Scripture: Ephesians 6:4

C.I.: It is Not Always Easy being a Step-Father

In this series… -

I. “I’m Going to be the Father of …WHO?!!!” (Matthew 1:18-25)

A. A Startling Conversation (vs. 18-19)

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. “Betrothal” was when a couple “got engaged” – it had the force of marriage.
1) There is something to be said for longer engagements – fewer surprises!
2) (Pro. 20:21), “An inheritance gained hurriedly, will not be blessed in the end.”
3) There is nothing wrong with short engagements – they just have a more difficult start!

2. (v. 19a), “And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man…”
a. Talking to our Singles – “Be sure the person you marry will help you get to heaven!!!”
1) What kind of woman would you expect a “righteous man” would choose to marry?
2) (Lk. 1:30), “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor [Grace] with God.”

b. It is not a sin to be married to a non-believer:
1) (I Cor. 7:12-13), “If any brother has a wife who is not a believer, - and she consents to live with him, - he must not divorce her. – And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer – and he is willing to live with her, - she must not divorce him.”
2) If being married to a non-Christian was wrong – then this would have been the place to say so.
3) But it is unwise - (II Cor. 6:14), “Do not be unequally bound together with non-believers” – Do not allow them to lead you astray!
4) (Rom. 6:22), “Having now been freed from sin & enslaved to God, you derive your benefit…

c. So young men & ladies – look for a partner who shares your spiritual values. – If you think that is unnecessary – please come talk to me – and I will take you to folks who made the same error!!!

3. (v. 19b), “…and not wanting to disgrace her [Mary], desired to divorce her privately.”
a. Would you believe her, “God sent an angel – and he told me I would become pregnant by God!”?
1) A betrothed “virgin” who was sexually intimate – had but one punishment under the law…
2) (Deut. 22:23-24), “If there is a girl who is a virgin engaged to a man, and another man finds her in the city and lies with her, - then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city – and shall stone them to death; the girl, because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. – Thus you shall purge the evil from among you.”

b. Talk about a dysfunctional family – Joseph’s was getting of to a pretty bad start.
1) Joseph’s dilemma = “righteous” seeks to obey (Rom. 7:12) – but he’s in love with Mary…?!
2) So what would you do? – You have God’s word on the one hand – and your love on the other?
3) If your heart tells you one thing – and God’s word says another … which should you follow?!!
4) There is only one CORRECT/RIGHTEOUS way – for us to accept a change to God’s word…
B. An Even More Startling Revelation (vs. 20-25)

1. The only way for us to accept a change in the word of God – IS IF GOD CHANGES IT!!!
a. Before Joseph made a decision – God sent a messenger…
b. (v. 20), “But when he 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.”

2. There is a three-fold purpose – behind God giving Joseph this special revelation:
a. To explain the predicament: “…that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” – This situation was not of the doing of men … but of God (cf. v. 23; Isa. 7:14), “Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and shall bear a Son, - and they shall call His name ‘Immanuel,’ which….”

b. To guide Joseph: In order for Joseph to know what to do – God spoke to him - (v. 21a), “She will bear a Son, you shall call His name Jesus.” - As a “righteous man,” Joseph would rear his child correctly according to the law (Deut. 6:6-7). – He needed help getting of to a good start.

c. To reveal the Child’s destiny: v. 21b, “…for it is He who will save the people from their sins.” – The Messiah was going to save man – by giving Himself for man – (Isa. 53:12), “…He Himself bore the sin of many, - and interceded for transgressors.”

3. During His earthly ministry – Jesus was know more by who His father was – than by His mother.
a. God dealt with Joseph – not Mary…
1) (Matt. 2:13), “…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise and take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt….”
2) (m\Matt. 2:19-20), “…an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt saying, ‘Arise and take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.’”

b. The community considered Joseph to be the father of Jesus…
1) (Lk. 4:22), “All were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, ‘Is this not Joseph’s son?’”
2) (Matt. 13:54-55), “And coming to His home town He began teaching them in their synagogue so they became astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom, and these miraculous powers? – Is this not the carpenter’s son?- Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude? – And His sisters are they not all with us?’”
3) When the people who knew Him from His home town thought of Jesus – they considered Him in the context of a family. – JOSEPH HAD RAISED JESUS AS JUST ONE OF HIS OWN!!!

4. The lessons Joseph teaches us are one we can all apply immediately!
a. Joseph acted in his situation – as God would have all of us act – in each of our situations…
1) In spite of his own personal misgivings - Joseph did what God had commanded!
2) In spite of what others might think or say - Joseph did what God had commanded!
3) In spite of later having children of his own - Joseph did what God had commanded!

b. So what about us???!
1) Are we willing to obey God in all things – in spite of any personal misgivings
2) Are we willing to obey God – in spite of what others might say or think?
3) God wants you to be His child – (Gal. 3:26-27), “For you are all sons of God…!”