Dream #2 - Rescue the Perishing

Introduction

Last week, we introduced a new trilogy of sermons based on the dreams of Joseph in Matthew 1; 2.

The first message was titled "Contentment in You." It was based on the first dream that Joseph was given in Matthew 1:20-25.

I. Joseph was Torn (v19)

What He Faced; How He Felt; It Affected His Future

II. Joseph was Told (v20-21)

Something Confounding; About Something Celestial; From Someone in Command

III. Joseph Trusted the LORD (v24)

Without Hesitation; Without Reservation; Regardless of Perception

IV. Joseph Gained Tranquility

He was Content with an Imperfect Situation; He Was Conditioned For Further Use

And that was the meat of the message, was finding contentment even when you're in a bad or not ideal situation.

At the beginning of Chapter 2, we are introduced to the wise men from the East that saw the star. They followed the star unto Jerusalem and then ultimately to Bethlehem, where Joseph, Mary, and the child were abiding.

Directly following, we have the text for the message today.

While last week was designed to help us find contentment in difficult situations, today is geared toward giving us function to act in perilous situations.

The title of the message today is "Rescue the Perishing." The first thing we notice is that Joseph was given a charge.

I. Joseph was Given a Charge (1:18-25)

To fully understand this message, we need to back up to the first dream, as there is some insight that we need to gain.

He Had an Encounter with God

The first thing we see as we look back is that Joseph had an encounter with God. God had sent an angel by his way to speak truth unto him that would change his life.

This is not unusual in Scripture. We see it all the time.

God spoke unto Abraham while he was in Haran and changed his life.

God spoke unto Moses through a burning bush - changed his life.

God spoke unto Jacob & his son Joseph in dreams and changed their lives.

God spoke unto Peter by the sea shore and changed his life.

God spoke unto Paul on the road to Damascus and changed his life.

(Ill.) Some 25 years ago now, I had an encounter with God. And let me just say this, it changed my life.

If you've been born again, you have had an encounter with God as well. You realize that you were lost and undone, and your sins were sending you to hell. But then you heard of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for you, and you were born again.

I want us to look at Joseph's encounter with God as though he were born again at that moment. Though this is obviously a different setting, the principle remains the same. Joseph was given assurance and then an option.

When the Holy Spirit spoke into our heart, we were given an assurance that if we would place our faith in Jesus Christ, that we could be born again. But we were given the option of whether to do so or not.

Notice one thing: Joseph did not have to take her to be his wife. That was an option.

It was one that he had elected to accept.

He Had Elected To Accept

Matthew 1:20 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

Notice the angel did not say, "You must take her to wife." He gave him the option and simply told him, "Don't be afraid to," and gave him the reason why.

25 years ago, when God spoke to my heart, I saw my need for a Savior. I understood the plan of salvation. Yet the choice was mine.

Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Do you know why he told them to choose? Because they had a choice.

Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

You know why it says "whosoever will?" Because "whosoever" has a choice.

When Philip spoke to the Ethiopian eunuch: Acts 8:36–37 “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Do you know why it says "if"? Because the eunuch had a choice.

Joseph made a choice to wed Mary. But in doing so, he understood that his role was going to be husband and a father figure unto her child.

And because he chose to marry her, he embraced the responsibility that came along with it.

He had Embraced The Responsibility

Let me make one thing absolutely clear: Salvation is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.

That being said, there are responsibilities that are required to those who are saved

(Ill.) As I hope you know, I adore my children. And I did not charge them anything to bear them as my children. However, because they're my children, and I take care of them, and I provide for them, they have responsibilities.

We labor because we are children of God, not to become children of God.

As Christians, we have responsibilities.

We are responsible in:

The manner we live

Romans 12:1–2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The witness we provide

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Joseph embraced his responsibility. The question is Christian, have you?

Joseph was Given a Charge

Joseph was Given a Charge

II. Joseph was Made Capable

Before God had even charged Joseph with taking up Mary and Jesus unto Egypt, it already made him capable to do so.

God Had Provided The Means (2:1-12)

As we consider the story of the wise men as a part of the larger Christmas story, we often focus upon the gifts in which they gave Jesus - Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Which represents the various functions of Christ.

Gold - His Kingship

Frankincense - His Priesthood (offered upon the altar)

Myrrh - His Sacrifice (embalming agent)

However, in a practical sense, these were useful items. They were valuable items. Notice it was directly after the wise men left that the Lord directed him to go. These items would have given him the resources for this journey, so God provided the means.

Let me just say this: God has provided the means for you to do what he has called you to do, to fulfill your responsibilities unto him.

(Ill.) There's that old saying, "If God will bring you to it, God will bring you through it."

Church, know this: there is nothing that God will call you to do that he will not provide the means for you to do it. And if God has called you to do something and you don't, make no mistake, you will stand before God without excuse.

God provided the means for Joseph, and he also presented the method.

God Presented the Method (v13a)

He said, "Take them and flee." Let me translate that for you. What he was truly saying was, "Rescue the perishing."

Jesus was under a death sentence. He was under the judgment of the god of that land. Herod had the power not only to kill one child but to kill a multitude of them.

And so God told Joseph, "Rescue the perishing." He told Joseph what to do.

Do you know what Jesus said in Matthew 28? Unto you and I, he said, "Rescue the perishing."

Many people reject the direct command to tell others about Jesus because they feel as though that is a specific call unto preachers or certain individuals, but church, it is a universal call unto all Christians.

