WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.740 I want to encourage you, if you would please, to open your Bibles with me to Matthew chapter 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:15.000 ! 1. We're continuing our Advent series in Matthew chapter 1 and 2. And if you're using the Pew 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:22.320 ! Bible, I would encourage you to turn in your pew Bible to page 807. Matthew chapter 1, 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:29.760 page 807. Before we begin, just a couple of things by word of announcement and encouragement. 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:36.539 First, I do want to encourage you to come. If you have not heard yet, please come this evening to 00:00:36.539 --> 00:00:43.759 the Christmas concert, Christmas celebration. A chance for us just to sing some more songs and 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:51.920 be reminded of what Christ has purchased for us and what His coming meant for us in terms of sending 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:58.760 His Son as Savior of the world. The second is, I would just encourage you to please be 00:00:58.759 --> 00:01:06.299 remembering the Malumba family this morning. There was a family tragedy that took place this morning 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:13.560 and their hearts are broken and grieving and they could use your prayers in encouragement. 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:21.760 There aren't any details right now to share with you, but I just would encourage you to please 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:29.980 be in prayer for them as a family. Lots of heartache, lots of sorrow, and they could use your 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:37.140 encouragement today. Let me pray for them right now as I lead us in prayer for our time together. 00:01:37.140 --> 00:01:48.340 Father, thank you. Thank you, Lord, for what Jesus means to us. He means forgiveness and cleansing. 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:57.099 He means salvation. Because of Christ's coming to earth, coming as a baby, but coming to die, 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:05.039 coming to pay the price for sin, and then coming to rise again from the dead so that we could have 00:02:05.039 --> 00:02:12.960 newness of life and hope with you, of living with you for eternity in heaven. Lord, thank you for that, 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:20.740 what that's accomplished for us in terms of the body of Christ and the comfort and encouragement 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:28.180 that we can feel from one another as part of this family. And God, my heart, even this morning, 00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:34.700 is grieving along with the Malumbas, and I pray, Father, that your special presence would be with 00:02:34.700 --> 00:02:41.640 them today. Thank you, Lord, that you are the God of all comfort. Thank you that because of your son, 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:50.219 Jesus, that that comfort is not far away, but that it can be near. It can be accessible. It can be close. 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:56.340 It can be experienced. And so, Lord, I pray that as you are the God of all comfort, that you would come 00:02:56.340 --> 00:03:05.020 and minister your comfort to them, encourage them, help them, strengthen them, go before them, Lord. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:16.460 May they experience in fresh ways your presence and your help with them in this time. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:24.620 Amen. This morning in our passage today, in the second half of Matthew chapter 1, we're going to see an 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:32.240 announcement that's made by the angel, an announcement that's made that points backwards to a prophetic 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:44.360 witness given by Isaiah 700 years before. A virgin will conceive and bear a son. Think about the 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:50.320 significance of the significance of 700 years. Just kind of put that in our own framework so we can begin 00:03:50.320 --> 00:03:56.620 to kind of wrap our heads around this a little bit. The significance of a prophecy that reaches back 00:03:56.620 --> 00:04:09.740 so many years. So 700 years for us would be 1324. That's over 450 years before America was even a nation. 00:04:09.740 --> 00:04:18.740 That's almost 200 years before the Protestant Reformation. That's 100 years before the printing press. 00:04:19.780 --> 00:04:26.920 That's the century. The 1300s was the century of the Black Death that kind of plagued Europe. 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:34.939 That was also the century of the Hundred Years' War that was fought between England and France. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:44.199 It's only 100 years after the death of Genghis Khan. It's only 100 years after the completion of the 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:52.620 Crusades. It's only 100 years after the signing of the Magna Carta. And any of you who know history 00:04:52.620 --> 00:05:00.939 can appreciate the significance of reaching back that far. And yet the testimony of God's prophetic word 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:10.259 spoken to a prophet 700 years ago and now beginning to finally come true, taking place as we're going to see 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:17.240 in Matthew chapter 1, the beginnings of this virgin that's going to conceive and bear a son. 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:26.259 The significance of this prophetic word is not just that it's preceded or comes to us from hundreds of years 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:32.819 in the past. But the significance of this prophetic word is that it comes in an untimely way. 00:05:34.099 --> 00:05:38.639 It's a word that comes during a troubled period in Judah's history. 00:05:39.719 --> 00:05:46.699 It's a word that comes to a wicked king named King Ahaz. 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:55.500 King Ahaz, as we find in 2 Kings 16, who burned his sons on the altar to Molech. 00:05:56.259 --> 00:06:03.399 This king who sacrificed offerings, it says, on all the high places and under every green tree. 00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:13.219 This king who took the very gold and silver out of the temple to fund his campaign and defenses 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:21.620 to Assyria and defending him from the northern ten tribes of Israel who were to come and try to take over. 00:06:22.080 --> 00:06:30.460 This king who constructed an altar in the place of the bronze altar in the temple, 00:06:30.880 --> 00:06:39.660 moved that altar aside and constructed this new altar by the pattern and design of the Assyrian gods. 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:47.240 This was the king who received this prophetic word, a virgin will conceive and bear a son. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:55.560 The nation was being threatened by Syria and the king of Israel who had formed an alliance of war against Jerusalem. 00:06:56.620 --> 00:07:02.560 We find in Isaiah chapter 7 verse 2 that when the house of David was told, 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:21.740 That's a graphic picture of the terror that the people in Jerusalem were experiencing because of the threat of this war. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:24.600 So God sends the prophet Isaiah. 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:28.180 He sends this prophet Isaiah to meet Ahaz. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:36.800 And we find in verse 4 that Isaiah gives a word of assurance to King Ahaz by saying, 00:07:37.080 --> 00:07:44.640 Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, or be faint-hearted because the Lord is going to rescue you. 00:07:45.140 --> 00:07:46.540 The Lord is going to deliver you. 00:07:46.540 --> 00:07:52.780 And as a means of deliverance and as a sign that God will deliver you, 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:57.480 why don't you, King Ahaz, ask of God for a sign, 00:07:57.720 --> 00:08:02.260 and he will give you this sign to confirm this word that he has spoken. 00:08:03.780 --> 00:08:05.400 But Ahaz stubbornly says, 00:08:05.580 --> 00:08:08.560 I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord. 00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:10.960 Now this was not humility. 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:19.819 This was at the heart of rebellion and defiance against God himself to refuse to ask from God a sign. 00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:21.699 So God says, fine. 00:08:22.299 --> 00:08:23.180 Fine, Ahaz. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:25.379 I will give you a sign for myself. 00:08:25.459 --> 00:08:28.299 And we find this verse in Isaiah 7 verse 14. 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:31.419 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:38.259 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel. 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:45.120 God would deliver Jerusalem from the threat of this war. 00:08:46.019 --> 00:08:47.960 He would deliver them in a physical way. 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:55.279 And that physical deliverance would stand as a proof of the ultimate deliverance that God would give 00:08:55.279 --> 00:09:01.480 through this future son from this virgin who would be God with us. 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:05.939 This Emmanuel, this presence of God among his people 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:10.660 who would provide something better than this physical deliverance. 00:09:10.920 --> 00:09:14.100 He would provide a spiritual deliverance through Christ. 00:09:15.380 --> 00:09:18.240 We find that God stands over history. 00:09:19.300 --> 00:09:25.460 God is the one not only to declare what would come, but to bring it to pass. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:27.980 God is the one, as we saw last week, 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:33.880 who will establish his purposes through his power and through his people. 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:37.679 We're going to see that continuing story this morning. 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:41.860 The account that Matthew will give of the God who stands above history. 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:48.059 The God who makes history come to pass according to his specific word. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:50.759 So if you're there with me in Matthew chapter 1, 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:56.779 let me read for us the first several verses beginning in verse 18 down to verse 23 00:09:56.779 --> 00:10:00.659 to establish for ourselves a context of our study today. 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:30.639 It says, 00:10:30.659 --> 00:11:00.639 The temptation for us, 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:04.340 As we move into this new scene, 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:10.159 Is to now pick up the story and to assume that the characters have changed. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:13.919 That now Joseph becomes the main character of this story. 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:18.259 But in fact, this opening line continues to establish 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:23.139 That Jesus Christ is the central figure of the story. 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:25.019 That's our first point this morning. 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:31.000 Jesus Christ continues to be the central figure of this story. 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:36.720 Notice, now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:39.819 And so we're going to see this is a record of Christ's birth. 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:41.120 This is how it unfolded. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:44.899 These are the events by which the narrative of God, 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:49.679 The prophecies of God related to his son begin to unfold. 