Grace Bible Church
Pastor Robert R. McLaughlin
Wednesday December 27, 2017
Pastor Rick Bettez.
Mat 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
True integrity comes from a relationship with God, and is prone to put others first.
Joseph was a common man, a carpenter or craftsman yet he was knowledgeable and respectful toward the word of God. He recognized the words of the prophet Isaiah. (Mat 1:23)
The intellects & scholars of the Torah did not come to see the virgin birth, meaning the Scribes & Pharisees and Sadducees were clueless concerning the truth of who the Lord Jesus Christ was.
Joseph was certainly not a scholar nor was he highly respected or wealthy in his community. What Joseph was, was available and positive toward the God of Israel. He had sought the one true God enough to know about the virgin birth.
Mat 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Luk 12:31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
Joseph put the PPOG first, above his own pride and personal agenda. No matter how difficult or murky the path ahead of him, Joseph kept a steady walk with God, having faith in scripture.
Joseph had the integrity and spiritual strength to ignore the cosmic viewpoint and focus on the PPOG. He protected his wife and the child that God had given him. Joseph’s priority was on God’s plan and God’s people, not himself!
Mat 2:13 Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
Mat 2:14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.
Joseph fulfilled his portion of the PPOG and was blessed with several children and a wonderful wife and from all accounts lived a good life and certainly will be a spiritual hero for all of eternity.
Joseph was more interested in God’s will than his own will. His actions speak to us much louder than any written words about his life.
2Chron 1:10 “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?”
Solomon was beginning his reign with a view toward truth and a relationship with God. Which ensures divine integrity and that ensures, putting others first.
Hebrew word Wisdom –CHOKMAR , skillful abilities and wise common sense, wit.
It highlights not only knowledge but a skill, ability which means to apply.
Hebrew word Knowledge MADDA’ – knowledge of science & thought, concerning deep principles.
Pointing out a source of truth & deep principles beyond common knowledge.
Heb 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Having discernment from Bible Doctrine is the most important insight anyone can ask for.
attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding;
Be available to hear BD, have positive volition.
Pro 2:7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Analogous to walking in the Spirit, having BD circulating in your soul.
Pro 2:9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
and equity and every good course.
This speaks of every step of your life decisions being governed by God.
Mat 19:26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Pro 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
Enter into God’s rest when you grow in His grace & knowledge.
Joh 6:27 “Do not work for the food which perishes (cosmic viewpoint), but for the food (Bible Doctrine) which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”
(Joh 6:27)
The Lord Jesus Christ is the bread of life, most people are interested in the details of life instead. They toil for years & years, it means nothing in the end!
Jam 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
The PPOG isn’t always the easiest path or void of obstacles. But what you have within your soul structure should be adequate enough to overcome and push forward to where God wants you to be. IF you have been loyal in your relationship with God.
Taking responsibility for your poor decisions & failures is a sign of human maturity. Handing the mess over to God and then lining your life up with Bible Doctrine, stepping forward with courage is a huge step in spiritual maturity.
Both have important impacts on your life!
Joseph was a man that recognized there was something larger and more important than his agenda or desires going on around him. He recognized the angelic warfare; he pushed fear & doubt to the side and rose to the occasion.
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
Phi 1:19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.