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jmichaelwalls
Dec 8, 2011, 5:14:07 AM12/8/11
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JOSEPH'S FAITH TESTED
Matthew 1:18-25
Introduction: We are not told much about Mary and Joseph, but what is
said certainly speaks
very highly of them. The reason for this is because the emphasis is not
on Mary and Joseph, but
on the Promised Messiah. We are not to worship Mary or Joseph, but our
Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. Mary and Joseph were sinners just like we are sinners. They
needed a Saviour just like
we need a Saviour.
Let me say this very quickly. Mary was a virgin. This was prophesied in
Isaiah chapter seven
and verse fourteen. In our scripture text, we see that she still. Joseph
did not know in the
martial way until after Jesus was born. But Mary was a sinner just like
you and was when we
were when we born. Mary was blessed among women and not above woman. She
had to be
saved just you and I was.
However, when we read these verses we can certainly see that Joseph was a
man of great faith.
He was truly one of the great men of God in the Bible.
I. JOSEPH'S FAITH WAS REQUIRED.
Joseph could not have made it without his faith.
vs. 18-19
" 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." "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 was a just man, that means that he was a man of faith; one who
believed God
for His promises. He was justified because of his faith in God. He was
declared righteous.
So, his faith was required. We need to understand what it meant for
Joseph to be
espoused to Mary. They were what we call engaged to each other. Which
meant a life of
holiness for about one year. During this time of engaged word came to
Joseph that Mary
was with child. Never before or since in human history has anyone ever
had a baby without
a man and a woman involved in the conception of a child.
When Joseph heard that she was with child, there is no doubt what he
thought and how
broken hearted he must have been. Vs. 20
"while he thought on these things�"
He pondered these things in his mind. They must have gone deep into his
heart and
soul as he thought about these things. The only way to break the espousal
period was by
way of a bill of divorce, just like a marriage. The only answer was to
put her away quietly.
He could also had her stoned because it would seem that she commited
adultery. While he
thought on these things, God came to him in a dream. Remember that he did
not have a
Bible like we have. He also did not have the Holy Spirit living in him
either. When Joseph
received the message from God, he believed it.
Vs. 20-23
"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." "And she shall bring
forth a son, and thou
shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
"Now all this was
done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying,"
"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."
When God spoke to Joseph, he made it known to him that the virgin of whom
he spoke
was Mary. Joseph put his faith in the Word of God. His faith was
required. We have never
face such a trial like this, but there are many times in life when our
hearts are broken. We
must have faith in God, even though we may not understand all that He is
doing in our life.
There is no victory in life apart from putting our faith in God. Joseph's
faith was
required, it was not optional. It was the only way he could make it
through this trial.
II. JOSEPH'S FAITH WAS REPROACHED.
To be reproached is to be mocked or ridiculed. Mary knew that no man had
ever
touched her. Joseph knew that no man had anything to do with the birth of
Jesus. She
knew He had to be virgin born. Jesus knew all about their persecution.
They accused Him of
being born out of wedlock. Joseph took Mary to be his wife and willing to
bear the
reproach.
No one wants to be mocked. In fact, we would not like to be mocked even
if it is for
Christ. Joseph did because His faith required it of him. His faith was
mocked kept pressing
on.
III. JOSEPH'S FAITH WAS ALSO REWARDED.
A. God rewarded him with a godly wife who loved the Lord. It is a joy to
be married to
someone who loves and wants to serve & please the Lord; it is truly a
reward.
B. God rewarded him by making him a leader in the home.
C. God rewarded him by providing all his needs.
Conclusion: Joseph saw God provide in some miraculous ways. He was a
carpenter, not a lot of
money, but God took care of him. His faith was rewarded. He discovered
that the faith life is a
rich life, not in worldly possessions, but in faith toward God Almighty.
I want to be a person, who God uses and blesses, don't you?
