Unexpected Events
Notes
Transcript
Opening Comments:
Opening Comments:
Please meet me in your copy of God’s Word in Matthew 1:18-25. That's page number _________in our church Bibles.
This morning we will continue our Christmas series titled "Unexpected Christmas." Last week, we explored the surprising genealogy of Jesus in Matthews Gospel and the lessons it has to teach us regarding the gospel.
Today, as we look at the second sermon in the series, titled "Unexpected Events," we’ll be reflecting on how the announcement of Mary’s pregnancy created unexpected and challenging circumstances for Joseph
These verses take us into the moment when Joseph, a simple carpenter, discovered that his betrothed, Mary, was pregnant. You can only imagine the shock, confusion, and heartache he must have felt.
As we consider Joseph’s response and the unexpected events surrounding Jesus' birth, we’re going to reflect on how these same truths speak into our own lives. The birth of Christ was not just a peaceful nativity scene, but a series of events that challenged everything Joseph thought he knew about life, faith, and the world around him.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Opening Prayer:
Opening Prayer:
Father, we come before You with humble hearts, thankful for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank You that, in the midst of unexpected and difficult circumstances, You are always present, guiding, comforting, and fulfilling Your perfect plan. As we look at Joseph’s response to the shocking news of Mary's pregnancy, we ask that You would open our hearts to the lessons You want to teach us today.
Help us to see the unexpected ways in which You work in our lives. May we learn from Joseph’s obedience, his mercy, and his willingness to follow Your call, no matter the cost.
Lord, we know that the birth of Your Son brought light into a dark world. May that same light shine brightly in our hearts today. We pray that You would speak clearly through Your Word, and that we would respond with faith and obedience.
We ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Amen.
Introduction:
Introduction:
The coming of God’s Son (Jesus) into the world is one of the most spectacular events in all history second only to the resurrection . Yet it necessitated and caused some very unexpected and unusual events.
There was Mary’s pregnancy- An unwed mother, with a spectacular story, who in the world would have believed her? Yet she was willing to be used by God in spite of the social embarrassment it would have caused.
Joseph’s discovery of the pregnancy- The broken trust and social embarrassment would have been unbearable. It required Joseph to lay aside his ego entirely.
The Child (Jesus, the Son of God)- Being born in a smelly stable and laid in a feeding trough. Required and unheard of level of humility.
The Family- Being uprooted and moved to a foreign nation. They exemplified a willingness to serve God at any cost.
The slaughter of innocent children under the age of two- Imagine the heavy weight upon the shoulders of Joseph and Mary that must have been, no doubt that responsibility gnawed at them. It required a willingness to bear just about anything.
The visit of wisemen from a foreign country- The birth of Christ even effected foreign political relationships. Jospeh and Mary had the responsibility of bearing the limelight for a bit.
The uproar caused in Herod’s household- Traumatically effected the lives of Jospeh and Mary. They had to be willing to stand against all odds.
Needless to say, the birth of Christ was far more than just a peaceful Nativity. It carried with it a lot of unexpected and heavy issues to be dealt with, perhaps for no one more than Jospeh himself who is the person that most of this sermon will focus on this morning.
But, before we get there; allow me to pause a bit this morning and address some points of doctrine before we move on to discuss the unexpected events of Jesus birth as they pertained to Joseph.
We need to understand that Christs birth was of the Spirit and not by natural means.
We need to understand that Christs birth was of the Spirit and not by natural means.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
Never before and never since has someone been born “of the Holy Spirit.”
It is at this point where a person is confronted with the truth of scripture and has to determine rather to accept it or reject it.
The scripture clearly says “before they came together she (Mary) was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”
To believe this takes a matter of faith and trust in God and His word.
Christ had to be born this way, for had he been born of natural means, He would not have been sinless, and if he weren’t sinless, then He could not atone for the sins of mankind.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
Jesus Birth was a fulfillment of prophecy.
Jesus Birth was a fulfillment of prophecy.
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Immanuel- Is not a name or a title, it is a descriptive term. It characterizes a person. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, God revealed in Human flesh.
Remember, we said last week, that Matthew wrote to a primarily Jewish audience. He didn’t give every single detail of Christ’s birth as Luke did, but, he wanted them to know that Christ’s birth fulfilled both prophecies of the Messiah and of the virgin birth.
