J. Hudson Taylor, the founder of the former China Inland Mission, now the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, was conversing with a young missionary who was prepping to begin his ministry in China. “Look at this,” Hudson invited, and with this he pounded his fist on the table between them. Usually, this would’ve been no big deal, but on this occasion, teacups sat on it filled to the brim. Tea went everywhere. Hudson’s apprentice was teed off – or would that be tea-‘d on? Anyhow —
Taylor seized this purposeful moment to say, “When you begin your work, you’ll be buffeted in numerous ways. The trials will be like blows. But remember, these blows will bring out only what is in you.”
This Sunday as we continue with our Christmas sermon series, “Three Unexpected Visits,” we drop in on the man who too had a fist pounded, but not on his table, but to his gut. Join us as we learn “what was in” the stepdad of Jesus in our sermon entitled, “Joseph Visited.”