Joseph: The Strength of a Silent Father | 2. Joseph’s Obedience

Matthew 1:20–25

–

God speaks to Joseph in a dream: “Do not fear to take Mary as your wife.”

–

An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him what no one in history has ever heard before: the child is from the Holy Spirit.

–

God interrupts Joseph’s life with a dream that defies logic and reputation. Joseph is asked to believe the impossible and to accept public misunderstanding. Joseph must now believe something unprecedented—that the child is from the Holy Spirit.

–

God speaks to Joseph in a dream and flips his entire future upside down.

–

Marry her.

Raise the child.

Name Him Jesus.

–

But notice Joseph’s response: “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”

–

No argument. No delay. No conditions.

–

Joseph doesn’t ask questions.

–

He doesn’t negotiate.

–

He doesn’t say, “Let me pray about it.”

–

He gets up and obeys.

–

This reminds me of Abraham in Genesis 12, leaving familiarity for faith. It mirrors Noah, who built an ark before rain existed.

–

God often asks for obedience before explanation!

–

He often explains after obedience, not before it.

–

Joseph’s obedience costs him his reputation. People will whisper. He will be misunderstood. But Joseph decides that obeying God is more important than managing appearances.

–

My friends, we love obedience when it aligns with our plans. But real faith is revealed when God disrupts them.

–

We love control. We want certainty. We want guarantees. But let me tell you something straight: God will never hand you leadership while you’re still addicted to control.

–

Faith means moving before you feel ready. Obedience means stepping when the plan doesn’t make sense.

–

Some of you are stalled because you’re waiting for comfort, and God is waiting for courage.

–

But always remember…delayed obedience is disguised disobedience!