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:55.879 The record of Christ's birth that we see here in verses 18 to 25. 00:11:57.419 --> 00:12:03.279 Matthew makes sure to emphasize this point that he started from the very beginning. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:09.579 That this account continues to be about the person of Christ Jesus. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:14.860 That Joseph and Mary will just be instruments of this narrative. 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:20.600 Others who are involved as people in this genealogy. 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:22.819 This story of God. 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:28.480 This story of Jesus Christ that begins to unfold for us in this passage. 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:31.300 It's to emphasize that Joseph and Mary, 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:35.740 They're just players in God's master plan. 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.480 And for us, this morning, 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:41.879 As those who have believed in Jesus, 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:47.240 Those who have been drawn in to God's plan of redemption for the world, 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:53.460 And this gospel narrative that we have been invited to take part in, 00:12:53.899 --> 00:12:57.080 That we too can be part of this plan of God, 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:59.060 Just like Joseph and Mary. 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:05.200 Matthew began this gospel by emphasizing the preeminence of Jesus Christ. 00:13:05.420 --> 00:13:06.340 There in verse 1. 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:10.080 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:16.100 And then he concludes the genealogy by emphasizing this final name of the record. 00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:19.180 Jesus Christ that we see in verse 16. 00:13:19.900 --> 00:13:21.320 Joseph, the husband of Mary, 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:24.080 Of whom Jesus was born, 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:26.140 Who is called the Christ. 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:27.740 And then, 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:31.220 Matthew will summarize this entire genealogy, 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:35.139 And draw attention to the ultimate result, 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.080 Who was, of course, 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:37.200 Jesus Christ. 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:38.400 There in verse 17. 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:40.560 All these generations, 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:42.900 From the deportation to Babylon, 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.040 To Christ, 00:13:44.160 --> 00:13:46.000 Were 14 generations. 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:48.520 There at the end of verse 17. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:52.480 The figure that stands above this passage, 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:59.000 The figure that draws the ultimate attention for us from this passage today, 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:00.500 Is Jesus himself. 00:14:00.819 --> 00:14:02.740 Jesus who is the Christ. 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:05.379 So we'll find in our passage, 00:14:05.819 --> 00:14:07.360 Jesus who means Savior. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:08.620 Christ, 00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:10.419 Which is the word for Messiah. 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:12.919 This true King of Israel. 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:15.799 He is Savior and Christ. 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.899 Christ, Messiah, 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.479 King, 00:14:17.979 --> 00:14:18.939 The anointed one. 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:25.139 We begin to learn more of the details of this birth of Christ, 00:14:25.219 --> 00:14:28.000 As we continue our way in verse 18. 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:31.839 That this is a record of Christ's birth, 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:38.000 But we find that Jesus himself was conceived by the Holy Spirit in verse 18. 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.200 Notice, 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:43.000 When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:44.639 Before they came together, 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:48.740 She was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:51.379 By Jewish custom, 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:57.600 Betrothal was just a piece of the entire marriage union. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:02.100 There were two stages in this Hebrew marriage. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:04.659 The first involved betrothal, 00:15:04.940 --> 00:15:06.420 Which was more than an engagement. 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:12.399 It was an actual legal contract between a young man and a young woman. 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:16.220 Guaranteeing that they would ultimately be married, 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:18.820 And make it to this final stage of marriage, 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:21.340 Which would include this consummation, 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:23.180 This marriage ceremony. 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:27.180 The marriage was almost always arranged by families. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:29.939 And often arranged by the families, 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:35.099 Without either the groom or the bride being involved in the process. 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:41.099 A contract was made to the bride's father. 00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:42.500 It was a dowry, 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.879 Paying the bride's price. 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:47.539 The groom would pay this price, 00:15:47.859 --> 00:15:51.899 To help cover the expenses of the wedding ceremony itself. 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:54.620 But also as a guarantee of marrying, 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:56.519 Ultimately marrying his daughter. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:59.599 The contract was considered binding, 00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:01.439 As soon as it was made, 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.279 And it was legally binding, 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:06.359 For the two individuals that participated in it. 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:09.620 We get some details of the betrothal, 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:13.039 As we look at the corresponding account, 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.539 In the gospel of Luke. 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:18.620 We see in Luke chapter 1 verses 26 and 27, 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:20.659 In the sixth month, 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.500 It says, 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:25.539 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.959 Named Nazareth, 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:32.059 To a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, 00:16:32.579 --> 00:16:33.759 Of the house of David, 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:36.539 And the virgin's name was Mary. 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:39.659 Several important details are confirmed, 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:42.159 By this account here in Luke. 00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:45.559 First we see that Mary is a virgin. 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:49.000 We see that here in Luke's account. 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:51.559 We saw that in Matthew's account as well. 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:53.579 This betrothal period, 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:57.139 Which was intended to bear out, 00:16:57.219 --> 00:16:58.199 Or to prove out, 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.899 Mary's fidelity, 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:04.799 As a person who is pure in her loyalty to Joseph. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:09.099 Her loyalty would be confirmed by scripture, 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.319 By God himself, 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.960 In both of these accounts. 00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:14.980 As Matthew 1.23 talks about a virgin, 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.779 Who conceives and bears a son. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.039 Luke, 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:21.500 As we find an angel comes to a virgin, 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:23.440 Who's betrothed to Joseph. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:26.259 A virgin whose name was Mary. 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.879 And while this betrothal period, 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.100 It would raise questions, 00:17:30.540 --> 00:17:31.980 From a human perspective, 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:35.020 Of Mary's fidelity to Joseph. 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:37.720 We find that the Bible affirms, 00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:39.580 Her loyalty to Joseph. 00:17:40.060 --> 00:17:42.180 But a loyalty that goes even, 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:45.040 That is even greater than loyalty to Joseph. 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:46.980 It was a loyalty to God himself. 00:17:48.020 --> 00:17:49.960 We find in Luke 1.28, 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:53.880 The angel comes to her and says, 00:17:54.040 --> 00:17:54.360 Greetings, 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.260 O favored one, 00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:58.320 The Lord is with you. 00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.859 And then in verse 30, 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.099 The angel says to her, 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.480 Do not be afraid, Mary, 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:05.819 For you have found favor with God. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:09.559 Mary was loyal to Joseph, 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.879 But more importantly, 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:13.399 Mary was loyal to God. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:15.059 She was a servant of his. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.859 And Luke describes, 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:19.200 How Mary would have this child, 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.539 In verse 35. 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.839 It says, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:36.679 Mary comes to understand a little bit, 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:39.659 About how God is going to accomplish this in her. 00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:42.879 The Holy Spirit himself will overshadow her, 00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:44.000 And his power, 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.119 The power of the Spirit, 00:18:45.439 --> 00:18:47.379 Will allow her to conceive this son, 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:48.600 Jesus. 00:18:49.300 --> 00:18:50.780 Upon finding out, 00:18:51.260 --> 00:18:53.200 That she is to conceive, 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:54.600 By the Holy Spirit, 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:57.960 She makes her way to Judea, 00:18:58.020 --> 00:19:00.020 The hill country of Judea. 