3 Principles of Preparation

Pray - In 1911, Roald Amundsen became the first person to lead a successful expedition to the South Pole. Amundsen was also famous for his incredible commitment to prepare for this expedition. While in his late twenties, Roald Amundsen traveled from Norway to Spain for a two-month sailing trip to earn a master's certificate. It was 1899. He had a nearly two-thousand-mile journey ahead of him. And how did Amundsen make the journey? By carriage? By horse? By ship? By rail? No, He bicycled.

Amundsen then experimented with eating raw dolphin meat to determine its usefulness as an energy supply. After all, he reasoned, someday he might be shipwrecked, finding himself surrounded by dolphins, so he might as well know if he could eat one.

It was all part of Amundsen's years of building a foundation for his quest, training his body, and learning as much as possible from practical experience about what actually worked. Amundsen even made a pilgrimage to apprentice with Eskimos. What better way to learn what worked in polar conditions than to spend time with a people who have hundreds of years of accumulated experience in ice and cold and snow and wind? He learned how Eskimos used dogs to pull sleds. He observed how Eskimos never hurried, moving slowly and steadily, avoiding excessive sweat that could turn to ice in sub-zero temperatures. He adopted Eskimo clothing, loose fitting and protective. He systematically practiced Eskimo methods and trained himself for every conceivable situation he might encounter in route to the Pole.

Amundsen's philosophy: You don't wait until you're in an unexpected storm to discover that you need more strength and endurance. You don't wait until you're shipwrecked to determine if you can eat raw dolphin. You don't wait until you're on the Antarctic journey to become a superb skier and dog handler. You prepare with intensity… all the time… so that when conditions turn against you… you can draw from a deep reservoir of strength. And equally, you prepare so that when conditions turn in your favor, you can strike hard.

We hear this story this morning, and I realize none of us have ever been to the north or the south pole. But if we did go, cold as that would be… we wouldn’t be the first to discover this new land… we wouldn’t be navigating uncharted territories for the first time… No, there are others who have gone before, others who have navigated the land.

Still the question becomes, when facing an encounter with something new in life. New waters you have never navigated, new territories you have explored before… How do you prepare? You see I think we can learn something from Amundsen this morning regarding our position of readiness. Amundsen learned that you don’t prepare for the storm once you’re in it, you do so in advance, he learned you don’t wait to learn how to ski when you get to Antarctica, you do it years before in preparation. In fact, you don’t eat the dolphin when you’re shipwrecked, you do it beforehand. (condense)

What about us? Facing new circumstances, when navigating challenges. do we only make preparations only at that time? Or do we perhaps prepare in advance?

You see for some of us this morning, we’re navigating new problems. Or perhaps dealing with old existing issues. For others, we have decisions in life we’re facing, maybe with occupations, maybe with a job, maybe even with having a baby… and the question becomes, how do we navigate uncharted territories?

If you have your bibles with you, turn with me to Matthew 1. As you’re turning there, you’ll recall over the last 2 weeks we’ve looked at 3 principles of purity, and last week 3 principles of Peace. This morning we’re going to discuss 3 principles of preparation. So, whether we’re in the storm, coming out of the storm, or going into the storm… we’re ready… 1. Stay Faithful. 2. Follow His lead 3. Remember He’s For You.

1. Stay Faithful of God

Matthew 1:18-19 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

When we look at this scripture this morning, we’re told of how Jesus birth came about. And we’re told That Jesus mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Now we read this scripture this morning and for most of us, we’ve read this many times before. This idea that Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, yet is pregnant through the Holy Spirit. This is a concept that we’re familiar with. But I want us to understand more about the implications of this betrothal period.

You see at the time, a young lady, likely around the age of 12-13 years of age, and boys when they were typically a little older than that… would enter a betrothal period. A time before the actual wedding ceremonial where the husband and wife to be would in a sense be engaged. But here’s what’s important to know, unlike or modern engagement in which one party or the next could easily break off the engagement without too many repercussions… at the time, a betrothal period was really the same as actually being married.

