Joseph, a man of Character Matt 1:18-25

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Joseph, a man of Character

Matthew 1:18-
Matthew 1:18–25 KJV 1900
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.
Intro: Joseph was a man hand-picked by and personally prepared by God for a special mission. His life was not without its trials and tragedies. If fact what Joseph faced, and overcame is more than most people could ever endure.
We never see Joseph words in scripture.
We are going to look at what Joseph faced and how he reacted can help us as seek to become all the Lord has called us to be.

I. Joseph was a just man. VS 18-19

Mat
Mark 1:18 NKJV
18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Matthew 1:18 KJV 1900
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.
Matthew 1:18 NKJV
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew
Now the birth Jesus Christ was “on this wise”: In this manner. (Under these circumstances)
Now the birth Jesus Christ was “on this wise”: In this manner. (Under these circumstances)
a. It is telling the beginning of a story, the greatest story ever told, the story of the birth of the one that would die on the cross for our sins.
When Mary His mother was espoused to Joseph, before they were come together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost:
b. Joseph was espoused (betrothed) to Mary. It was like a marriage, expect they did not live together and did not engage in physical relations. They were to keep themselves pure until they became husband and wife. This time of betrothal would last for months.
c. Joseph was a man of compassion, integrity, decency, and love. He was a man that honored God’s will in his life, and was totally committed to doing God’s will.
d. In Joseph we see a man that was more concerned about God wanted out of his life then what he wanted for himself.
2. Imagine how Joseph must have felt when Mary tells that she is pregnant. Elab
a. If gossip was as bad than as it is today can you imagine the cruel things that would have been said when others found out.
b. Joseph had to deal with this matter.
Matthew 1:19 KJV 1900
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.
Matthew 1:19 NKJV
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
VS 19
1. A betrothed women, was treated as a married woman. They were legally bound together.
a. At the time, all Joseph know this that Mary is pregnant. Adulterer was punishable by stoning.
b. Joseph faced with a dilemma. In this verse we are told that he was a “just man” meaning he was righteous in the rights of God. (He upheld the law) He would do the right thing.
2. He loved Mary, he was looking forward to marrying her, spending his life with her, but now he was heartbroken.
a. He didn’t want to humiliate her publicly. So his option was to write a private paper of divorce and give it to her.

Joseph was a Godly man. VS 20-25

Matthew 1:20 KJV 1900
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.
Matthew 1:20 NKJV
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
V(3 different points in this verse)
1. First we see that Joseph didn’t make a hash decision in the heat of the moment. He “thought on these things”
a. The word thought in Greek is to meditate, or to ponder. This meaning of this word in Greek has to do with passion.
b. Elab Joseph lying in his bed.
READ VS 20 STARING WITH “BEHOLD”
2. Second of all we see not only a message to Joseph, but we see the Lord bringing Joseph the comfort he needed.
a. Elab on how the Lord will bring us comfort in our time of trouble.
“The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble”
b. Joseph needed some comfort, he needed some answers.
3. Third he gets the answer.
a. Joseph thou son of David:
b. The way the Angel addressed Joseph would remind him of his lineage, and that it was of the family of David that the Messiah would come.
c. This may have been to help him receive the announcement he was about to hear.
d. Just think about it, the long awaited Messiah, the Son of God. Joseph was given the responsibly to raise him.
Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for the she is conceived in her of the Holy Ghost:
1. “Wife” they were legally bound to each other. His question was answered, do not put her away, and go through with the marriage as planned.
a. God’s plan may not always seem like the right plan; we just have to learn to trust. This is what our faith is about.
b. I don’t think that Joseph under stood all that he was told, but he put his faith and trust in the Lord.
c. This would be the only time that Joseph would have to step out on faith after hearing from the Lord. Later in chapter 3:19 the angel of the Lord would tell Joseph to go to Egypt. Then the Lord would speak to him in a dream and tell him to return.
d. Joseph was always faithful to do as the Lord told him.
Matthew 1:21 NKJV
21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:
Matthew 1:21 NKJV
21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
VS 21
1. Mary would have a son, not just any son. He would be special, he was God’s son. His name would be “Jesus”
Jesus: It comes from the Hebrew name Joshua. Yahweh saves, or Yahweh is salvation.
For he shall save his people from their sins:
2. HE shall save: The word he is important here. He is it, he and no other shall save.
Acts 4:12 NKJV
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
a. We will come back to this verse.
Matthew 1:22–23 KJV 1900
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.
Matthew 1:22–23 NKJV
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
VS 22-23
1. Just a few things on these two verse.
a. First we see what the prophets had spoken many years before had been fulfilled. Elab
2. Emmanuel: (Jesus had many names. Bread of life, word, Lamb of God. Etc……….)
Emmanuel: “God with us”
a. What a great feeling to know that God is with. He was with Joseph in his time of need.
c. He is with us in our time of need.
Matthew 1:24–25 NKJV
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Matthew 1:24–25 KJV 1900
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.
Matthew 1:24–25 NKJV
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Matthew
1. The real test of spiritual maturity is not what a person faces in life, or what a person is called to do with whatever faces in life.
a. The real evidence of a person’s character is what they do with what is handed to them.
b. It is one thing to be placed in a trial; it is another things altogether to respond to that trial in a proper manner.
c. It is one thing to be called of God to carry out a task for the Lord; it is another thing to it without question.
d. In Joseph’s response we see a testimony of a man with great character.
2. Many men would have walked away from God and Mary, but not Joseph.
a. As soon as he awoke, he rose and carried out the command of the Lord.
b. I can imagine the people in town talked about this young couple. Ealb (This would follow them the rest of their lives)
c. At this moment if Joseph’s life, he was not interested in what the people thought about him, he simply wanted to carry out the will of the Lord for his life.
d. In spite of his questions, his fears, and his concerns, Joseph set out by faith to obey the Lord. What a testimony, what a man of character.
e. What about you? What are you facing? What is God calling you to so through it?
Matthew 1:21 KJV 1900
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
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