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:02.120 And she goes to spend, 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:03.520 The next several months, 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.940 With her close relative, 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:05.400 Elizabeth. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.040 Elizabeth, 00:19:07.260 --> 00:19:07.340 Who, 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:07.580 Who, 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.000 Remember, 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:10.080 Also received an announcement, 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:10.960 Through her husband, 00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:12.000 Zachariah. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.579 Both of which, 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:15.339 Who are old in years, 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:16.819 Well beyond, 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:19.200 Their child bearing years, 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.380 She was barren, 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:20.720 And yet, 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:23.160 This miraculous conception in her, 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.279 That took place, 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:25.920 And John the Baptist, 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:26.559 Would be, 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:28.240 The product of, 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.500 Of this conception. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.799 In Luke chapter 1, 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.420 Verse 56, 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:33.980 We find, 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.539 Mary remained, 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.380 With her, 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.519 With Elizabeth, 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.140 About three months, 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.059 And returned to her home. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.259 And upon returning, 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.319 To Nazareth, 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.079 Mary, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.660 It says, 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.859 In our text this morning, 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.559 In Matthew chapter 1, 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:50.119 Mary is found, 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.440 To be with child. 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:53.079 But not just found, 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.980 To be with child, 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.619 But found to be with child, 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:57.359 By or from, 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.279 The Holy Spirit. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.519 Providentially, 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.220 Mary's journey, 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.759 To the hill country, 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.819 Of Judea, 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.859 Helped to protect, 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:07.180 Also the integrity, 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.299 Of Joseph, 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.240 And this union. 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.500 But it has raised, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.559 Other questions, 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:14.000 About her faithfulness, 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.799 From a human standpoint. 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.059 But the text here, 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.460 And what we read, 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:21.299 Throughout Jesus' public ministry, 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:23.859 The news of Mary's pregnancy, 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:26.700 Didn't seem to make its way, 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.779 Into the mainstream. 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:29.980 At the beginning, 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:31.160 Of Jesus' public ministry, 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.299 In his hometown, 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.920 We find in Luke chapter 4, 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:34.940 Verse 22, 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:36.559 It says, 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:36.880 All, 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:38.980 And all spoke well of him, 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:39.980 Speaking of Jesus, 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.820 And marveled, 00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:43.240 At the gracious words, 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.180 That were coming, 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.080 From his mouth, 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.160 And they said, 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.360 Is not this, 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.660 Joseph's son? 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.320 And then, 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.200 Toward the end, 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.140 Of Christ's ministry, 00:20:52.580 --> 00:20:53.279 In Galilee, 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.440 Jesus comes back, 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.240 To his hometown, 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.920 In Nazareth, 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:57.539 And we find this account, 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.840 In Matthew chapter 13, 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.720 Verses 53 to 55, 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.900 When Jesus had finished, 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.579 These parables, 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.680 He went away from there, 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.319 And coming to his hometown, 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.620 He taught them, 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.700 In their synagogues, 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.640 So that, 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.759 They were astonished, 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.240 And said, 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.600 Where did this man, 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.620 Get this wisdom, 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.460 And these mighty works? 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.839 Is not this, 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.299 The carpenter's son? 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.480 Is not, 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:21.120 His mother called Mary? 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.940 Are not his brothers, 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.740 James and Joseph, 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.660 And Simon and Judas? 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.000 So whatever, 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.759 Whatever news, 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:31.359 Had begun to spill out, 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.759 Was not yet mainstream, 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.900 So they caused a, 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.920 Public stir, 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:38.019 Joseph had heard the news, 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.940 But now he had a decision to make, 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.879 He was faced with a dilemma, 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.960 So we come to verses 19 and 20, 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.900 To see how now this dilemma, 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:48.879 Would be resolved in his heart, 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:51.099 It was resolved because, 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:53.000 Their union was preserved, 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:55.420 By an angelic instruction, 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.000 Preserved, 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.960 By angelic instruction, 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:01.099 Notice in verse 19, 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.599 Her husband Joseph, 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:04.859 Being a just man, 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:07.180 And unwilling to put her to shame, 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:09.259 Resolved to divorce her quietly, 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.500 But as he considered these things, 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:11.799 Behold, 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:13.299 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.519 In a dream saying, 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:14.960 Joseph, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.599 Son of David, 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.660 Do not fear, 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.619 To take Mary as your wife, 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:22.519 For that which is conceived in her, 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:24.680 Is from the Holy Spirit, 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:27.200 Joseph is left with a decision, 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:28.000 A dilemma, 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:29.000 What will he do? 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:32.600 And we find this description of Joseph, 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:34.100 In verse 19, 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:36.420 We get some clues to his character, 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:39.100 Described as a man who is just, 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:41.019 A just man, 00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:42.700 I think, 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:45.600 It's a statement that we often take for granted, 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:47.339 We often forget, 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:50.599 That Joseph was called to this assignment, 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:54.419 Just as much as Mary was called to this great assignment, 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.619 And at the very forefront, 00:22:57.039 --> 00:23:00.199 Of what is seen in Joseph's life, 00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:02.059 Is a man who is just, 00:23:02.919 --> 00:23:04.899 Of course he wasn't a man who was sinless, 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.459 But he was a man, 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:09.339 Whose moral character represented, 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:12.859 Consistent alignment with the standards of God, 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:15.139 His heart wanted to be true, 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.659 To what God said, 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:18.459 And what God's standards required, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:21.719 So now being faced with this dilemma, 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:23.179 What will he do? 