God With Us
Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Luke 1:56 (ESV)
And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
What, where or who is your Nazareth?
What does it look like to trust God right now in your current circumstances?
Mary has had 3 months of support and encouragement. The Lord knows exactly what we need and when we need it and often provides through the community of faith. Live in community!
Mary isn’t going to win any popularity contests.
Matthew 1:18 (ESV)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
She didn’t come back defending herself but trusting the Lord for His protection and provision!
What does it look like to trust God right here and right now?
Joseph found or discovered her pregnancy and was fully aware it wasn’t his and did not make it public.
Matthew 1:19 (ESV)
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
Joseph’s righteous path led to God’s plans.
Rather than getting bitter and hateful, Joseph takes the righteous road and protects Mary in love!
1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
Let all that you do be done in love.
Luke 6:31 (ESV)
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
This is what revealed Joseph’s righteousness and it is exactly what Jesus did for us.
How about you? How do you respond to loved ones when they appear to have betrayed you or hurt you?
Divorce would leave both Joseph and Mary spouseless until one would die. This could have been a further motivation to have her stoned. These implication were not lost on Mary yet she returned and trusted the Lord!
In these moments the enemy loves to instill fear and suggest the “what if’s”. What should be our response? Like Joshua and Caleb let’s trust God rather than our eyes and our own understanding.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
What does it look like to trust God when the father of lies paints a dark picture?
What does it look like to trust God when logic and reality paints a discouraging plot?
Remember God is with us!
Mary trusted God’s Word.
Matthew 1:20 (ESV)
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
No knee jerk reaction here, no emotional response – he considered it.
God spoke to Joseph uniquely!
The Lord reminded him who he is in God’s plan and pointed to His purpose.
If we care more about what people think than what God wants we won’t walk out His will.
What does it look like to trust God when it’s not popular?
Matthew 1:21 (ESV)
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:22 (ESV)
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
Matthew 1:23 (ESV)
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
God will be faithful to His Word!
What does it look like to trust God’s Word when circumstances contradict?
Matthew 1:24 (ESV)
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
Matthew 1:25 (ESV)
but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Can we trust God to do the defending and convincing?
Faith and prayer are our antidote when we are tempted to worry and be anxious.
What does it look like to trust God when you feel all alone?
Big Idea
Often when tragedy happens and we don’t know what to do, we make choices that seem so ideal and honorable yet God has bigger and better plans – His ways are not our ways! Joseph considered divorcing Mary quietly after she was found to be with child and yet God’s plan was so much bigger and better and always requires us to trust Him and honor His Word. That is exactly what Joseph did.
What does it look like to trust the Lord today?
Closing Prayer