THE STRESS OF AN UNPREDICTABLE SITUATION

18 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 publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 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. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Introduction: One song - writer has described this time of year as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” For those of us who know Christ personally, we truly know why it is the most wonderful time of the year.

Unfortunately many people enjoy the festivities of the season, but know nothing of the true joy of the season.

Ill – A missionary from Japan recently stated that he walked the streets of Japan on Christmas morning and asked people what Christmas was all about. Among the many different answers he received was one businessman who said it was the celebration of the day Jesus died.

Perhaps the fact that people do not know the meaning of this season is one reason why there is so much fear and apprehension at this time of year.

Perhaps it is because this holiday has become so secular (worldly) in nature that it brings stress…we want to keep “Christ in Christmas”, but we struggle with keeping “Christ in our lives” during this time of the year!

· Peace and joy allude those who do not know Christ personally.

· One man who experienced a great lack of peace at the first Christmas was Joseph.

· This young man undoubtedly experienced an unbelievable amount of Stress at Christmastime.

· In fact at first glance one might sense that he was a failure in his relationship to his espoused wife, Mary.

· We see him in our text pondering exactly what to do in this situation.

Should he take Mary to be his wife or should he let her go?

Like many of us would do, Joseph sits and contemplates his situation.

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Isaiah 26:3 KJV 1900

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.

We would avoid many problems if we just took time to think about an issue before we do something.

The old carpenter saying: “measure twice, cut once” is very applicable in most areas of our lives.

Quote – “ Worry doesn’t prevent disaster, it prevents joy.”

I. The Stress of Succeeding-vs. 18-20

Note- this type of stress of success can come in many forms: the need to buy better and bigger than last year, the need to impress family, the need to meet the expectations of children that have been duped into believing that they deserve everything that they can imagine, etc….

An American Dictionary of the English Language SUCCESS

SUC̵CESS´, n. [Fr. succès; L. successus, from succedo.]

1. The favorable or prosperous termination of any thing attempted

An American Dictionary of the English Language SUCCEEDING

SUC̵CEE´DING, n. The act or state of prospering or having success.

Note- the stress of success takes on many forms when you are going to have family and others over to your home for the holidays!!!!!

What would success look like in the life of a man like Joseph?

Married

Children

Business

Stable home life…no pun intended!

What did he get instead of what he thought would be success?

Future wife with child

One of children would be marked for death by the king

He was literally in charge of raising the Saviour of the World!!!

Had to flee to Egypt for the 1st couple of years of his married life.

People would always talk behind his back concerning the out of wedlock pregnancy.

Possibly even died at an early age

Note- Though Joseph and Mary were engaged, and though she had not known a man, she was found with child. – verse 18

Luke 1:27–28 KJV 1900

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

A. Joseph’s Stressful Fear Was For Mary’s Reputation – She would be shamed

Note – They were mutually bound to one another for marriage. The espousal period was a legally binding period for the Jews. Generally they would be engaged for a year then the bride would move in with her husband and they would consummate the marriage in a physical way.

Note -He thought of Putting her away

Note – Joseph was a merciful man

Psalm 112:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: He will guide his affairs with discretion.

Note – He thought of “Putting her away” – Divorce – “Privily” – Means he would not name a cause for the divorce.

· He could have brought a public accusation

B. Joseph’s Stressful Fear Brought Reservation

Note – verse 20 – While he thought on these things….

Proverbs 1:27 KJV 1900

27 When your fear cometh as desolation, And your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; When distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Note – Stressful Fear can be paralyzing. Illustration: I don’t what to do next….frazzled, at your wits end…

Ill - According to our nation's Bureau of Standards, a dense fog covering seven city blocks to a depth of a hundred feet contains less than one glass of water. All of that fog, if it could be condensed into water, wouldn't quite fill a drinking glass.

Compare this to the things we often worry about. Like fog our worries can thoroughly block our vision of the light of God's promises, but the fact is, they have little substance to them.

What do you picture as success in your life?

What does God picture as success in your life?

How does that work in your everyday life?

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV 1900

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

The Stress of Success

II. The Promises of God’s Sure Word-vs. 20-23

Note – As Joseph considered the situation, the Lord sent a message to him. This child is from the Holy Ghost. This child is a fulfillment of a proprephy given long ago.

