The Faith of Mary & Joseph
Characters of Christmas • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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(Luke 1:26–38; Matthew 1:18–25)
(Luke 1:26–38; Matthew 1:18–25)
Title: “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Yes”
Title: “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Yes”
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Christmas reminds us that God loves to work through ordinary, overlooked, everyday people. Mary and Joseph weren’t royalty, wealthy, or influential — they were small-town teenagers engaged to be married. Yet through their simple obedience, God changed the world.
Christmas reminds us that God loves to work through ordinary, overlooked, everyday people. Mary and Joseph weren’t royalty, wealthy, or influential — they were small-town teenagers engaged to be married. Yet through their simple obedience, God changed the world.
Birth of Jesus Foretold
Birth of Jesus Foretold
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.”
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?”
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.
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.
The Birth of Jesus Christ
The Birth of Jesus Christ
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:
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,
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
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.
(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.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”
Mary and Joseph show us courageous faith at the most important moment in history.
Mary and Joseph show us courageous faith at the most important moment in history.
POINT 1 — Their Calling Was Unexpected
POINT 1 — Their Calling Was Unexpected
Exposition
Exposition
Mary was a young girl from Nazareth — a town with such a bad reputation that Nathanael once said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Joseph was a carpenter, a blue-collar man with a simple life plan: marry, work, raise a family.
Mary was a young girl from Nazareth — a town with such a bad reputation that Nathanael once said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Joseph was a carpenter, a blue-collar man with a simple life plan: marry, work, raise a family.
But God interrupted normal life with a divine assignment.
But God interrupted normal life with a divine assignment.
Mary:
Mary:
“Greetings, O favored one… You will conceive and bear a Son.” (Luke 1:28–31)
“Greetings, O favored one… You will conceive and bear a Son.” (Luke 1:28–31)
Joseph:
Joseph:
“Joseph… do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” (Matt. 1:20)
“Joseph… do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” (Matt. 1:20)
God’s greatest works often begin with unexpected interruptions.
God’s greatest works often begin with unexpected interruptions.
Illustration
Illustration
It’s like getting a call saying you just won a scholarship, a promotion, or a life-changing opportunity — except you never even applied. God sometimes puts you in positions you never saw coming.
It’s like getting a call saying you just won a scholarship, a promotion, or a life-changing opportunity — except you never even applied. God sometimes puts you in positions you never saw coming.
Application
Application
Remain interruptible. The greatest blessings often come disguised as disruptions.
Remain interruptible. The greatest blessings often come disguised as disruptions.
Ask God this Christmas: “What are You trying to do in me that I haven’t planned for?”
Ask God this Christmas: “What are You trying to do in me that I haven’t planned for?”
POINT 2 — Their Obedience Was Immediate
POINT 2 — Their Obedience Was Immediate
Exposition
Exposition
Mary didn’t negotiate.
Mary didn’t negotiate.
She simply said, “Be it unto me according to Your word.” (Luke 1:38)
She simply said, “Be it unto me according to Your word.” (Luke 1:38)
Joseph didn’t argue.
Joseph didn’t argue.
“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded.” (Matt. 1:24)
“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded.” (Matt. 1:24)
Obedience opened the door for Jesus to enter their story.
Obedience opened the door for Jesus to enter their story.
Illustration
Illustration
Motion-activated lights only turn on when you take a step. God often reveals the next step only after obedience to the first.
Motion-activated lights only turn on when you take a step. God often reveals the next step only after obedience to the first.
Application
Application
This Christmas, take the step God has already shown you:
This Christmas, take the step God has already shown you:
– Forgive someone
– Forgive someone
– Serve someone
– Serve someone
– Start a new habit
– Start a new habit
– Let go of something harmful
– Let go of something harmful
Obedience before full understanding is often the birthplace of miracles.
Obedience before full understanding is often the birthplace of miracles.
POINT 3 — Their Story Shows God Works Through the Willing, Not the Worthy
POINT 3 — Their Story Shows God Works Through the Willing, Not the Worthy
Exposition
Exposition
Mary and Joseph weren’t perfect — but they were willing. God didn’t choose them because of status, but because of surrender.
Mary and Joseph weren’t perfect — but they were willing. God didn’t choose them because of status, but because of surrender.
Their faithfulness fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 7:14), protected Jesus (Matthew 2:13–15), and shaped His early life.
Their faithfulness fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 7:14), protected Jesus (Matthew 2:13–15), and shaped His early life.
Illustration
Illustration
A foundation doesn’t get attention, but it holds up the whole house. Their quiet obedience held up the beginning of salvation’s story.
A foundation doesn’t get attention, but it holds up the whole house. Their quiet obedience held up the beginning of salvation’s story.
Application
Application
Let God use you — not because of your accomplishments, but your availability. Christmas is God saying, “I work through ordinary people who simply say yes.”
Let God use you — not because of your accomplishments, but your availability. Christmas is God saying, “I work through ordinary people who simply say yes.”
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Mary and Joseph remind us that God’s plan requires faith, obedience, and surrender. Their “yes” paved the way for Jesus to enter the world. May we give God our yes this Christmas season.
Mary and Joseph remind us that God’s plan requires faith, obedience, and surrender. Their “yes” paved the way for Jesus to enter the world. May we give God our yes this Christmas season.
