Faithful Hearts: The Journey of Mary and Joseph

Summary: This sermon will explore the roles of Mary and Joseph during the early days of Jesus’ life, focusing on their obedience, faith, and the challenges they faced as they became parents of the Savior.

Application: The lives of Mary and Joseph serve as powerful examples for our own lives. We are encouraged to follow God’s call with obedience and faith despite our uncertainties and fears. In our struggles, their story reminds us that God equips us for the tasks He calls us to, no matter how daunting they may seem.

Teaching: This sermon will teach about the importance of faithfulness in the face of societal pressures and personal challenges. Mary and Joseph's response to God's calling illustrates the commitment to serve God's purpose and how faith can guide us through difficult circumstances.

How this passage could point to Christ: Mary and Joseph’s actions foreshadow the significant role Jesus would play as the Messiah. Their willingness to accept God’s plan showcases the beginning of the redemptive story, and it highlights how God uses ordinary people to fulfill His extraordinary plan, centered in Christ.

Big Idea: God calls ordinary people to fulfill extraordinary plans, and through faithfulness and obedience, His will is accomplished in our lives.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider delving into the cultural context of Mary and Joseph's time using Logos. Look into the sociological implications of their choices, especially regarding betrothal customs and family expectations. You might also explore the theological significance of their obedience in light of prophetic fulfillment, which adds depth to their story and its relevance to contemporary believers.

1. Joseph's Jolt of Faith

Matthew 1:18–21 ESV

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.”

You could focus on Joseph's initial reaction to Mary's pregnancy and how an angel's message transforms his fear into faith. Consider highlighting Joseph's obedience as an example of trusting in God's plan despite cultural pressures and personal challenges. This section could emphasize that God often calls us to step beyond our comfort zones, but His guidance and reassurance are always present.

We begin this morning with Joseph

Joseph has understood at this point and time that Mary is with child

Joseph understands what he has been told that she is with child from God

This is something that Joseph has had a problem with

in so Joseph plans to divorce Mary

Joseph plans to break things off

end the wedding plans and marriage

Joseph was a just man as Scripture states but as he is considering his next steps

he gets a visitor

An Angel of the Lord appears to Joseph

this angel has some news for Joseph

the baby that Mary is carrying is truly the Son of God

In fact he is warned to not fear

instead he is encouraged to continue with the wedding plans

What an intriguing part of the story

This takes a lot of Faith on the part of Joseph

With this wedding in that culture there would be a large stigma

A large stigma against both members of the couple for a child that is not Josephs

This meant both Joseph and Mary had to overcome pride

they had to lay aside all that they cared about

They had to focus on the plan that God had for them

You see in this instance Joseph is called beyond what he is comfortable

Joseph is called into the unknown

But in this unknown is God calling and providing for him

You see God does call us beyond our comfort zones

he does it regularly

but we can rest like Joseph by understanding that our constant reassuring God is always there to provide for us

God does not leave His faithful

God did not leave Joseph

instead God called Joseph to this

so God will get him through it

Joseph is so faithful that he continues with this plan

he does continue to marry his betrothed wife Mary

And for this he would become the earthly dad of the Son of God

What blessing we miss when we run from God’s call!

2. Mary's Moment of Yes

Luke 1:26–38 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Maybe explore Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel and her acceptance of God's seemingly impossible plan. Her faith and humility, even when facing great uncertainty, illustrate the power of saying 'yes' to God. This section could suggest that when we embrace God's call with humility and courage, like Mary, we align ourselves with His divine purpose, trusting that He will equip us.

Next we have Mary

called to something so much bigger than she is

called to have a child

We don’t see that Mary gets a choice in the matter

instead she is told that this is God’s plan

In this plan

Mary estimated to be around 15-16 years old

Mary is just a girl at this point and time

Mary just a girl about to have a child

a child who would Save the world

Not just any child the Son of God

Mary hears absolutely incredible news!

News that shares hope with the entire world

News that brings promise to everyone who would hear

but in that Mary had questions

one she was a virgin

how would this take place

Mary hears that the Spirit of God will make this happen

thus making Jesus the Son of God

She then hears of her relative Elizabeth who was said to be barren

She is told that she is having a baby as well and that nothing is impossible with God

Mary doesn’t seem to question God’s plan

Mary is curious about how it is going to play out

this humble young girl

hearing a message from God

being told a frightening and unexpected life change

and how does she respond

she responds with faith

she responds with trust

she responds without doubt or concern

even amidst a different time in life

Mary trusts God to get her through

in fact we see evidence of surrender in the heart of Mary

Mary tells the angel that she is a servant of the Lord

let it be to me what the word has been spoken

Mary just gives in to full surrender

Mary in fact after visiting her relative

Mary rejoices and sings a praise to God

When it comes to God’s will wee would be well off to humbly accept and appreciate His work in our lives

Mary and Joseph didn’ seem to doubt

they seemed to have full trust

full surrender and full submission

allowing God to move and to prepare everything they would need

3. Faith's Journey to Safety

Matthew 2:13–15 ESV

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Next lets look at Mary and Joseph’s faith after Jesus’ birth

after the wise men left

Mary and Joseph are called to flee

Mary and Joseph trusted God in this instance as well

Mary and Joseph leaned on their understanding of God

They didn’t doubt

they picked up their stuff and ran with Jesus to Egypt

thus fulfilling prophecy

You see Mary and Joseph were entering an unknown

they were called to enter a foreign land

they were called to go to a place uncomfortable

and in this uncomfortable place

they would find refuge

they would reside their

it would fulfill prophecies

their trust in God throughout this process has been incredible

Their trust in God allowed God’s will to be completed perfectly

Their trust in God helped pave the way for the Son of God

the one who would change the world!

Where is God calling you this morning?