Joseph - A Righteous Man!
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Introduction
Introduction
Attention - let me start this morning by asking you a question. Do you want to be used by God?
Now, I know we are supposed to say yes to that question. But is it your genuine hearts desire to be used by God?
What is the Hearer’s problem?
What is the Biblical Solution?
What do the hearers need to know?
Main Textual Idea: Joseph was a man of character and a faithful follower of God.
Men, we have much to learn from this godly and unsung hero of the faith.
Main Idea: Men - If you really want to be used of God, you will pursue righteousness!
Interrogative:
Interrogative:
Transition:
Body
1. A Righteous Man Considers Others Before Himself (vs. 18-19)
Lead in…We live in a world where the focus on self is predominant. Self-care, self-love, and removing the toxic person from my life are all buzz words and phrases. But is this biblical?
When you look at the character of Joseph, there is a marked difference from today’s focus of self...
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.
Text -
Explanation -
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:18–23
The fact that Jesus was born “of Mary” only, as indicated in the genealogical record (v. 16), demanded further explanation. Matthew’s explanation can best be understood in the light of Hebrew marriage customs. Marriages were arranged for individuals by parents, and contracts were negotiated. After this was accomplished, the individuals were considered married and were called husband and wife. They did not, however, begin to live together. Instead, the woman continued to live with her parents and the man with his for one year. The waiting period was to demonstrate the faithfulness of the pledge of purity given concerning the bride. If she was found to be with child in this period, she obviously was not pure, but had been involved in an unfaithful sexual relationship. Therefore the marriage could be annulled. If, however, the one-year waiting period demonstrated the purity of the bride, the husband would then go to the house of the bride’s parents and in a grand processional march lead his bride back to his home. There they would begin to live together as husband and wife and consummate their marriage physically. Matthew’s story should be read with this background in mind.
So Mary and Joseph where in the midst of this one year waiting period and Mary turns up pregnant. Of course, they did not have sexual intercourse - the text tells us clearly in verse 20 that she was a virgin! And, according to verse 18, her pregnancy was from the Holy Spirit.
Imagine being Joseph! Your whole world is turned upside down. Everything you have been expecting. Everything you have hoped for is vanishing before your very eyes. The woman you were to marry is now pregnant! What will you do?
Matthew tells us the kind of character this man, Joseph has. He is a just man.
What does it mean to be just? In this verse the word means “righteous?
19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
18
19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Like Zachariah and Elizabeth, Joseph shared in this characteristic of righteousness. He was a godly, upright man who was very concerned about honoring the law of God. But he was also concerned for Mary.
Guys, how would you feel if you found out your fiance not only cheated on you, but was pregnant with someone else child!?
ANGRY!! FURIOUS!! HURT! And I am sure Joseph had all these feeling and more.
However, he didn’t live according to his feelings. He lived according to the truth!
Even before the intervention of the Holy Spirit, Joseph wanted to care for this situation in the most discrete, kind way possible. According to the Law, he had every right to parade her before the elders of the city and have her stoned for this crime against him, his family and his good name.
But he didn’t press for his rights - good lesson for us today!
He didn’t want to put this young woman to shame. In other words, he was concerned for her welfare.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:18–23
He genuinely loved Mary, and yet the word came that she was pregnant. His love for her was demonstrated by his actions. He chose not to create a public scandal by exposing her condition to the judges at the city gate. Such an act could have resulted in Mary’s death by stoning (Deut. 22:23–24). Instead he decided to divorce her quietly.
Illustration - The Gift of the Magi, a short story by O Henry, first published in 1905...
On Christmas Eve, with only one day left to find a Christmas gift for her husband James Dillingham Young, Della sells her hair for $20 to a nearby hairdresser named Madame Sofronie. She eventually finds a platinum pocket watch fob chain for Jim's watch for $21 and was satisfied that she found the perfect gift for Jim.
Later that night Della admits to Jim that she sold her hair to buy him his present. Jim gives Della her present – a set of combs, useless now that her hair is shortened. Della then shows Jim the chain she bought for him, to which Jim says he sold his watch to get the money to buy her ornamental combs. Although Jim and Della are now left with gifts that neither one can use, they realize how far they are willing to go to show their love for each other, and how priceless their love really is.
