Faith in the Uncertain
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Today we are going to unpack a story of a man of immense faith Joseph the father of Jesus. This is a story of conflict and confusion that results in a family walking in the center of Gods will.
We are going to look at Joseph.
He was a blue collar man of faith, much like many of us here today.
Whats cool about Joseph is that he was not a spiritual leader or government head, he was a carpenter, a blue collar man like many of us here today.
We are going to look at the Conflict that Arises in his life, How God’s Word Defuses the Conflict, And How Joseph chooses to put his Faith in the Word of God and walk in obedience to God’s will.
We are going to look at the Conflict that Arises in his life, How God’s Word Defuses the Conflict, And How Joseph chooses to put his Faith in the Word of God and walk in obedience to God’s will.
Conflict Arises (18-19)
How well he handles it
By the Word of God
Full Faith (24-25)
Walking in obedience
Center of God’s will
Complete surrender and faith
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.
Let’s get into the Conflict.
Conflict Arises
Conflict Arises
He finds out his fiancé is pregnant.
He knows that there is no way that it is his kid for obvious reasons.
Could you imagine how this would have devastated Joseph
Joseph
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.
Joseph is engaged to the love of his life, to one day very soon become her husband.
-29
He finds out his fiancé is pregnant.
He knows that there is no way that it is his kid for obvious reasons.
Could you imagine how this would have devastated Joseph?
Then she has the audacity to tell him she is pregnant from a supernatural source.
What must he have been thinking?
Not only is she cheating on me, but she wont even own up to vthe truth.
He must have been beside himself.
I know I would have been
However, notice how Joseph handles the situation
Even in the conflict Joseph shows Mary grace.
Even in the conflict Joseph shows Mary grace.
He decides he isn’t going to make a scene and tear her down, but rather he chose to keep his peace and handle the situation privately.
He was ready to walk away from the relationship yet he still chose to keep a level head and deal with it privately and peacefully.
Notice ho
As we will see from the next verse he spent some time praying and reflecting on the situation before he made any rash decision.
This is a valuable lesson for us.
When conflict arises, even though it can be incredibly hard, we must learn to handle it peacefully through prayer.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6
As we spend time in prayer with the Lord, He will bring clarity to the situation.
This leads into the Resolution for the Conflict
Conflict Resolved
Conflict Resolved
Joseph chooses to get alone and spend time with God in prayer.
When he does this a crazy thing happens, God speaks to him.
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.
God sends an angel to reveal clarity and truth to the situation.
Matthew 1:20-
God does not leave Joseph alone to handle the problem himself.
God gives Joseph truth, something he can stand on
Here’s the problem with trying to handle conflict ourselves.
We tend to handle situations with emotion and heart
The Bible tells us that the heart is deceitful and wicked.
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
So if we are trying to handle conflict on our own we will handle it wrong.
How often have you reacted to a situation emotionally and only made matters worse?
Fortunately for us, while God does not send angels to communicate with mankind today, He did give us His Word to guide and direct us in all truth.
It speaks into our lives no matter the situation.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
It speaks into our lives no matter the situation.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.
The Word of God illuminates the path we are to take and gives understanding in how to navigate life.
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The word of God equips us with all that we need to accompli
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
First, The Angel of the Lord reassures Joseph that the testimony of Mary is true, but he also refers back to .
Joseph would have been familiar of the prophecy of the virgin birth of the Messiah.
Joseph must have been in shock, wondering how God would have chosen to use his family to accomplish this mission.
I mean how wild would that be?
Your whole life you hear of the coming Messiah, you are watching and waiting, and then it is finally revealed that God is going to use you to help accomplish this?
Joseph ultimately chose to put his full trust in the promises of Gods Word, as wild and unexpected as it may have been.
Josephs willingness to trust in God’s Word prompted him to take action. He chose to walk in Full Faith, knowing that God would accomplish what he had set out to do.
Full Faith
Full Faith
Full Faith (24-25)
Walking in obedience
Center of God’s will
Complete surrender and faith
Joseph could have very easily said no way Lord, not me.
He could have left Mary and walked away from the whole situation, could you have blamed the guy?
But he ultimately trusted God’s Word which led to action producing faith.
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.
You see, when we choose to put our faith in the Word of God we will live in the reality that is Gods will for our life.
Because Joseph chose to live in obedience, he was afforded the opportunity to father the Son of God.
Could you imagine getting to parent Jesus?
Incredible.
How many times have we missed out on an awesome opportunity to walk in Gods will for our life yet we chose to run the other way?
Do not run from Gods plan.
Run towards it.
God’s Word will give you the faith necessary.
And we know, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I love this story, one that although it may not be the exact circumstance, we can all relate to. We go through Conflict often, but the way that Joseph chose to allow the Word of God to Defuse the situation is the example we must choose to live in when dealing with the conflict. If we do this, then we can walk in Full Faith knowing that we are in the center of God’s will.
Trust in Gods Word and He will he