Receive And Do (Mt. 1:18-25; 2:13-15, 19-23) (Part 3)

THIS DOMINANT PATTERN IN JOSEPH'S LIFE IS RELEVANT FOR TODAY'S

FATHERS.

What were the primary means by which God spoke to Joseph? The primary means by which God spoke to Joseph were dreams.

Does God still use dreams to speak to people?  Yes, although they are not the primary means by which one should expect to hear from God.

What is the primary means by which God speaks to people today?  The primary means by which God speaks to people today is His Son, Jesus (Heb. 1:1-2).

Where do we see Jesus revealed, that is, His speaking to us?  We see Jesus revealed in God's Word (the Bible) (Mt. 4:4; Jn. 5:39).  We see Jesus revealed by God's Spirit (Jn. 15:26; 16:14).

When God speaks, wise fathers want to listen!  Their response is the same as Samuel's (1 Sam. 3:10). Fathers, the greatest gift you can give to your children, regardless of their ages, is assurance that you have developed the ability to hear God and obey Him.  Your children need to know that you are cultivating spiritual sensitivity.  Let's be honest: How can a father who doesn't hear from God, let alone obey Him, be trusted to make decisions that affect everyone in the family?  Men, don't be “that guy.”  If a father doesn't hear from God and obey God, how then can he teach his children the value of this pattern?  Fathers, of all the lessons and skills you could teach your children, what is more weightier than this one?