Pastors Geoerge & Carolyn Dupree – 12/2/2021

How particular do you suppose God was when He was choosing the family that would raise Jesus? I think that God would want to find a family that would treat the child good, that would train Him up in the way of the Lord, so that Jesus would see the example that every young man needs and deserves.
Today we’ll look at The Man God Chose To raise His Son.

Matthew 1:18 – 25

Joseph Was A Man Of Character
The way Joseph handled himself revealed a lot about his true character.
The pregnancy of Mary during the betrothal period was a serious offense.
The Betrothal period was considered as binding as a marriage

How we respond in a time of crisis reveals our true nature! When things are going smoothly, we are able to hide a lot of what becomes clear in a crisis!

Joseph Was A Meek Man
Joseph’s reaction reveals a man under control! Jesus was always in control of Himself – He probably saw this trait in Joseph!

Joseph Was A Faithful Man
Most men would have divorced Mary. This would have left her poverty stricken and because of the baby, no other man would marry her.

Joseph Was A Just Man
Joseph was “Just” – Righteous! He wanted to do the right thing by Mary!

Joseph Was A Thoughtful Man
Matthew 1: 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream

Joseph Was A Compassionate Man
Joseph and Jesus were noted for their Compassion
John 8:1-11 –Matthew 9:36 - Matthew 14:14 - Matthew 15:32 Joseph could have invoked the death penalty – Deut. 22:13-21. He could have Mary stoned to death publicly. However, he chose to spare her the shame. Again, this reveals his compassion.

Joseph Was A Spiritual Man
The Truth Of The Pregnancy Is Revealed vs. 20-21 – Joseph discovers who the real Father is. Joseph realizes that he has been chosen to be part of a glorious plan. The Child’s Title Is Revealed – Joseph is commanded to name the child “Jesus” – Jehovah Is Salvation!

Joseph Was An Obedient Man
He Obeyed The Lord’s Commands – Obedience reveals the heart of man like nothing else! When we obey the Lord’s command, even if it’s unpleasant or hard, it proves our love for Him and reveals where our loyalty truly is.

Mary and Joseph never came together physically until after Jesus was born.

He Obediently Named The Child – The right of naming the child was in the hand of the Father. Joseph knew that the child’s true Father wanted the child called Jesus. Therefore, Joseph named the child Jesus.

Joseph was chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus because he was pure in life and pure in heart. He was the kind of man God could use, because God didn’t have to worry about Joseph getting in the way. In other words, he was yielded to the will of the Lord. We ought to look at our own lives today and ask ourselves, “Are we the kind of person that God could use in a big way?” If not, then what do we need to do to get there? God will never call another man to do what Joseph did. But, God has plenty of big jobs left to do; He just needs the people who are willing and qualified to do them.