WWJD?

Hector Mora

Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Joseph (husband of Mary)

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INTRODUCTION

The anticipation of Christmas is real isn’t it?

As I expounded on the life of Mary, I felt a little conflicted

I remember my Saturdays being filled with soccer games

I knew that this would be taught better from a woman’s perspective.

So this year, I prayed, and I believe that the story of Mary would be better taught by a woman.

There is a wonder and a curiosity that fills the room

Now, a little context.

I remember my Saturdays being filled with soccer games

I would spend so much time at the fields, which were located all over Downey, CA

There is this hope and expectation that births excitement

One day, for some reason, one of my teammates needed to go home

So we drove over to his house

Every detail of Christmas has this undertone of wonder.

When I walked in, I noticed something on the wall

Every gift that is wrapped

It was, a bunch of frames with names on them

The Menu of Christmas Eve Dinner

Each name had a bible verse under it

How many tamales your mom made

Driving over to see family and friends

I remember being curious

Finding out which family member all of a sudden shows up

Saying something along the lines of, “Thats cool that all their names come from the Bible”

Then Mrs. Pesce decided to ask me if i knew Jesus.

The wonder of what you are going to say when you didn’t know someone was going to give you something, and you didn’t bring an extra gift.

To which I responded,

There is also the reality of pain:

“Yeah, I know his mom too”

We wonder if coloring books, colored pencils, and re-wrapped gifts will be enough to bring a smile to your girls face

About 10-12 years later I was walking down the hall of a pretty big church

What will it be like when we see the person that has wronged us?

We wonder if God will provide extra work that will help the tree not look so barren

And walking towards me and my wife was none other than my coach and his wife.

We wonder if family members will judge us for not being able to afford extravagant gifts.

What will it be like when we see the person that has wronged us?

It was a pretty amazing moment

What will it be like when we have conversations that we never thought we would have?

What will the atmosphere be like when the people that used to light up the room are no longer there or are now in eternity?

But even crazier is to have her whole family back in our lives

Christmas has the potential to hit every nook and cranny of the emotional spectrum

They have all served in some way here at the church

So, what can we do when we are faced with unfamiliar territory?

How can we have a Jesus Perspective?

Love having them around

How can we take the negative energy of the South Coast Parking Lot, and turn it into a Doxological Event.

She’s been a great influence in so many lives

What can we do to prepare for what God might want to do this Holiday Season?

How can we be a source of reconciliation

Last year, as I shared the Christmas story, we focused on the people surrounding the Manger

So lets give it up for Mrs. Aleta Pesce who will be sharing a little insight surrounding the life of Mary.

TURN TO

LETS TAKE A LOOK AT THE LIFE OF JOSEPH

What do we know?

Joseph was from Bethlehem

He was the son of Jacob

And was born into the line of David and his lineage is traced all the way back to Abraham, where the promise of blessing first started.

We know this dude was a hard worker

We know Joseph was known to be a carpenter

But the language here infers that he was a craftsman

A Woodworker, Stonemason, or Metalworker,

Bottomline,

This man worked hard with his hands.

He was the son of Jacob

And was born into the line of David and his lineage is traced all the way back to Abraham, where the promise of blessing first started.

THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW OF JOSEPH.

NOW LETS LOOK AT THE NARRATIVE

Matthew 1:18–25 NKJV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18

PRAY THAT GOD WOULD REVEAL HIMSELF TO US.

As I expounded on the life of Mary, I felt a little conflicted

I knew that this would be taught better from a woman’s perspective.

In looking at the life of Joseph

So this year, I prayed, and I believe that it would be better

We know this dude was a hard worker

We know Joseph was known to be a carpenter

But the language here infers that he was a craftsman

A Woodworker, Stonemason, or Metalworker,

This man worked hard with his hands.

Joseph was from Bethlehem

He was the son of Jacob

And was born into the line of David and his lineage is traced all the way back to Abraham, where the promise of blessing first started.

THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW OF JOSEPH.

Matthew 1:18-

NOW LETS LOOK AT THE NARRATIVE

Matthew 1:18–25 NKJV

PRAY THAT THE MEN OF THE CHURCH WOULD GET IT. PRAY THAT WE WOULD STEP UP AND LEAD WHEN THINGS HAPPEN THAT WE COULD NOT CONTROL. PRAY THAT WE WOULD LIVE INTO OUR ROLE AS FATHERS AND ROLE MODELS IN THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND US.

Matthew 1:18 NKJV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

This is how Jesus came into this world

Mary who was betrothed to Joseph

Was betrothed to Joseph

She was engaged to Him

This was a legal binding

So much so, that if they were to call off the engagement, Joseph would have to give her a certificate of divorce.

