Podcast Summary: Deepen with Pastor Joby Martin

Episode: Joseph and the Courage to Obey (S25E1)
Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Pastor Joby Martin
Guests: Pastor Britt, other Church of Eleven22 staff

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode dives deep into the biblical character of Joseph, focusing on his courage and obedience within the Christmas narrative. The conversation connects Joseph’s story to themes of godly manhood and leadership, particularly in the context of family and faith. The hosts apply Joseph’s example to modern life, challenging listeners—especially men—to stand firm, act with integrity, and center their lives around Jesus.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Vision Behind "Real Men of Christmas"

[02:11-03:41]

• The series spotlights significant male figures in the Christmas story, tying in with the church’s annual theme: “stand firm and act like men.”
• Pastor Joby Martin: “So the men that we’re looking at, what are some godly things that they did... that we could step into those kind of same spaces and places?” (03:19)

2. Joseph's Role and Importance

[03:41-04:09]

• Joseph is acknowledged as Jesus’ legal (adoptive) father, trusted by God to raise Jesus during his childhood.
• Though not Jesus’ biological father, he’s given significant responsibility and honor.

3. Explanation of Betrothal and Jewish Marriage Customs

[04:19-06:41]

• Betrothal in Jewish culture was a binding legal agreement—stronger than modern engagement.
• The groom prepared a place for his bride while the bride waited in purity.
• Clear parallels are drawn between this process and how Christ is “preparing a place” for believers.
• Pastor Britt: “It is now our job...to be ready.” (06:25)

4. Arranged Marriages – Then and Now

[08:41-11:09]

• Hosts discuss pros/cons of arranged marriages versus Western romance-driven models, noting higher statistical success of some arranged marriage cultures—though acknowledging abuses too.
• Pastor Joby: “We have this non biblical definition of love…as opposed to a biblical definition—love is patient, kindness…” (09:53)
• Emphasis on the value of parental involvement and community in forming healthy unions.

5. Parental Responsibility and Dating

[11:10-15:09]

• Pastor Joby shares a vivid metaphor with his daughter’s boyfriend and his prized Harley Davidson to communicate the seriousness of trusting one’s child to another.
• “All I’m trying to do is give him a picture of value and responsibility…” (13:28)
• Discussion of examining potential son-in-law’s calendar, bank statements, and phone to gauge integrity and responsibility.

6. Joseph’s Response to Mary’s Pregnancy

[16:14-19:06]

• Context is given: Mary learns of her pregnancy first; Joseph finds out later and faces a crisis.
• Legally, he could have shamed or divorced her, or even had her executed; instead, he resolves to spare her.
• Pastor Britt: “One of the things that jumped out at me is just how surprised the message of Jesus would have been to Joseph…” (17:54)
• Emphasized: The virgin birth is not only miraculous but essential for the sacrifice of Jesus to be valid.

7. Miracle and Necessity of the Virgin Birth

[18:32-19:53]

• Deep dive into the theological necessity of the virgin birth for the atonement.
• Pastor Joby: “You really have two options. You can either believe in a virgin birth, or you think the universe was birthed by a virgin. Everybody believes in a virgin birth…” (19:07)

8. Divine Revelation and Personal Application

[19:53-21:43]

• Discussion moves to the surprising, personally impacting nature of the gospel.
• Pastor Britt: “It still lands on me fresh over and over again...that God, for his own purposes…chooses to love me…” (21:43)

9. Catholic and Protestant Views on Mary

[22:20-25:17]

• The hosts clarify biblical teaching on Mary, addressing misunderstandings such as her perpetual virginity and the Catholic doctrine of immaculate conception.
• Scripture confirms that Mary had other children and that “knew her not until she had given birth,” implying normal marital relations after Jesus’ birth.
• Pastor Joby: “It’s just not true that Mary went on to have more children, which means she had sex post the birth of Jesus.” (24:19)

10. Mercy, Law, and Divine Instruction: Joseph’s Moral Dilemma

[25:18-27:59]

• Just because the law allowed Joseph to divorce Mary doesn’t mean it was the right choice—God’s instruction surpasses the law.
• Pastor Britt: “What God could and should do legally to me is to leave me…But...he did not. What he did was pay full price for me…” (27:01)

11. Joseph as a Protector and Provider

[30:04-31:58]

• Joseph’s role in protecting his family—fleeing to Egypt, providing in the face of danger—is highlighted.
• The discussion includes reflection on Joseph’s practical skills, faithfulness, and courage—contrasting godly masculinity with worldly posturing.
• Joseph is noted as a man of action, not words; no recorded speech from him in the Bible, only godly deeds.

