SF379 - The King of Your Home (Matthew 1 18-25)
Matthew 1:18‑25
INTRODUCTION
Series Background
A King Comes
Ø Abraham ‑ A Saving King
Ø David ‑ A Redeeming King
Ø Isaiah ‑ A Suffering King
Ø Mary ‑ The King of Our Hearts
Ø Joseph ‑ The King Of Your Home
Sermon Background
Marriage Customs
"pledged" ‑ betrothal = Formal covenant between the man and woman that could only be broken by an act of divorce. It was binding on both parties. It preceded the formal consummation of the marriage.
Marriage In Crises
Ø Divorce
1960 ‑ 26 divorces for every 100 marriages
1970 ‑ 33 divorces for every 100 marriages
1980 ‑ 50 divorces for every 100 marriages
1990 ‑ 48 divorces for every 100 marriages
6 out of 10 marriages that take place this year will involve at least one partner who has been divorced
Homes In Crises
Ø Children with Single Mothers
1960 ‑ 8%
1970 ‑ 11%
1980 ‑ 18%
1990 ‑ 22%
75% of juvenile offenders come from single parent or blended homes
Men In Crises
Ø The Bible places the responsibility for the home on the man
Ø Crises in Love (Ephesians 5:25-27)
Ø Crises in Leadership
Ephesians 5:23
Deuteronomy 6:7 “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
1A. Joseph is a Model of a Godly Lover
Love is a commitment
1B. He demonstrates a true love for Mary
Commitment to her
"betrothed" ‑ He took seriously his vows
Compassion for her (1:19)
"disgrace" = ‑make a public example, put to an open shame
Consideration of her (1:20)
Ø He prayed ‑ sought God on what would be best for her.
"Like sterling silver, love will tarnish unless it is polished with daily applications of interest, involvement, and expressions of love. Unfortunately, many couples take each other so much for granted that boredom, the greatest marriage killer of all develops." Zig Ziglar
2B. He demonstrates a sincere love for God
Commitment to God
"righteous man" = to be right with God
Communication with God (1:20‑21)
Ø He talked with God
Ø He listened to God
Ø He believed God
Compliance to God (1:24‑25)
Ø Married Mary
Ø Maintained her purity
Ø We express our love for God best when we love our mate. (1 Peter 3:7)
2A. Joseph is a Model of a Godly Leader
1B. He demonstrates obedience to God
We are to obey God with immediacy
Ø Zacharias denied the command of God.
Ø Mary doubted God.
Ø Joseph simply obeyed
We are to obey God in painful circumstances
Ø The rabbis demanded that she be put away.
Ø Joseph obeyed when it hurt.
We are to obey God in spite of fear (1:20)
We are to obey God by staking everything on His Word
2B. He demonstrates the consequences of obedience
Obedience to God always has immediate personal consequences
Ø Joseph ‑ chastity until she gave birth
Obedience to God sets the course for a lifetime of consequences
Ø Trip to Bethlehem
Ø Flight to Egypt (2:13‑14)
Ø Return to Nazareth (2:19‑23)
3B. He demonstrates the influence of obedience
Your obedience always influences how others think about God.
Ø His obedience gave Mary the confidence to trust him.
Ø His obedience protected Jesus from harm
Your obedience influences how others yield to the will of God
APPLICATION
Limb climber or branch sitter (from memory)