Matthew 1:18-25
Introduction: We are not told much about Mary and Joseph, but what is
said certainly speaks
very highly of them. The reason for this is because the emphasis is not
on Mary and Joseph, but
on the Promised Messiah. We are not to worship Mary or Joseph, but our
Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. Mary and Joseph were sinners just like we are sinners. They
needed a Saviour just like
we need a Saviour.
Let me say this very quickly. Mary was a virgin. This was prophesied in
Isaiah chapter seven
and verse fourteen. In our scripture text, we see that she still. Joseph
did not know in the
martial way until after Jesus was born. But Mary was a sinner just like
you and was when we
were when we born. Mary was blessed among women and not above woman. She
had to be
saved just you and I was.
However, when we read these verses we can certainly see that Joseph was a
man of great faith.
He was truly one of the great men of God in the Bible.
I. JOSEPH'S FAITH WAS REQUIRED.
Joseph could not have made it without his faith.
vs. 18-19
" 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." "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 was a just man, that means that he was a man of faith; one who
believed God
for His promises. He was justified because of his faith in God. He was
declared righteous.
So, his faith was required. We need to understand what it meant for
Joseph to be
espoused to Mary. They were what we call engaged to each other. Which
meant a life of
holiness for about one year. During this time of engaged word came to
Joseph that Mary
was with child. Never before or since in human history has anyone ever
had a baby without
a man and a woman involved in the conception of a child.
When Joseph heard that she was with child, there is no doubt what he
thought and how
broken hearted he must have been. Vs. 20
"while he thought on these things�"
He pondered these things in his mind. They must have gone deep into his
heart and
soul as he thought about these things. The only way to break the espousal
period was by
way of a bill of divorce, just like a marriage. The only answer was to
put her away quietly.
He could also had her stoned because it would seem that she commited
adultery. While he
thought on these things, God came to him in a dream. Remember that he did
not have a
Bible like we have. He also did not have the Holy Spirit living in him
either. When Joseph
received the message from God, he believed it.
Vs. 20-23
"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." "And she shall bring
forth a son, and thou
shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
"Now all this was
done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying,"
"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."
When God spoke to Joseph, he made it known to him that the virgin of whom
he spoke
was Mary. Joseph put his faith in the Word of God. His faith was
required. We have never
face such a trial like this, but there are many times in life when our
hearts are broken. We
must have faith in God, even though we may not understand all that He is
doing in our life.
There is no victory in life apart from putting our faith in God. Joseph's
faith was
required, it was not optional. It was the only way he could make it
through this trial.
II. JOSEPH'S FAITH WAS REPROACHED.
To be reproached is to be mocked or ridiculed. Mary knew that no man had
ever
touched her. Joseph knew that no man had anything to do with the birth of
Jesus. She
knew He had to be virgin born. Jesus knew all about their persecution.
They accused Him of
being born out of wedlock. Joseph took Mary to be his wife and willing to
bear the
reproach.
No one wants to be mocked. In fact, we would not like to be mocked even
if it is for
Christ. Joseph did because His faith required it of him. His faith was
mocked kept pressing
on.
III. JOSEPH'S FAITH WAS ALSO REWARDED.
A. God rewarded him with a godly wife who loved the Lord. It is a joy to
be married to
someone who loves and wants to serve & please the Lord; it is truly a
reward.
B. God rewarded him by making him a leader in the home.
C. God rewarded him by providing all his needs.
Conclusion: Joseph saw God provide in some miraculous ways. He was a
carpenter, not a lot of
money, but God took care of him. His faith was rewarded. He discovered
that the faith life is a
rich life, not in worldly possessions, but in faith toward God Almighty.
I want to be a person, who God uses and blesses, don't you?
Pastor Mike Walls
Freedom Baptist Church Smithfield, NC
http://freedombaptistchurchnc.wordpress.com/
http://iglesiabautistalibertad.wordpress.com/
____________________________________________________________
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