Osceola Sermon Advent Drama Casting Call Theme: God s Will (December 14 th, 2014) Pastor Bob Vale

Transcription

1 Osceola Sermon Advent Drama Casting Call Theme: God s Will (December 14 th, 2014) Pastor Bob Vale Biblical Focus: Matthew 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Scripture Lesson: Matthew 1:18 2:2 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. MT 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." MT 1:22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." MT 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her MT until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Worship Service Bulletin Information (December 14th, 2014) Saturday Worship Service: Hymn of Praise: # 234 O Come All Ye Faithful Praise Chorus: # 204 Emmanuel Offertory: Video: Mary Did You Know: Hymn of Response: # 219 What Child is This? Sunday Traditional: 8:30 a.m. Hymn of Praise: # 234 O Come All Ye Faithful Prayer Hymn: # 204 Emmanuel

2 Offertory: Lynn Lambert & Blake S. Hymn of Response: # 219 What Child is This? Sunday Contemporary: 11:00 a.m. Praise Song # 1: : # 234 O Come All Ye Faithful Praise Song # 2: Offering Offertory: Video: Angels We Have Heard on High: Praise Song: # 3 Joy To The World Praise Song: # 4 The First Noel 1. Who is Joseph, the earthly father of Joseph? 2. Do we really know all that much about him? (Not that much.) 3. What kind of a man was he? 4. What kind of a father was he to Jesus, the son of God? 5. Why does Mary have a glow around her head and Joseph does not? When I was in the 6 th grade I was asked to play a character role in the nativity drama for our church. I got picked to play the part of Joseph. I thought wow, a major role; I have finally arrived but when I got the script, there was not much at all to playing the part of Joseph. I didn t have any lines to memorize, no songs to sing and no dance moves to perform. I just sort of stood there beside Mary and the baby Jesus and looked happy. But did Joseph really do anything? That is our question for the day. I ve been preaching and teaching sermons and Bible Studies about the Christmas story for the better part of 25 years of my life. In that time, most of the teaching and sermons have centered and focused on

3 Mary the mother of Jesus, the angels visiting the shepherds in the fields, the wise men from the east who came to see Jesus, understanding the doctrine of the incarnation or about the entire overall nativity story in general. But I have never focused solely on Joseph the earthly father of Jesus in a single sermon. So, here goes! Let s take a good look at him today according to the scriptures. Here are the basic facts about Joseph from the scriptures: 1. We don t really know much: Joseph is not mentioned in any of the 13 books of the New Testament written by the apostle Paul. He is not mentioned in the gospels of John or Mark. Joseph is only mentioned in two books of the New Testament: Matthew and Luke. 2. The gospel book of Matthew quickly traces the geology of Joseph all the way back to King David in the Old Testament. Matthew 1:1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham; and Matthew 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 3. Joseph is the most famous Foster Parent in the world: If we think about it, Jesus was a foster child. Matthew 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 4. We know Joseph was from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and then traveled to Judea to the small village of Bethlehem with Mary. This is where he needed to go back for the census to be counted. Luke 2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register

4 with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. I guess there is not that much information about Joseph the father of Jesus according to the scriptures before the nativity story and really not that much information about Joseph after Jesus grew up. Where was Joseph when Jesus was an adult? 1. Have you ever wondered where Jesus father was when he was baptized in the Jordan River by his cousin John? 2. Have you ever wondered where Jesus father was when Jesus was performing all those miracles? Surely a proud father would stand up to his friends and say, Hey, that s my boy the guy who is healing all the sick, raising people from the dead, walking on water and feeding so many people with a few loaves of bread and a few fish? 3. Have you ever asked the question: Where was Jesus father when he was being crucified on the cruel Roman cross? We see Mary his mother a few other women and his best friend John, but not his father. If his father was around, perhaps he would have tried with all his power & influence to stop what was going on. (Maybe that is why he was not there; so as not to mess up the crucifixion.) 4. Most Biblical scholars believe Joseph died between the time Jesus was 13 years old at the temple in Jerusalem and before Jesus turned 30 years old when he began his earthly ministry. Although we don t know all that much about Joseph prior to the nativity story, there is much to be learned about Joseph the earthly father of Jesus within the story and the 13 years following within the scriptures. It is in this story we learn of the heart and character of this Godly man.

