God With Us | Matthew 1:18–25 | Grace & Faith 3:6 Ministries

In this Grab n’ Go message, God With Us, Dr. Hooker reflects on a part of the Christmas story that often gets overlooked the quiet faith and costly obedience of Joseph. Matthew doesn’t begin the Christmas story with celebration or certainty, but with disruption. Plans fall apart. A future becomes unclear. And Joseph is forced to decide what faith looks like when answers are incomplete and obedience comes with a cost. This message reminds us that Christmas hope does not begin when everything is resolved. It begins with a promise: God is with us. Through Joseph’s story, we are invited to see faith not as having everything figured out, but as trusting God enough to take the next faithful step. Emmanuel does not mean life becomes easier. It means God enters the fear, the uncertainty, and the ordinary faithfulness of our lives. Because hope is not found in control. Hope is found in presence. And the heart of Christmas is this simple truth: God is with us. Key Themes • Joseph’s quiet obedience in Matthew 1 • Faith when clarity is not possible • Why obedience often comes before understanding • Emmanuel as God’s nearness in the middle of uncertainty Call to Action This week, do what is yours to do. Trust God with what is not. And remember that faithful obedience, even when it feels small, is enough because God is with you. Join the Conversation Leave a comment sharing where you are learning to trust God in a season of uncertainty or how this message encouraged you. Subscribe to Grace & Faith 3:6 Ministries for sermons, reflections, and encouragement.