Sermon Notes:

JOSEPH – A JUST MAN
Matthew 1:18-25. December 31, 2006

INTRODUCTION.
Very little is known about Joseph, and the Scriptures say little about him.  As Matthew recounts the events of the Virgin Birth of the Lord Jesus, he seems to be speaking from Joseph’s perspective.  Matthew’s purpose seems to be 2-fold:
                1) to introduce us to the kind of man Joseph was.
                2) to introduce us to the Holy Child.

I.  Joseph finds himself in a time of crisis.
In the time of Mary and Joseph, marriages were arranged and took place over the course of a year.  Deuteronomy 22 tells us that if a betrothed woman was found unfaithful she could be executed.  The Pharisees allowed another way, public shaming by divorce.  How was Joseph to handle this situation?

II.  We find Joseph to be a man of character, a moral man.
Joseph was careful in his observance of God’s Law.  He decided not to deal harshly with Mary when she told him of the baby in her womb.  He did not want to disgrace or shame her.  He balances justice and love.  Psalm 37.  He spends much time considering the situation, trying to decide how it should be handled.  He waits, thinks and prays.  We would all do well to follow Joseph’s godliness.  Joseph manages to do the just thing in a loving manner, which reveals much about the character of Joseph. 

III.  Joseph’s decision.
The intervenes in the midst of Joseph’s quandary.  Notice his response to the angel’s revelation.  Immediate, unquestioned obedience to the Lord.  Out circumstances are not too different from those of Joseph.  God speaks, Joseph obeys.  God speaks to us in His Word, and we don’t obey.  His obedience was costly for Joseph.  But he rises about the name calling, the derision, his loss of reputation. He is concerned to do the Will of the Father in Heaven.  He is an example of godliness for us today.  Ridiculed, persecuted, yet obedient. 

As 2006 ends and 2007 looms in front of us, is it your desire to be obedient to the LORD in 2007, as was Joseph some 2,000 years ago? 

 

SOME OF THE SOURCES USED FOR THIS STUDY:
James Montgomery Boice on Matthew; John MacArthur on Matthew; John Calvin on the Gospels; Matthew Henry on Matthew; Bishop Ryle on Matthew; Hendricksen New Testament  Commentary on Matthew; Terry L. Johnson on Matthew.