5 Here is the verse that says it all to me about Joseph. Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. It says that Joseph was a righteous man and did not want to put Mary through a public disgrace. Historical Note: In the first century, marriages were arranged by the parents and often times included a price for the bride. Joseph was pledged to be married through an arranged marriage by the parents of Mary. It was during this testing betrothal time that Mary told Joseph she was going to have a baby and it did not belong to him. So technically, according to Jewish law, Joseph & Mary were married, but had not consummated the marriage with a wedding night; or what we would call, a honeymoon night. When Joseph found out his new bride was pregnant and he was not the father, he basically had three choices. 1. Joseph could turn her over to the Jewish courts, where she would be found guilty of adultery and stoned to death. 2. He could divorce her quietly so as not to embarrass her. But that would still require a Jewish official to sign the divorce paperwork; since according to Jewish law they were married. 3. Option three would be to keep Mary as his wife, even though he was not the father. Now men, I want to talk to you for a minute. Imagine you are dating a gal when you were younger and you were looking to marry her

6 sometime soon. You realized you loved her, cared for her, wanted to have children together, and she was the gal you wanted to spend the rest of your life and grow old with. Suddenly she says to you, honey we need to have a little private talk. Quietly this woman you have fallen head over heels for tells you she is pregnant and will soon have a baby. Oh, and by the way, (As Maury Povich would say,) according to DNA evidence you are not the father of little Jesus. Her surprise response is God is the father. Guys: What would you do? Seriously what would you do? For most men, they would walk away. Some would run away from such a situation. According to the scriptures, even Joseph wanted to quietly divorce her so as not to embarrass her. (He was a righteous man according to the scriptures.) Guys, what would you do if your wife to be said, the baby in my womb is from God and not yours.please be his foster daddy? Lights change and the drama: Casting Call begins. Drama: Casting Call What: Joe is a husband, father, and all around "good-ole boy". But there's more to him than Nascar and fishing and it will take a conversation with the Director of the Live Nativity Drama for Joe to realize "Joseph" is the perfect part for him. Themes: Christmas, Nativity, Father, Will, God's Call, Purpose Who: When: Joe & the Director The present time Where: Joe looks like he just came from work where he is probably a contractor- jeans, work boots, a flannel shirt, ball/fishing cap, maybe a down vest. Small, high table Bible (set on table) Spotlight Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:12-25

7 Why: How The actor who plays Joe has a chance to really play him larger than life,which will help provide a warm and endearing conclusion for his vignette. He is a stereo-typical redneck. With that- if you have a good actor- he'll be a success. If you have a great actor, he will be able to take the "cartoony" characterization and bring it to a fine emotional point as Joe becomes more and more real. Production Time: 7 to 8 Minutes Joe walks up to the spotlight for his audition. He seems a little reluctant. Director: We are now ready to hear auditions for the role of Joseph! Joe: Hi. I'm Joe. Joe Staleman. Director: Hey, Joe. Why are you auditioning for the role of Joseph today? Joe: Eh well in all honesty pound for pound my wife wants me to. Director: Oh. So, this is not something you volunteered on your own? Joe: No. Director: (With a little humor) Say it ain't so, Joe. Joe: Can't. Wish I could, but my wife says I'm kind of a caveman- in my own little world watching way too much Sports Center. Says I care way too much about Nascar and Hillbilly Hand Fishin' than I do about giving back to (in air quotes) "the body of Christ". Director: I see. Well, Joseph is a big role. The earthly father of the Messiah. Trekked a trail from their hometown to Bethlehem on foot-

