The Carpenter
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Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Jesus went to his hometown and taught in the synagogue.
The people were astonished with his wisdom and miracles.
But they could not make themselves believe and they rejected him.
55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
Jesus was “just” the carpenter’s son—the son of Joseph.
Although from the line and family of King David, Joseph was an ordinary man—and ordinary carpenter—a carpenter who married a woman by the name of Mary.
This ordinary man—this ordinary carpenter—who probably had ordinary plans—this ordinary became extraordinary because his life intersected with the goodness, the grace, and the love of God.
Big Idea
When our lives intersect with the goodness, the grace, and the love of God—and we respond to God with faith and obedience—our ordinary will also become extraordinary through the plan God has for us.
So, back before Jesus was born, there was a man by the name of Joseph that fell in love with a woman by the name of Mary.
Text
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).
Transition
There are a couple of ways we can examine this passage of Scripture.
We can focus on the details of culture, historical background, and word usage—understanding the theological details of the birth of Jesus—and what that means for us today.
Another way of examining this passage is to look at the people—their experiences and choices—and how they can impact our lives today.
This message is probably more focused on the latter—the experience of Joseph and Mary and recorded in Matthew chapter one.
Joseph and Mary were engaged.
And just like all engaged couples, they probably talked a lot about their future plans.
Having a plan is a good thing.
Having a plan is a good thing.
Just like people throughout human history, Joseph and Mary looked forward to spending their life together through marriage.
And no doubt that they where planning out the details of their engagement, marriage, and family.
The Scripture refers to this couple as being just, righteous, faithful, and favored of God.
As faithful Jews, Mary and Joseph knew God’s Word—knew the principles of holy living. No doubt, they were familiar with the Proverbs:
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Planning and goal setting are appropriate activities for people who desire to live a productive and meaningful life.
Instead of making off-the-cuff, emotionally-driven decisions—it’s best to carefully think about what you want to accomplish and how you will do it.
Ultimately, for the believer in Christ, we want to plan and identify our objectives that bring glory and honor to God.
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
So, as this story of Joseph and Mary unfolds, we need to see this couple as ones who looked forward to their life together as husband and wife—and who wanted God to be the center of all that they would do and become.
Transition to Point 2
But sometimes even the best laid plans can face the unexpected.
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 is pregnant—and Joseph is NOT the father.
For an engaged couple who wanted to do what was proper before the Lord—meaning no sex before marriage—their plan seemed to hit a brick wall!
What would Joseph and Mary do?
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
The Jewish Custom
In Jewish law betrothal, which lasted about one year, was much more than our engagement.
It was a binding contract, terminable only by death (which left the betrothed a ‘widow’) or by a divorce as for a full marriage.
The man was already the husband (v. 19), but the woman remained in her father’s house.
The marriage was completed when the husband took the betrothed to his home in a public ceremony (v. 24; cf. 25:1–13); thus they came together, and sexual relations could begin.
In Old Testament law, the penalty for sexual relations before marriage was stoning.
However, by the time of Joseph and Mary, the common way to address adultery was through a divorce (based on Deuteronomy 24:1).
Since Joseph was a just man, he had every right to call for a public trial.
But his unwillingness to “put her to shame” led him to consider the permitted alternative of a private divorce before two witnesses.
So, what can we learn from Joseph’s decision?
Maintain your integrity when your plans are disrupted.
Maintain your integrity when your plans are disrupted.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Joseph was not vindictive, self-centered, or hateful. His character demonstrated a commit to integrity and grace.
One of Joseph’s ancestors, King Solomon, received this instruction from God:
4 And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules,
5 then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
Even though it seemed that Joseph’s plans were disrupted because of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph chose to do what was right and what was kind.
Application
From time to time, our plans will be disrupted—and the frustration that can result in those upended plans can be overwhelming.
But we can learn from Joseph that integrity and grace are essential in placing our trust in God alone.
Although our plans can be upended due to the wrongs of others, or even our own sinful activity—sometimes those plans change because God has a better plan!
God may interrupt your plan for His plan.
God may interrupt your plan for His plan.
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).
So, as Joseph considered what he was going to do—God intervened—and exchanged and earthly plan for a heavenly one.
And what was God’s plan for Joseph?
Do not fear.
Take Mary as your wife.
What is conceived in her is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.
A Son will be born. You will name Him Jesus.
Jesus will same His people from their sins.
What is happening for Mary (and you) is the fulfilment of prophecy.
Who is Jesus? He is GOD WITH US!
What a plan!
He is going to be married to Mary—the most blessed woman ever!
He is going to be the earthly father to the infinite Son of God!
He is going to be part of the fulfilment of promise!
Joseph in his wildest dreams could not come up with a plan like that (well, unless the dream is from God)!
Transition to Point 4
So, what was Joseph going to do as a result of all this? And what should we do when God upends our plans?
Trust in God’s plan wholeheartedly.
Trust in God’s plan wholeheartedly.
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.
Joseph immediately did what God commanded him!
He married Mary!
He refrained from having sexual relations with his wife until after Jesus was born.
He named the boy born of Mary Jesus.
He trusted God wholeheartedly by doing what God said.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Message Application
Ultimately, for the believer in Christ, we want to plan and identify our objectives that bring glory and honor to God.
Although our plans can be upended due to the wrongs of others, or even our own sinful activity—sometimes those plans change because God has a better plan!
When our plans change, do not be afraid.
2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Trust and Obey
When we walk with the Lord
In the Light of his Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey
