THE UNKNOWN HERO OF CHRISTMAS
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Every year during this season, we hear a lot about the various Christmas characters. People like Mary, the shepherds, the wise men (who only appeared a few years later!), even the sheep, donkeys and doves are portrayed and the event is reenacted year after year.
However, a guy called Joseph is treated merely as an extra. He appears on the Christmas program, but does not bring gifts, does not sing songs or give speeches. He just stands there watching the scene unfold around him.
Well, today I want to clear things up! As I read the Christmas story, I am convinced that Joseph possessed some qualities that make him stand out as the unsung hero of Christmas.
The qualities in this man's life teach us how we should act to serve God.
I. V. 18-19 THE CHARACTER OF JOSEPH
I. V. 18-19 THE CHARACTER OF JOSEPH
Matthew 1:18–19 (NIV84)
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
A. He Was A Consecrated Man
A. He Was A Consecrated Man
The Bible tells us that Joseph was A “righteous man”.
This means that he was faithful to the law, a man who lived for God.
As far as the Law was concerned, Joseph was blameless.
As far as his heart was concerned, he walked by faith in the Lord. He was a righteous man!
B. He Was A Compassionate Man
B. He Was A Compassionate Man
—For just a moment, try to put yourself in Joseph’s place.
You are betrothed to Mary, which is the same as a legal marriage, except there is to be no physical intimacy.
All of a sudden, you discover that this woman is pregnant.
Of course, you would think the worse. Yet, when Joseph hears all these things, instead of reacting in anger, he responds in love and compassion toward Mary.
He seeks a way to sever their relationship without publically humiliating Mary.
What he could have done?
He could publicly dishonor Mary because of what he considered to be tremendous immorality on her part.
That choice could possibly lead to her death according to the Law, Deut. 22:13-21.
Joseph just wanted to do what was right by Mary! In doing this, Joseph displayed the love of God in his actions toward Mary—1 Corinthians 13:4–8“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres……”
(Ill. Imagine how the Christmas story would have been altered had Joseph reacted differently!)
(Ill. By the way, how we respond in a crisis reveals a lot about our character. When things are going smoothly we are able to hide a lot of things that become evident in a time of crisis.)
If there is an example we should follow from Joseph, it is this: that we should never allow the hurt others inflict on us to cause us to retaliate in an effort to hurt them in return.
Romans 12:17 “ Do not repay anyone evil for evil…
Romans 12:19 “19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
We need to exercise compassion towards the people around us who hurt us. In fact, the Lord Jesus told us to go beyond that! He said we should unreservedly forgive those who have offended us.
Matthew 18:21–35
(Application: The moments when life goes wrong from our point of view are the moments when we can know our true selves. For what we are in the worst moments is what we really are in our hearts!
Example from Job 1:20-22. What Job was at his worst revealed what was always in his heart! And God already knew it about Job before the calamities arrived, Job 1:8
Anyone can rejoice and praise God when life is good, but it takes a consecrated life to praise God even when life falls apart.
Crises reveal the depth of your commitment to God and His will).
(These two truths about Joseph's character are a lesson for all those who want to be used by God. You see, God uses those who are:
1. Consecrated - After salvation, the first step to being usable by God is the practice of personal and practical consecration before Him - 1 Peter 1:16 “16 for it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.””
2 Corinthians 6:17 “17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.””
and He uses those who are
2. Compassionate- Sensitive Heart - If we are to be used by God, our heart must be kept in a condition that allows it to hear God's voice.
(See Abraham on Mount Moriah - Genesis 22. If he hadn't had a tender heart and hadn't been listening to God's voice, things would have gotten ugly quickly).
It is clear that these characteristics, Consecrated and compassion, were found in the life of the Lord Jesus himself. Jesus was God, but as a boy, He saw the godly behavior modeled by His surrogate father, Joseph. Certainly, Joseph's character was a factor in God's choice of him.
II. V. 20–23 JOSEPH’S CALL
II. V. 20–23 JOSEPH’S CALL
While Joseph reflected on the entire situation he found himself in, the Lord spoke to him and made a call on his life, as he had done with Mary.
This call to serve was, spiritually speaking, a great calling and one that would have honored any man.
However, from a purely human point of view, it was a calling that placed a great weight on this man's shoulders and it was a call to bear a great weight of shame and dishonor. For this reason the call involved three tremendous revelations.
(Ill. Before getting into these verses, I want to point out that Joseph's call came with a message of peace from the Lord.
Notice that when the angel begins speaking in verse 20, among the first words out of his mouth are "Fear not."
These two words were included in every message to every person who had the privilege of hearing the announcement about the great events that God was about to bring about.
Exemple:
1. Zechariah-Luke 1:13
2. Mary - Luke 1:30
3. Joseph-Matt. 1:20
4. Shepherds-Luke 2:10
When God sent his angels to announce the birth of Jesus, He sent them with the divine word “fear not”.
The same happens with every person God calls to follow Him!
You see, when we live for the Lord and serve Him righteously, there is no need to fear anything!
God is our Creator. He is our Lord. He is our Provider.
He is the One who is in control of life, and when He places a calling on your life, fear not!
He knows what he is doing and will take care of you.
His calling is always accompanied by the promise of His Help, His Presence, His Provision, His Power, His Empowerment, and His Blessing.
Therefore, we can embrace God's call on our lives without fear!
A. V. 20 The Revelation Of A Person
A. V. 20 The Revelation Of A Person
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.
—The Lord’s revelation to Joseph was designed to help him deal with his hurts and fears.
The angel of the Lord told him plainly that this child growing in Mary’s womb was the Son of God, John 1:1, 14.
The Lord was calling Joseph to be the surrogate father to the Messiah!
