The Gifts of Christmas Part 3: Tested Resolve
The Gifts of Christmas • Sermon • Submitted
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· 1 viewOur resolve is tested a lot in life. Sometime for the good, sometimes not so much. When God tests our resolve it is often for our good. In this message, we look at Joseph's resolve to divorce Mary and how God tested his resolve and gave Him a new direction and a new purpose for his life.
Notes
Transcript
December 18, 2022
INTRO
INTRO
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
1) Resolve to be Righteous (vs. 18-19)
1) Resolve to be Righteous (vs. 18-19)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
From the Text
Joseph’s surprise from Mary
Joseph’s resolve to remain righteous in life.
Consideration of adultery.
Joseph’s resolve to remain righteous in his reaction.
Can’t just do nothing.
Must respond in a way that is appropriate and righteous.
Application for us today
We need to be resolved to pursue righteousness in our lives.
We can no longer compromise to our own thoughts or feelings, especially if we have let our godless culture influence us.
We must be resolved to pursue righteousness rightly.
When we pursue righteousness, we must do so in a way that makes much of God and thinks nothing of ourselves.
Transition
It is our focus and resolve for righteousness that yields to God’s authority over the determinations and directions of our lives.
2) Resolve to Remain (vs. 20-23)
2) Resolve to Remain (vs. 20-23)
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
From the Text
Initially, Joseph considered the right thing to do was to divorce Mary and move on to what was God’s plan was for Him.
God’s plan for Joseph was the path he was on.
Joseph learned a new perspective of God’s working and plan.
Application for us today
In most cases, we tend to make choices based on what we perceive to best.
Unfortunately, we don’t always see the bigger picture and fail to realize that our perceptions are limited.
Sometimes, making the choice to stay the course (even when it’s difficult), is part of God’s plan for you.
Difficult times help to create deeper faith and trust in Jesus.
Being resolved to remain where God wants us will ultimately always be for our best.
Transition
As we remain faithful to God, even above our own inclinations, we grow in our trust and obedience to God’s will.
3) Resolve to Respond (vs. 24-25)
3) Resolve to Respond (vs. 24-25)
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
From the Text
Once Joseph heard from God He immediately followed.
Joseph remained true to God’s calling and plan.
Joseph had the great gift of personal time with Jesus.
Learning from your kids…how about learning from Jesus!
Only time in all of history where it was probably ok to listen to your child above making sure your child listens to you.
Application for us today
When God shows us a different direction for our lives than the one we are inclined to make, immediately obey.
Don’t spend time debating with God.
He is God and we are not!
When we follow God make sure it’s from the desire to honor Him in all things and in all ways.
Don’t just obey skeptically, thinking you might get an “I told you so moment”.
Don’t keep one foot of your mind dipped into the waters of “What if I would have not...”
Being fully committed to respond immediately and wholeheartedly to God’s will always leads to deeper and more meaningful time with Him.
Most of the time what holds us back is focus too much on our own convenience rather than focusing on full obedience.
Transition
One of the biggest issues in our lives as Christians is a lack of resolve to obey God when it is not convenient.
Life and death supersede conveniences.
Thad choking…not an “at your convenience” moment.
We must allow God to refine or redefine our resolve to follow Him!
CLOSING
CLOSING
ONE OF GOD’S GREATEST GIFTS IS TO TEST AND REFINE YOUR RESOLVE TO FOLLOW HIM.
The events that surround the birth of Jesus are proof of that!
ARE YOU STILL LIVING ON A PATH OF CONVENIENCE THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION OR ARE YOU DETERMINED TO WALK IN NEW LIFE BY BEING RESOLVED TO OBEY GOD?
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