Craig Smith • Joseph • December 3, 2023
The context for the first Christmas was anything but
…
In the time of Herod king of Judea… (Luke 1:5a)
Mary’s divine
is Joseph’s great
– “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (Matt. 1:18-19)
A life ruled by
cannot be a life lived in
– “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Heb. 2:14-15)
Joseph’s fear is replaced with the Lord’s light…
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife’…” (Matt. 1:20a)
• An angel revealed His
– “…because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 1:20b)
• His name revealed His
– “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)
• Scripture revealed His
– “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel’ – which means, ‘God with us.’” (Matt. 1:22-23)
? Will you trust the
of God over the
of your eyes? – “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son.” (Matt. 1:24-25a)
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him, we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
(Rom. 8:15-16)