Since Joseph was a man of faith, this revelation surely set his mind at ease as to Mary’s pregnancy!
B. V. 21 The Revelation Of A Purpose
B. V. 21 The Revelation Of A Purpose
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.”
God reveals the sex, name and purpose of this child's life.
Joseph is told that this child will be the ONE who will provide salvation from sin.
(Ill. Here is the purpose of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus came to this world for the sole purpose of going to the cross and shedding His precious blood so that men could have eternal life through Him, John 10:10!
He came into this world to give His life so that men might be saved, Luke 19:10 “10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
The little, helpless baby that Mary wrapped in swaddling clothes that night so long ago came into this world with the singular purpose of dying on a Roman cross so that you and I could experience eternal life through His death and resurrection,
C. V. 22–23 The Revelation Of A Plan
C. V. 22–23 The Revelation Of A Plan
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
—Then, Joseph is told that God is working out His eternal purpose in the lives of Mary and Joseph.
God is going to bring to pass all the prophecies concerning the Messiah and He is going to use Joseph to be a part of it!
Ill. In all this, Joseph is an example for us. When a crisis arose in his life, he sought the face of the Lord.
Instead of reacting harshly and in the flesh, Joseph reacted with faith, waiting on the Lord for guidance and direction, and was helped by God!
Friends, there are times when the Lord will come right in the middle of your plans and mess everything up! What you do at the moment reveals everything about your character and your commitment to the Lord!)
(Ill. Joseph's calling is also an encouragement to people like you and me.
When we consider that Joseph was a humble man and that, basically, a stranger, he didn't live in the capital, he didn't attend the school of the prophets... ..., this opens doors for you and me!
In my opinion, being called to be part of God's plan is an incomparable honor, and it is an honor shared by all of God's children!
To be a nobody from an unknown place, doing nothing special, and God looking at that life and saying, "I can use this man to accomplish My eternal purposes," is a blessing beyond words or understanding. !
Ill. Paul's assessment of the call to ministry - 1 Timothy 1:12–16 “12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
Ill. David—Psalm 84:10 “10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
III. V. 24–25 JOSEPH’S CONDUCT
III. V. 24–25 JOSEPH’S CONDUCT
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
(Ill. When Joseph received his call from God, he altered all of his plans and put away all of his considerations and simply went and did what the Lord said to do. Notice what the Bible says about Joseph’s conduct.)
A. He Was Submissive
A. He Was Submissive
—Very simply, Joseph did what the Lord told him to do!
1. His Humility—According to history, there were basically three theories surrounding Mary’s pregnancy. They are:
A. The baby was Joseph’s. They did not honor one another and wait until they were officially married to have sexual relations.
B. The baby belonged to Mary’s secret lover. Mary was guilty of adultery and was worthy of death.
C. Mary had been raped by a Roman soldier. Mary was carrying the bastard son of the enemy invader.
(Ill. Any of these situations would have produced a situation that would bring shame on both Mary and Joseph. Yet, when Joseph went ahead and married Mary, most people probably assumed that she and Joseph had not been willing to wait until the appropriate time to consummate their marriage. Of course, there were some in that day who continued to call Jesus’ birth into question throughout His ministry—John 6:42; John 8:37–41.)
(Ill. Of course, all of this brought shame to the life of Joseph, but just like his adopted Son, he despised the shame and because of the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, Hebrews 12:1–3“1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
(Ill. In this, Joseph is a lesson for every person who wants to serve the Lord today.
Our duty before the Lord is to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, 1 Pet. 5:6; James 4:6.
Regardless of the call God places on our lives, there will be times when the world, the flesh and the devil will try to make us ashamed of who we are and what we stand for.
Yet, we should submit ourselves to the will of God and bear His shame regardless of what it may involve!)
2. His Obedience
—Without any quibbling or any hesitation, Joseph did that which he had been commanded to do. What a lesson for the children of God!
Often the voice of God will come to us and we will debate with God and with ourselves and hesitate instead of responding in swift obedience.
Let us learn the truth that obedience to the Lord is far more blessed than anything else we can do for Him.
1 Samuel 15:22–23 “22 But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.””
Obedience is what He desires and is one thing we can always deliver!
B. He Was Surrendered
B. He Was Surrendered
25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
—Verse 25 tells us that Joseph was a man who was willing to place the will of the Lord ahead of his own rights.
He respected Mary’s virginity until after Jesus had been born! Even when it was inconvenient, Joseph willingly laid aside his own rights so that he could honor the Lord! What an example for you and me!
(Ill. There are times when doing God’s will is not the easiest thing to do.
There are times when doing His will is not the most convenient thing to do.
However, doing His will is always the RIGHT thing to do!
We must come to the place where we lose our will to the will of God!
Let is be said that we are surrendered to the plan of God without reservation and without compromise!
Have you reached the place in your walk with the Lord that doing His will eclipses all other considerations? Is God really first in your life?)
Conc:
Eventually, Mary delivered her baby. On that great night, Joseph did as he had been commanded when he took his Creator into his arms and called his name JESUS.
Now, this year in Christmas plays and programs all around the world Joseph will take a backseat to shepherds, wise men, animals and other characters.
However, to me, this man stands out as the real hero of Christmas, because of the lessons he teaches us about obedience to God and surrender to God.
Let’s take these lessons from the life of Joseph and make sure the same characteristics are found in us, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year!
Do we have any Joseph’s here this morning? People whom God is calling to renewed service and usefulness before Him?
Are there those whom the Lord is calling to come to Him today for salvation? For service? For surrender in some area of life?
If there is a call being placed on your heart today, I invite you to use the life of Joseph as a picture of how one needs to react to the call of God. Simply put, when God calls, get up and go! Right now, will you get up and come to Him as He calls you?