Argumentation -
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Perhaps Jesus learned a little about selflessness from His adoptive father?
Application - Men, we tend to have a problem. We tend to put ourselves first in a lot of areas. I want to challenge you to take on the spirit of Joseph who didn’t demand his rights, but instead, thought of what would be best for Mary, his betrothed.
Examples of how men can put others first..
Remember, Jesus, not Joseph is the greatest example of this.
Review - Men - If you really want to be used of God, you will pursue righteousness
A Righteous Man Considers Others Before Himself
2. A Righteous Man Obeys God Rather Than Himself (vs. 20-25)
Lead in…We live in the tension of my convicting little poem. “Just two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self.” Joseph opted for the former rather than the later. He truly was a righteous man and it showed in his obedient life. Take a look at the text...
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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Text -
Explanation - Joseph didn’t take this decision lightly. The text says he “considered” these things. The word for “consider” is to “think upon” or “reflect.” Finding out your betrothed is pregnant would have been a very difficult situation for Joseph to be in...
Just like his namesake in the book of Genesis, this Joseph was also a dreamer. God spoke to him through an angel in his dreams. He had several important things to tell Joseph.
“Joseph, son of David” - Being related to David would prove to be a necessary thing for Jesus. Because of Josephs ansestrial linkage to David, Jesus, through His adoptive father is connected to the throne of David and therefore is his legal heir!
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
“do not fear to take Mary as your wife” - “Do not fear” is one of the most repeated commands in the Bible. It is said that it appears 365 times. It’s more when you consider the admonishments to not worry or be anxious, which are forms of fear.
There was a lot to fear when you think of all the social implications...
But he need not fear. It was God’s plan to use Joseph as the adopted father of Jesus from before the earth was called into existance.
Think about this...
JESUS CHOSE HIS PARENTS - WOW! IN FACT, HE CREATED THEM!!
In light of this, there was absolutely no reason for him to fear!
“for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” - This was no “oops baby! This was no accident. This situation was not a result of Mary being unfaithful to Joseph. This pregnancy was accomplished by God the Holy Spirit.
“for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” -
“She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” - The angel informed and instructed Joseph. He informed him that she would give birth to a son and this Son was the biological Son of Mary, and yet He was the Son of God. He was the only unique God/man which qualified him to be the redeemer of our souls.
Jesus’ name in Hebrew is Joshua which means, God Saves. And certainly this baby would grow to accomplish what His name promised - “for he will save his people from their sins.”
How? Explain the Gospel...
“and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” -
This was quite a truth packed dream! And when this dream came true, it would change the course of history! And Joseph needed to be all in!
Think about this. Angels don’t just show up all the time in the Bible. In fact it’s pretty rare. But when they do it is for a special reason. Gabriel appeared to Mary and Joseph to convince these faithful people that God wanted to use them for an amazing purpose.
Just think! Out of all the people on the planet, God chose Jospeh to be the Adopted father of His child.
But was this real? Was this just a dream?
And just in case Matthew’s reader were wondering if this dream was from God or not, he reminds them that this is a 700 year old prophecy from Isaiah coming true ().
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us) - And just in case Matthew’s reader were wondering if this dream was from God or not, he reminds them that this is a 700 year old prophecy from Isaiah coming true ().
Now, after this amazing experience, notice he doesn’t say a word, but the text tells us something important...
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
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.
Did you see it? The dream must have been tremendously compelling! Because the first thing he does when he wakes up is to obey!
Notice three things from Josephs obedience...
“He took his wife” - All of his doubts were now gone. It didn’t matter what kind of social abuse he would receive in the future for marrying a pregnant woman, he was all in and took marry to be not just his betrothed, but his wife!
“He honored their betrothal period” - Verse 25 mean he didn’t have sex with her after she birthed Jesus. By the way, the key word here is “until.” Mary was not perpetually virgin as our Catholic friends teach. Here an Jospeh did have sex and had more children. James (of the NT letter) is one of them. Point being, Joseph was a righteous who was determined to do right things.
“He named the baby Jesus.” - Just as he was commanded, Joseph name Him Jesus. I wonder if there was a tinge of excitment when Joseph made the pronouncement of his name? For he knew that this baby was no mere baby, but the long awaited King of the Jews!
