What did Mary and Joseph sacrifice as they submitted to having Jesus as their baby? Some things we may not have thought about regarding the birth and raising of Jesus is dealt with on this message.
Matthew 1:18-25 (Advent #2)
Sermon Manuscript:
A Committed Vessel of the Lord (Advent #2)
Introduction:
Joseph and Mary were appointed to be the parents and vessels of Jesus being born. Mary is surprisingly pregnant, and has to tell her fiancé and hope to God he understands…Joseph receives seemingly devastating news that leaves him questioning what has happened to his life…
Proverbs 19:21-Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
-You can be blessed, know and love Jesus and be confused-frustrated with not understanding your life
-But remaining faithful to the Lord is to trust His ways-even amidst being very confused and struggling in hope
When God has you wait in your confusion
Matthew 1:18-19-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.
Mary must have the faith to tell him the truth, and know that he may not believe it because it is beyond reason. Her prayer is that not only Joseph believe her confession, but walk with her through it, in confusion…(This is obviously messing up her plans!)
*God created Joseph and Mary to be capable of handling His will-they were blessed but they were perplexed…
*The scriptures describe the uniqueness of Mary’s blessing and burden
*The scriptures reveal the uniqueness of Mary’s blessing and burden
–this blessing is unique, she is having the Lord-so she can’t talk to everybody about her blessing & burden’s
-but she is still left to talk to Joseph about it-here comes the burden!
-it is a worship opportunity to embrace the will of God at the risk of losing Joseph-Mary reveals her heart for God!
Joseph hears his soon to be wife tell him she is pregnant before they are married and slept together.
*Matthew describes Joseph’s character-showing the kind of man able to handle this blessing and burden
Matthew 1:19-And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
-For Joseph to respond in going to divorce her, he found it unreasonable to be with Mary-think of his feelings of being humiliated and betrayed at this confession from Mary
-But God entrust His vessel’s not to walk by their feelings and own understanding but by faith!-though this is not what he planned!
-In other word’s God says to Joseph, my will is bigger than your temporary confusion and frustration…
This is not a week of being confused, this is 9 months of struggling to believe the will of God in the midst of confusion, humiliation, and pain…
Think about how they are making a journey together to Bethlehem, and the struggle Mary is having for Joseph to believe, and Joseph having to trust God in his confusion- “both thinking I never planned this”
-Being given a vision is the end result. But the circumstances in between are what test your heart
-will you humble yourself and trust in God’s plan your confusion, or rebel in your soul=both happen at least emotionally, but grace prevails
Matthew 1:20,21-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.”
*(Vs.20)–Because Joseph was a just man who feared God,
-so his pride and own understanding didn’t dominate his life…(”vs. 20 But as he considered these things”)
-prayer opened his heart to consider what is of God-not what he wants according to his pride and plans…
-God meets Joseph in the middle of his struggle-A revelation from the Lord answered his confusion, and settled his heart to focus on what God said, not what he feels…
Hebrews 4:16-Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
-Through clarity from God, now Joseph is able to come into agreement and unify with Mary for God’s purpose
-This what the Word is to do for you and I-Clarify God’s will so that you too can come into agreement for His plan and purpose
Conclusion: The result is worth the confusion
Matthew 1:22-25-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.
*Through the pain, frustration, and confusion, Joseph and Mary realized the result was worth it
-Like Mary &Joseph, God way’s pulls us out of ourselves, to consider that our lives are to usher in Christ to the world…-the goal is to get the perspective like Joseph and Mary=that my plans are not ultimate, God’s are!
Isaiah 55:8-9-For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
-This couples enduring faith in God’s plan ushered in the greatest gift to the world…-Immanuel-God with us!
Knowing He is with us, is worth the trials and confusion they bring, it is all ordered for the sake of knowing Him deeper, in a new and exciting way for others to see Him through us!
2 Timothy 2:20-21-Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
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