OPENING SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:18-24

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was BETROTHED to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, BEING A JUST MAN, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, (Matthew 1:18-20 NKJ)
• Mary already had the encounter with Angel Gabriel
• Mary already had the difficult conversation about her pregnancy with Joseph.

What was going on in Joseph’s mind?

• Betrayal. Confusion. Fear. Doubt

#1: Joseph was BETROTHED to Mary.

• A BETROTHAL was just as binding as an actual marriage. The only way to break a betrothal was through divorce.

#2: Joseph was a JUST MAN.

• The word JUST means UPRIGHT, BLAMELESS, CONFORMING TO GOD’S STANDARDS.
• Joseph sought GRACE INSTEAD OF THE LAW.

GRACE ALWAYS ALLOWS YOU TO SEE BEYOND THE LAW

• Because of that grace, Joseph “WAS MINDED TO PUT HER AWAY SECRETLY” so that she would not be shamed publicly.
• The Grace of God will always equip you to do what you cannot do in your own strength.

Being a just man who knew God, Joseph ran to God Word’s. I believe he was reminded by the Holy Spirit of The prophecy concerning his family. A Prophecy written by Prophet Isaiah, 740 years before his time.

“Listen well, YOU ROYAL FAMILY OF DAVID! (Isaiah 7:13 NLT)

• Joseph’s genealogy (family tree) can be traced all the way to King David.

“Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well?” (Isaiah 7:13 NLT)

• The Holy Spirit got his attention.

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE A CHILD! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). (Isaiah 7:13-14 NLT)

• That was the confirmation that Joseph needed. He found it in God’s Word!

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that WHICH IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the VIRGIN shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name IMMANUEL,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:20-23 NKJ)

• Because of his willingness to search for the truth, God confirmed His word.

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, DID AS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD COMMANDED HIM and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. (Matthew 1:24 NKJ)

Joseph’s Christmas story reveals in a way our humanity filled with fear, doubts, and questions.

• The Christmas story is also about the humanity of God: GOD BECAME HUMAN TO IDENTIFY WITH HUMANITY!
• The creator became the creation.

And the WORD (Jesus) became flesh and DWELT AMONG US, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NKJ)

• He lived a life as a human and yet He was without sin.
• “Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.” (1 John 3:5 NKJ)

God is not intimated by our humanity. Come to Him with all your fears, doubts, confusion and questions! That’s exactly what the Gospel is about: Ask, Seek, Knock.

“KEEP ON ASKING, and you will receive what you ask for. KEEP ON SEEKING, and you will find. KEEP ON KNOCKING, and the door will be opened to you. For EVERYONE who asks, receives. EVERYONE who seeks, finds. And to EVERYONE who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)

CONCLUSION

• What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?