CHRISTMAS1x - God's Hand
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God was going to use Joseph to raise the Son of God
To fulfill prophecy
What an honor!
What an amazing opportunity!
What a joy!
What a blessing!
God’s Plan Was Unrecognized
God’s Plan Was Unrecognized
“of the Holy Ghost”
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
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Joseph didn’t know what was happening
He wasn’t sure if this situation was caused by sin
He wasn’t sure if it came from the devil
The angel had to tell him that the baby was from the Holy Ghost!
How often do we misread the will of God
God is trying to work in our lives and we don’t see it
He sends people into our lives for us to share the gospel
He sends trials to draw us back to him
He sends financial trouble to teach us to give to him first
He sends health problems to teach us patience
He sends opportunities to follow him
To grow spiritually
To obey him more
To grow stronger
But we don’t recognize God’s hand in our lives
Instead we become bitter
We become angry
We turn away from God
We choose the wrong path
God’s plan is for us to grow in trials:
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Pet 5_10
Not run away!(tyaagnu)
Joseph should have recognized God’s special plan:
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
And shall call his name Immanuel.
This prophecy was something that Joseph could and should have known
When we are in God’s Word
Close to him
Focused on him
It is easy to see God at work!
Many times we miss(don’t see) the hand of God
Because we are not studying the scriptures like we should
Because we are not thinking of Him and His will
God’s Plan Was Unwanted
God’s Plan Was Unwanted
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
The angel told Joseph not to fear
Joseph’s first reaction to God’s plan was fear
Not faith
It was to reject Mary and put her away
Why?
Because of selfishness
Because we are focused on ourselves
We are focused on our will(iraadaa)
On our ease/rest
On our comfort(subista)
On our pride
On our appearance(anuhaar)
On our desires(ichha)
On ourselves
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Phi 2 4
Stop looking at yourself
Worrying about yourself
Loving yourself
Many people ask
What is the will of God?
The will of God is for you to read your Bible
The will of God is for you to pray
The will of God is for you be thankful
The will of God is for you to meet the needs of others
To help the hurting
To give yourself
I want God to use me
Then be useful(upayogi)
Serve others
When you see sin
When you see pain
When you see trouble
Don’t run away!
Don’t close your eyes!
Stand up and help!
God is giving you an opportunity
He is showing you his will!
And Joseph did this
He obeyed
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And God used him in an amazing way
Many people still know his name
And we look at his example today
Let’s recognize God’s will!
Let’s do God’s will!