1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000 Good morning. I want to welcome you 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:05,540 To our church service at the Ringgold Seventh-day Adventist Church 3 00:00:05,540 --> 00:00:11,120 And if you're watching online for those of us who are here and maybe don't watch us too often on Facebook 4 00:00:11,120 --> 00:00:13,520 Just so you know our viewership continues to increase 5 00:00:14,020 --> 00:00:17,420 We tend to get anywhere between 30 and 50 6 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:20,100 views every Sabbath 7 00:00:20,220 --> 00:00:25,900 That's pretty good for us. We're not some major media corporation, but that is growing 8 00:00:25,900 --> 00:00:33,000 We used to be in the single digits and so praise God for that. We know that we have brothers and sisters in another continent 9 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:36,540 that watch our service every time so we can pray for our 10 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:43,240 Church in Kenya that we're keeping in our in our thoughts and in our prayers. So please pray for them 11 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:45,240 we're always glad to have them and 12 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:49,920 If you know someone who might like to join us on Facebook they can find us now 13 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:55,680 We'll add them as a friend that they can they can see all of our archive sermons and so on 14 00:00:57,060 --> 00:01:04,840 We are going to get into today's service, but first I want to ask is everybody here aware of what POV means? 15 00:01:06,660 --> 00:01:14,160 No, we got a couple of thumbs up for those who don't know POV is just a shorthand for point of view 16 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:21,000 And so if you see if you happen to come across any things that that's POV. That means it's from that point of view 17 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,000 so we're going to look at 18 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:27,640 the Christmas story the birth of our Savior from 19 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:30,640 Joseph's point of view 20 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:35,000 Today before we do that though one more quick word of prayer 21 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:39,240 Loving Heavenly Father again, we are we are thankful for 22 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:46,240 Christ condescension we are grateful that before the foundations of this earth were laid you you saw us and you saw 23 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:48,560 the potential you saw the 24 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:53,600 Possibility that with free will comes risk and the and the need for a Savior 25 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:59,600 And so we are grateful that before this earth was shaped and formed the plane was in place for a Messiah 26 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:02,120 And so as we reflect right now on 27 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:05,840 Jesus as we consider an aspect of that 28 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:12,040 Reality we pray that your Holy Spirit would be present drive our points home. We ask in your name. Amen 29 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:14,680 Amen 30 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:23,560 How many of us have either gone to boarding academy or maybe have had a sibling or are a parent of someone 31 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:25,960 Who has gone to boarding academy? 32 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:29,280 We've got a couple of hands here 33 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:33,200 I have the privilege of having my middle son Evan 34 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:38,120 Currently attending Georgia Cumberland Academy, which is our conference's boarding school 35 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:44,520 He's a freshman. So he's only coming to the end of his first semester and he's still learning the process if you know what I mean 36 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:50,360 It was a rough start or making adjustments. I am glad to say that as we're nearing December 37 00:02:50,360 --> 00:02:53,880 We're finally coming around to where we hope he continues 38 00:02:54,560 --> 00:03:01,160 As we were kind of considering what to do with our son as he finished the junior academy level in our school 39 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:08,680 So eighth grade is he boarding? Is he going to stay perhaps at College Dale Academy here in College Dale nearby? 40 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:15,040 Would we consider another option because there there are options and all of them are good 41 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:19,480 Even if they are a little different, I'm grateful that our church has a fantastic 42 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:24,480 Educational system and I'm glad that we are blessed enough that my sons 43 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:27,960 Mostly have been able to grow up in that system 44 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:31,880 And so we wanted Evan to do this we wanted him to have this opportunity 45 00:03:32,920 --> 00:03:39,760 Different than our oldest son Evan from a young age about seven ish 46 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,480 Seven ish I'm getting the confirmation from the back about seven 47 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:49,920 He was first introduced to boarding school idea this concept of going away to school 48 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:55,120 When we lived in Kentucky the Kentucky, Tennessee conference. I want to do that when I get old enough 49 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:59,000 I want to go away to school and and not be here 50 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:04,800 And it'll be so much fun and I can learn and I can stay in like a little hotel room and in the in the dorms 51 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:06,400 And so on I 52 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:12,080 Just about chalked it up to this is just a seven-year-old who's probably looking to get away from mom and dad and you know 53 