Sermon Tone Analysis

Series: The Stress of Christmas

Text: Matthew 1:18-25

Title: The Stress of Failure

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 this week once 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.

· 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.

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

I.

The Stress of Success – 19-20a

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….

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!!!!!

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

– verse 18

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.

· Note -He thought of Putting her away

Note – Joseph was a merciful man

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….

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.

II.

The Promises of God’s Sure Word – 20-23

Note – As Joseph considered the situation, the Lord sent a message to him.

This child is from the Holy Ghost.

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

A. Turn From Your Stress and Fear

B. Turn Toward The Word

1.

The Holy Ghost Hath Conceived in Mary – verse 20b

Note – That which is conceived is of the Holy Ghost

2. Jesus Would Bring Salvation - verse 21

His name will be Jesus.

( Deliverer),He would come to save or deliver from their sins.

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

III.

The Pursuit of the Surrendered – 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- What a difference surrendering our will to God’s way can make!!!

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

2.

He Identified with Mary

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

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

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

B. Joseph Followed the Path of the Lord

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 –

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!!!

I challenge you this morning to turn to the Word of God in faith.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Imagine the Joy of Joseph on that first Christmas morning.

I know he was glad he put aside his fears and trusted Christ.

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