Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV) Lesser Known Characters of Advent: Joseph This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 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. 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. Subject Question: What Six Characteristics of Joseph did Matthew point out made Joseph a great mate for Mary and a good Father figure for Jesus? Compliment answer: He was God s Man, He was a Man of Integrity, He was a Man of Honor, He was open to God s Plans for his Life, He was entrusted with God s Plans for His Children, and He was a Man of Faith. Big Idea: The six characteristics that Matthew points out that made Joseph a great mate for Mary and a good father figure for Jesus were: He was God s Man, He was a man of Integrity, He was a Man of Honor, He was open to God s Plans for his Life, He was entrusted with God s Plans for His Children, and He was a Man of Faith. Homiletical Idea: Playing second fiddle Purpose: I want the congregation to understand the exemplary character of Joseph in light of their own walk with the same God who loves, chooses and trusts them. Introduction: We will be taking a peek at some of the lesser known figures of Advent in this Christmas Season. We ve all heard their names, but how did they contribute to this great story of Jesus advent? What part did they play? What secrets did they reveal about God and His character and plans? And finally, what lessons do they hold for you and I in our 21 st century lives? Today s Study: Joseph (Blessed are those who don t mind playing second fiddle)
I. The Six Characteristics: 1. Characteristic #1: He was God s Man... (Vs.18a) This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about A. Just as we acknowledge God s sovereignty in the selection of Mary by God to be the Christotokos (Christ- bearer), we must then consider God s sovereignty of Joseph in being Πατρική φιγούρα του Χριστού (Christ s Father figure). B. Mary is known for her willingness, her humility, her gentleness, her piety, and her sheer incredible goodness: all of which God delighted in and indeed had worked in her life to develop; so too, we can assume that God had been delighted with the character development of Joseph. C. (Contra) It s not like God just kind of winged it in getting Mary married off. Can we not surmise that God pretty much was concerned about who would be the life mate of His beloved, cherished mother of His Son? Much less the Father figure whom Jesus would look up to and learn from in this life? D. He was certainly God s Man. God s special man. God s chosen Man Someone who gets lost in playing the role of second fiddle. 2. Characteristic #2: He was a Man of Integrity (Vs.18b) This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. A. Joseph viewed Mary as one who was worth waiting for. I am sure the biggest shock of his life came when Mary told him that she was in the family way. I don t believe he was angry. I really don t believe that he ever thought wrongly of Mary; he was more likely to believe that Mary had been raped, or attacked or violated. Anger? No. Disappointment? O yes. B. I wonder what kind of advice his parents would have given him. What would his friends encourage him to do. Boy, we talk about Mary s shame, embarrassment, and being disregarded. What about the humiliation, and shame, and disappointment of Joseph.
C. (Contra) It would be so easy to raise his hands in with clinched fists, so easy to leave the area and never come back. So easy to take the easy ay out if you weren t a Man of Integrity. People with integrity find themselves not falling apart, but falling to their knees. People of integrity tell God that they are disappointed but they don t wish harm on those who have disappointed them. Real men do cry. Cry for themselves sure, cry for the what could have been s, absolutely. But cry mainly because the one whom they love has not only hurt him, but has hurt themselves. And he would have done anything to not see her in pain D. Part of being God s man, God s choice, was the uprightness, the truthfulness, the honor, the decency and the worthiness, all of those things associated with integrity, of this one called Joseph whose name means to add to or increase. Interestingly, the name Mary means, wished for child. Joseph s role was to add to this wished for child s life. 3. Characteristic #3: Man of Honor. (Vs. 19) This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 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. A. What could Joseph do? A person without honor could have vented his frustration out on his betrothed and had her stoned. He could have at least ruined her reputation like she seemingly had done his. B. No, instead he did the honorable, the respectful, the principled and upright thing; He got off his knees and got busy on his feet looking for the least hurtful, most beneficial answer to this conundrum he found himself in. For Mary s sake, we will keep this quiet. For Mary s future with this child we will not make her suffer more than is possible. For Mary s sake, he would work out the divorce that would give Mary a fighting chance and yet fulfill his commitment to the law of God. (Blessed are those who don t mind playing second fiddle)
4. Characteristic #4: He was open to God s plans for his life. (Vs.20) 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 A. With his mind made up, Joseph tossed and turned until finally he fell asleep. And who met his there? God. God let Joseph work through all of His feelings and plans and disappointment. This nightmare of a day was finally over, but not quite. 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, B. If that would have been it, what a blessing it would have been. God had given his graceful solution in how to honor the law, honor the Lord, and honor Mary. But what about the father of the baby? What if he comes and wants to take this child? To that, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. We seem to miss the gospel truth here; the greatest miracle is Joseph having the assurance and the faith to believe the dream. Please keep in mind that God is God. God is Sovereign. God is the one who reveals himself and God is the one who gives us all the faith to believe. Paul put it this way. It is by grace you have saved through faith and even that is not of yourself, it is the gift of God C. (Contra) Mary must have been the first words out of josephs mouth when he awoke. I have to tell Mary. God has spoken to me. God has given us a future together. God has given me back my beloved. I have to tell her Her story NOW makes sense! D. In a real way, God was saying to Joseph, I have a plan for you both. Just take it one step at a time. He was open to God s plans for his life 5. Characteristic #5: He was entrusted with God s plan for His children (Vs.21) 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. 6. Characteristic #6: He was a Man of Faith. (Vs.24-25) 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 did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
II. Lessons we learn: 1. There is much more to this fiddle player than meets the eye. 2. What about our own character? If God chose Joseph for Mary did he do the same with the one whom we re married to? And if the answer is yes, then how are we treating our spouses like Joseph was willing to treat his? 3. What kind of character do you pray will be present in the future spouse of your Son or Daughter, grandson or granddaughter? Look at the six characteristics of Joseph again: He was God s Man, He was a man of Integrity, He was a Man of Honor, He was open to God s Plans for his Life, He was entrusted with God s Plans for His Children, and He was a Man of Faith. And perhaps the biggest one: Blessed are those who don t mind playing second fiddle