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:24.799 First, 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.279 Being a just man, 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:28.759 Would have implications for his marriage, 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:31.179 Because as a righteous man, 00:23:31.699 --> 00:23:33.459 Joseph did not want to, 00:23:33.719 --> 00:23:36.219 Be bound up with a wife, 00:23:36.219 --> 00:23:37.379 That was demonstrating, 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:39.199 At least from a human level, 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:41.979 A level of inconsistency, 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:43.779 And immorality, 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:46.420 Joseph in good conscience, 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.940 Could not participate, 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.519 Or affirm, 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.819 Mary's behavior, 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:53.480 At least up to the point of hearing, 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.880 What the angel's announcement was, 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:58.339 So naturally assuming that her pregnancy, 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.319 Was a result of unfaithfulness, 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:03.000 Joseph would now do, 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.259 What he needed to do, 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:06.559 To preserve his integrity, 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.160 And to deal with Mary, 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.759 In a way, 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.920 That would also, 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:13.920 Demonstrate justice for her, 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:14.980 And compassion, 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.039 And care, 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:19.160 So not only did he need to be, 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:21.160 Just in terms of, 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:23.460 Following after the law for himself, 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:25.299 But being a just man, 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.779 Also impacted the way, 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:28.640 In which he would dissolve this marriage, 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.599 The way that he would treat Mary, 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.720 The kind of grace, 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.400 And care, 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.339 And compassion, 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.359 That he would show to her, 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:37.619 Notice in verse 19, 00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:40.039 His justice led to this, 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:43.000 He did not want to put her, 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.319 To public shame, 00:24:44.959 --> 00:24:46.179 That's the heart, 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.219 Of justice, 00:24:47.399 --> 00:24:48.039 That's the heart, 00:24:48.219 --> 00:24:48.859 Of kindness, 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.579 That's the heart, 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:50.859 That follows after, 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:52.500 The God of compassion, 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.059 And mercy, 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:55.719 So in order to spare Mary, 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:57.879 The disgrace of public divorce, 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.659 And censure, 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:01.679 Joseph proposes a divorce, 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.779 That would happen quietly, 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:05.059 Out of the public view, 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.500 A settlement essentially, 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:08.000 That would be out of court, 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.779 As it were, 00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:11.279 There's no indication, 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:13.139 Of how Joseph is feeling, 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.599 But you can imagine, 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.719 The emotions, 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:18.199 That are raging at this point, 00:25:18.699 --> 00:25:19.740 Perhaps feelings, 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.819 Of betrayal, 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.599 Feelings of frustration, 00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:23.639 And anger, 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.899 And confusion, 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.759 But none of that is written, 00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:27.539 Into the text, 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.879 But what we do find, 00:25:28.959 --> 00:25:30.259 Is the heart of Joseph, 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.779 Not for himself, 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.039 But for Mary, 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:35.559 Joseph's heart, 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.639 Was not, 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:38.480 To guard his own shame, 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.599 And embarrassment, 00:25:40.159 --> 00:25:40.839 His heart, 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.279 Was to guard the shame, 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:43.920 And potential embarrassment, 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:44.879 Of Mary, 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.680 Indicates, 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.779 This deep, 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.420 Compassion for her, 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.940 This true love, 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.859 I would suggest, 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.980 That Joseph, 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.519 While he doesn't often, 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:56.159 Get a lot of public press, 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.379 We find, 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:57.980 Here, 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.539 A man, 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.960 Who's chosen by God, 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.860 And now we see, 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:01.700 His character, 00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:02.620 Coming through, 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.259 His desire, 00:26:04.360 --> 00:26:04.960 To be faithful, 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.860 To God's standards, 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:06.600 But has also, 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.579 His desire, 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.480 To love, 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:09.759 And tenderly care, 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.500 For Mary, 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.319 Putting her away, 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.259 Privately, 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.440 Seeking to guard, 00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.400 Her reputation, 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.319 As much as he could, 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.579 So, 00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:18.299 Joseph, 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.360 Contemplates, 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.240 As he contemplates, 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.420 His next steps, 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:21.980 We find, 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:23.000 In verse 20, 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.220 An angel of the Lord, 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.059 Appears to him, 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.660 Appears to him, 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.160 In a dream, 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:28.779 This angel, 00:26:29.060 --> 00:26:30.300 Who comes with a word, 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:30.960 Of God, 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:33.060 Who helps to ease, 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.200 His conscience, 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.680 Helps to explain, 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.560 This miraculous, 00:26:37.040 --> 00:26:37.660 Conception, 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.540 Gives him instructions, 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.700 On what to name, 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.300 This child, 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.880 In verse 20, 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.500 We find, 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:45.019 The initial address, 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.580 Joseph, 00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:47.160 Son of David, 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:48.300 Do not fear, 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.580 The angel, 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.519 Reminds Joseph, 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:53.279 Of his messianic lineage, 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.680 The angel, 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.779 The angel, 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.960 Calls attention, 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.240 To the role, 00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:58.940 That Joseph, 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.800 Will play, 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.400 As being, 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.140 In the line, 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.600 Of David, 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.360 And now, 00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:04.040 Legally, 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.279 Jesus, 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.440 Will have the right, 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.480 To sit, 00:27:07.560 --> 00:27:08.580 On David's throne, 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.180 Because, 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:10.580 Of Joseph's lineage, 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.279 Tracing, 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:11.779 All the way, 00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:12.420 Back to David, 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.840 This, 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.320 Will be significant, 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.620 Joseph, 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.700 In the line, 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.259 Of David, 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.140 Confirmed, 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.160 By the angel, 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.400 And encouraged, 