God With Us

Introduction:

· Labor, and (pizza) delivery

· Matthew’s view of Jesus’ birth: NO birth! BUT From Joseph’s Point of View:

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BIRTH OF JESUS FROM JOSEPH’S POITN OF VIEW, WHAT DO WE NOTICE?

I) God Enters the Mess of Human Sinfulness

A. God chooses a scandal to enter the world

i. Setting the scene: (vs. 18)

1. While Mary/Joseph are betrothed, she “is found” with child – by whom?

2. No doubt by a devastated Joseph

ii. God chooses an unwed mother to make his debut

1. God could have waited until M/J were married with a picket fence…

2. …instead, he chooses a family which would invite judgment, suspicion

iii. Why? Perhaps as a way to identify with the stigma of sin

1. On the one hand: demonstrate virgin birth (yet, many still doubted, so…?)

2. But maybe, God identifies with the scandalous situations of life

3. EXAMPLE: Jesus would know what it’s like to be called “illegitimate”

4. A friend of sinners: When people talk,whisper about us; living w. shame

B. God is at Work in the Midst of a Sinful World (vv. 19-20)

i. Joseph’s solution to his “problem”

1. Joseph is righteous: Good? Joseph – honoring the Law with compassion

2. But then Joseph goes to bed one night and all of history changes

ii. Because God is at work,

1. The angel’s appearance is God’s first in-breaking in Matt’s gospel

2. QUOTE: The Cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be” -Sagan

3. No! We don’t live in a closed box – God breaks into our world

iii. Because God is at work, we need not be afraid (vs. 20)

1. Joseph: In spite of the shame, insults, etc. don’t be afraid of God’s will!

2. EXAMPLE: We never need to fear when being obedient to God’s will

THE SECOND DETAIL FOR JOSEPH IS HTAT HE IS GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT TO NAME THE CHILD – BUT DID YOU NOTICE THAT THERE ARE TWO NAMES GIVEN?

II) God provides a divine solution to a human problem

A. God Provides Salvation from Our sins (vv. 21-22)

i. From what do we need to be saved?

1. Most people agree we need to be saved, or fixed, or resuced

2. But like Israel, we lose sight of our real problem (see Ps. 130)

3. EXAMPLES: syndromes & conditions; self-esteem; or, political & social

ii. We have a bigger problem: Our sin

1. A deeper problem: Rather than living in awe of God…we elevate self

2. EXAMPLE: A married couple—Bad communication? Incompatible? Maybe, but worse:

iii. But: Jesus will “save us from our sins”

a. THIS is what Jesus came to save us from – the penalty of our sin that hangs over our heads

b. EXAMPLE: A parent (feeling like a failure);

B. God Promises to Be With Us (vs. 23)

i. God’s presence can come as an indictment against us…

1. an indictment against unbelief: God with his people in judgment

2. Which is the perennial problem of the human condition: How can God be “with” sinful people?

ii. Yet because God “saves us from our sin” His presence will be a comfort to us

1. But because he “saves us from our sin”, God’s presence does not condemn, but comforts

2. EXAMPLE: Going off to college; facing a tragedy, going in for surgery…

Conclusion

Ending as he begins; Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)

...And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”