And make no mistake, remember, if God brings you to it, God will bring you through it. Because God has called you to tell people about Christ, God has given you everything that you need to do so.

You do not need to be a theologian and know all the answers.

All you need to be is willing to do what Christ has called you to do.

If you've been born again, you have all you need. You have a testimony!

You can tell them where you've been.

Then you tell them about Jesus.

And you tell them about how he changed your life, and he can change theirs as well!

(Ill.) The Bible in John 9 tells us of a blind man who Christ had healed. He didn't have all the answers. They came asking a bunch of questions, and we see this exchange. John 9:24–25 “Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”

Joseph was Made Capable to do What God called for him to do

Joseph was Given a Charge; He was Made Capable

III. Joseph Cared

Why did Joseph do this? Because he cared.

For the Child (v13b)

This child, not the babe, but the child, that wasn't even his. He cared what happened to him.

Church, let me ask you this: Do you care that people are dying and going to hell? Does it matter to you? I'd say most of us care about our family, but what about those who aren't? Do we care about those as Joseph cared for Jesus?

I think of that verse in Lamentations a lot when considering this subject. Lamentations 1:12a “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?…”

Joseph cared for the child, but I want to look at it from a different perspective as well because Joseph not only cared for the child, but Joseph cared for the Christ.

For the Christ

Now let me ask you this: It may not move you that some person from across town that you've never met before dies and goes to hell. You may not care about that, but let me ask you, do you care about the Christ?

(Ill.) We were in Washington D.C. several years ago, and we were walking down by a McDonald's when there was a homeless man outside begging for food. Consequently, we went inside to buy him some food. Now I bought him food because I had compassion upon him, but I can tell you this: my children can ask me for food any time, anywhere, and I will provide it. Not because I have compassion, but because I have relation. I have a care. They mean something to me.

Church, you may lack compassion for the lost, but do you care for the Christ? Do you have that relation there? Does what matters to Him matter to you?

Joseph cared for the Christ.

For his Companion (v13a)

Lastly, we see that the Lord not only told him to take the young child, but also His mother, Mary. Joseph cared for her as well.

He sought to protect her, provide for her, and show her a loving, godly example as well.

You and I shouldn't only have compassion on the lost and care for the Christ, but we should also care about how this affects others as well.

Our testimony matters, Church.

Joseph cared for his companion.

Joseph was Given a Charge; He was Made Capable; Joseph Cared

IV. Joseph Complied to His Calling

We've already recognized that Joseph did what he was told. But I think it's important to consider the circumstances around that.

Without Hesitation (v14)

Matthew 2:14 “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”

Joseph didn't even bother getting a good night's rest. He didn't take his time in contemplating and considering. He didn't wait for daybreak. He followed the Lord's direction immediately.

Do you know when you should rescue the perishing? Early and often.

You need not wait until you are somewhat better, or smarter, or wiser than you are right now. (Ill.) I was reading about investing a while back, and it came to light that the best time for me to begin investing would have been 30 years ago. However, the second-best time to begin is right now.

Church, that may be the situation with you and your witness for the Lord. Maybe you should have started 30 years ago. But that doesn't matter now. The second-best time to start is right now.

I encourage you church to take this holiday season. Take a break from all of the hubbub and the foolishness that's found therein. And get busy about rescuing the perishing.

Send tracks with your Christmas cards.

Use your get-togethers as opportunities to tell people about Jesus.

If we truly believe that Jesus is the reason for the season, then use the season to tell people about Jesus!

Joseph complied without hesitation.

Regardless of Hurt or Hazard (v15a)

Think for just a moment what it would have entailed in the first century to load up a wife and a toddler, whatever belongings you're taking with you, and travel miles to Egypt. It was a minimum 75-100 miles, but more likely 250-300 miles.

(Ill.) My son-in-law and daughter just took my grandson to the beach this year. While it was a longer trip, maybe 500 miles, that was in the comfort of a nice vehicle, in a car seat with air conditioning and nice shocks, and took a whole lot less time to get there. Imagine either toting a child on your person or on a camel for 250 miles.

My point is this: What cost are you willing to endure to be obedient to Christ? What price is too high to pay to rescue the perishing?

What excuse will you give when you stand before Jesus and watch those in which you could have influenced be cast into the lake of fire?

Joseph was willing to be obedient unto the Lord, regardless of hurt or hazard. What about you?

Conclusion

Today, you find yourself in one of two situations:

You might find yourself in Jesus's

Jesus' situation in this passage of Scripture is very different from how he is typically presented. Jesus is helpless and is in dire need for Joseph to rescue him from judgment.

When I say that you might be like Jesus, what I'm talking about is you might be in the same position in that you are under the cloud of judgment and you need rescuing.

If you know not the Lord Jesus as your Savior, this is where you are at. You are under the judgment of God. Your sin condemns you. But the whole purpose of the Christmas story is that Jesus came so that he might save you from your sins. Some thirty-three years later, Jesus would bleed and die to pay the price for your sins.

And I, right now, am playing the part of Joseph in that I am just trying to lead you unto Salvation - and that Salvation is found in Jesus!

If you know that this is you, will you come forward today and be one again?

You might find yourself in Joseph's.

You are the one that God is calling upon to lead others from destruction.

May I ask, how is that coming? If God had put you in Joseph's place, would you have rescued Jesus from judgment as Joseph did?

Do you care about the lost?

Do you care about the Christ and the mission for which he died?

Remember, the second-best time to get busy for the Lord is right now. What will you do? Why don't you come to the altar and commit yourself unto God to rescue the perishing?