C.I.: Joseph & Mary

During this series we have seen… – Today we are going to conclude this series.
We will look at a couple who are thought to be the “best” – yet we will see that they too had their struggles!

I. Even the Best Couples have Difficulties…! (Matthew 1:18-24)

A. Difficulties that Come from Allowing God to Work in Your Life, (verse 18)

1. (v. 18), “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: - when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, - before they came together – she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.”
a. During this time in the Jewish culture – a couple “betrothed” were considered married.
1) Their betrothal/engagement period would last for a year – after which they had a wedding.
2) This betrothal was as binding as a marriage – and required a divorce in order to severe it.

b. When God is allowed to work in the life of an individual – changes will take place!
1) (Lk. 1:35), “The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, - and the power of
the Most high will over-shadow you; - and for that reason the holy Child shall be called…”
2) The H.S., when He is allowed to work in us, still does some amazing things – (Acts 2:38-39)
3) (Quote Eph. 3:16, 20; 5:18-19, 21-22, 25; 6:1, 5, 9, 11)…
4) H.S. only did what Mary allowed, (Lk. 1:38), “Be it done to me according to your word.”

c. Even today, when we allow God to work in us – difficulties will arise…
1) (I Pt. 4:2-4), “Live the rest the time in the flesh no longer for the lust of men, but for the will
of God [Gal. 5:17]. – For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the
desires of the unbelievers, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness,
carousing & abominable idolatries. – In all this they are surprised that you do not run with
them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you!”
2) As believers, we must follow God – and not allow what others think to distract us from Him!
3) (Gal. 1:10), “Am I now seeking the favor of men or of God? Or am I striving to please men?
– If I were still trying to please men, - I would not be a servant of Christ.”
4) Thus, once we allow God to work in our lives – things just won’t be the same.

B. Difficulties that Come from Allowing God to Work in Your Marriage, (verse 19)

1. (v. 19), “And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to divorce her secretly.”
a. This verse tell us a couple of things about Joseph:
1) “Righteous man” = his relationship w/God; - (I Jn. 3:7), “…the one who practices R…..” - Thus, Joseph sought to live his life according to God’s righteous word!
2) “Not wanting to disgrace her” = His relationship with Mary (he loved her!).

b. As a “righteous man” Joseph had only two choices that he could make:
1) (Deut. 22:20-21), “If a girl [bride] is found not to be a virgin, then they shall bring out the
girl to the doorway of her father’s house, and the men of the city shall stone her to death –
because she has committed an act of folly in Israel- by playing the harlot.”
2) God requires His people to always - obey in the most loving way, (Eph. 4:15; 5:1).
3) (Deut. 24:1), “When a man takes a wife and marries her, - and it happens that she finds no
favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, - he [can] writes her a
certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of the house.”
4) Thus because of his love for God – AND his love for Mary – he had only one choice!!!

c. Sometimes, even today, having God in our marriage can cause difficulties.
1) Many things in a marriage – can seek to intrude themselves between us & God. - For
example: a demanding job/boss, extracurricular activities, a non-believing spouse, etc.
2) Yet Jesus reminds us – (Matt. 6:24, 33), “No one can serve to masters; for either he will hate
one & love the other, or he will hold to one & despise the other. You cannot serve God & _”
3) Joseph sought to handle his difficulty – by doing what God wanted – w/love towards Mary!

C. Four Truths about a Faith that Can Resolve All Difficulties, (verses 20-24)

1. First: Its a Faith that Believes God can Do the Unbelievable!
a. (v. 20), “But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; - for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’”
1) A reason people don’t attempt great things – is because we cannot believe in great things!
2) Do we still believe in a God who does impossible things? – (Quote Matt. 17:20), “Truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed … mountain move … nothing…!”

2. Second: It’s a Faith that Believes God still desires to Save Us from Ourselves & Our Sin!
a. (v. 21), “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people….”
1) Joseph was just considering divorcing this woman who God had chosen!! – Could God
forgive someone who was willing to discard someone He loved & chose?!
2) How many other people – when contemplating their own salvation – ask a question that
begins by saying, “Could God really save someone like me, who has ______________?!”
3) This thought amazed the apostle Paul – (I Tim. 1:15-16), “It is a trustworthy statement…,
Yet, for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might
demonstrate His perfect patience – as an example for those who would believe in Him…..”

3. Third: It’s a Faith that Believes God Keeps All His Promises!
a. (vs. 22-23), “Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’”
1) Do we truly believe God is trust-worthy? – Are we willing to “put our full weight down?!”
2) (Josh. 23:14), “…you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the Lord your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.”

4. Finally: It’s a Faith that Obeys!
a. (v. 24), “And Joseph awake from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded…!”
b. (Acts 2:36-38, 40-41)!