"Fear God, Love God, Serve God": "A Giant Among Men"

"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

(Matthew 1:19-20)

Who would believe your fiance' is pregnant by the Holy Ghost? What man today would believe such a thing? It was a different time, with different customs, but people are people from the beginning of creation to now, and people still think like people, regarding relationships of the opposite sex. God knew Joseph needed an angel, a dream, a prophetic insight, into the plan of the ages. But, what about "after the dream," "after the angel," "after the prophecy," "after the Word" sent from God ... What then? Then, it takes a man like the Father of us all, stalwart, unshakable, immovable, dependable, a "man who stands by his woman," a man who knows he's heard from God, a man like no other man in earth ... "A Giant Among Men."

Joseph

Joseph was a righteous man; he knew that he had a right to put Mary away, and as a matter of fact, under Jewish law, she could have been put to death by stoning. The Jews kept strict control over sexual relations for the specific purpose of safeguarding and assuring the purity of their bloodlines. Think of Joseph's future, the public humiliation, the gossip, the degradation, the whispers, the staring ... but, Joseph was chosen by God to be his "father" in earth. God knows what He is doing. The character of Mary was reflected in the face of her husband ... and reflected back to the face of God.

Jesus and Joseph in the carpenter shop

Who would you choose to be your own father, if you could choose such a one? Joseph was merciful, kind, strong, a hard worker, and precise, which means exact or detailed. It makes perfect sense that the God of the universe would choose a "carpenter" to be His earthly father. "Why?" you ask. Look at the extreme, methodical detail of the tabernacle, the profound intricacies of the Word of God, the exactness and unwavering position of the law. If there's one thing we know, it's that "carpenters" are exact and precise. Their motto is "Measure twice - cut once; Use the right tool for the job; and Take care of your tools and they'll take care of you." (Jack Zavada, For Christian Men Only - Rules to Live By) Carpenters are deeply interested in the "Cornerstone."

Joseph with Jesus

Imagine always being referred to as "the carpenter." When Jesus started his ministry, He was referred to as "the carpenter's son." It's nice to be known by one's trade, but it's so much better to be known by name. It's the name that carries the distinction, the bloodline, the Power. This is why the name of the Lord Jesus Christ must be said over us in baptism; it is the "Name" of Jesus Christ our Lord that has the power to remit sin.

No one in the Bible was baptized any other way than in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2, 8, 10, 19) You say, "I was baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; isn't it just important that I was baptized?" It is not the water or the preacher, but what is said over you that has the power to wash away your sins. How do you sign your checks? Mother, daughter, sister? No, you sign with your "name." It is the "name" of the Lord Jesus Christ that has all power, and it is the "name" of Jesus Christ in baptism that washes away our sins.

So it is with baptism; the name of the Father is Jesus (He said I am come in my father's name); the name of the Son is Jesus; the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus (a Ghost is a spirit of a departed one; Jesus said He would send back His Spirit, His Ghost, as a comforter). The Apostles understood what Jesus was saying in Matthew 28:19, and they did not just "repeat" what He said, but they obeyed it.

Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." "So, should I be rebaptized?" you ask. YES! Many Pastors have rebaptized their entire congregations in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and many individuals have been rebaptized when they understood the truth of the Word. Remember, Jesus Christ our Lord is "detailed;" it must be right; our salvation depends upon it!

Joseph, Mary and Jesus

A father's love, a father's strength, a father's guidance, a father's protection ... Father's are extremely important. Many today are growing up without a father. I, myself, had a father, who is passed away now, but he worked three jobs at once all the time I was growing up and I never saw him much. But, there were some things he taught me which were invaluable, such as a strong work ethic, never lie, and be the best you can be at whatever you do. If I made a 100 on a test, he wanted to know why I didn't make 110! You say, "That's crazy." I thought so too, at the time, but the good way to look at it is: Always strive for higher places, greater accomplishment, nobler ambitions, and taller mountains ... there's always one more mountain, one more article to write, one more prayer that needs praying, one more battle to conquer ... one more soul ... to win ...

Joseph

We put way too much emphasis on the outside of a person these days. God looks upon the heart. Character and integrity are what we are when no one is looking; righteousness is the eminence of our soul; holiness is the quality of our entire being. Only "we" know who we really are, and that's why repentance is so very beautiful, because after a few precious moments on our knees, asking for God's forgiveness for that "real me" within us, we can arise "FREE" and forgiven, guiltless and holy. There is nothing like feeling as light as a floating, gentle feather, after repentance. And then, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit of Almighty God and speak in tongues ... it is Joy unspeakable and full of Glory!

The father of THE Father, the man who nurtured THE Man, the influence of THE Influence, the holy man who gave character to THE ONE who invented character, the carpenter who measured THE Cornerstone, the saint who held THE Prophet, the creation who raised THE Creator ... Ah, "A Giant Among Men."