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KEY VERSE:
Matthew 1:24-25 (ESV)
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.
Introduction:
God chose Joseph for many reasons to be the adopted father of Christ. Some of those reasons are that Joseph would Hear, Trust and Obey Him.
I. HEARING GOD
A. One reason Joseph could hear God was because he was a just man.
Matthew 1:19
And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
B. Joseph remained still until he heard from God.
Matthew 1:20
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.
C. When we are waiting on God to speak to us, we must remain still until He gives direction!
D. When we jump the gun, we get sidetracked and hearing God becomes harder for us to do!
Some reason we don’t always hear God:
1. Lack of Prayer.
2. Selfish Praying.
3. Lack of bible study.
4. Lack of church fellowship.
5. Lack of involvement.
6. Lack of interest.
II. TRUSTING GOD
A. Its one thing to KNOW God is trustworthy, its another thing to BELIEVE God.
B. When we believe someone, we do as they say.
Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
People often don’t trust God for His Word because of;
1. Pride. They think they know better.
2. Ignorance. They don’t study God’s Word.
3. Fear. They fear He may be leading them into hardship.
4. Confusion. Satan is speaking to them too.
5. Selfishness. They want something God is not offering them.
6. Rebellion/Stubbornness. They are going to do it their way no matter what God says.
7. Worry. They believe that no matter what God says, things won’t work out for the better.
III. OBEYING GOD
Matthew 1:24-25 (ESV)
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.
A. Joseph did as the angel commanded! Joseph knew God had spoken through His Angel.
B. Joseph didn’t think about it any longer, he obeyed by taking Mary as his wife.
C. Joseph continued to obey and denied himself by not “knowing” Mary until the child was born.
D. Finally Joseph fulfilled God’s command to name the child Jesus.
E. It was customary to name children after relatives in those days.
F. Immanuel specifies who God is, “God is with Us”….
G. Jesus specifies what God does, “God Saves”.
Conclusion:
God wants to be with us today and He desires to Save us. We must be Saved through Jesus BEFORE we can be with God. The choice is ours to make. Will you choose to be with God?