Joseph - Radically Unqualified

I have SWADDLED!

Our Joseph in the video is radically unqualified!

You could likely say the same about Joseph from the Bible.

He was a Carpenter, not a Rabbi

He was ill prepared to deal with the challenges of Jesus’ early childhood threats to His life.

He left Jesus at the temple as a child.

His reputation was not one of a man of great accomplishments.

Perhaps you feel that way too.

Do you feel unqualified for the role that God has given you to play?

Unqualified:

Husband

Father

Pastor

If you feel that you are also Radically Unqualified, then welcome to the club, you are in pretty amazing company.

God uses imperfect people to accomplish His plan.

This seems to be a pattern throughout Scripture.

Abraham - Genesis 12-22

Lived in the wrong place

Was already 75 years old

Would have to wait another 25 years for the fulfillment of God’s promise

Was the father of none and became the father of many nations

Jacob - Genesis 25-35

Cheater

Liar

Used by God to be a blessing to all nations

Joseph - Genesis 37-50

Abused

Trafficed

Victim of tremendous injustice

Used by God to save the nation of Israel and given great prominence in Egypt

Moses - Exodus

Stutterer

Reluctant

Delivered the nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt

Delivered the Law to the nation after personal encounters with God Himself

Rahab - Joshua 2

Prostitute

Traitor

Helped Israel defeat Jericho

David - Much of the Old Testament

Adulterous

Murderer

“A man after God’s own heart”

Jesus was born in the “City of David”

Joseph, the father of Jesus

“Just” man but just a man

Fears and second thoughts about Mary after she was pregnant, and not by him.

Before Joseph ever stood in the stable in Bethlehem, God had to convince Joseph that he could do this assignment, … that he could be the next radically unqualified person to be used of God to bring glory to His Name.

READ Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph likely had more than one moment where he scratched his head and wondered about the role he was given to play in the Christmas story:

How could I possibly be in a relationship like this?

Who will ever believe a story like this about a girl like Mary and a guy like Me?

I never asked for a marriage like this.

What will everybody think of me…of us?

How can I be who God wants me to be when so much of this situation makes so little sense to me?

Why would God choose someone Radically Unqualified like Joseph for a role like this?

Because EVERYONE is Radically Unqualified to fulfill the role he calls them to.

Who could possibly have been prepared to raise the Son of God?

Now, Joseph in our video is probably not much like the Biblical Joseph, but there is one way that they are probably very much alike.

Do you remember what the “DIRECTOR” said about Joseph in the video?

“I understand that Joseph is RADICALLY UNDERQUALIFIED for all he’s about to encounter. But isn’t that the type of people that God uses? The most unlikely folks to do the biggest things? It seems like those are the ones He always picks because He is a God who never gives up on us.”

Perhaps you feel RADICALLY UNQUALIFIED for the role that God has given you to play in a way that gives Glory to Christ at Christmas

For the one who feels afraid about the future...

For the one who feels inadequate to take care of your family like you think you should...

For the one who feels like you are in a dead end job...

For the one who feels stretched between taking care of kids and elderly parents...

For the one who feels misunderstood...

For the one who feels unjustly burned by what was posted on social media...

For the one who feels in over your head with responsibilities that were not part of your plan...

You are the kind of person God can use to bring Glory to Himself

He will never give up on you.

Like Joseph, He desires you to trust Him and not be afraid

Find courage and strength in Him.

You have been chosen by God to be the only one in your unique circumstances that can bring Glory to Him through them.

Remember what the angel said to Joseph in verse 20, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife...”

So, fill in the blank for God’s message to you today...

Do not be afraid to ___________________.

Trust and do not be afraid, if you are Radically Unqualified, you are in good company!

Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, David and definitely Mary’s husband Joseph can identify with you in some way or another.

God gets great glory when we trust him and see how He comes through.

What is He asking you to trust Him in today?

Family?

Health?

Work?

Salvation?

Matthew 1:24 NASB95

And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,