When It’s Hard to Obey

When It’s Hard to Obey

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 1:18
• Matthew 1:20
• Matthew 1:24

Other references

• Deuteronomy 22

Overview

Life is remembered in defining moments, not clock time. Today’s message launches the “Holy Moments” Christmas series with Joseph’s unexpected, costly, but history-shaping obedience. Craig’s central conviction rings out:

“You have no idea what God can do through one moment of obedience.”

Joseph’s story shows that obeying God without full details can unlock purposes far bigger than we imagine.

Context

Craig opened by describing birthday joys, the death of the family dog, a son’s highway accident, and friends’ contrasting medical reports—illustrating how single moments mark us far more than whole weeks or years.

Main Points

Life Is Marked by Moments

• People rarely recall entire days but never forget standout scenes—good or painful.
• Craig’s own week provided both kinds, proving the point and setting up the series theme “Holy Moments.”

Joseph’s Crisis Moment

• Engagement in 1st-century Judaism was a legally binding covenant; Mary’s pregnancy looked like adultery.
• By Deuteronomy 22 Joseph could have had her stoned or, more commonly, divorced her publicly to clear his name.
• Scripture calls him “righteous,” so he planned a quiet separation to spare Mary further shame.
• At Joseph’s lowest emotional place, God turned it into a holy moment.

Immediate Obedience Without Full Understanding

“You don’t have to understand completely to obey immediately.”

• The angel said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.”
• Joseph did not debate, bargain, or demand extra signs; he “did as the angel commanded” (Matthew 1:24).
• He obeyed without knowing:
  • the 100-mile winter trip to Bethlehem,
  • the barn birth,
  • Herod’s murderous decree and the family’s flight,
  • the lifelong weight of raising the Son of God.
• Principle: obedience is our responsibility; outcome is God’s.

Expect Resistance When You Obey

• Nearly every God-prompted step meets spiritual or social pushback.
• Craig traced opposition he faced: large family choices, homeschooling, launching Life.Church, video teaching, the YouVersion Bible App, and a leadership podcast.
• Counsel to believers: “Don’t worry when you face opposition for obeying God; worry when you don’t.”

One Moment Can Redirect Eternities

• Story: In an airport Craig initially ignored a nudge to keep talking with a woman who called him “my pastor.” Returning, he learned she had just committed adultery, prayed with her, and connected her to counseling.
• Story: The next day, after another prompting, Craig wandered a Walmart frozen-food aisle and met the woman’s devastated husband. God used that meeting to begin healing their marriage.
• Application: a single yes to God can intersect perfectly with someone else’s desperate need.

Key Truths

• God often measures life by decisive moments, not elapsed time.
• Obedience does not require comprehensive understanding; it requires faith.
• Delayed or partial obedience can forfeit blessings God intended to bring through us.
• Genuine obedience frequently draws criticism or spiritual resistance.
• One Spirit-led act can change destinies—ours and others’.

Response

• Listen daily for God’s promptings in Scripture and by His Spirit.
• Act on the next clear instruction without waiting for every detail.
• Forgive, give, serve, confess, or encourage as soon as God nudges you.
• Expect and endure opposition; let it confirm you are on the right path.
• Remember past “holy moments” and thank God for what He started through them.

Closing

Craig challenged the church to move from knowledge to action: when God speaks, respond like Joseph—immediately. The sermon ended with hands raised for greater obedience and an invitation to receive Christ’s forgiveness, underscoring that Jesus was born sinless “to save His people from their sins.”

“When God speaks, we will.”

Prayer

Craig prayed that God would search hearts, reveal any disobedience, grant courage to act on every prompting, and draw seekers to trust Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of new life.