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.740 Now, 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.700 Not to fear, 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:24.900 Do not fear, 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.780 To take, 00:27:25.780 --> 00:27:26.460 Mary, 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.400 As your wife, 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.860 We're not given the details, 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.880 Of what this fear, 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:31.960 Was, 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:32.640 But perhaps, 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:33.800 He was afraid, 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.340 Of breaking, 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.380 The commandments, 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.160 Of God, 00:27:37.280 --> 00:27:38.120 And living, 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:38.800 A life, 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.440 That was, 00:27:39.820 --> 00:27:40.620 That represented, 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.440 The moral standard, 00:27:42.540 --> 00:27:43.300 That God had set, 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.380 Perhaps, 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.380 He was afraid, 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:46.780 Of the shame, 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.800 That would come on him, 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.660 And come on Mary, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.460 Whatever, 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.580 This fear, 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.240 Might have been, 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.799 And the angel, 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.279 Comes, 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.279 To alleviate, 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:55.120 His conscience, 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.740 And to give him, 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.299 A green light, 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.519 And the angel, 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:58.160 Continues, 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.500 Now, 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.839 With further instructions, 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.980 We find in verse 21, 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.480 She will bear a son, 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.559 We find in verse 21, 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.880 You shall call his name, 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.299 Jesus, 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.880 For he will save his people, 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:11.259 From their sins, 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:13.140 We find that Jesus, 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.319 This child, 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.059 Is destined, 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.740 To save his people, 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.319 From their sins, 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:19.980 This angel, 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.220 Gives specific words, 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.579 In specific instructions, 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:25.299 On how to name Jesus, 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.359 The naming of a child, 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.579 In the Old Testament, 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.180 And also, 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.799 Spilling into New Testament, 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:32.240 First century times, 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.039 Was significant, 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.980 A name is often, 00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.620 Describes, 00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:37.799 The birthing process, 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:39.140 Or it describes, 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.839 The significance, 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:41.480 Of that person, 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.559 Itself, 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.400 In the family, 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.819 There are times, 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.660 In which we find, 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.519 Throughout the Old Testament, 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.440 That the naming, 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.660 Of a son, 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:49.539 Or a daughter, 00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:50.740 Helps indicate, 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.599 Something about, 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.539 The way that they're going, 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:53.500 To be part of, 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.559 God's history, 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.500 Isaac, 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:57.880 Whose name, 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.059 Means laughter, 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.319 You remember, 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.599 In the narrative, 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.759 Where Abraham, 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.680 And Sarah, 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.539 Laugh, 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.660 Because of hearing, 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.799 This great, 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.279 Promise of a son, 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.899 That will come, 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:09.839 In their old age, 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:10.559 And Isaac, 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.099 Would be this, 00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:12.180 Constant reminder, 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.819 Of the laughter, 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.619 That they had, 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.099 And the joy of God, 00:29:16.159 --> 00:29:17.299 In providing them a son, 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.859 In hopeless times, 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:20.960 We have, 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:21.599 Leah, 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.079 Who names, 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:24.139 Several of her, 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:24.980 Children, 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.180 Based upon, 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.899 Something significant, 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:28.940 Reuben, 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:30.019 Who was her, 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.819 Firstborn, 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:31.680 Means, 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.139 Look, 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.000 A son, 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.900 And she will say, 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.019 In Genesis 29, 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.539 The Lord has looked, 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.599 On my affliction, 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.940 And has given me, 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:40.859 A son, 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.940 Her second son, 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:43.579 Simeon, 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.019 Means, 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:44.720 Heard, 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.240 And she says, 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.079 She named him, 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.500 Heard, 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.799 Because the Lord, 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.259 Heard that I, 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.140 Am unloved, 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:53.039 Her third son, 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.960 Levi, 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:55.440 Means, 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.119 Attached, 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:57.099 And she says, 00:29:57.179 --> 00:29:57.979 Now this time, 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.539 My husband, 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.679 Will be attached, 00:29:59.979 --> 00:30:00.419 To me, 00:30:00.919 --> 00:30:01.539 The significance, 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.219 Of names, 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:02.779 We find, 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:04.179 Throughout the Old Testament, 00:30:04.979 --> 00:30:05.279 Isaiah, 00:30:05.399 --> 00:30:05.759 The prophet, 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.619 Will also be told, 00:30:06.719 --> 00:30:07.099 To name, 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.879 One of his sons, 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.119 His son's name, 00:30:10.219 --> 00:30:12.059 Is Mahershalah Hashbaz, 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.599 In Isaiah, 00:30:13.719 --> 00:30:14.219 Chapter 8, 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:14.639 Verse 4, 00:30:14.699 --> 00:30:15.539 We find the significance, 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:15.979 Of that, 00:30:16.959 --> 00:30:17.839 Mahershalah Hashbaz, 00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:18.119 Means, 00:30:18.439 --> 00:30:19.399 Speed the spoil, 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.559 And hasten the bounty, 00:30:21.439 --> 00:30:21.959 And we find, 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.779 That before the boy, 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.799 Knows how to cry, 00:30:23.919 --> 00:30:24.500 My father, 00:30:24.899 --> 00:30:25.839 Or my mother, 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:27.619 The wealth of Damascus, 00:30:27.699 --> 00:30:29.059 And the spoil of Samaria, 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.359 Will be carried away, 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.639 By the king of Assyria, 00:30:31.919 --> 00:30:32.939 God intended, 00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:33.599 For, 00:30:34.339 --> 00:30:35.099 The name, 00:30:35.179 --> 00:30:36.240 Of Isaiah's son, 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.099 To stand, 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.119 As a beacon, 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:38.939 To the help, 00:30:39.159 --> 00:30:39.839 That God would give, 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:40.419 To his people, 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.379 Names, 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.919 Are significant, 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.720 Throughout the scripture, 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.319 And this name, 00:30:47.459 --> 00:30:47.699 Jesus, 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.519 Is no different, 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.500 He is to be named, 00:30:50.699 --> 00:30:51.079 Jesus, 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.240 This is the