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Matthew 1:18-25
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can also download our service at Baptist-Christian on iTunes. We are going to focus on fathers this month using Joseph as our example. This series of messages shows us the process God often uses to develop men into great men of God. Each message is a “step” in the process. We don’t know much about Joseph’s life other than what Matthew and Luke tell us. He was a righteous man who knew and followed God’s Law. I found this outline from another pastor and liked the way it is put together to teach us. Let’s consider first:
- THE TRAGEDY OF A SHOCKING DISCOVERY! (V. 18). In those days when a couple was “betrothed” or engaged, it was the same as being married. The only difference was the couple didn’t live together until after the ceremony, which could be several months in the future. How different is that today when couples commonly live together as husband and wife before they are married! During the engagement, both the bride and groom were excited as any couple could be preparing for the wedding. Joseph was probably busy finishing their house, and even the furniture. He most likely sought God’s guidance in finding a wife and was led to Mary. We don’t know if the parents arranged this marriage, but we can be sure God arranged it! Then all of a sudden without warning, when life is as good as it can get, Joseph gets hit with this shocking discovery that his beloved bride is already pregnant! We might say, “he got the wind knocked out of him!” In just a few months down the road that news would have been cause for celebration, now they are just catastrophe! It still happens today, doesn’t it! Simple words in short sentences “I have cancer,” “I’ve been let go,” “I’m divorcing you,” “a loved one passed,” “I use drugs/I’m hooked on porn/I’m gay.” What’s yours? Somewhere in your life is there a shocking discovery that seems God has jerked the rug out from under your entire life? Here’s the question: Has whatever shocking discovery drawn you closer to God, or has it driven you away?
- THE TRAGEDY OF SHATTERED DREAMS! (Vs 18-19). Shocking discoveries often shatter dreams. Imagine Joseph returning from that date with Mary! Do you think he could tell something was up? Mary had been visited by Gabriel and knew. I don’t think she started whistling “Count Your Many Blessings” even then! Joseph was still in the dark. He had every right according to the Law to have Mary stoned! But notice the grace, mercy, forgiveness, and kindness he extends to the mother of the Savior. It is interesting that in just a few short years Jesus would extend all those same things to the whole world! Imagine how Jesus feels when we reject His kind offer to us. Do you think we shatter His dreams? Finally,
- THE TRAGEDY OF SORROWFUL DECISIONS! (V. 19) It’s hard to imagine how we would react in this same situation. Joseph could have ended Mary’s life. God could have chosen to send the entire race to hell in Eden, but He didn’t! How sorrowful would that have been! God often uses shocking discoveries, shattered dreams and sorrowful decisions to get our attention. Even though we don’t understand what’s happening at the outset, we must trust God’s infinite wisdom to bring it all to fruition!
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