Joseph - An Exemplary Father (A Fathers' Day sermon)
Jayasooriya Palitha
Matthew 1:19
As the world prepares to celebrate Father's Day, I would like to speak today about a special father revealed in the pages of scripture. In this sermon, I would like to focus on the life of Joseph, the earthly father of our Lord Jesus Christ. As you are aware, we do not hear much about Joseph until the Christmas Season comes around. Even then, he normally remains a backstage figure overshadowed by the many events surrounding the Christmas story!
But, Joseph was certainly no ordinary father. In fact, the huge responsibility of bringing up Jesus was thrust upon the shoulders of this unassuming man. As we look at his life today, the Bible shows us the following characteristics about Joseph.
1. He was a righteous man
Matthew 1:19 says, 'Because Joseph... was a righteous man'.
A righteous man is someone who consistently does what is right. This desire to do what was right is clearly seen in the way Joseph handled Mary's unexpected (and possibly shocking) pregnancy, Jesus' birth, and the challenge of being a father to the Savior of the world. His moral behavior too was exemplary as seen in Matthew 1:25 which says, 'But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son'.
Fathers, let's always strive to do what is right and be consistent in the way we live, even when it may not seem the best way forward; even when life seems unfair and painful. That's the best example we can set for our children. Be sure, they will follow our example.
Illustration:
A father had lived an exemplary life before his children and shown them the ways and character of God. But now, he was standing by the bedside of one of his sons who was in the final stages of life due to a terminal disease. In those final hours, the father tried his best to prepare his child to meet Jesus, whose love he had spoken of and shown often. After consoling his son for a while, the father ...
Jayasooriya Palitha
Matthew 1:19
As the world prepares to celebrate Father's Day, I would like to speak today about a special father revealed in the pages of scripture. In this sermon, I would like to focus on the life of Joseph, the earthly father of our Lord Jesus Christ. As you are aware, we do not hear much about Joseph until the Christmas Season comes around. Even then, he normally remains a backstage figure overshadowed by the many events surrounding the Christmas story!
But, Joseph was certainly no ordinary father. In fact, the huge responsibility of bringing up Jesus was thrust upon the shoulders of this unassuming man. As we look at his life today, the Bible shows us the following characteristics about Joseph.
1. He was a righteous man
Matthew 1:19 says, 'Because Joseph... was a righteous man'.
A righteous man is someone who consistently does what is right. This desire to do what was right is clearly seen in the way Joseph handled Mary's unexpected (and possibly shocking) pregnancy, Jesus' birth, and the challenge of being a father to the Savior of the world. His moral behavior too was exemplary as seen in Matthew 1:25 which says, 'But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son'.
Fathers, let's always strive to do what is right and be consistent in the way we live, even when it may not seem the best way forward; even when life seems unfair and painful. That's the best example we can set for our children. Be sure, they will follow our example.
Illustration:
A father had lived an exemplary life before his children and shown them the ways and character of God. But now, he was standing by the bedside of one of his sons who was in the final stages of life due to a terminal disease. In those final hours, the father tried his best to prepare his child to meet Jesus, whose love he had spoken of and shown often. After consoling his son for a while, the father ...
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