BEFORE they came together

Or before the marriage was consummated

SHE was found with child of the Holy Spirit

Lets take a deep breath

Men, how would you react?

Think about it for a second

You’ve been working hard

You’ve been staying clean

Respecting her purity

Respecting her value

You’ve been preparing a place for your woman

You’ve been building a home for your new family

You haven’t seen her for a while

You get ready

You are so pumped to see her

So you arrange to see her

You head over

She opens the door

And there it is, that look

You know, the look

She has something to tell you

She doesn’t really have the courage to tell you

She is scared of your reaction

She is scared of what people will say

She leans over and tells you she is pregnant

NOW REMEMBER:

You’ve had been placing value in abstinence

You’ve been waiting for the Marriage Day

You know you did your part

But the reality is

Your fiancee is pregnant, and she is saying that God is the Father

WWJD?

Remember, there has never been an event like this in all of history

If you were a devout believer in YHWH, you wouldn’t have a similar event to reference

God had never done this before

A Virgin had never said this

This was indeed miraculous, yet so controversial

Joseph feels cheated

He feels robbed

So WWJD?

Men, just like anything else, there is always few options for us

As creative as we get with these options

Get rid of the evidence

Isn’t that what we do when our character is on the line?

They all fall into two categories

Isn’t that how we want to react

Quick, hide all the evidence

Category One: THE FLESH

Clear the history

Normally this is where we get the most creative

Erase all the texts

Category Two: THE SPIRIT

We hate to face the consequences don’t we?

Normally this is where God gets creative

So again, WWJD?:

Matthew 1:19 NKJV

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

He had every right to give her a certificate of divorce

THIS IS WHAT WAS GOING ON IN JOSEPH’S MIND

Though it had good motives

THIS IS WHAT HIM AND HIS ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS HAVE CONJOURED UP

Though it was respectable

Again, lets take a step back:

Though it shows that he cared for Mary

It wasn’t the Will of God for his life, his fiancees life, nor Jesus’ life.

Joseph had every right to shame her publically

He had every right to give her a certificate of divorce

There was clear evidence of unfaithfulness

Because his word would always be valued over hers

Whatever he decided to do with this situation

Would emphatically favor him

Would almost emphatically favor him

Matthew 1:19 NKJV

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Matthew 1:19 NKJV

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

However, Joseph was a just man

A man of integrity

A man who knew, before God and man, that He was blameless

Because he loved Mary

Because he cared for her

Because he didn’t want to make her a public example

He was encouraged to put her away secretly

Now lets pause for a moment . . .

Have you ever thought about this?

Was this the best option?

Did he have any other options?

What would cause him to put her out secretly?

Was it because he wanted to preserve her reputation?

Absolutely not, in this culture, she was as good as dead

In fact, her undeniable unfaithfulness, had one option, death by stoning

What else could be effecting his decision?

From a Jewish perspective?

Look at

Looking at

Deuteronomy 22:13–21 NKJV

13 “If any man takes a wife, and goes in to her, and detests her, 14 and charges her with shameful conduct, and brings a bad name on her, and says, ‘I took this woman, and when I came to her I found she was not a virgin,’ 15 then the father and mother of the young woman shall take and bring out the evidence of the young woman’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. 16 And the young woman’s father shall say to the elders, ‘I gave my daughter to this man as wife, and he detests her. 17 Now he has charged her with shameful conduct, saying, “I found your daughter was not a virgin,” and yet these are the evidences of my daughter’s virginity.’ And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. 18 Then the elders of that city shall take that man and punish him; 19 and they shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver and give them to the father of the young woman, because he has brought a bad name on a virgin of Israel. And she shall be his wife; he cannot divorce her all his days. 20 “But if the thing is true, and evidences of virginity are not found for the young woman, 21 then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done a disgraceful thing in Israel, to play the harlot in her father’s house. So you shall put away the evil from among you.

