Anticipation… - Joseph

• Just
• Righteous
• Good

“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 1:18 NLT

Engagement:
…can be broken off at any time, without penalty

Betrothal:
…morally & legally binding

1)  Get better acquainted

2) Give families time to prepare

3) Confirm chastity

“Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.”
Matthew 1:19

“Joseph, son of David, ” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20-22

God was asking Joseph to raise the Savior as his own son.

RIGHTEOUSNESS
…love God’s Law and desire God’s will.

COMPASSION
…give priority to love and mercy as opposed to judgment and retribution.

FAITH
…trust God and make the difficult decisions.

How different would the Christmas Story have been, without Joseph…?

Who would have raised Jesus?

How would the prophecies have been fulfilled?

YOU MATTER TO GOD AND HE HAS PLANS FOR YOU!