The Bigger Story: Through The Eyes Of Joseph

Christmas Advent: Joseph & Jesus

Illust: The Greatest Gift

One of the things we think of first when we think of Christmas is often times gifts. For some of you it could be binge watching Netflix. For others eating waaay too much food! But for most of us it’s presents. Both the giving and receiving of gifts.

Do we have any gift giving procrastinators in the house tonight? I’m usually guilty of this one! This year was a little different though.

When I gave the gifts to my wife what was I hoping she would do? Receive the gift!! It was an intentional and intimate gift for her. It was special to her! I would have been both confused and heartbroken had she left the gifts in the package and said “No, let me go work for it.” Or just said “No, I’ve already got everything I need.” C’MON! Just say yes. Receive the gift!

Every Christmas we pause and celebrate the greatest gift in all history. God sending His Son into the world to be the savior, Messiah. Hope, Love, and Peace coming down to earth. And God is offering a gift. It’s the gift of grace. And all you have to do is receive it.

Passage: Matthew 1:18-25 CSB

The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together (had sex) that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. 20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Main Points:

1. Joseph was a man of grace

   1. “being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.” V19

      1. In that day, to be engaged was considered as binding as marriage. So much so that you had to get a divorce if you were to separate. They were engaged, but they had not yet consummated their marriage.
      2. Even though, in his mind, this woman committed adultery! Wronged and hurt him deeply, he still did not want to disgrace her. Even though it had appeared that she disgraced him, he did not retaliate.
      3. He was a righteous man. A man of integrity, a man of mercy, and a man of grace.
      4. How fitting for the God of grace to choose an earthly father of grace for his Son.
      5. In that day the result of Mary getting divorced due to adultery would have been public shame, and according to the Jewish law, could have resulted in her being stoned.

      6. Question: How do you respond when people hurt you deeply? Is your response “I’m going to get you for this!” Or do you show mercy and grace like Joseph?

         2. “But after he had considered these things” V20

      7. Joseph did not jump the gun and drag Mary into the streets.

      8. He pondered. He considered the circumstances. I can imagine that his mind and his heart were at odds with each other. He knows Mary. She’s a faithful Godly woman. He trusted Mary. He loved Mary. How could this be???
      9. In addition to that, as a faithful Jew Joseph would likely have known the prophecies of old. That one day there would be a Messiah born of a virgin. That one day this Messiah, the Christ, would come to rescue His people. But what does this all mean??? Could it be true?
      10. Then in a moment everything was about to change…
      11. Question: I wonder what Joseph was like?

      12. Joseph believed Jesus to be God

          1. “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” V20-21

      13. Talk about a dream! This was no ordinary dream, this was an appointment with God. Joseph hears the news that this child is from the Holy Spirit and will save His people from their sins. We can’t know exactly how much Joseph understood. What we do know is that he believed the message and obeyed.

      14. If you were going to convince anyone that Jesus is God, wouldn’t the family be the hardest people to convince? As we look ahead in the story, it’s not only Jesus’ dad that believes, but after the death and resurrection, we see Mary standing with the brothers praying and declaring Jesus as Lord. (Acts 1:14)

          1. We also see in James 2:1, Jesus’ own brother declare Him as “glorious Lord Jesus Christ.”
          2. They not only believed in the end, but they would go on to be leaders in the early church. And James is considered to have been martyred for his faith. 3. The weight of that responsibility had to weigh heavy on his mind and heart daily. What a calling!
             2. Application: Jesus was not sent to help people earn salvation, or give us an example to live by, He was sent to forgive the sins of all humanity and offer salvation.
          3. Joseph obeyed against all odds
             1. “When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25 but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.” V24-25
             2. Joseph immediately obeyed in three specific ways:

      15. He married Mary

      16. He kept her a virgin till Jesus was born

      17. He named Him Jesus

          3. There was going to be repercussions for this act of obedience. This did not mean that now he was going to live the simple suburban lifestyle he had always dreamed of! No way!
          4. Joseph was reckless in his “yes”. We aren’t told what it cost him, but think about what he may have put on the line. His career, family, friends, reputation… all for this love for God and Mary.
          5. Joseph continues to obey God in other texts. This was a pattern of his life.
          6. Application: He wasn’t a pastor. He wasn't a king. He wasn’t rich. He was as unlikely as any ordinary man. And God looked ahead in eternity past and said “Him.”

      18. God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

      19. Don’t discount yourself in the economy of God!
      20. “But God I have nothing to offer!” God, “I’m all you need.”
      21. God’s sovereign plan unfolds through the faithful obedience of a few… what is God calling you to do? How will you respond?

Closing: Receive the Gift

“Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” V22-23

1. The story of Jesus coming to earth as the Messiah leads us to one of three conclusions. He is either a liar, lunatic, or Lord.

   1. Liar - Everything that he said was a lie. He was never really God and all of the miracles, teachings, and resurrection are all lies. It was all a big scam that now billions of people believe and follow.
   2. Lunatic - He was out of his mind. Why else would he claim to be God? The claims, the prophecies, the historical accounts, the eye witnesses, all were off. He was not a rabbi, but a crazy person claiming to be something he’s not.

   3. Lord - Or what if it all is true. What if the whole story is fact. That indeed Jesus did come just as he said he did. He was both fully God and fully Man. He was God coming to humanity to save the world from its sins. His claims are true, his character is good, He lived the perfect life and paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. He both died and was resurrected so that we might have life.

      1. Can I tell you something today. Whether or not you believe it’s true or not, it’s true. Our belief doesn’t make it true. It is truth regardless.
      2. The historical Jesus is a fact. He was born. It’s not hard to claim his existence. The practical Jesus is easy to accept as well. His life gave all humanity the greatest example of servant leadership and selfless sacrifice. “Great story.” But believing the theological doctrine of the incarnation of God is a choice you have to make. If you believe that to be true then it changes everything.
      3. Jesus is Immanuel --- God With Us

   4. Because Jesus lived on this earth as a man we know that he fully understands our experiences and struggles.

   5. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CSB
   6. Because He is fully God, He has the power and authority to forgive us of our sins and offer salvation to all who believe.
   7. “And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.” - Colossians 2:13-15 CSB
   8. And through the power of the Holy Spirit He is with us today, everywhere we go.

He is Immanuel. He is with us.

God Is So Good