Text:
Matthew 1:18-25:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Theme:
The Other Side of Christmas
Introduction:
- In winter of 1990, I was honored to be able to speak at the chapel of Princeton University on the occasion of a Sunday worship service of the “Hallelujah” service. This service was a period of worship set aside by the chaplain’s office of Princeton University for those students who wish to take part in a Christian worship service conducive to the African-American religious experience. This was a Sunday leading up to the Christmas break for the school.
- I had not been licensed or ordained at that time. I was just asked to do it being that I was one of the founders of the service.
- The topic of the sermon on that day was “The Other Side Of Christmas”.
- The sermon focused on the unique, poignant, and often overlooked plight of Joseph the earthly father of Jesus.
- A man who found out that his fiancé was impregnated and he didn’t do it.
- I was young then and not submitted!
- I have grown, lived and matured to understand Joseph’s situation a little better.
- While we are often focusing on the virgin Mary or the shepherds or the wise men, we often forget about Joseph who is exemplifying true submission and obedience to God through his actions to contribute to the prophesied birth of the Savior, Jesus, the Christ.
- Joseph was the example of REAL MAN…a GODLY MAN…a RIGHTEOUS MAN!!!
- What made Joseph a just (righteous) man in God’s eyes?
- The sermon focused on the unique, poignant, and often overlooked plight of Joseph the earthly father of Jesus.
Body:
- There were three vital elements that contributed to Joseph being a righteous man:
- The Mind is “of the flesh”
- The flesh is contaminated by Original Sin.
- Psalms 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
- Our sins weaken the flesh daily
- Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
- Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- The flesh first conceptualizes sin in the mind
- Romans 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
- Without conscious effort and submission to God’s direction the mind grasps sinful tendencies
- Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
- The Bible tells the realness, humanness, of Joseph in the context of his righteousness
- Verse 19 explains, “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.”
- Joseph “had a mind” to quit her!
- His mind to “quit her” did not take away from the fact that he was a righteous (just) man.
- As Paul’s situation taught in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
- The flesh is contaminated by Original Sin.
- Submitted to God
- To be “submitted to God” is to wholly give oneself over to God.
- James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- Let SELF die and let GOD reign! — Mark 8:34, “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
- Avoid mere temptation — Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”
- Stand against evil — Ephesians 6:13, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
- James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- Joseph lived a committed life which is shown by his availability to God
- Verse 24 says, “Joseph being raised from sleep”
- God wants availability and not capability
- Genesis 3:9, “And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?”
- We have to have an ear to hear God’s call
- Revelation 13:9, “If any man have an ear, let him hear.”
- We must serve God with ALL!
- Deuteronomy 6:5, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
- To be “submitted to God” is to wholly give oneself over to God.
- Obedience to God
- There are two types of obedience:
- Obedience without submission to God
- The person feels that they have made a sacrifice à They’ve done God a favorJ
- 1 Samuel 15:22, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
- Obedience with submission to God
- The person has the delight of SERVING God à They’re a good steward over what God has given them!
- 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
- Obedience without submission to God
- Obedience is the primary indication of a righteous person.
- John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”
- There are two types of obedience:
Conclusion:
- Joseph, the righteous man, was special…just like we can be!
- The righteous man still has flaws/imperfections
- Some God is in the process of cleaning out of the life
- Some God will not move out of the life but expects us to glorify Him in spite of out infirmities
- Proverbs 24:16, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”
- The righteous man will fall but will get up again.
- The righteous man still has flaws/imperfections
- God judges the righteous on their RISING BACK UP and not their FALLING!
- Thank God for His PERFECT WORD
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Thank God for His PERFECT WILL
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Then, thank God yet saving a WRETCH like ME!!
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found.
Was blind, but now I see.
#211