Sermon Central
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God's Chosen Man
Contributed by Monte Brown on Jan 22, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: The character of Joseph, God’s Chosen Man, Mary’s faithful husband.
Scriptures
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 public 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. Matthew 1:18-25
Reference: Matthew 2:13-15 Herod seeking to kill the Lord.
Matthew 2:19-23 Joseph returns.
Luke 2:39-42 Joseph worships.
Luke 2:51-52 Jesus’ life in Nazareth.
Prayer
Introduction
Christmas pageants usually overlook one character, Oh; sometimes he is given a walk-on part.
Even the anonymous innkeeper attracts more attention.
The character of Joseph, God’s Chosen Man, Mary’s faithful husband;
But Joseph, the son of Jacob, was God’s chosen man to act as the earthly father to our Lord and Savior the Almighty in the flesh.
According to the Bible Joseph’s geniality makes him a legal heir to the Throne of David.
Joseph was a royal person, a potential king, but royalty was not his only qualification. He was a man according to God’s ideal of manhood, the ideal father. He was God’s chosen man.
We know little about Joseph, other than he was a carpenter n Nazareth, he had moral and spiritual strength, and was obedient to God’s word.
He had the qualifications that God was seeing.
To know more about Joseph one must know the relationship between him and Mary. Joseph’s first response to Mary when ht fourth out that Mary was with a child was not that of hate, on the contrary, the law of the Jews gave Joseph every right to publicly denounce his relationship with Mary.
THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW ABOUT JOSEPH...
1. CHARITABLENESS
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
Joseph was a man of character and loved Mary very much.
He was not a man that desired revenge.
How would the world deal with this?
How would you deal with this?
2. OPEN TO GOD’S WORD
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.
Joseph took these things to God, by meditating on these things.
The word of God says to meditate upon these things.
We are to weight decisions against the Word of God.
While he was doing this an angel of the Lord appeared to
him.
God gave Joseph the name of his son.
3. OBEDIENT TO GOD
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.
Joseph obeyed God.
How do we respond to Gods’ calling?
4. RESPONDED TO GOD WITH FAITH
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. [14] When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: [15] And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