I can imagine throughout this whole Journey, there were points of temptation for Joseph to cut bate and run. Life would have been far easier if he would have just cut this situation and this woman out of his life. (Joseph never escaped the stigma). He didn’t take the easy road, he did the hard thing and obeyed God.
Illustration -
Argumentation - Men, Joseph was a man of obedience. Yes, obeying God will cost you. There are some things that God says that are hard, very difficult. But if we are followers of Christ, we must obey God! Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commands.” That’s the bottom line for the believer.
However, remember, God’s commands are for two good purposes. First, when we obey God, He is glorified. Second, His commands for us are for our good!
Application - Joseph was a man of obedience. Are you? Are you willing to reorient your life, maybe even dramatically, to obey God?
Ways to obey...
Review - Men - If you really want to be used of God, you will pursue righteousness
A Righteous Man Considers Others Before Himself
A Righteous Man Obeys God Rather Than Himself
3. A Righteous Man is Used to Fulfill God’s Plan (2:13-23)
Lead in…Every follower of Jesus has to come to terms with this truth - “You life is no longer you own, you have been bought with a price, so now honor God with you body. ()”
We must have the attitude of the hymn writer who penned these words so many years ago “Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee. Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise, let them flow in ceaseless praise.”
Joseph is a quiet and unassuming guy. But he is a godly and righteous man who offered up his life to be used by God to care and protect this unique baby who would grow to be the savior of the world.
After the birth of Christ, Herod wanted to find the Christ child. Not to worship him, but instead to have him destroyed. Herod really didn’t want to let go of his position as King of the Jews and he was willing to keep it!
This is when the wise men came upon the scene. Herod tried to use them to find the baby, but after they found and worshiped the baby, God warned them in a dream to not give Herod the information he sought. And so they went home by another way.
And God warned Joseph as well..
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
So they left for Egypt. God’s plan was to use Jospeh to protect the Christ!
By the way, have you ever wondered why the Wise men gave gold, frankincense and myrrh? Provision for their jouney to Egypt. These items would have be quite welcome and valued in Egypt! God always knows what we need even before we ask!
God truly used Joseph to protect the innocent baby. Look at the text...
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
My heart aches every time I read this account. Such a wicked man who was supposed to be a king to the Jewish people. So thirsty to hold onto his perceived power that he willingly slaughterd all the two year old’s and younger!!
But God protected Jesus through Joseph because Jesus was on a special mission to offer salvation to the world.
Joseph received another dream...
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
9-
For the third time God communicated to Joseph by in angel in a dream. It’s time to come home. There is no more threat of death. The one who wanted your son dead is now dead.
However, ever in protection mode, Joseph hears that Herod’s crazy son is now on the throne. He receives his fourth dream and is warned, so he goes to Nazareth.
This is the second fulfilled prophecy - he would be called a Nazarene.
A righteous man us used to fulfill God’s plan!
Imagine. God used Joseph to fulfill two prophecies! What a privilege! What an honor to be used by God to fulfill His ancient plan!
Illustration - The first Joseph was used by God to fulfill God’s plan. The story of Jospeh was not about Joseph...
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Text -
Explanation -
Illustration -
Argumentation - Men, as followers of Jesus Christ, God wants to use you to fulfill His plan! He used Jospeh, in part because he was a righteous and holy man.
Application - Are you? Are you pursuing Christlikeness? Would you consider yourself to be a righteous man?
Review - Men - If you really want to be used of God, you will pursue righteousness
A Righteous Man Considers Others Before Himself
A Righteous Man Obeys God Rather Than Himself
A Righteous Man is Used to Fulfill God’s Plan
Conclusion
Review opening illustration (if appropriate)
Action they should take
Land the Plane
Connection Group Reflection Questions
Joseph was a just/righteous man. How do we know this to be true?
Joseph put Mary before himself at great personal cost. Why would he do this? What can we learn from him?
What are the dangers of obeying ourselves rather than God? What are some practical ways we can ensure we are following God’s way and not our own?
Joseph was used of God in a profound way! Why do you think God chose to use him? What does this mean if we desire to be used of God?
What is one thing you have learned from this Scripture? How will you share it?