pregnancy when it became unmistakable. She was growing.

The second possibility is that Joseph was a just man and he did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace, so he proposed a quiet divorce. The problem here is that the word “just” has to be understood as Joseph being merciful or nice- and that is not the meaning of “just”. In fact, just(ice) required some sort of action in Mosaic law.

The third possibility is that because Joseph was a righteous man, he could not in conscience marry who was now thought to be unfaithful. A marriage would have been an admission of his own guilt, Joseph chose a quieter way than public divorce . In Numbers 5:11-31 there is outlined a “private divorce” before 2 witnesses. This is what Joseph was likely proposing. It would have allowed him to maintain his own righteousness (conforming to the law), and his compassion intact.

Please note two words in this verse- the first is “unwilling”. It means he did not have a strong desire or want to put Mary to shame. He didn’t wish evil for her in this circumstance.

The second word I want you to notice is “resolve”. This word is important. Because this word has a history. Prior to the New Testament. And by the time Matthew’s gospel is written it is used very little, and most of the time it is used in conjunction with God. Consider Hebrews 6.17

Hebrews 6:17 ESV

17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,

Consider James 1.18

James 1:18 ESV

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

You see, it is diefferent than wish or desire. This word resolve has the meaning of “having in mind as a purpose”.

And so, first note that Matthew chooses a word that is everywhere else used with reference to God’s purposes. And secondly, note that here he uses it with regard to Joseph and his purpose to divorce Mary in a quiet fashion.

Matthew 1:20 ESV

20 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.

Joseph had a plan to solve the dilemma- and that is when God stepped in with a dream.

“Joseph, son of David” ties this section tothe preceding Genealogy- maintains the interest in the theme of a Davidic Messiah, and from the perspective of Joseph alerts him to the importance of his role in this story.

Matthew 1:21 ESV

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Mary cooperated with God before the conception, Joseph after it.

Mary was told that his name would be Jesus- Joseph was told to “name him Jesus” because he would save his people from their sins.

“Jesus” is the Greek form of Joshua- which identifies Mary’s son as the one who brings Yahweh’s promised eschatalogical salvation.

There are at least 4 “Joshua’s” in the OT. 2 are truly insignificant. The other is Joshua, the successor to Moses and the one who led the people into the Promised Land. And Joshua, the high priest who builds the temple of the Lord in Zechariah 6:11-13. But the angel doesn’t mention any of these! He references the significance of the name by referring to an OT Psalm- Psalm 130.8

Psalm 130:8 ESV

8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

There was a lot of Jewish expectation that a Messiah would redeem Israel from Roman tyranny, and even purify his own people- but no one expected that the messiah would give his own life as a ransom for people to save then from their sins.

Matthew 1:22 ESV

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

Matthew 1:23 ESV

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:24 ESV

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

He Changed Course. He carried out God’s plan.

Matthew 1:25 ESV

25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Conversion Is When His Plans Become Your Purpose

Obedience Changes Your Plans To Conform To His Purpose

Joseph’s plans are clearly found in the 19th verse, Matthew 1.19

Matthew 1:19 ESV

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Joseph wanted to

Be a Just person

Be Compassionate to Mary

To be a just person meant to be a righteous person who kept the law. A person who did not break God’s moral standard. He wanted to be righteous.

He did not want his circumstance to change his disposition towards Mary. He didn’t want his situation to make him an angry person. he didn’t want his situation to change who he was.

Stop and consider the following: Mark 12.28-31

Mark 12:28–31 ESV

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Every Jew knew 2 things about following Yahweh. First, you conformed meticulously to His law. Every detail. No work on Sabbath, etcetc., Secondly, Conforming to His law would be reflected in how you live. It would mean you would love God by doing his will and live his will by loving those around you.

Before the angel showed up in Joseph’s dream, the most just thing he could have done would have been to divorce Mary and do it quietly. But when the angel showed up- God had a purpose and a plan- and Joseph had a choice. Joseph had a choice to make.

If Joseph married Mary, two things would have been obvious to the casual observer of his day: First, Joseph was not so righteous- he had consummated the marriage prior to the marriage- and was using the marriage to cover his sin. Secondly, Joseph wasn’t as compassionate as he was self-serving. to others- he had used Mary for his own purposes- and depending on how you viewed Mary’s part in this mess Joseph was willing to marry practically anyone for his own purposes.

When the angel showed up, God had a purpose and a plan- and Joseph had a choice. Joseph had a choice to make.

And Joseph chose to marry Mary and name the baby Jesus- God with us to save his people from their sins.

Conversion Makes His Plans My Purpose

You can read all the christian books in the world, you can attend and even teach every bible study you want, you can play all the Christian music available- but if his plans are not your purpose it’s still all about YOU.

Moses was minding his own business keeping his father in laws flock when God showed up in a burning bush. God had a purpose that contradicted Moses’ plan. Moses made Gods’ plan his purpose.

Amos was a herdsman and a keeper of fig trees when God told him to go prophesy to King Amaziah. When Amaziah told Amos to go away, here is Amos’ reply in Amos 7.14-16

Amos 7:14–16 (ESV)

14 Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16 Now therefore hear the word of the Lord. “

Galatians 1:11–16 ESV

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

God may adapt your plans to his purpose; God may call you to use your plans for his purpose; But the choice is always ours to fit in.