HOW TO BECOME A F.R.O.G.
(Fully Relying On God)
Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2:13-15; Matthew 2:19-23
Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public exam-ple, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His peo-ple from their sins." 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.
Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
Matthew 2:19-23 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead." 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
PROPOSITION: To lead the unsaved hearer to salvation and the saved hearer to surrender his life and will over to God’s perfect will for him/her.
INTRODUCITON:
The First Step In Being A F.R.O.G. Is To …
I. KNOW WHO YOU ARE v.20a
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord ap-peared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, …”
Illustration: A frog knows that he is a frog. He doesn’t pretend to be a fish, or else he would drown. He doesn’t chase mice, he doesn’t bark at the moon. A frog has no aspirations of becoming a prince. A frog knows what he is and he does what he’s good at.
Application: It is just as important for you to know who you are as it is for the frog to know who he is.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not in-herit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Colossians 1:21,22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight;
Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
The Second Step In Becoming A F.R.O.G. Is To …
II. ALWAYS LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP v.18-20
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Quote: A frog in the habit of leaping before looking is destined to become someone’s lunch!
Quote: “The only exercise some Christians get is Jumping To Conclusions.”
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
Philippians 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understand-ing, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Third Step To Becoming A F.R.O.G. Is To …
III. AVOID YOUR ENEMY Matthew 2:13-15
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
Illustration: As a tadpole, the frog has to know how to avoid his enemy lest he be eaten. Even as a adult frog, he must constantly be on his guard lest he become a one course meal for his enemy.
1 Peter 5:8,9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Re-sist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Luke 22:40 When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
James 4:7,8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
The Fourth Step To Becoming A F.R.O.G. Is To …
IV. KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING AND WHY YOU’RE GOING THERE
Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."
Matthew 2:19-23 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead." 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
Illustration: When a frog jumps he has a destination in mind. He is aiming for a lily pad, the river bank, a tree limb (if he’s a tree frog), or the water. A frog doesn’t just close his eyes and jump.
Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. There-fore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that."
Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Is-rael: "I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.
The Fifth Step To Becoming A F.R.O.G. Is To …
V. ALLOW GOD TO MAKE YOU WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO BECOME
Illustration: Every frog starts out as a tad pole. He looks nothing like what God would eventually make him to be. But, as he grows, as he is nourished by God’s provision of food and shelter, the frog eventually begins to change. He grows to be a larger tad pole. Then, one morning, he finds legs growing out of his body. He begins to feel lungs growing within his chest. His shape begins to change. Then, one fateful day, God takes what used to be a tad pole and sets it upon the river bank a fully developed frog.
1 John 3:1-3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are chil-dren of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
CONCLUSION:
