Great Expectations for Faith

Introduction

Matthew 1:18–25 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.” 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.

1) Faith Overrides Feelings (v. 18-19)

Can you even begin to imagine the emotions of Mary and Joseph:

Mary and Joseph are betrothed (v.18)

They are a young people looking to start a family and life together.

Mary is found to be with child from the Holy Spirit (v.18)

Joseph is conflicted (v.19)

He is a just man AND unwilling to put her to shame

There is such joy and excitement and fears and nervousness and uncertainty and betrayal…

The emotions are all over the place…this is first century reality TV!

In the midst of all the feelings…God calls Mary and Joseph to faith!

Faith in the One whom they’ve placed their trust.

Faith in the Plans that are greater than themselves.

Faith in His goodness!

When you and I are a hot mess and our emotions can lead us to some stinkin’ thinkin’ we are blessed to be able to let Faith Override our Feelings!

2) Faith Overwhelms Fears (v. 20-23)

Undoubtedly one of the most powerful emotions is fear!

I can only imagine the fears they must have felt…

Fears of uncertainty.

Fears of inadequacy.

Fears of future relationships.

Fear of societal pressures.

In the midst of their fears, God calls them to faith.

“Do not be afraid Mary for you have found favor with God” (Luke1:30)

“Joseph…do not fear to take Mary as your wife…” (v.20)

Faith in a greater plan and purpose.

In Hebrew Tradition, the Father bestows the name upon the son…giving an acceptance of the child as his own. (Isaiah 43:1 “1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”)

Call his name Jesus (which means, “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation”)

The call to faith overwhelms our fears because God is able to do all things.

There are no fears that God in the very nature of who He is cannot overwhelm.

When we are fearful of pressures and uncertainties we are blessed to be able to let Faith Overwhelm our Fears!

3) Faith Overcomes Flesh (v.24-25)

Despite the battle of the mind and the heart that surrounds the first Christmas, there is still one more blessing we see in action here…that is the action itself.

Joseph and Mary did as the angel of the Lord commanded.

In their flesh, they could have second guessed themselves…

Joseph could have still pursued the “easy path” and did nothing.

The draw of the flesh must have been palatable.

It’s easy to do nothing or to stay in our own way, but in this text we see that Faith Overcame the Flesh.

Joseph did as the Lord commanded.

He honored Mary and took her as His wife.

He honored her purity.

He honored the Lord by taking the child as his own and naming Him.

When you and I are tempted to remain in our flesh, we are blessed to be able to let Faith Overcome our Flesh and experience the abundant blessings of being faithful to God!

4) Faith Offered Freely

Greatest message in all of the Christmas story and the Great Expectations for Faith…This Faith is Offered Freely!

Mary and Joseph didn’t have to prove themselves.

They didn’t have to go through some ritual.

They didn’t have to clean themselves up.

They didn’t have to accomplish some pilgrimage or task before they were chosen to be a part of God’s plan.

God chose them despite of them.

Have you ever had that “there’s one more gift” moment?

God has a free gift for you this morning: Faith Offered Freely to You!

Jesus was born to be your salvation!

He would go on to become the perfect atonement for the sin that we are all guilty of.

He is the author and finisher of faith.

He invites you to freely embrace a life of faith in Him today!

Closing

What’s keeping you from embracing the free gift that God gave to you when He sent Jesus?

Does your life seem like a hot mess and you are just a big bag of mixed emotions…Faith Overrides Feelings!

Have you thought about it before, but fear of what a life sold out to Jesus might mean for you…Faith Overwhelms Fear!

Are you just too wrapped up in things of the flesh and giving your life to Jesus has become a “maybe one day when I get around to it” kind of thing…Faith Overcomes Flesh!

Do you think that you have to get some things in your life in order before God will forgive you…Faith is Offered Freely!

Whatever reason you have for not surrendering your life to Jesus and experiencing the abundant blessings of faith in God, it’s not a good reason!

God is always greater and better.

Why not make today the day you embrace the gift of God, sent for you, and place your faith in Jesus?