8 over 300 miles to register for the census. Married a woman that was pregnant with the son of God. Big shoes to fill. Joe: Yeah, about that. I should have probably auditioned for a shepherd cause all they do is watch sheep and keep to themselves. Again, my wife's idea for me to play Joseph- cause that's my full name Joseph. Joseph Arlene Staleman. Director: Arlene? Joe: Yeah, my mom was a twin. Her sister's name was Arlene. I was the third child in the family and no girls hence I got my aunt's name as my middle name Arlene. Embarrassing. Humiliating. Makes you just want to run and hide when your mom is mad and calls out your full name. (Mimicking mom, going back in time to a moment when he was a kid) "JOSEPH ARLEEEEENNEEE STALE-MAN! You put that cat down! God didn't put them on this earth for you to make boom-a-rangs out of!" (To Director) Momma was always very sensitive toward the feline community Director: I guess someone needed to. You just might be perfect for the role of Joseph, Joe. Joe: Pound for pound, I'm just not seein it. Director: Here's the deal- all the emotions you have felt- the confusion, the embarrassment, humiliation, disillusionment- Joseph felt all of those. Joe: Uh, I've seen the Live Nativity- he always looks so happy looking down at Jesus. (Does the frozen pose- with one arm around Mary and the other holding onto a staff staring down at the baby Jesus smiling) See? There isn't any of those emotions in that manger. Director: How do you think Joseph got to that moment? What do you think were the emotions going on in Joseph's heart, soul and mind when

9 the Angel delivered the news that Mary would be with child carrying the son of God? Joe: Never thought of it like that. I guess I just always pictured him saying "okay" and be good with it. Director: As you would say, "pound for pound," it was probably a major blow to his world. Do you think this was good news at first for Joseph or did he have to wrestle with what everyone would think? Joe: Well, I'm more of a live and let live kind of guy. But I'm guessing in some ways it was not his will be done, but God's will. Director: Exactly! Joe: Kinda like my situation- not my will but my wife's' Director: Now you've gone off track. Speaking of a union- Joseph, after hearing the news and being a righteous man wanted to divorce Mary quietly so it wouldn't be brought out in the public. Back then, even during an engagement it took two witnesses to legally get a divorce. He thought Mary was unfaithful. It wasn't until the Angel said to marry her and take her home that Joseph followed. Joe: Well, I reckon if Joseph felt and wondered all those things, maybe I am right for this role. (Beat; thinking through it) Put me in coach, I'm ready to play. Director: I think you are. I think you nailed your audition with the simple realization it's not your will but God's. His son would say the same exact thing thirty three years later as he died for the sins of the world.

10 Joe: Yeah, I'm sure glad he did that for me. I'll remember that as I'm staring at that little baby in the manger. I guess that's what you theatre folks call, "gettin' into character"? Director: Something like that. Joe: Alright then, one more thing. Do I have to wear that Biblical robe thingy? Director: You do. Joe: Can't we try to do it differently? I can wear my camo huntin' pants. It's almost like a robe. Director: (With a smile; amused) Sorry not your will. Joe: Yeah, I get it. Director: Joe? Joe: Yes sir? Director: Give me that Joseph pose one more time. We see Joe happy to oblige as he gets in the previous Joseph pose. He stands in his pose, frozen. As the moment washes over him, we see him begin to smile with pure joy and even a tear. Joe: (Thoughtfully) Wow pound for pound. (Caught up in the moment, pretending to look at the Baby Jesus.) Lights fade. I ask you the question again: What would you do?

11 Joseph was in the middle of a difficult situation. This is where an angel stepped in to help Joseph understand the big picture of what was going on. Opening Scripture: Matthew 1:20-23 MT 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." MT 1:22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." Because of the message from the Angel Joseph now sees the light. He understands the truth. He now is part of the greatest story ever told. His foster son, is the savior of the world. God chose Joseph: I believe in the same way God chose Mary I believe God also chose Joseph to be the earthly father of Jesus and husband to Mary. 1. Joseph was from the line of David. More than likely there were many men who were from the line of David. Other could have been chosen from the line of David. 2. Joseph was a Righteous man. Not a lot of men in the Bible are given that sort of distinction. He was not like others; Joseph was righteous and compassionate. 3. I believe God knew the type of man needed to be a foster parent to Jesus and prepare him to be a carpenter, and keep him safe. 4. Joseph took the role and responsibility of being the father of the son of God seriously.