Hebrew, 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.000 Which means, 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.699 Yahweh is, 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.500 Salvation, 00:30:56.939 --> 00:30:57.819 Or the Lord, 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.839 Saves, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.099 And of course, 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.419 Jesus' ministry, 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.679 Not to bring, 00:31:03.199 --> 00:31:03.699 Salvation, 00:31:03.939 --> 00:31:04.879 In a physical way, 00:31:04.959 --> 00:31:05.699 But especially, 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:07.139 To bring salvation, 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.259 In a spiritual way, 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.019 The angel, 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:10.980 Binding, 00:31:11.419 --> 00:31:11.959 The name, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.639 Of Jesus, 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.480 You shall name, 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:15.319 His name, 00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:15.759 Jesus, 00:31:15.939 --> 00:31:16.939 For he will save, 00:31:16.939 --> 00:31:17.779 His people, 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.659 From their sins, 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:20.480 Draws itself out, 00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:21.879 From Psalm 130, 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.679 Verses 7 and 8, 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:25.740 Where the psalmist says, 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.340 O Israel, 00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:27.920 Hope in the Lord, 00:31:28.600 --> 00:31:29.340 For with the Lord, 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.539 There is steadfast love, 00:31:30.560 --> 00:31:31.299 And with him, 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:33.140 Is plentiful redemption, 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:35.100 And he will redeem, 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.600 Israel, 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:37.200 From all his iniquities, 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:37.860 Or, 00:31:38.060 --> 00:31:38.660 In other words, 00:31:38.840 --> 00:31:39.980 He will save, 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:40.880 His people, 00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:42.680 From their sins, 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:44.960 The angel now applies, 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.720 That prophetic word, 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:48.180 To Jesus himself, 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:48.720 Jesus, 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.640 Who will be, 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.560 The savior, 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.620 It's a fitting quote, 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.380 That the angel, 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.279 Uses, 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.860 Drawn from Psalm 130, 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.580 Which is one of the psalms, 00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.220 Of ascent, 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.259 And the psalms, 00:31:59.299 --> 00:31:59.759 Of ascent, 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:01.120 Were the psalms, 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.620 That were either, 00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:03.259 Spoken or quoted, 00:32:03.560 --> 00:32:04.380 Or sung, 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:06.299 As the people of Israel, 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.519 Would make their pilgrimage, 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:08.759 Up to Jerusalem, 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.900 During the Passover, 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.820 And of course, 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:12.220 Jesus himself, 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:12.799 Would be, 00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:14.639 The Passover lamb, 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.939 Jesus himself, 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.279 Would save his people, 00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:18.339 From their sins, 00:32:19.639 --> 00:32:20.899 Drawn from this, 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:22.839 Song of ascent, 00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:24.599 And applied to Jesus, 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.839 As the savior, 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:27.019 Of the world, 00:32:27.939 --> 00:32:29.139 Jesus would provide, 00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.359 This way of salvation, 00:32:31.659 --> 00:32:32.700 This name would mark, 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.339 The significance, 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.599 And preeminence, 00:32:34.679 --> 00:32:35.919 Of his life, 00:32:35.919 --> 00:32:37.139 And ministry, 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:39.119 Salvation would come, 00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:40.799 From God himself, 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:42.639 Providing a way, 00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:43.299 Of salvation, 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:44.980 Through Jesus Christ, 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:45.960 The savior, 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.539 And king, 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.599 This morning, 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:50.079 Do you know, 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.079 Jesus, 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.259 As savior, 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.220 And king, 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:55.480 His name is Jesus, 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:56.819 He came to save, 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:57.740 His people, 00:32:57.939 --> 00:32:58.759 From their sins, 00:32:59.099 --> 00:32:59.579 And anyone, 00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:01.419 Who comes to the point, 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:02.319 Of recognizing, 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:03.419 Their sin, 00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:05.220 Who repents, 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:05.919 And asks, 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.839 Jesus for forgiveness, 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.240 Who commits, 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.460 Their life to him, 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.920 And turns, 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:13.480 From their sin, 00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.120 And turns, 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.240 To God, 00:33:15.340 --> 00:33:16.220 In obedience, 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.980 And makes him, 00:33:18.120 --> 00:33:18.779 The master, 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.480 Of their life, 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.819 To those people, 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:22.420 They will experience, 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:23.240 The salvation, 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:23.980 That Jesus, 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:24.799 That God, 00:33:25.120 --> 00:33:25.799 Intends to give, 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:26.680 Through his son, 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.279 Jesus Christ, 00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:29.920 Well this, 00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:31.019 Angelic word, 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:32.340 Is now confirmed, 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.680 By prophetic witness, 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:35.059 We find in verses, 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.100 22 and 23, 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:38.439 All this took place, 00:33:38.439 --> 00:33:39.159 To fulfill, 00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:40.199 What the Lord, 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.859 Had spoken, 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:41.859 By the prophet, 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.139 Behold, 00:33:43.179 --> 00:33:43.559 The virgin, 00:33:43.719 --> 00:33:44.240 Shall conceive, 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.000 And bear a son, 00:33:45.419 --> 00:33:46.699 And they shall call, 00:33:46.939 --> 00:33:47.819 His name Emmanuel, 00:33:47.939 --> 00:33:48.500 Which means, 00:33:48.659 --> 00:33:50.019 God with us, 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.879 God's message, 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:53.819 Delivered by the angel, 00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:55.199 Confirmed by the word, 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:55.839 Of the prophet, 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.679 This merciful, 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.759 Promise, 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.740 Of protection, 00:34:00.199 --> 00:34:01.279 Given to this, 00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:02.059 Wicked, 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.219 Rebel king, 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:05.319 Who followed, 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:06.579 After the heathen nations, 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.659 Who desecrated, 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.179 The temple, 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.980 Who refused, 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:12.059 To acknowledge, 00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:13.360 The delivering power, 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.679 Of the God of Israel, 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.880 And yet, 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:17.240 Who still received, 00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:18.340 This promise, 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.340 Of deliverance, 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:21.260 All of this, 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:21.800 To show that, 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:22.720 God's promises, 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.320 Are not dependent, 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.360 Upon the character, 00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.579 Of his people, 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.639 But on the character, 00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.860 Of God himself, 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:31.440 God makes promises, 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.099 And God sees them through, 00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:34.419 It rests, 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:36.239 On his character, 00:34:36.859 --> 00:34:37.679 And the deliverance, 00:34:37.799 --> 00:34:38.279 That Jerusalem, 00:34:38.439 --> 00:34:38.919 Would experience, 00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.779 From a military, 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.759 Standpoint, 00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:41.399 Would just be, 00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.839 A symbol, 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:44.099 A foreshadowing, 