Untitled Sermon

There will be times in our lives when we are faced with periods of uncertainty. What do we do when we are faced with overwhelming heavy decisions?

How do we handle the most difficult circumstances we may face. Well help can be found in Matthews version of the Christmas story.

Most people know about the major characters of the Christmas story. We all know about the appearance of the angel to Mary, a simple, godly young woman. We know about the shepherds in the fields. We know about the wise men following the star.But there was one other character in the Christmas story who is also important. We mustn’t leave out Joseph. For some reason not much attention is paid to Joseph. Perhaps part of the reason is that Joseph was not physically related to Jesus. Mary was His physical mother, but Jesus had no physical father. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit. So Joseph was essentially Jesus’s stepfather.And yet, Joseph was every bit as important and godly and commendable as Mary was. Today, I’d like us to look at Joseph’s part in the story of the birth of Jesus.

If we are going to handle uncertainty in our lives we must our character. What are you made off?

I. First have the Character of a Just Man or Woman

Integrity Just righteous

CONSIDER WITH ME FIRST OF ALL JOSEPH’S CHARACTER – – “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. 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.”

Who was this man Joseph? The Bible doesn’t tell us much, but from the Gospels we get a snapshot of who he was and what kind of man he was. In our text we see an unfolding drama: Joseph is betroth to Mary and dreams of the future, as any young man would.

He’s “espoused,” or literally, “betrothed” to Mary, which is like being engaged today, except that the tie was stronger than our custom of engagement. Today, you can call of an engagement at any point, even up to the last minute before the wedding, like in the move, Runaway Bride. A betrothal, on the other hand, was a binding legal transaction. There had to be two witnesses to a betrothal; pledges were given to one another; and money or goods were given to the betrothed bride’s parents as a dowry. Though the marriage was not yet consummated sexually and they lived apart until the actual wedding, they were in all other respects considered married and were even called husband and wife.In fact, betrothal was so binding that it could be annulled only in extreme cases, and you actually had to have a bill of divorce to do it.

Now Joseph had done everything right according to law, religion and custom: Scripture said he was a just man.

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We forget how to be just today but the Roman writer describes a just man like this:

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). ().

He had become betrothed to her; he had paid the dowry; he had remained sexually pure; he made the pledges, and meant to keep them; he had followed the rules. He was ready for marriage—planning and dreaming like any other young man.And then suddenly, his whole world came crashing in! He was told that MARY WAS PREGNANT! What would he do? One thing he did know: HE certainly was not the father! He could justly take her before the authorities and have her prosecuted for adultery (which could lead to a death penalty).…or he could quietly put her away quietly and privately. No matter what he did, there were no easy solutions and Joseph found himself in turmoil and emotional upheaval. Being merciful, he decided to put her away privately by asking for a bill of divorce to spare her possible prosecution, which could lead to death.This shows us that he was a man of character and integrity because he sincerely wanted to do the right thing; and it shows that he was also a man of compassion because he wished Mary no harm, although, based on the evidence he had at the time, it appeared that she had done him a grave injustice.

See he wasn’t like many of us. We would be bitter and angry because we forget to adhered to the word of God when it tells us as the Ephesian writer said: 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). ().

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). ().

In all these events, we see no hint of anger or a desire for retaliation. Nothing like scratching the doors of her truck, carving his name in the seats or smashing the headlights!

This is perhaps the most remarkable thing about his character that we see. Joseph was not looking for a way for RETALIATION, but for a way for RESOLUTION of his problem in a right and just and compassionate manner. Now between his resolve and ultimate implementation the an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream to show him the right path to take. This will be a totally different path than he had resolved. He had determine let me get out of this as quietly as possible so I do not bring shame to Mary or himself.

II. Secondly Be willing to hear from the Lord

NOTICE SECOND, THE MESSAGE TO JOSEPH – – “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. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”Verse 20 says the angel appeared to Joseph “while he thought on these things.” I can imagine that he could probably think about nothing else! The news of Mary’s pregnancy must have been a terrible blow to him. It must have preyed upon his mind every waking moment.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.He had become betrothed to her; he had paid the dowry; he had remained sexually pure; he made the pledges, and meant to keep them; he had followed the rules. He was ready for marriage—planning and dreaming like any other young man.And then suddenly, his whole world came crashing in! He was told that MARY WAS PREGNANT! What would he do? One thing he did know: HE certainly was not the father! He could justly take her before the authorities and have her prosecuted for adultery (which could lead to a death penalty).…or he could quietly put her away quietly and privately. BibleCommentaryWord Study New International VersionMatthew 1:18-25Matthew 1:18-20Matthew 1:20-21Matthew 1:21-25Romans 12:17-21Ephesians 4:31-32

He was in an awful fix and he didn’t know what to do… He was PERPLEXED because this just didn’t fit who he knew Mary to be or he never would have proposed to her in the first place. He probably FELT LIKE A FOOL, having apparently made a foolish choice in choosing Mary to be his wife. Most of all, he must have FELT HURT AND BETRAYED, because he truly loved Mary—and he had trusted her.Joseph was in a desperate situation! He was in a quandary about what to do and it preyed on his mind and emotions.Is there something weighing you down in your heart and mind today?—a trial, a trouble, a disappointment, a betrayal—something that is consuming your thoughts and your time and sapping away your emotional energy? Then you know how Joseph felt. THAT’S where Joseph was that night when he lay his head on his pillow.Well, as he went to sleep, God had a message for him in a dream in his hour of trouble.• Note first of all that it was a PERSONAL message – The angel called him by name.This was a message that had Joseph’s name on it! Today, I believe God speaks to his people primarily through His Word. In trouble and difficulty, I have often cried out to God for answers. And how many times have I gotten a verse or a promise or a warning from His Word that seemed like it had my name written all over it—as if it had been written just for ME!

Finally be able to Obey and change your Resolution.