12 Joseph was warned in a dream to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt to protect him from King Herod who wanted to kill the baby Jesus at the time. (Joseph was obedient in all the Lord asked him to do.) Matthew 2:7-14 MT 2:7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." MT 2:9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

13 MT 2:13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." MT 2:14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." MT 2:16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

14 The Coptic Church in Egypt: This is the history and beginning of the Coptic Church in Egypt. (Jesus time spent in Egypt.) The Coptic Christians are the largest Christian community in the middle east; yet they are also the smallest religious minority surrounded by the Muslim community. The Coptic Church in Egypt is currently being persecuted, churches burned and Christians killed by radical Muslims. (We need to be in prayer for our Christian brothers and sisters in Northern Africa.) Joseph then was asked to go back home to Israel after King Herod had died. Matthew 2:19-21 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." MT 2:21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. The heart of the sermon today is about obeying God s will and not our own. 1. Joseph was much more concerned about obeying God rather than worrying about what people thought about him. 2. Joseph protected both Mary & the Baby Jesus when they were most vulnerable. 3. Joseph was a righteous man and chose to be a great Foster Parent to Jesus. He even adopted Jesus as his own.

15 Did you know that as a Christian you are adopted into the God s family? God is your father who loves and watches over you. Before you were a Christian, you were lost and not regarded as part of the family of God. Once you became a Christian you became adopted into God s forever family. Let s pray, Lord we thank you for the life of Joseph the earthly foster parent of Jesus. We thank you for his righteous and faithful life. May we follow his example of following the will of God in our own lives. Amen. Wisdom Quote: George W. Truett once said, Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries. Benediction: "May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever." Amen. G D G D Verse # 1: O come, all ye faithful; Joyful and triumphant Em A D G D A D O come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem G C G D7 G D G Em A D Come and behold Him Born the king of angels Oh Come All Ye Faithful by Charles Wesley G D G D G G D G D7 G D Chorus: Oh come let us adore Him; Oh come let us adore Him G D7 G D A7 D G-C G D G Oh come let us adore Him; Christ the Lord G D G D G C G D Em A D G D G D A D Vs. 2 God of God; Light of Light Lo! he abhors not the virgins womb G C G D7 G G D G Em A D Very God Begotten not created (Go To Chorus) G D G D G C G D Verse 3: Sing, Choirs of angles Sing in exultation

16 Em A D G D G D A D G C G D7 G D G Em A D Sing all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God; Glory in the highest (Go to Chorus) G D G D G C G D Verse 4: Yea, Lord we greet thee; Born this happy morning Em A D G D G D A D G C G D7 G D G Em A D Jesus to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father; Now in flesh appearing (Go to Chorus) Offering / Paul Baloche E B A2 E The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your Love E2 A2 B There is no shadow in Your presence; E B A E No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne. E2 A2 B Before the Holy One of Heaven; A2 E G#7 C#m It s only by Your blood, and it s only through Your mercy B E A2-EA2-E Lord, I come E A2 B E I bring an offering of worship to my King; E2 A2 B E No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing; E A2 Bsus F#m fully barred Jesus may you receive the honor that You re due; A2 B E A2-EA2-E O Lord I bring an offering to you. E B A2 E Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star, E2 A2 B while angels sang to lowly shepherds; E B A E Three wise men seeking truth traveled from afar, E2 A2 B Hoping to find the child from Heaven, A2 E G#7 C#m Falling on their knees. they bowed before the humble B E A2-EA2-E Prince of Peace. Joy To The World by I.Watts, L.Mason D Em D A7 D Joy to the world! The Lord is come! G A D Let earth receive her King! D G D D G D Let every heart prepare Him room, D And heav'n and nature sing, A A7 and heav'n and nature sing, D G D Em D A7 D and heav'n and heav'n and nature sing! D Em D A7 D Joy to the world! the Savior reigns; G A D Let men their songs employ; D

17 While field and floods, rocks, hills, and plains. D Repeat the sounding joy, A A7 Repeat the sounding joy, D G D Em D A7 D Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. D Em D a7 D He rules the world with truth and grace G A D And makes the nations prove D G D D G D The glories of His righteousness, D And wonders of His love, A A7 And wonders of His love, D G D Em D A7 D And wonders, wonders of His love. The First Noel by Franz Gruber 1839 Public Domain D Bm D G D The first Noel, the angels did say D G D G D A7 D Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay Bm A D G D In fields where they lay keeping their sheep D G D G D A7 D On a cold winter s night that was so deep D Bm G D Noel, No-el, Noel, Noel Bm G D G D A7 D Born is the King of Is-rael They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far And to the earth it gave great light And so it continued both day and night And by the light of that same star Three wise men came from country far To seek for a King was their intent And to follow the star wherever it went 1833 Public Domain