Date: 2024-08-09

AO: 3rd-f

Q: Schnitzel

PAX: Bionic, Dipstick, Mr Rogers, Pinto, Schnitzel

FNGs: None

COUNT: 5

CONDITIONS: perfect for studying scripture

THE THANG:

Peter Parker, Spider-Man has suffered loss and experienced hard times. He also understands that with great power comes great responsible.

Peter is a great example of selflessness…foregoes a relationship with Mary Jane in order to protect her. Keeps his identity a secret to protect those he loves and goes around helping everyone in the neighborhood!

He can be a cocky teen, however behind that defense mechanism is a heart for others! That’s his super factor.

Reminds me of Jesus earthly father Joseph. He is one of the most selfless men in scripture. He weds a pregnant wife knowing the child wasn’t his. He could have acted rashly and sent Mary off to be stoned (as would be normal for those times). He instead chooses to protect her both physically and emotionally. He works to help seclude her and ensure that her reputation stays safeguarded.

Matthew 1:19 – 25 & Luke 2:1-7

Joseph offers a great example of Godly wisdom and tender care for others. I am sure he felt betrayed or even tried to make sense of her condition however he made no haste. As a praying man, he waited on the Lord. His love and patience were rewarded, and God revealed His plan to Joseph. Joseph remains faithful to the Lord and decides to be obedient, taking Mary as his wife and sacrificing what he may have had in mind for marriage, to include not having sec with his new wife l, keeping her virgin until Jesus was born.

Joseph even left his home and the land he knew to protect Jesus and Mary from Herods possible wrath as we see in Matthew 2:13-15.

Jospeh stays faithful in his care for Jesus. Continuing to listen to the Lord and returning after Herod died – Matthew 2:19-23.

Joseph continues to care for Jesus, earning him the well-deserved right to be called “father”(earthly of course, but father, none the less). Luke 2:33, John 1:45, 6:42. He lived his life caring for Mary and Jesus in his faithful walk for the Lord.

Jesus of course sets the ultimate example in servant hood and selflessness.

1 Peter 2:16-18 and Galatians 5:13-14

Passages use the words freedom in describing our hearts towards others. We have the freedom to serve others. This liberty is not a license to do whatever we want or treat others as we see fit, but rather a freedom to serv God and each other in love. We are made in the image of God, therefore in our freedom to serve God, we are called to serve each other in that manner.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Talks about selfless acts of spiritual goodness. At the root of our obedient faithfulness to serve others or place those around us before ourselves, is God’s call for us to love. Joseph had a fatherly impact on Jesus and shows us what this looks like.

An eager heart is excited about the next stranger we get to love and love well. Intimacy with God sparks something much greater.

How as men do we apply this to our lives?

PRAYER REQUEST:

Our schools – teachers and students and our community!

MOLESKIN:

We each have a gift each day to love one another. Some days are harder than others…so let’s be prayerful about asking God to help us Love our neighbors as we love ourselves be selfless in our homes, in our jobs, and as men in this world!