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:15,960 Maybe I'll just get to play all day long and so on well. He'd never dropped the idea 54 00:04:16,840 --> 00:04:20,880 From seven years old onward all throughout school 55 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:25,800 He kept kind of ticking off his years then saying I'm that much closer to boarding school 56 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:31,960 I'm that much closer to well. I mean as a dad. I started to go how bad are you wanting to get away from us? 57 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:37,160 We had that conversation I asked him I wanted to make sure that he wasn't just trying to leave home 58 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:40,600 But no he really had his heart set on that experience 59 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:45,200 He wanted to have a different type of educational experience 60 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:51,200 Then one normally has if they're like at home and kind of commuting locally 61 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,520 I said okay. I'm not I'm not opposed to that. Let's give this a try 62 00:04:54,520 --> 00:05:01,520 So in in learning about Georgia Cumberland Academy and then talking to the deans and talking to other conference officials and talking to other 63 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:07,600 Parents who have either gone themselves in years past or whose kids are currently there 64 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:10,160 You kind of feel out 65 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,160 You know there are questions that come to mind 66 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,480 You know there are questions that come to mind 67 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:23,840 What are their expectations in terms of like work-school balance because most of our academies you work a little bit 68 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:32,400 What kind of quality of education are they going to have is this second rate or will they be prepared for? 69 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:37,240 Life and early adulthood and perhaps university when they come out of high school 70 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:42,840 How do we handle boy-girl relationships because in my home we can do certain things to a certain level 71 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:49,240 But how rampant do they run on campus those kinds of questions? 72 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:52,280 You know in terms of the you know I've got sons 73 00:05:52,280 --> 00:05:55,560 I don't have any girls so I don't you someone else is going to have to answer this question 74 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:59,640 But I wanted to know what kind of male role models my son might have 75 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:03,800 I'm certainly not perfect, but I know that as a father 76 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:09,400 I want to raise my son according to my ideals. I'd like him to see my character 77 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:12,120 Because I believe that's the father's role 78 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:17,400 I want to demonstrate to that to him and hopefully he'll adopt the good things 79 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:19,960 And forgive me for the not so good 80 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:24,120 So you wanted to find out you know I wanted to find out about the male role models there 81 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:29,400 So I you know I would ask those kinds of questions and kind of get a sense for the character of who he would be 82 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:34,920 Around is that I think that's kind of fair when we're looking at sending our child out of our 83 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:39,960 From underneath our own roofs and under the roof of someone else 84 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:45,000 Is that relatable to those of us that raised our hands? 85 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:49,720 What I can't understand 86 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,000 What boggles my mind 87 00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:56,760 To this day and I and I have prayed about it 88 00:06:56,760 --> 00:07:03,800 And and men and women wiser than me more deeply spiritual than me more engrossed in 89 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:09,880 In these kinds of thoughts than I have wrestled with this idea of 90 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:16,440 The second person of the godhead leaving out from under the roof of heaven if you will 91 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,240 To come to this house 92 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,320 This third rock from the sun this house 93 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:25,800 This third rock from the sun this house 94 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:30,920 And and as a baby being entrusted to 95 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:33,220 flawed 96 00:07:33,220 --> 00:07:35,220 imperfect poor 97 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:38,100 stumbling 98 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:39,640 swayed 99 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:41,640 humans 100 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:45,320 What happened in that conversation? 