SF885 - What to Do When Life Throws You a Curve (Matthew 2 13-23)
Matthew 2:13-23
Introduction
Has life ever thrown you a curve? Have you ever had things all figured out and suddenly everything change?
In essence, that is what happened to Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, at least from a human standpoint.
They have begun to settle into their new home in Bethlehem. They have dedicated Jesus at the Temple and have found a place to live. Perhaps, Joseph has found work and they have begun to settle into a new life together.
The Magi had come and showered them with expensive and wonderful gifts. Life is good. They are encouraged; things seem to be going well.
Then the unthinkable happens, God warns Joseph in a dream of the impending doom if they remain in Bethlehem. Therefore, in the middle of the night like common criminals Joseph flees with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. I seriously doubt Joseph had included this trip in his long-range plans.
But, notice what happened, we can learn much from Joseph about “what to do when life throws us a curve.” All Joseph had was God’s Word, but that is all he needed.
1A. Remember God Knows Everything, So Listen Carefully To What He Says (2:13)
1B. Joseph had faith in God (Matthew 1:18-21)
Ø Joseph was a righteous man, because he had been saved by faith. (1:18)
Romans 4:3 (NASB) 3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Romans 4:22-25 (NASB) 22Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. 23Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.
2B. Joseph had faith in God’s Word
God had proven Himself faithful
Ø Joseph had witnessed the fulfillment of God’s promise in the birth of Jesus. (Matthew 1:25)
Ø Joseph had heard the report of the shepherds concerning the angels. (Luke 2:8-19)
Ø Joseph had heard the praise of Simeon in the Temple (Luke 2:25-33).
Ø Joseph had witness the worship of the Magi. (2:11)
Joseph was certain that God could not and would not be mistaken.
2A. Remember God Provides For His Own, So Obey Completely What He Says (2:14-15)
1B. God provided the means for Joseph’s obedience. (2:11)
Ø Some commentators estimate that these gifts would have provided more than enough resources to care for Joseph and his family in Egypt.
Philippians 4:13 (NASB) 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
2B. God provided the motive for Joseph’s obedience.
Ø Joseph well knew the evil and cruel ways of Herod.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NASB) 14For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
3B. Joseph obeyed the Lord, quickly and completely.
Ø Joseph simply trusted God enough to obey Him.
John 14:15 (NASB) 15“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
James 2:18 (NASB) 18But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
3A. Remember God Protects His Own, So Go Confidently Where He Says (2:16-18)
1B. This event is an expression of God’s sovereignty. (2:16)
Evil is always contrary to God.
Psalm 5:4 (NASB) 4For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You.
Evil is always controlled by God.
Ephesians 1:22 (NASB) 22And He put all things in subjection under His feet…
2B. This event is a completion of God’s prophecy. (2:17-18)
Jeremiah 31:15
“fulfilled;” pleroo, to fill up.
Ø The prophecy was partially fulfilled in the exile of the Israelites to Babylon and completely fulfilled here.
Ø Be sure God will leave nothing undone, He will fulfill His prophesies.
Matthew 5:17-18 (NASB) 17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
4A. Remember God Fulfills His Purposes, So Submit Fully to Whatever He Says (2:19-23)
Be ready to follow whenever and to wherever He calls you.
1B. We can follow Him with confidence.
Job 42:2 (NASB) 2“I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
John 10:27-28 (NASB) 27“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
2B. We can follow Him without concern.
Luke 9:23 (NASB) 23And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
John 12:26 (NASB) 26“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Application
Be sensitive to God’s voice
Be obedient to God’s command
Be mindful of God’s protection
Be submissive to God’s will
WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE THROWS
YOU A CURVE
Matthew 2:13-23
1A. Remember God Knows Everything, So Listen __________________ To What He Says (2:13)
1B. Joseph had faith in ___________ (Matthew 1:18-21)
Romans 4:3, 22-25
2B. Joseph had faith in _____________________
2A. Remember God Provides For His Own, So Obey _________________What He Says (2:14-15)
1B. God provided the ________________ for Joseph’s obedience. (2:11)
Philippians 4:13
2B. God provided the _______________ for Joseph’s obedience.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NASB) 14For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
3B. Joseph ______________ the Lord, quickly and completely.
John 14:15 (NASB) 15“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
James 2:18
3A. Remember God Protects His Own, So Go ______________________ Where He Says (2:16-18)
1B. This event is an __________________ of God’s sovereignty. (2:16)
Evil is always _______________________ to God.
Psalm 5:4
Evil is always ______________________ by God.
Ephesians 1:22
2B. This event is a ____________________ of God’s prophecy. (2:17-18)
Jeremiah 31:15
Matthew5:17-18
4A. Remember God Fulfills His Purposes, So Submit Fully to Whatever He Says (2:19-23)
1B. We can follow Him with ________________.
Job 42:2
John 10:27-28
2B. We can follow Him without _______________.
Luke 9:23
John 12:26
Application
Be __________________ to God’s voice.
Be __________________ to God’s command.
Be __________________ of God’s protection.
Be __________________ to God’s will.