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:45.539 Of that future deliverance, 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.099 He would give, 00:34:46.339 --> 00:34:47.659 Through his son, 00:34:47.839 --> 00:34:48.199 Jesus, 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.019 Emmanuel, 00:34:50.459 --> 00:34:51.500 And by, 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.539 Sign, 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.819 This greater deliverance, 00:34:53.879 --> 00:34:54.319 Would come, 00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:56.019 In this future, 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:56.719 Day, 00:34:57.959 --> 00:34:59.219 Future prophecy, 00:34:59.339 --> 00:35:00.659 Regarding this future king, 00:35:00.819 --> 00:35:01.619 Was embedded, 00:35:01.839 --> 00:35:02.439 In this word, 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:02.879 And although, 00:35:03.219 --> 00:35:04.500 Not clear, 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.579 On the surface, 00:35:05.939 --> 00:35:06.480 The angel, 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:08.159 Directed by God himself, 00:35:08.439 --> 00:35:09.799 To draw out, 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:11.399 This unfolding plan, 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:11.899 Of God, 00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:12.799 Kind of worked, 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:14.000 Into the prophets, 00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:15.119 And now applied, 00:35:15.419 --> 00:35:16.779 To Jesus himself, 00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:17.839 This mystery, 00:35:18.259 --> 00:35:18.819 Of God, 00:35:18.859 --> 00:35:19.379 That was beginning, 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:19.939 To unfold, 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:21.059 Before their very eyes, 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.339 And I love, 00:35:22.419 --> 00:35:22.919 How the angel, 00:35:22.919 --> 00:35:23.599 Describes, 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.500 The outworking, 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.419 Of this promise, 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:25.799 Notice, 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:26.719 He says, 00:35:27.219 --> 00:35:27.639 They, 00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.900 Will call him, 00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:29.319 Emmanuel, 00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:30.900 Not you, 00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.500 Will call him, 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:31.940 Emmanuel, 00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:32.819 But they, 00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.480 Will call him, 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:33.799 Emmanuel, 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:34.920 Who are the they? 00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:36.339 It's those, 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.379 Who experience, 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.319 The blessing, 00:35:38.319 --> 00:35:39.460 Of God's forgiveness, 00:35:39.879 --> 00:35:40.519 It's those, 00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.119 Who come, 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:42.139 To Christ, 00:35:42.359 --> 00:35:42.859 In faith, 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:43.619 It's those, 00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:44.440 Who enjoy, 00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:45.460 Now the blessing, 00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:46.599 Of the indwelling, 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.679 Holy Spirit, 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.400 God, 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.099 Really, 00:35:49.339 --> 00:35:49.920 And truly, 00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:51.299 Is in us, 00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.319 Those of us, 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:53.699 Who've, 00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:54.900 Made a profession, 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.360 Of faith, 00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:56.380 And asked for forgiveness, 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:56.860 Of sin, 00:35:57.099 --> 00:35:58.519 And that is a presence, 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.199 Of God, 00:35:59.339 --> 00:36:00.559 That not just comes, 00:36:00.559 --> 00:36:01.339 On the moment, 00:36:01.339 --> 00:36:02.099 Of salvation, 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:03.139 But a presence, 00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:03.960 That continues, 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:05.279 Until we meet, 00:36:05.279 --> 00:36:05.900 With Jesus, 00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:07.299 In that future day, 00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:09.339 It's a presence, 00:36:09.339 --> 00:36:10.380 That empowers us, 00:36:10.519 --> 00:36:11.059 It's a presence, 00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:12.239 That strengthens us, 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:13.199 It's a presence, 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:14.099 That helps us, 00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:15.539 This theme, 00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:16.579 Of God's presence, 00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:17.340 That's woven, 00:36:17.340 --> 00:36:18.599 Through this gospel, 00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:19.299 Of Matthew, 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:20.219 We find it, 00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:20.799 At the beginning, 00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:22.259 And also at the end, 00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:23.799 In Matthew chapter 28, 00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:25.239 Verses 18 to 20, 00:36:25.319 --> 00:36:25.920 Says this, 00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:27.559 Jesus came, 00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:28.239 To his disciples, 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:28.960 And said to them, 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:30.659 All authority, 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:31.739 In heaven, 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.759 And on earth, 00:36:32.799 --> 00:36:33.799 Has been given to me, 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:35.000 Go therefore, 00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:36.279 And make disciples, 00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:37.000 Of all nations, 00:36:37.400 --> 00:36:38.380 Baptizing them, 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:39.259 In the name of the Father, 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.219 And of the Son, 00:36:40.259 --> 00:36:40.960 And the Holy Spirit, 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:41.719 Teaching them, 00:36:41.799 --> 00:36:42.360 To observe, 00:36:42.679 --> 00:36:44.139 All that I have commanded you, 00:36:44.420 --> 00:36:45.159 And behold, 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:47.440 I am with you, 00:36:47.839 --> 00:36:48.159 Always, 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.500 To the end of the age, 00:36:49.799 --> 00:36:51.480 God is with us, 00:36:52.019 --> 00:36:53.599 God strengthens us, 00:36:53.899 --> 00:36:55.559 God deploys us, 00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:57.799 On this mission, 00:36:58.239 --> 00:36:59.339 And doesn't leave us, 00:36:59.379 --> 00:37:00.259 Without power, 00:37:00.379 --> 00:37:02.059 The power of himself, 00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.819 To fulfill the objectives, 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.679 That he's called us to, 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.779 I'm with you always, 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:08.819 Emmanuel has come, 00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:10.640 And now, 00:37:10.740 --> 00:37:11.600 All that Joseph, 00:37:11.600 --> 00:37:12.440 That Joseph had feared, 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:13.920 Begins to change, 00:37:13.980 --> 00:37:14.500 In a moment, 00:37:15.100 --> 00:37:16.519 Now his perspective, 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:18.180 Has been realigned, 00:37:18.600 --> 00:37:19.460 Now the, 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.600 The significance, 00:37:20.600 --> 00:37:21.860 Of this moment, 00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:23.700 And the call of God, 00:37:23.740 --> 00:37:24.580 On his life, 00:37:24.680 --> 00:37:25.559 Has become clear, 00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:26.740 The impossible, 00:37:26.740 --> 00:37:27.640 Has happened, 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:29.420 The mystery, 00:37:29.600 --> 00:37:30.340 Has been unlocked, 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:32.360 And God, 00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:33.140 Has chosen, 00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:34.240 To allow Joseph, 00:37:34.240 --> 00:37:35.080 To take part, 00:37:35.700 --> 00:37:37.039 In this promised, 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:37.659 One, 00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.800 Given 700 years before, 00:37:40.219 --> 00:37:40.659 And now, 00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:41.719 Becoming fulfilled, 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:43.300 In front of his very eyes, 00:37:44.179 --> 00:37:44.800 And so now, 00:37:44.920 --> 00:37:45.400 We find, 00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:46.699 The responsibility, 00:37:46.699 --> 00:37:48.199 That Joseph has, 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.900 To now carry out, 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.840 The objectives of God, 00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:53.079 As a faithful servant, 00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:55.279 In verses 24 and 25, 00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:55.840 We find, 00:37:56.639 --> 00:37:58.199 When Joseph woke from sleep, 00:37:58.279 --> 00:37:59.199 He did as the angel, 00:37:59.279 --> 00:38:00.079 Of the Lord commanded, 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:01.940 He took his wife, 00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:03.460 But he knew her not, 00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:04.980 Until she had given birth, 00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:05.539 To a son, 00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.699 And he called, 00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:07.319 His name, 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:07.879 Jesus, 00:38:08.879 --> 00:38:09.839 This is the ongoing, 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:11.659 This is the ongoing, 00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:13.259 Commission, 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.179 That we've been given, 00:38:14.299 --> 00:38:15.079 As God's people, 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:17.319 To continue to carry out, 00:38:17.319 --> 00:38:18.619 God's plan, 00:38:18.819 --> 00:38:19.939 As faithful servants, 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.659 That's our final, 00:38:20.819 --> 00:38:21.799 Point this morning, 00:38:22.399 --> 00:38:23.199 It's carried out, 00:38:23.299 --> 00:38:25.179 By God's faithful servants, 00:38:25.779 --> 00:38:27.500 Joseph receives this word, 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.719 And what does he do? 00:38:29.480 --> 00:38:30.099 He obeys, 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:32.439 He obeys immediately, 00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:34.599 He obeys directly, 00:38:34.799 --> 00:38:36.219 He obeys completely, 00:38:36.699 --> 00:38:38.279 He obeys this word, 00:38:38.279 --> 00:38:39.839 That the angel has given, 00:38:40.179 --> 