When God Rewrites the Story

Matthew 1:18–25

Welcome & Opening

Good morning church family. What a joy it is to gather together and worship the Lord today.

Announcements:

12/24 No Services;

12/28 Next Sunday, Edmeia Williams will be here.

12/31 at 9pm New Years eve celebration starts with dinner and after we will have our worship service starting at 10pm. Edmeia Williams.

Introduction

As we prepare our hearts, let me say this: Christmas is not just about decorations, traditions, or even nostalgia. It is about heaven visiting earth, a God who steps into human chaos and brings redemption.

Luke 2:11 (NIV) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Before we turn to the Word, let me ask you something very personal.

Have you ever been so confident about your future that you could practically see it unfolding in front of you— only to watch it collapse overnight?

Maybe it was a relationship you thought would last forever.

A job you were sure was God’s will.

A business idea that seemed unstoppable.

A health report you never expected.

A prayer you believed God had to answer a certain way.

And when it all fell apart, you whispered—or maybe shouted— “God… why?”

We all ask that question when life hurts. But this morning, I want to suggest that “why” is not always the best question.

The Christmas story invites us to ask something better: “Lord, can I trust You—even now?”

Today we’re going to look at Christmas through the eyes of a man who rarely gets center stage: Joseph.

He doesn’t sing. He doesn’t preach. He doesn’t speak a single recorded word.

Yet his quiet obedience teaches us how to trust God when our dreams fall apart.

Lets read…

Matthew 1:18–25 NLT

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

I. When Life Interrupts Your Plans

(Matthew 1:18)

“Mary was engaged to Joseph. …

Joseph was living in a season of excitement.

He was engaged.

His future felt secure.

He had plans, timelines, expectations.

In Jewish culture, engagement was binding—more serious than our modern version. Everything was already set.

And then… one sentence changed everything.

“But before the marriage took place… she was found to be pregnant.”

Just like that, Joseph’s dream turned into a nightmare.

A. The Shock of the Unexpected

Joseph didn’t go looking for trouble. Trouble showed up uninvited.

That’s how life works, isn’t it?

You don’t plan for betrayal. You don’t schedule bad news. You don’t budget for heartbreak.

And yet, it comes anyway.

Illustration

It’s like carefully mapping out a road trip on GPS—every stop planned— and suddenly the app reroutes you because the road you trusted is closed.

You didn’t choose the detour. But now you’re on it.

Joseph was on a detour he never wanted.

When the unexpected happened, …

II. God Is Still at Work When You Can’t See It

From Joseph’s point of view, everything looked wrong.

But from God’s point of view, everything was exactly right.

Joseph didn’t know it yet, but heaven was already moving.

“For I know the plans I have for you…” (Jer. 29:11)

God’s plans are often hidden behind pain.

“My ways are higher than your ways…” (Isa. 55:8–9)

Illustration

Think of a master artist working on a canvas. If you stood inches away, all you might see are dark colors and rough strokes. But step back—and suddenly, the picture makes sense.

Joseph was standing too close to the canvas. God was painting something eternal.

III. Character Revealed in Crisis

(Matthew 1:19)

“Joseph… was a righteous man…”

Notice this:

Joseph didn’t become righteous because of the crisis.

The crisis revealed what was already in him.

A. Circumstances Reveal Who We Really Are

Anyone can praise God when life is easy. But faith shows itself when life hurts.

Job worshiped God not because life was good—but because God was still God.

B. Choices Reveal Our Faith

Joseph had options:

Expose Mary publicly

Walk away quietly

Accept disgrace himself

None of those choices were easy.

But righteousness isn’t about easy choices. It’s about faithful ones.

C. Compassion Reveals Spiritual Maturity

Joseph chose mercy over revenge. Grace over anger. Love over pride.

That looks a lot like Jesus… doesn’t it?

Church, how we treat people who hurt us says more about our walk with God than any song we sing.

IV. God Speaks at the Right Time

(Matthew 1:20–23)

Just when Joseph had reached the end of his own reasoning, God spoke.

Not early. Not late. Right on time.

Illustration: The Parade

Life is like watching a parade from the sidewalk. You only see what’s in front of you.

But God sees the whole parade— the beginning, the middle, and the end.

What Joseph thought was the end of his joy was actually the beginning of salvation for the world.

“They will call His name Immanuel—God with us.”

Joseph learned something powerful: God wasn’t against him—God was with him.

V. Faith Responds with Obedience

(Matthew 1:24–25)

“Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded…”

Joseph didn’t argue. He didn’t delay. He obeyed.

He took Mary as his wife. He accepted misunderstanding. He trusted God with his reputation.

True Faith Acts Even When Others Don’t Understand

Faith doesn’t wait until everything makes sense. Faith moves because God has spoken.

Joseph never planned to raise the Messiah. But God rewrote his story.

And the greatest “loss” of his life became the greatest privilege he could ever imagine.

Conclusion: What Will You Do with Your Broken Dreams?

Church, let me ask you:

What are you holding right now that feels shattered? What prayer feels unanswered? What dream feels buried?

You have choices.

You can try to fix it yourself.

You can give up.

You can grow bitter.

Or—you can trust God with the pieces.

Sometimes God doesn’t restore the old dream. He gives you something better.

Joseph teaches us this truth:

What feels like a tragedy today may be the doorway to God’s greatest work tomorrow.

So I invite you—right where you are—

Bring your broken dreams to Jesus. Bring your confusion. Bring your pain.

He is still Immanuel. God with you.

And He is not finished writing your story.

Prayer “Lord, I don’t understand everything I’m walking through, but I choose to trust You. Take the pieces of my life and do what only You can do. I place my faith in You. Amen.”