12. Joseph’s Legacy and Godly Manhood

[32:41-36:53]

• Joseph models diligent provision, obedience, and spiritual leadership in his home.
• He embodies faithfulness to both family and God’s commands—doing what’s right, consistently and sacrificially.

13. Obedience, Faith, and the Cost of Following God

[37:16-40:06]

• Faith means taking hard, uncomfortable, even risky action in response to God’s leading.
• Pastor Joby: “Can you think of one thing in the Bible where God called somebody to something that was fun and comfortable and easier?...I can't think of one. Okay, so follow me. Make you fishers of men. You're gonna die and upside down on a cross.” (39:14)
• Obedience is consistently portrayed as requiring difficult, courageous choices.

14. Personal Stories: Fatherhood and Righteous Influence

[42:35-48:25]

• Hosts share personal stories about their fathers modeling righteousness, faithfulness, and responsibility—tying back to Joseph’s example.
• Pastor Joby: “You just do what’s right, no matter the cost, no matter the consequences…” (45:19)
• Suffering, sacrifice, and consistent presence mark godly fathers.

15. Joseph’s Place in Redemption and Genealogy

[49:13-50:45]

• Joseph comes from a lineage filled with brokenness—demonstrating that God redeems and uses imperfect people.

16. Lessons from Joseph: What Should We Imitate?

[51:16-54:42]

• The true lesson isn’t mere copying of character traits—rather, filled with the Spirit, aim at Christlikeness.
• Pastor Britt: “If you were to say, what did Joseph do that I could learn from? He put Jesus at the middle of all of it…” (52:03)
• Joseph said “yes” to God, reorienting his entire life around Christ—often at personal cost and uncertainty.

17. Obedience as the Path of Abundant Life

[54:42-55:40]

• Pastor Joby: “We think that abundant life is a reward for obedience. But Jesus is saying, abundant life is obedience. Because what you get is not his blessing. You get him, that's it. You get him. And apart from him, you can do nothing.” (55:04)

18. Honorable Manhood in Action

[56:07-57:31]

• Joseph’s refusal to consummate the marriage prematurely is seen as evidence of his desire to honor God’s purposes above his own.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “All I’m trying to do is give him a picture of value and responsibility…” - Pastor Joby, speaking of the Harley Davidson analogy (13:28)
• “It's not hard for me to believe that I'm a sinner. That is not surprising to me.” - Pastor Britt (21:19)
• “Everybody believes in a virgin birth. You either believe there was a creator and Jesus was born of a virgin, or there was...a virgin universe that gave birth to the cosmos.” – Pastor Joby (19:07)
• “He doesn’t say. There’s not one word recorded from him [Joseph] in all of scripture. No words. But he did a lot to protect and provide for his family.” – Pastor Britt (31:58; 32:28)
• “What does it mean to put God first? Jesus is at the center. And that's what Joseph did...He put Jesus at the middle of all of it.” – Pastor Britt (52:03)
• “We think that abundant life is a reward for obedience. But Jesus is saying, abundant life is obedience. Because what you get is not his blessing. You get him, that's it.” – Pastor Joby (55:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Series Vision / “Real Men of Christmas” Introduction: [02:11-03:41]
• Betrothal Explained & Parallels to Christ: [04:19-06:41]
• Parental Involvement in Marriage/Dating: [11:10-15:09]
• Joseph’s Response to Mary’s Pregnancy: [16:14-19:06]
• Virgin Birth Discussion: [18:32-19:53]
• Mary in Protestant vs. Catholic Doctrine: [22:20-25:17]
• Joseph’s Merciful Decisions: [25:18-27:59]
• Joseph as Protector & Provider: [30:04-31:58]
• Personal Stories of Fatherhood: [42:35-48:25]
• Lessons from Joseph / Application: [51:16-54:42]

Takeaways

• Joseph’s story challenges men (and all listeners) to ground their actions and decisions in obedience to God, regardless of risk, cost, or cultural expectations.
• Obedience, not mere outward religiosity or comfort, is the path to an abundant life in Christ.
• True manhood, as modeled by Joseph, involves presence, faithfulness, courage, and humility—while centering one's life around Jesus.
• God can redeem any background or lineage, as demonstrated by Joseph’s place in Jesus’s story.
• Pursuing godliness often means making hard, countercultural choices and trusting God’s purposes above personal desires.

Summary Prepared For:
Listeners seeking to understand Joseph’s character, his role in the story of Jesus’s birth, and how faithful, courageous obedience applies to their own walk with Christ—especially during the Christmas season.