A Heart Like Joseph

A Heart Like Joseph

Matthew 1:18-25

Introduction: Circumstances have the potential to change us.

Traumatic events have a lasting effect on our lives. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Maybe:

The divorce of our parents.

A sudden loss!

A difficult upbringing—a the trial of one of the most evil men of this century “Ted Bundy” who was raised by his grandparents! It is reported that his grandfather Samuel Cowell was a tyrannical bully who hated blacks, Italians, Catholics, and Jews, beat his wife and the family dog, and cats by their tails. He once threw Louise's younger sister Julia down a flight of stairs for oversleeping

And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-3

When we become Christian’s we are equipped with a supernatural power!

Jesus has called us all to remember what we are, and whose we are regardless of what life throws at us!

Joseph revealed his true character when faced with an unexpected pregnancy.

I. He considers others more than himself.

We have to appreciate JOSEPH’s DISIRE TO NOT BE MARRIED TO A WOMAN HE CANNOT TRUST!

As a betrothed (engaged) couple Joseph and Mary were not to have sexual relations until the wedding night. This period would last for 1 year. They were also not allowed to have sexual relations with others for this would legally considered adultery.

When Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant he considers a legal divorces, but he wants to do this quietly. He does not want to punish or hurt her.

The Pharisees went out of their way to drag someone’s name through the mud!

Pharisees ONLY CARED ABOUT THEIR OWN STATUS: Jesus Forgives and Heals a They could not see the good in healing a Paralyzed Man

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

---Ill: My Choir director’s mother became diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in her early 50’s. She would attend football games and she would always have her hair neat and her clothes in fashion. For the longest time people would complement her and she would only smile. For the world at large –most did not know that it was her husband that dress her, helped her with her makeup and brushed her hair. He took her arm and guided her to dinner and the football games.

Ill: Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Cor. 13 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Ill: Jesus knows what is like to give up everything for sake of others!

He made himself nothing!

---He know what is like for the parents who give up going places because their daughter or son is physically unable.

---He knows what it is like for the wife who cannot visit her mom because she hates her husband.