Characters of Christmas 2.0 - Joseph
Matthew 1:18-23
John 16:33
Matthew 1:24-25
I. How to Handle Adversity Correctly
He could have allowed the "what-ifs" to rule his decision...
He could have allowed fear to fuel his choices...
He could have allowed his own selfish desires to sway his resolve...
He could have acted in emotion and haste... and missed the miracles.
Handling adversity in a way that is honorable to God requires a few things:
1. Trust in God above all.
2. Trusting and obeying His word without fail.
3. Not leaning on man's understanding.
4. Actually putting the Kingdom of God first.
Character successfully guides us through our choices in adversity.
He was a just man.
He was a selfless man.
Philippians 2:3
II. How to Handle Responsibility Correctly
Romans 12:1-2
1 Peter 2:9
Luke 2:22-24
Luke 2:39-42
1 Peter 2:9
Colossians 1:13
Key: Trust and Obey
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of His word,
what a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil He doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
3 But we never can prove
the delights of His love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor He shows,
for the joy He bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at His feet,
or we'll walk by His side in the way;
what He says we will do,
where He sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.