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June 20th, 2015

6/20/2015

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Today is FATHERS’ DAY. 
God of the Bible is always addressed as Heavenly Father not as Heavenly Mother.
Somehow the father figure is lost in the present western world due to combination of things.
My heart goes out to all single parents especially the mothers for their diligence and dedication to fill the emptiness of a father in the house.
Such mothers stand in the gap for their children.
There was a Father who was overlooked because of the importance given to his wife. 
He is JOSEPH, the husband of Mary and the adopted father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God chose Joseph to Father Lord Jesus and to raise Him into manhood. 
God specially chose Joseph to be the step father to Lord Jesus for various reasons.
1. JOSEPH WAS A LOVING MAN
From the Scriptures we draw a picture of a wonderfully caring and affectionate man. 
He falls in love with this beautiful young woman and planned to have a life with her.
Joseph came to know that Mary was pregnant and he knew that he was not the source.
Most interesting thing is he does not know who the father is.
The penalty for adultery in the Old Testament was death by stoning.
BUT, even before God spoke to Joseph, he “had a mind to divorce her quietly”. 
Joseph loved Mary and was ready to do the least painful thing to her. 
Joseph was a loving man toward Mary.
Joseph was a loving man in his relationship toward Jesus.
There was no resentment or indifference toward Jesus and loved Him.
Joseph adopted Jesus as his own son. 
He protected Him from the hatred of Herod. 
He nurtured Him and cared for Him. 
Evidently he taught Jesus his own trade of carpentry.
2. JOSEPH WAS A DEVOUT MAN
In Matt 1:19 we read that Joseph was a righteous man.
Joseph was a man who feared God and obeyed Him.
He explicitly followed the Lord’s leading and direction without raising any questions. 
God asked him to go to Egypt – asked him to come back – he did
He was a man of obedience.
Joseph was a man of FAITH.

It takes lot faith to pack his bags and head off to a foreign country with wife and a toddler.
Just because God told him he obeyed without asking any questions.
3. JOSEPH WAS A MAN OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES.
He set an example for his family by going to God’s house at Jerusalem regularly.
He attended the Temple and observed the feasts.
He had provided for his family, loved his wife Mary, accepted his first adopted Son, Lord Jesus, obeyed God faithfully and above all that he remained the only man who fathered the Lord of this universe for a while.
Joseph was not perfect but he was devoted, and was doing his very best for the family. 
No one can be a perfect father or mother but with Holy Spirit’s help they can be the role models, spiritual leaders in the children’s life.
“The home doesn’t need a man in the house, it needs a father”


HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

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    Author

    Pastor John Sesham
    Abundant Grace Community Church, Hayward.

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