Series: Christmas Brings…[#3]
FAITH
Hebrews 11:1
Welcome
Hymn 88 “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”
Hymn 108 “How Great Our Joy”
Offering
Hymn 103 “Away In A Manger”
Children’s Choir “Open The Eyes Of My Heart”
Introduction:
“When in doubt, just have faith.” I have heard statements like this many times in my life; but what does this really mean?
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
As we continue in our series “Christmas Brings…”, let us see 4 lessons on faith from the life of Joseph.
Matthew 1:18-19
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”
Monologue: “Joseph- The Hurt Of Infidelity”
"I can’t believe this is happening. How could she have done this to me? I could see just about any other girl doing this, but Mary? I thought she was above doing something like this. I couldn’t even imagine her getting lost in the moment with me, much less going behind my back with someone else. But here’s no denying it. She’s definitely pregnant.
"I knew something was up when she disappeared on me like that. I mean, how can you just pick up and leave for three months without even saying good-bye? And when she finally came back home there was no mistaking that swelling in her stomach. She wasn’t very far along, but you could see it. How could she do this to me? We were going to get married! But that was when I knew who she was -- or thought I knew, at any rate. I don’t have any clue who she is now, and she obviously doesn’t know me if she thought I would buy that cock-eyed story about being chosen by God to bear His child -- that was impregnated by the Spirit of God. Like He would do something like that! How could she expect me to believe something so preposterous?!
"If there was one person in the world I was certain would never hurt me it was Mary. And now she’s hurt me more than anyone ever could, and she’s left me with no choice but to end our engagement. After that, it will be up to her parents and the council to decide what to do with her. She won’t be my problem anymore.
(Pausing as he considers the implication of his words) "But if I do that, the council will probably stone her, and I will have to throw the first stone. I don’t think I could do that. I know I couldn’t do that. No matter how much she’s hurt me I couldn’t let her die. I love her too much for that to happen. Maybe, I could end our engagement quietly. I could send her back to Elizabeth’s until the baby is born. Then, maybe the council will let her live for the baby’s sake. Then again, with the influence the Pharisee’s have nowadays, she’ll probably still be put to death.
"O God, I know Mary has sinned, and I know she has done more to hurt me that anyone else ever has. But, please, show me what to do. I need your wisdom now. Please show me what to do. Please, please.
Lesson #1: Don’t Jump To Conclusions
I do have to say that Joseph did better than I would have. He obviously was upset by the fact that Mary was pregnant and the baby was not his. I’m sure his pride was hurt. He probably went over and over in his mind about what she had done and what should he do about this situation.
Although he probably gave consideration to having her killed (which was applicable by law), he decided to handle things quietly and not disgrace Mary publicly.
I’m sure that Joseph was sick over all of this, but he could have been spared some grief if he would have not jumped to conclusions.
GET THE FACTS BEFORE YOU REACT!
Matthew 1:20-21
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Special Music: “A Strange Way to Save The World”
Lesson #2: Don’t Stop Listening To God
When you are upset, it is easy to shut the whole world out, including God. When things are going terrible we often, in the back of our minds, blame God. Once you decide that God is against you, then the next thing that happens is you stop listening to what God is trying to tell you.
Many times God has the answers to our situation but we do not hear it because we are not listening. Joseph was given his instructions in a dream and he could have waken up and said, “well, that was just a stupid dream”. But, he realized that God was speaking to him.
NEVER STOP LISTENING AND APPLYING GOD’S DIRECTION IN YOUR LIFE!
Matthew 1:22-23
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’--which means, ‘God with us’."
Adult Choir: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Lesson #3: Don’t Underestimate God
God has a plan and that plan does include you. God has given us many promises in the Bible and He will hold good to all of them. God can do anything He wants even if it seems impossible to you.
We see in these verses that God fulfills what He said He would fulfill.
God is still in control and is waiting for you to totally surrender your life over to Him.
LET GO AND LET GOD!
Matthew 1:24-25
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”
Monologue: “Joseph- Always Good”
"Who’d have thought I’d actually be getting married today? If I told anyone besides Mary all of the things that have happened over the last several months, they’d say I was crazy! Well, I considered the possibility myself for a while.
"It’s definitely been a crazy few months, that’s for sure. First, with Mary getting pregnant with God’s son -- I still don’t completely understand that one -- and then me not believing her and deciding to divorce her quietly, and then the angel, and now I’m getting married and I won’t even get to enjoy my wedding night until after Mary has had the baby. That’s all-right, though; most people think we’ve already had it. You can tell by the way they look at us that they assume we’ve already consummated our marriage. But I don’t blame them -- I thought the same thing when I found out Mary was pregnant. Boy was I wrong! I can still remember what I said when she tried to tell me what had happened. ’Like God would do something like that!’ But he did.
"There are times it seems like I’ve finally got life and God figured out. And as soon as I do, or even think I’m getting close to thinking I do, He throws something my way to mess up everything I thought I had figured out.
"I still don’t have any clue why he chose me and Mary to take care of His Son. I can’t be a father to God’s Son. But I don’t have much choice in the matter, so I’, just going to have to do the best I can.
(Laughing) "Sometimes God just doesn’t make any sense. But He’s always good. This is why I’ll do what He tells me. It may not always make sense -- most of the time it doesn’t -- but He’s always good.
"Well, I guess I’d better get to the synagogue. I don’t want to be late for my own wedding."
Lesson #4: Don’t Stop Obeying God
Joseph simply obeyed God regardless of what other people were probably saying. For men it is very difficult for us to deal with problems concerning our wives around other men because we want to make sure everyone knows who is in charge. My wife can disagree with me and yell at me in private and I probably won’t say a word about it, but if she did that in front of the guys, things would probably get ugly. This type of pressure did not stop Joseph from doing what God said to do.
Joseph did not question God’s instructions he followed them.
OBEY GOD WITHOUT QUESTION OR HESITATION.
Conclusion:
Christians, we must stop jumping to conclusions, listen to God, don’t underestimate God, and obey Him. If you will do these things, just as Joseph, you will find joy and peace in your relationship with God.
Invitation Hymn 275 “I Surrender All”
