GOOD NEWS: DO NOT FEAR GOD'S GIFT

THE GIFT OF GOD DOESN’T ALWAYS SEEM LIKE A GIFT

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

THE MOST COMMON PHRASE IN THE ADVENT NARRATIVES IS “FEAR NOT!”

GOD’S GREATEST GIFTS COME WRAPPED IN PROBLEMS.

GIFT WE WANT VS. GIFT WE NEED

THIS WAS CERTAINLY THE CASE FOR JOSEPH. ENGAGED TO A “PREGNANT” WOMAN.

HE WAS GOING TO REJECT GOD’S GIFT.

ARE YOU READY TO RECEIVE GOD’S GIFT? EVEN IT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE A GIFT?

FEAR: WE FEAR THE UNKNOW. THE UNCERTAIN. LOSS OF “CONTROL”

LIMITS OUR PERSPECTIVE

PARALYZES FAITH

INTIMIDATES

CAUSES US TO GIVE UP

FEAR OF PERCEPTION

WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK?

FEAR OF PROVISION

WILL I BE TAKEN CARE OF?

FEAR OF PROTECTION

WILL I SURVIVE?

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Romans 8:15 ESV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”