00:38:41.500 He aligns his heart, 00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:42.399 Consistently, 00:38:42.399 --> 00:38:43.659 With what God has said, 00:38:43.859 --> 00:38:44.659 He continues, 00:38:44.739 --> 00:38:45.859 To demonstrate himself, 00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:46.759 As a man, 00:38:46.819 --> 00:38:47.579 Who is just, 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:48.399 And righteous, 00:38:50.079 --> 00:38:51.199 Desiring to follow, 00:38:51.379 --> 00:38:52.299 After God's commands, 00:38:53.619 --> 00:38:54.099 Joseph, 00:38:55.099 --> 00:38:57.319 Also chose, 00:38:57.379 --> 00:38:58.000 To preserve, 00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:59.039 His wife's dignity, 00:38:59.039 --> 00:39:00.599 It says, 00:39:00.599 --> 00:39:00.619 It says, 00:39:01.259 --> 00:39:04.099 He knew her not, 00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:05.739 Until she had given birth, 00:39:05.820 --> 00:39:06.300 To a son, 00:39:07.860 --> 00:39:09.019 Joseph's commitment, 00:39:09.139 --> 00:39:10.059 To the word of God, 00:39:10.420 --> 00:39:12.239 Established his fitness, 00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:13.519 For the task, 00:39:13.619 --> 00:39:14.400 That was before him, 00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:15.860 His heart, 00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:16.539 And life, 00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:17.279 That were pure, 00:39:17.860 --> 00:39:18.420 He walked, 00:39:18.699 --> 00:39:19.559 Sought to walk, 00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:19.900 In a way, 00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:20.759 That was worthy, 00:39:21.019 --> 00:39:21.599 Of the Lord, 00:39:21.779 --> 00:39:23.639 Fully pleasing to him, 00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:24.800 And the promise, 00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:25.360 That we have, 00:39:25.619 --> 00:39:26.380 Bearing fruit, 00:39:26.380 --> 00:39:27.760 In every good work, 00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:28.740 In increasing, 00:39:28.900 --> 00:39:29.680 In the knowledge of God, 00:39:29.820 --> 00:39:30.840 That's the prayer, 00:39:30.840 --> 00:39:32.000 Of the apostle Paul, 00:39:32.180 --> 00:39:33.480 For the church of Colossae, 00:39:33.619 --> 00:39:34.480 And that's the hope, 00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:35.539 That all of us have, 00:39:35.780 --> 00:39:36.780 That is if our hearts, 00:39:36.900 --> 00:39:37.480 And lives, 00:39:37.640 --> 00:39:39.099 Are aligned to God's word, 00:39:39.200 --> 00:39:39.980 We seek to, 00:39:40.079 --> 00:39:41.220 To live in a way, 00:39:41.280 --> 00:39:41.920 That's worthy, 00:39:42.200 --> 00:39:43.099 Then we can be useful, 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:43.760 For him, 00:39:44.559 --> 00:39:46.860 Useful for every good work, 00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.920 Study to show yourself, 00:39:49.000 --> 00:39:50.180 Approved to God, 00:39:50.380 --> 00:39:51.660 A workman that needs, 00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:52.940 Not to be ashamed, 00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:54.820 That's the call, 00:39:54.940 --> 00:39:55.780 For all of us, 00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:58.059 And Joseph's posture, 00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:59.380 Of faithfulness, 00:39:59.420 --> 00:40:00.140 And righteousness, 00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:01.420 Would be the trend, 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.099 Of his life, 00:40:02.860 --> 00:40:03.980 Again spilling into, 00:40:04.140 --> 00:40:05.019 Luke chapter 2, 00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:06.140 Verse 21, 00:40:06.420 --> 00:40:07.280 We find that Joseph, 00:40:07.420 --> 00:40:08.599 At the end of eight days, 00:40:09.260 --> 00:40:09.420 He, 00:40:09.780 --> 00:40:11.140 Jesus was circumcised, 00:40:11.220 --> 00:40:11.860 And they called, 00:40:12.059 --> 00:40:12.660 His name, 00:40:13.059 --> 00:40:13.460 Jesus, 00:40:14.160 --> 00:40:15.240 He obeyed, 00:40:15.260 --> 00:40:16.380 The command he was given, 00:40:16.940 --> 00:40:18.220 And then in Luke chapter 2, 00:40:18.280 --> 00:40:18.900 Verse 22, 00:40:19.579 --> 00:40:20.619 When the time had came, 00:40:20.820 --> 00:40:21.760 For the purification, 00:40:21.900 --> 00:40:23.039 According to the law, 00:40:23.220 --> 00:40:23.920 Of Moses, 00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:25.400 They brought Jesus, 00:40:25.400 --> 00:40:26.139 To Jerusalem, 00:40:26.260 --> 00:40:26.860 To present him, 00:40:26.900 --> 00:40:27.320 To the Lord, 00:40:27.599 --> 00:40:28.300 As it is written, 00:40:28.500 --> 00:40:29.519 In the law, 00:40:29.639 --> 00:40:30.240 Of the Lord, 00:40:30.740 --> 00:40:32.039 And then in verse 24, 00:40:32.280 --> 00:40:33.800 They came to offer sacrifices, 00:40:33.800 --> 00:40:35.019 According to what is said, 00:40:35.300 --> 00:40:36.420 In the law, 00:40:36.559 --> 00:40:37.180 Of the Lord, 00:40:37.400 --> 00:40:38.119 And then in verse, 00:40:38.539 --> 00:40:39.300 Luke chapter 2, 00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:39.900 Verse 39, 00:40:40.360 --> 00:40:41.260 When they had performed, 00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:42.079 Everything, 00:40:42.559 --> 00:40:43.579 According to the law, 00:40:43.639 --> 00:40:44.240 Of the Lord, 00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:45.519 They returned to Galilee, 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:47.079 And then in Luke chapter 2, 00:40:47.259 --> 00:40:48.059 Verse 41, 00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:49.179 Now his parents, 00:40:49.259 --> 00:40:49.960 Went to Jerusalem, 00:40:50.079 --> 00:40:50.739 Every year, 00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:52.320 At the feast of Passover, 00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:52.880 Why? 00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:54.099 Because that's, 00:40:54.179 --> 00:40:54.780 What the law, 00:40:54.900 --> 00:40:56.059 Of the Lord demanded, 00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:57.579 And Joseph, 00:40:58.440 --> 00:41:00.679 As a faithful servant of God, 00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:02.739 Sought to lead Jesus, 00:41:03.500 --> 00:41:03.940 In a way, 00:41:04.019 --> 00:41:04.759 That was consistent, 00:41:04.860 --> 00:41:05.639 With the word of God, 00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:06.860 And so he was useful, 00:41:07.300 --> 00:41:08.079 He was chosen, 00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:09.820 And he was fruitful, 00:41:10.820 --> 00:41:12.639 That's the promise for us, 00:41:12.719 --> 00:41:13.159 That's the, 00:41:13.159 --> 00:41:15.399 That is the privilege for us, 00:41:15.420 --> 00:41:16.460 Maybe I should say that, 00:41:17.099 --> 00:41:18.539 The privilege for us, 00:41:18.599 --> 00:41:19.500 As God's people, 00:41:19.940 --> 00:41:20.839 Is that we can, 00:41:21.239 --> 00:41:21.920 Experience, 00:41:22.920 --> 00:41:24.119 The power of God, 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:25.480 Working in our life, 00:41:25.739 --> 00:41:26.759 This Emmanuel, 00:41:27.259 --> 00:41:27.940 Who has come, 00:41:28.039 --> 00:41:28.619 To everyone, 00:41:29.019 --> 00:41:30.159 Who has believed in him, 00:41:30.319 --> 00:41:31.219 Do you believe, 00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:32.019 In Jesus? 00:41:33.179 --> 00:41:34.519 Christmas isn't just about, 00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:35.519 Christmas trees, 00:41:35.759 --> 00:41:36.619 And about lights, 00:41:36.759 --> 00:41:37.259 And shopping, 00:41:37.440 --> 00:41:38.019 And family, 00:41:38.379 --> 00:41:38.980 And food, 00:41:39.319 --> 00:41:40.279 All of those things, 00:41:40.339 --> 00:41:40.779 Are wonderful, 00:41:40.920 --> 00:41:42.139 But Christmas is about, 00:41:42.239 --> 00:41:42.679 The coming, 00:41:42.679 --> 00:41:43.679 Of the Savior, 00:41:43.960 --> 00:41:45.279 Savior King, 00:41:45.399 --> 00:41:46.199 Do you know him, 00:41:47.279 --> 00:41:48.539 Have you accepted him, 00:41:48.599 --> 00:41:49.179 As your savior, 00:41:49.419 --> 00:41:50.500 Have you asked forgiveness, 00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:51.460 For your sins, 00:41:52.099 --> 00:41:53.500 Have you been drawn, 00:41:53.619 --> 00:41:55.139 Into relationship with him, 00:41:55.299 --> 00:41:56.259 Is the relationship, 00:41:56.419 --> 00:41:57.279 That you have with God, 00:41:57.659 --> 00:41:58.480 Consistent, 00:41:58.819 --> 00:41:59.599 And perpetual, 00:42:00.239 --> 00:42:01.059 And fresh, 00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:02.019 Every day, 00:42:03.139 --> 00:42:04.059 And does the testimony, 00:42:04.059 --> 00:42:04.699 Of your life, 00:42:04.779 --> 00:42:05.419 Bear forth, 00:42:06.059 --> 00:42:07.239 The desire, 00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:08.579 For God in your life, 00:42:08.980 --> 00:42:10.399 The presence of God, 00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:11.200 To share, 00:42:11.800 --> 00:42:12.500 The wonder, 00:42:12.500 --> 00:42:13.500 Of what God has done, 00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:13.940 For you, 00:42:14.000 --> 00:42:14.920 With the people around you, 00:42:15.480 --> 00:42:16.579 May God help us, 00:42:16.639 --> 00:42:17.559 This Christmas season, 00:42:17.880 --> 00:42:18.660 To make much, 00:42:18.960 --> 00:42:19.519 Of Jesus, 00:42:19.820 --> 00:42:20.300 Let me pray, 00:42:21.880 --> 00:42:22.579 Lord thank you, 00:42:22.619 --> 00:42:23.660 For sending your son, 00:42:25.119 --> 00:42:26.500 Your son Jesus, 00:42:26.680 --> 00:42:27.700 Who came to save, 00:42:27.740 --> 00:42:28.320 His people, 00:42:28.800 --> 00:42:29.720 From their sins, 00:42:30.440 --> 00:42:31.320 Lord thank you, 00:42:31.380 --> 00:42:32.099 For the great, 00:42:32.260 --> 00:42:32.860 Mercy, 00:42:33.960 --> 00:42:34.519 In leaving, 00:42:34.720 --> 00:42:35.660 The glories, 00:42:35.660 --> 00:42:36.160 Of heaven, 00:42:36.159 --> 00:42:37.420 And coming, 00:42:38.059 --> 00:42:38.819 To this earth, 00:42:38.920 --> 00:42:39.559 As a baby, 00:42:39.719 --> 00:42:40.359 In humility, 00:42:40.799 --> 00:42:42.199 Thank you for making, 00:42:42.299 --> 00:42:43.099 A way of salvation, 00:42:43.679 --> 00:42:44.480 Through the cross, 00:42:45.179 --> 00:42:46.179 And through your resurrection, 00:42:47.000 --> 00:42:47.839 I pray if there's anyone, 00:42:47.960 --> 00:42:48.579 Here this morning, 00:42:48.759 --> 00:42:50.039 Who does not know you, 00:42:50.099 --> 00:42:51.199 As their personal savior, 00:42:51.799 --> 00:42:52.980 That you would draw them, 00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:54.219 In these moments, 00:42:54.279 --> 00:42:54.779 To yourself, 00:42:55.579 --> 00:42:56.539 Make them your own, 00:42:57.239 --> 00:42:58.119 May they enjoy, 00:42:58.259 --> 00:42:59.339 The experience of Emmanuel, 00:42:59.719 --> 00:43:00.579 God with us, 00:43:01.119 --> 00:43:02.139 And for us, 00:43:02.179 --> 00:43:03.159 Who have experienced, 00:43:03.839 --> 00:43:04.460 May we, 00:43:04.460 --> 00:43:06.720 May we be deliberate, 00:43:07.860 --> 00:43:09.420 May we have urgency, 00:43:09.420 --> 00:43:10.340 In our lives, 00:43:10.840 --> 00:43:11.659 To share, 00:43:12.000 --> 00:43:12.480 The wonder, 00:43:12.720 --> 00:43:13.800 Of Christmas, 00:43:14.460 --> 00:43:15.139 Christ coming, 00:43:15.260 --> 00:43:15.800 That first, 00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:16.500 Advent, 00:43:16.980 --> 00:43:18.199 With those around us, 00:43:18.380 --> 00:43:19.240 As we anticipate, 00:43:19.760 --> 00:43:20.679 Your second coming, 00:43:20.820 --> 00:43:21.599 Your second advent, 00:43:22.619 --> 00:43:23.199 And Lord tonight, 00:43:23.300 --> 00:43:24.500 As we come together, 00:43:25.400 --> 00:43:27.300 And to be reminded, 00:43:27.300 --> 00:43:28.000 Again of this, 00:43:28.059 --> 00:43:28.679 I pray that you would, 00:43:28.679 --> 00:43:29.920 Draw us back together, 00:43:30.599 --> 00:43:31.220 In worship, 00:43:31.699 --> 00:43:32.360 In celebrating, 00:43:32.860 --> 00:43:34.159 Our great savior king, 00:43:34.539 --> 00:43:35.280 In Jesus name, 00:43:35.280 --> 00:43:35.619 Amen, 00:43:35.619 --> 00:43:35.760 Amen, 00:43:36.220 --> 00:43:37.179 God bless you, 00:43:37.300 --> 00:43:38.059 Have a great week, 00:43:38.059 --> 00:43:39.840 Hope you've won't, 00:43:39.840 --> 00:44:09.820 Thank you.