Don't Be Afraid of Doing the Right Thing

“Don’t Be Afraid of Doing the Right Thing” Matthew 1:18-24 December 10, 2017 The Big Idea: From the beginning, humans have worried about what others think of them. Concern about others’ opinions becomes a sin when pleasing them is more important to us than obeying God. Freedom in Christ includes setting aside the acceptance of others as a primary goal, knowing that my acceptance in Christ demands my obedience to anything He asks of me. Matthew 1:18–19 (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. • TRUTH 1: Pleasing God often means disappointing people. è Here is a reality to face: you can find yourself in a place you never imagined, but that does not mean that is the end of your story! Matthew 1:20–21 (ESV) 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.” • TRUTH 2: Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about you. • TRUTH 3: Becoming obsessed with what God thinks about you is the quickest way to forget what people think about you. Matthew 1:22-23 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). LIVING FOR GOD INSTEAD OF PEOPLE 1. When you’re really being used by God, you’ll likely be criticized by others for your obedience to God. 2. Extraordinary acts of God often start with ordinary acts of obedience. Matthew 1:24 (ESV) 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, TIME FOR SOME HONEST REFLECTION • How obsessed are you with what others think about you? Is it a temptation to do what would please them instead of what would please God? • Think about a time when you were criticized for your obedience to God. What did you learn from your experience? • What has God put on your heart? What has the Lord made clear to you in Scripture? What ordinary act of obedience do you need to make?