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Now, knowing all of that background information and keeping it in mind, allow us to examine together this morning, the 3 Unexpected Events that surrounded the birth of Christ, particularly as it pertained to Joseph.
1.) Christ Birth created a predicament for Joseph. (v.18-19)
1.) Christ Birth created a predicament for Joseph. (v.18-19)
A.) Joseph’s Predicament (v.18)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
Mary was pregnant before marriage.
This was the predicament of Jospehs life. He was literally torn between obeying the law (exposing Mary to the authorities) and his love for Mary.
They were already betrothed which was the second step of the Jewish marrying process.
Jewish marrying process:
The engagement- The parents usually decided who the child was to marry and the typically was at a very early age.
The Betrothal- At a determined time, the couple would either agree or disagree to the marriage. A dowry was paid, and the betrothal became a legal and binding contract. The typical betrothal lasted one year and if the betrothal was broken off, a legal divorce had to be granted. When Joseph discovered Mary’s pregnancy, they were already betrothed.
The marriage- The consummation of the couple took place. (This did not happen until after the birth of Jesus for Joseph and Mary.)
Put yourself in Josephs shoes, feel what he must have felt, imagine the thoughts that flooded his mind.
No doubt he struggled.
No doubt he was perplexed.
No doubt he was troubled.
No doubt his imagination ran wild.
No doubt he felt deceived.
No doubt he had bouts jealousy and rage.
The birth of Jesus created a predicament for Jesus and Jospeh was forced to make a decision about it.
Just as Jesus creates a predicament for everyone. Every person, when confronted both with who Jesus is and what he has done, must make a decision to accept or reject Christ and who He claims to be.
B.) Joseph’s character and solution (v.19)
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
Joseph was a just man.
Just- Equitable in character and action, by implication that means he was innocent, holy, and righteous.
He had no desire to hurt Mary further than her current situation put her in. So he decided to divorce her quietly and secretly. (He could have had her executed according to Jewish law.)
23 “If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her,
24 then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor’s wife. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Josephs reaction and love demonstrated toward Mary can teach us much as God’s people. Mary’s sin was great (in Joseph’s eyes) yet he cared for and truly loved Mary and it was that love that helped him in his treatment of her.
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
“A person who truly loves cannot and will not be critical, judgmental, or censorious. The person who truly loves will not gossip, criticize, or talk badly. They will get alone with God and pray about how to handle the problem. Which is exactly what Jospeh did.”
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
2.) Jesus birth necessitated a special revelation to Joseph. (v.20-21)
2.) Jesus birth necessitated a special revelation to Joseph. (v.20-21)
Joseph did exactly what he should have done, he got alone with God and prayed about his situation. Because of his godly dependence and obedience, God met his need. God gave Jospeh a special revelation.
God had a special purpose in doing this.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
A.) To give assurance to Joseph. (v.20a-b)
Son of David- This name alerted Joseph to a divine call and calmed his fears.
B.) To guide- “Take Mary as your wife wife.” (v.20c)
C.) To explain- “for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (v.20d)
D.) To reveal the child’s destiny (v.21)
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
1.) His name-
Jesus- Savior, he will save.
Joshua in the Hebrew- Yahweh is salvation.
2.) His mission- To rescue those who belong to him from their sins.
From this, we learn…
There is a right way to confront difficulty…Get alone with God.
A right way to confront gossip and critique…take it to God and don’t respond.
When God calls you to a special task…we must respond with a YES!
3.) Jesus birth brought Joseph to a point of great obedience. (v.24-25)
3.) Jesus birth brought Joseph to a point of great obedience. (v.24-25)
Simply put, Jospeh obeyed God.Despite the appearance of things and the predicament, he obeyed the Lord.
Joseph’s reaction is a lesson in obedience for all of God’s children.
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Once again, we see this morning that there is much to be learned from the incarnation of Christ.
But perhaps this morning, we learn the most from Joseph. In the face of overwhelming circumstance, he acted as God would have all His children to act.
1.) He was merciful, gentle, and tender toward the one who had hurt him so much.
2.) He forgave as one who had been forgiven. He demonstrated the attitude that all believers need “to display when someone (a loved one, fellow believer) is found in sin. He simply forgave.