Deuteronomy 22:1–21 NKJV

1 “You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. 2 And if your brother is not near you, or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it to your own house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it; then you shall restore it to him. 3 You shall do the same with his donkey, and so shall you do with his garment; with any lost thing of your brother’s, which he has lost and you have found, you shall do likewise; you must not hide yourself. 4 “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again. 5 “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God. 6 “If a bird’s nest happens to be before you along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young; 7 you shall surely let the mother go, and take the young for yourself, that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days. 8 “When you build a new house, then you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring guilt of bloodshed on your household if anyone falls from it. 9 “You shall not sow your vineyard with different kinds of seed, lest the yield of the seed which you have sown and the fruit of your vineyard be defiled. 10 “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. 11 “You shall not wear a garment of different sorts, such as wool and linen mixed together. 12 “You shall make tassels on the four corners of the clothing with which you cover yourself. 13 “If any man takes a wife, and goes in to her, and detests her, 14 and charges her with shameful conduct, and brings a bad name on her, and says, ‘I took this woman, and when I came to her I found she was not a virgin,’ 15 then the father and mother of the young woman shall take and bring out the evidence of the young woman’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. 16 And the young woman’s father shall say to the elders, ‘I gave my daughter to this man as wife, and he detests her. 17 Now he has charged her with shameful conduct, saying, “I found your daughter was not a virgin,” and yet these are the evidences of my daughter’s virginity.’ And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. 18 Then the elders of that city shall take that man and punish him; 19 and they shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver and give them to the father of the young woman, because he has brought a bad name on a virgin of Israel. And she shall be his wife; he cannot divorce her all his days. 20 “But if the thing is true, and evidences of virginity are not found for the young woman, 21 then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done a disgraceful thing in Israel, to play the harlot in her father’s house. So you shall put away the evil from among you.

Deuteronomy 22:1-

THERE WAS A PROCESS, IN JEWISH CULTURE, TO PROVE A WOMANS VIRGINITY

We see

If Joseph, brought her before the Elders, accused her of infidelity, and she was proven to be a virgin, He would be held accountable.

IF SHE WASN’T,

Could it be that this Law was effecting his decision?

Could it be that God

Though his decision to put her away secretly seemed like it is the most compassionate thing to do

Though this seems like it is the most compassionate thing to do

Though it had good motives

Though it was respectable

Though it shows that he cared for Mary

It wasn’t God’s perfect plan for his life, his fiancees life, nor Jesus’ life.

The Story of Christmas isn’t just about gifts, food, and the emotional roller coaster we’ve been on since black friday

It is a picture of God intervening

It is a picture of God giving us a better plan

It is a picture of God writing a better story

It is the rescuing of Humanity and it began while Jesus was in the womb

When Joseph was stuck with options that spoke to his humanity

When his friends “minded” him with selfish options

When everything around him was telling him to bail

God intervenes in a dream and gives him a better option

However, its not going to be easy

What will we do with this Christmas Story?

What will we do with the Story of joseph

For Joseph & Mary, it would be the hardest thing ever.

What Would Joseph Do with this dream?

Matthew 1:20–25 NKJV

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

While he thought about these things:

What have you been thinking about

The advice from his friends sounded like the best option

That you have yet to receive a clear answer

That you are anxious to have closure about

That you’ve talked to your friends about

Their advice seems great

But you still dont have a peace

I advice you to wait

Because God is still speaking to His people

He is a sanctuary for those in need of refuge

He is the rest that the weary are craving

And it might just be that tonight you’ll have a dream with a better option

For it was while he thought about these things that an Angel came to him in a dream

Spoke to him on behalf of the Lord and said to him

Joseph, Son of David

Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife

For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

But not only that

It is a boy

You shall call his name Jesus

For He will save His people from their sins.

CHURCH, IT IS IN THE DRAMA OF LIFE, THAT GOD MIGHT BE WANTING TO USE US TO PRESENT A BETTER OPTION TO THOSE WHO ARE HOPELESS

IT IS IN THE CONTROVERSY OF LIFE, THAT GOD WANTS TO USE THE UNCHARTED TERRITORY TO BRING OTHERS TO CHRIST

Little did Joseph know that God was using him to usher in the very Savior of the world

That he would get to care for his step son as if he was his own

That he would get to love on the One who would show him what true love is

That he would get to raise the Child who would die on the cross for his sins

Matthew 1:22

That he would

But in order for this to happen, there was something that he needed to live into

Matthew 1:22–23 NKJV

Matthew 1:22–25 NKJV

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Joseph not only needed to put away his fear

He needed to do what the Angel encouraged him to do

He needed to step into the shame of his wife

He needed to do what the Angel encouraged him to do

He needed to step into the shame of his wife

He needed to put away those thoughts of insecurity

If he

He needed to put away his trust issues

He needed to put away his reputation

Because in doing so, He would live into his greatest potential.

CONCLUSION

There are many of us here today that are just like Joseph

Who are struggling with the various options God has placed before them

You are fearful because it challenges your comfort

You are worried because the next season is going to stretch you

You have consulted with your friends, yet you don’t have any peace

Maybe there is a better option

Maybe God has revealed something to you through His Word

Anybody here?

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