Advent - Part 2

Intro:

Opening Story/Question: Did you believe in Santa Clause Growing up? Why? Why Not? If you did, tell us about the moment you discovered he wasn’t real.

This is sort of a classic Christmas question and even a classic Christmas movie plot line.

The movie the Polar Express is all about this boy who is struggling with this question of whether or not Santa is real.

The big question of the movie is this, “Does he believe?”

In the classic, “Miracle on 34th Street” the real Santa Claus goes on trial trying to prove he’s really who he says he is because people don’t believe in him.

This is a word that gets thrown around during Christmas Time - Believe.

We all need something to believe in, something to Hope In.

Transition to the Text: Last week we talked a bit about this hope. We were reminded of the idea that Israel was waiting for their Messiah. It was a long wait. 400 years. We reminded ourselves that God is working even when we can’t see him. Even when he seems quiet. This week, I want to remind us that we need more than just hope - We need faith. We need some trust. Let’s take a look at the Character of Joseph here.

Text:

Matthew 1:18–25 NLT

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Points/Discussion

Joseph had doubts

Mary and Joseph are engaged

This is a bigger deal than engagement in our culture

They would already have been legally “together”

They couldn’t sleep together or live together, but their relationship was permanent in the eyes of the law and it would require a divorce to get out of it.

Mary comes do Joseph and tells him that she is pregnant

If you were Joseph, how would you have reacted to the news that Mary was Pregnant?

The Angel says, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife...” What sort of things do you think he was afraid of?

Joseph, understandably, has many questions and doubts about this whole situation.

His life is now very complicated.

He makes the decision to divorce Mary Privately

He’s a good man and doesn’t want to drag her to court.

He’s trying to protect her and her reputation

Joseph receives a message from God

Joseph’s plans are interrupted by a dream

In this dream he gets a visit from an angel who say everything’s ok.

Go ahead and get married.

The Angel says, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife...” What sort of things do you think he was afraid of?

Joseph obeys the message from God

In other words, Joseph decides to trust God even when it seems difficult.

If you keep reading the story, you’ll see this pattern - Joseph is in a difficult spot, God speaks, he obeys.

This must be our posture - God speaks, we obey.

Why could Joseph do this? I think he knew God he was aware of the promises God had made and he knew enough to know that God was going to do what he said he would do.

As we wrap up tonight, let’s talk about faith and trust in God.

How would you explain faith?

What are some specific times in your own life where your faith was tested and stretched?

What are some specific times in your own life where your faith was tested and stretched?

Is it easy for you to trust God? Why or why not?

Is it easy for you to trust God? Why or why not?

Can you think of some areas of your life where you need to begin to declare that you trust God?

Can you think of some areas of your life where you need to begin to declare that you trust God? List any you can think of and begin to pray over them daily releasing them to the Lord.

Zecheriah is

Let Christmas remind us that we can believe and trust in God even in moments where it’s difficult to understand. Trust his character. Trust his heart. Believe that God will be faithful to do what he promised.