You see a Hebrew wedding involved 2 elements. The kiddushin period (or the betrothalleading up to the wedding ceremony itself) and the huppah (the actual wedding ceremony.) but here’s what’s crucial to know, when a husband and wife entered this kiddushin period this was a legally binding contract, even though the marriage ceremony hadn’t officially taken place… In the eyes of society, these 2 were considered legally married.

Yet in this instance, there’s one major problem. Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit…

You see, these 2, in the eyes of the world… we’re legally married. Young as they were, they were together… but the problem is, is Mary is pregnant, Joseph certainly knew he wasn’t the father… and so logically Mary must have been unfaithful.

And so, 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

You see, in his mind, Mary had been unfaithful. And so, in his mind he decided to quietly call things off. But the story isn’t over… You see because Joseph was faithful to the Lord. God was going to use Joseph to raise Jesus...

But here’s the key… 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

You see church, here’s the point. Joseph is faithful to God. You see when Joseph likely thought his life was falling apart… God was putting everything together in perfect alignment and Harmony. But listen, it started with faithfulness.

And Mary was a woman who was faithful as well. In Luke 1 we’re told: 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

Church in the coming days, Mary and Joseph would have their lives forever changed. They would quickly need to learn how to parent. I’m sure there were many conversations between Mary and Joseph and their relatives regarding how to parent a little boy… but listen. The most important part of their preparation for these uncharted territories was their faithfulness to God.

Speaking of faithfulness, I came across a story this week that explains: In the realm of sports superstars, Mike Murphy plays a small but essential role for his pro baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. Recently, he helped the Giants win their first World Series in 52 years, and Mike was on the job for the entire 52-year journey. But you won't find his name on the scoreboard. You won't see him endorsing new products for millions of dollars per advertisement. He'll never make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

"Murph," as they call him, has been with the team since 1958, starting as the team's batboy, before moving up to his roles as the clubhouse attendant and finally the equipment manager. Throughout his 52 years of faithful service, Murph has worked behind the scenes, cleaning shoes, and ordering bats, so his much more famous teammates could achieve success.

According to an article in The New York Times, "If anyone embodies the 52-year endurance test the San Francisco Giants underwent to reach baseball's summit, it is Mike Murphy." That's one reason why the owner of the team handed the World Series trophy to Murphy so he could present it to his ecstatic teammates. At some point during the wild post-game celebration the reporter noted, "[Murphy] turned to a clubhouse attendant and pointed to some bags. There was equipment to be loaded on to a truck … . Murphy was back at work."

Here's the point this morning, Mike Murphy was faithful to the cause. Despite whether his team won or lost, he was committed to being a team player. He was committed to the long haul.

For us this morning, God wants to use you to do amazing things. God has great plans in store for your life… but the most important part of preparation on our part is our willingness to be faithful to him.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. – Heb 11:1

2. Follow His Lead

19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

As we continue with the scripture, we refer back to verse 19 which explains, that Joseph who is faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. So, in his midst of fear and emotions… Joseph had “in mind” the Greek word: boulomai to be deliberate, to have a purpose. He had in mind to divorce Mary. In 20 But…. after he had considered this (In other words, after he made up his mind on how he was going to handle the situation…) , an angel of the Lord(Perhaps Gabriel or another angel) appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

You see here’s the point, is that Joseph had a choice to make. Again, in his mind, Joseph had thought that Mary had been unfaithful to him… That she had extra-marital relations with someone else… and although the bible doesn’t mention it, you would think that in this moment, there are a lot of emotions taking place. I mean, Joseph is human, he’s been dealt (seemingly) a bad hand, he would have initially felt perhaps frustrated, or upset, or if nothing else confused as to what in the world was going on…

And he’s chewing through this situation in his mind. He’s thinking about what’s taken place. And here’s the important part… How does Jospeh respond?

We continue with scripture and find: 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

You see church, here’s the point… When the news was dropped on him… Joseph had a choice, do I listen to God??? Or do I listen to logic? Do I follow the direction of the angel, or do I look at the circumstances in my life … and human reasoning and act on that?

