Sunday, December 17, Evident Grace looked at Matthew 1:18-25:

(You can find the video stream of the sermon here.  You can stream the audio here.)

Matthew 1:18 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.

We looked at this Big Picture Question:

Who is the king of God’s people?

And we found these 3 answers to our Big Picture Question:

• He Refines Us
• He is with Us
• He Transforms Us

He Refines Us

Matthew 1: 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.”

In Mary and Joseph’s age, once they were betrothed, or engaged, they were legally married.  Because of that, once Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he could have divorced her.  Believing Mary’s story that she pregnant of the Holy Spirit was too much.  Joseph couldn’t do it, so he resolved to put her away quietly.  Can you imagine his heartache and pain?  Can you imagine Mary’s?  She is innocent, yet accused of being guilty.

This is the way God works.  He refines us through hardship.  He places suffering in our lives so that we can be more like Christ.  Thankfully, in Joseph’s situation, an angel appeared to him and told him that Mary was telling the truth.  Joseph had faith enough to believe, and he had the faith to endure this trial in order to honor God and bring about the Savior of the world.

He is with Us

Matthew 1: 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).

The birth of Jesus, of course, means that the Savior was going to be born.  He would be the fulfillment of hundreds of years of waiting for this prophecy from Isaiah.  Unbelievably, even greater than the fact that this prophecy was fulfilled or that the Savior had come, Jesus’ birth meant that God was with us.  God would be present and never leave all those who faith in Him.

He transforms us.

Matthew 1: 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.

What a transformation that Joseph goes through.  He begins these scriptures not believing Mary and ready to cast her out.  After trusting the word of God, he reconciles with Mary.  Additionally, this choice meant that he would endure public shame with Mary as everyone would have believed they had not waited until their religious ceremony to consummate their marriage. Joseph was transformed by the word of God and by believing the word of God, and so are we.

Big Picture Question:  Who is the king of God’s people?

Truth:  Jesus does not condemn His people to loneliness, nor leave them in their helpless condition.  Instead, King Jesus refines, transforms, and saves His people as He brings them close. 

Application:  Live knowing that Christ is present in your life, forever assuring you that you are saved.

Action:  This week, find someone new and demonstrate the gospel to them by meeting their need or spending time with them.