Take time to think and meditate. How many times do we rush ahead without seeking and waiting on direction from God?

Joseph, as a Son of David, would be a part of God’s wonderful plan of redemption.

Note the genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3

A. Take time to think and hear from God.

When we stop and ponder the truths of God’s Word, as we allow God to speak to us then we can express trust rather than experiencing fear.

Hebrews 13:4–6 KJV 1900

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Psalm 143:8 KJV 1900

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee.

Isaiah 26:3 KJV 1900

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.

B. Turn Toward The Word

1. The Holy Ghost Hath Conceived in Mary – verse 20b

Note-vs. 16- “the husband of Mary” not the “father of Jesus”.

1 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Note – That which is conceived is of the Holy Ghost

Isaiah 7:14 KJV 1900

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.

Hebrews 10:5 KJV 1900

5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

2. Jesus Would Bring Salvation - verse 21

His name will be Jesus. ( Deliverer),He would come to save or deliver from their sins.

Acts 4:12 KJV 1900

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Revelation 19:16 KJV 1900

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

C. Trust that God will keep His promises-vs. 22-23

The angel reminds Joseph of a passage that Isaiah wrote over 700 years before this historical event.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.”

Illustration – The wonderful name of Jesus.

Ill - To avoid offending anybody, the schools dropped religion altogether and started singing about the weather. At my son's school, they now hold the winter program in February and sing increasingly non memorable songs such as "Winter Wonderland," "Frosty the Snowman" and--this is a real song--"Suzy Snowflake," all of which is pretty funny because we live in Miami. A visitor from another planet would assume that the children belonged to the Church of Meteorology.

Note- Jesus is Emmanuel – “God With Us”- verse 23

The Stress of Success

The Promises of God’s sure Word

III. The Pursuit of a Surrendered Life– verses 24-25

Note- What a difference in Joseph’s life happened when he accepted the situation as God had planned it!!!

Note- He was no longer concerned what others would think, but he became completely aware of what God thought and wanted for his life.

Note-Maybe your life is not what you thought it would be at this point: marriage, kids, grandkids, job, home, health, finances, family, your walk with God. Start from where you are at right now! Quit putting these things off and start RIGHT NOW!!

Note- What a difference surrendering our will to God’s way can make!!!

John 15:14 KJV 1900

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Hebrews 11:7–8 KJV 1900

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Hebrews 11:24–31 KJV 1900

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

A. Joseph Obeyed the Word of the Lord – verse 24

Note – We must learn to listen to the Lord

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."

In his devotional book, "My Utmost For His Highest" Oswald Chambers writes, "Get into the habit of saying, 'Speak, Lord,' and life will become a romance. Every time circumstances press in on you say, 'Speak, Lord,' and make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline--it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, 'Speak, Lord.' Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what he said? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time."

1. He Inclined his heart to the Lord – verse 24

Psalm 119:35–37 KJV 1900

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; And quicken thou me in thy way.

2. He Identified with Mary

Note- they would face this together…what a difference when a husband and wife are working together!!!

Ephesians 5:25 KJV 1900

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Note- She would bring forth the Savior of the world.

Note- he would help to raise the very Son of God!!!

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 5:5 KJV 1900

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

B. Joseph Followed the Path of the Lord

Proverbs 3:5–7 KJV 1900

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

1. He knew her not – verse 25

2. He called His name Jesus – verse 25

3. He Followed God’s command for his life even when it did not make sense to him in his present circumstances – 2:13

Conclusion:

The greatest failure in life would be to reject Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Perhaps you are here this morning experiencing stress of being successful and you are paralyzed by fear.

You are standing still when you should be going forward.

You are doubting when you should be trusting, you are wavering when you should be worshipping!!!

We are challenged this morning to turn to the Word of God in faith AND Trust in the Lord with all ou r hearts.

Imagine the Joy of Joseph on that first Christmas morning. I know he was glad he put aside his fears and trusted Christ.

1 John 3:2 KJV 1900

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Note – When Jesus comes again, we will be thankful that we trusted Him by faith.

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