You see church. Joseph followed the Lord. While others may have followed their own cleverness, their own thought process, their own reasoning. Joseph feared the Lord.

By the way, this isn’t the first time that Joseph had an encounter with an angel in a dream. It wasn’t a one-time event.

If we look at the next chapter, Matthew 2 tells us that King Herod, who is paranoid and see’s Jesus as a threat to his throne begins to kill off all the boys 2 years of age and underliving in Bethlehem.

To which an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and the family escapes to Egypt. For the sake of time, we won’t read both accounts, but a few verses later in verse 19 we’re told:

19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Here’s the point church, Joseph isn’t following Logic… he’s listening to the leading of the Lord in his life. In key moments of his life, in routes that he hadn’t navigated before… traveling to Egypt, raising a child, making wise decisions for his family, Joseph is looking to God. What about us?

In 1879 Lieutenant George De Long set out with a crew on the USS Jeannette in hopes of claiming the North Pole for the United States. De Long's plans were based on maps developed by mapmakers at the time (cartographers). Like most mapmakers, Dr. August Heinrich Petermann believed there was an open polar ice-free sea, teeming with marine life "whose waters could be smoothly sailed, much as one might sail across the Caribbean or the Mediterranean."

Unfortunately, every previous expedition that had sailed north in search of the sea had run into a problem—ice. Now you might think that running into ice every time would lead scientists to abandon the theory of an Open Polar Sea... Not so. Instead, Petermann merely modified the original theory by adding the idea of a "thermometric gateway." As Hampton Sides recounts the story in his book In the Kingdom of Ice, "If an explorer could just bust through this icy circle, preferably in a ship with a reinforced hull, he would eventually find open water and enjoy smooth sailing to the North Pole. The trick, then, was to find a gap in the ice… a natural portal of some kind."

George De Long and his crew of 28 men wanted to find that portal. It didn't take long for De Long to realize that all the cartographers, scientists, and geographers had been wrong. He wrote, "I pronounce a thermometric gateway to the North Pole a delusion and a snare."

In September 1879, the USS Jeannette got trapped in the ice pack and his crew escaped and tried to go toward Siberia. The crew got separated. Some made it to Siberia and survived; others continued their lonely trek through the ice. As for George Washington De Long, he died in late October 1881 of starvation. He was covered up by snow, except for one of his arms, which was raised as if to signal toward the sky.

Church, here’s the point… De Long and his crew were following the wrong map. They were looking to the wrong source of direction, and ultimately it cost them their lives.

In Psalm 119:105 however we’re told: Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Church, do we need direction today? Are we looking for guidance. Are we facing a challenge,an obstacle, a situation… Friends, Joseph got it right by following the Lord… would we be willing to do the same.

3. Remember He’s For you.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

As we continue with the scripture, I want to draw our attention back to verse 21. You see, the angel would tell Joseph to name the baby Jesus. because he will save his people from their sins. and by definition the name Jesus is a form of the Hebrew name Joshua, Jeshua, or Jehoshua, which is the basic meaning of “Jehovah (or Yahweh) will save.” And everyone that had ever lived, who bore this name, would be speaking of Jesus who was to come, who would bring salvation. Yet in Jesus, he himself would bring salvation. He would be the one who was doing the saving.

And in verse 23 we’re told: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)

Gal 4:4

4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

You see church we have received adoption this morning. You are His. God is with us this morning. Do we recognize how significant that is? Do we value that God’s desire is to be in fellowship with us?

I’m going to call the worship team back up at this time.

And as they come up, I want to read the words of Isaiah 9:6

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I don’t know where you are this morning. What may be weighing on your mind, what circumstances you’re facing. What choices you or decisions you may be wrestling with… but I know that we have a God who loved us so much, that he sent the best gift of all. To redeem us, to buy us back, to give his life for us.

1. Maybe you’re hear / sin, struggle. God calls us to freedom. Holiness.

2. Maybe decisions… are we looking to his direction?

3. Maybe you just need to be reminded that God is with you this morning. Immanuel “God with us”

Pray