101 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:51,880 Who knows when in the past when the three members of the godhead in 102 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:53,880 in 103 00:07:54,740 --> 00:07:56,440 Discourse 104 00:07:56,440 --> 00:08:02,280 Considered the plans that needed to be laid if their creation needed to be redeemed 105 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:07,160 And jesus christ said i'll do it 106 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:09,640 That's on me 107 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:16,440 If mankind trips up and falls because it's better that we grant them free will we create them with free will 108 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:18,840 And they choose to love us 109 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:26,120 Then we create automatons that by force are programmed that way that's always better to love with free will than force 110 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:32,360 But there's risk and jesus said i'm willing to bear that risk 111 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:35,640 I don't know 112 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,640 I don't know how that conversation went 113 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:46,040 Uh, the bible tells us that the father himself is love and loves you not because of the propitiation 114 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:48,040 But he provided it 115 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:49,880 because of the love 116 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:54,360 The love comes first and then the payment not the other way around 117 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:58,040 So maybe there was a back and forth maybe 118 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:06,200 Maybe it was not you but me. Maybe it was we can work something out. I don't know the bible doesn't tell us that 119 00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:13,800 But we do know that they were on the same page the character of love is their existence 120 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:16,520 Not just an emotion 121 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:23,560 And so they couldn't help themselves they being the three members of the godhead. They couldn't help themselves but say 122 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,280 We will pay the price if 123 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,200 Well, then that also meant that heaven had to give up something 124 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:33,960 And the father 125 00:09:34,680 --> 00:09:36,680 Looking at the son 126 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:40,200 Had to say who can I trust you to? 127 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:44,360 What character qualities should they possess? 128 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:47,400 How will they raise you we've seen 129 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:53,880 Uh the possibilities of free will being exercised in the pro and the con 130 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:58,120 What if I give you up and these people? 131 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:03,880 Don't live out the way that we wish they don't model our character my character 132 00:10:04,840 --> 00:10:07,240 Maybe they aren't good role models for you 133 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:13,080 Maybe they don't set a fine example or their boundaries are too loose or maybe they're so tight 134 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:15,080 That it messes you up from the beginning 135 00:10:15,880 --> 00:10:19,880 Maybe I mean, I don't know we're kind of hypothesizing some of these things 136 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:27,800 But we do know that at some point the father and the son and the holy spirit in unity said 137 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:34,440 Jesus is going to go out from under the roof of heaven and under the roof of these humans 138 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:41,480 And so when the fulfillment of time came and jesus was in the middle of the earth 139 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:45,880 So the fulfillment of time came and jesus was incarnate 140 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:52,200 When it was declared to mary first, you know, this is going to happen to you and 141 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:57,720 And praise god that as a teenager she had the faith to say let it be done to me 142 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:00,360 right 143 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:08,920 But we read in matthew and if you still have that open we're gonna we're gonna look at this because we're gonna shift a little to 144 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:14,280 Or a less talked about character in this story if you will and we're gonna learn about 145 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:17,640 joseph 146 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:19,960 Because there was not just one 147 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:22,920 Single parent in this household. There were two 148 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:27,000 There was the wife and there was the husband 149 00:11:29,540 --> 00:11:31,320 Generally speaking 150 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:34,440 When you look at the bible and you're considering weightier matters 151 00:11:34,440 --> 00:11:39,720 You look at what god has given a lot of real estate to in terms of number of words the more real estate 152 00:11:40,420 --> 00:11:44,440 Typically the more weight kind of the more attention you should put into it 153 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:49,800 so the fact that love and grace and mercy and and obedience and and and 154 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:55,720 The coming salvation and so on there's a lot of real estate to that pay attention to it 155 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,280 Joseph doesn't really get a lot of mentions 156 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:00,680 in the bible 157 00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:05,000 He's there in matthew. He's mentioned again in luke we can 158 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:08,120 correctly infer that because 159 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:14,680 Jesus gave mary over to john while hanging on the cross that that joseph had already passed away 160 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:17,300 because that kind of 161 00:12:17,300 --> 00:12:22,840 Responsibility only happened when the husband wasn't there and then the son is taking care of the mom 162 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:27,880 So we know that that was going on. We know that there were other brothers and sisters 163 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:32,460 Historically it is believed that that joseph had been married before 164 00:12:33,020 --> 00:12:37,100 That perhaps there were other children that were a part of this. So we're looking at like half 165 00:12:37,660 --> 00:12:39,660 uh brothers and sisters of jesus 166 00:12:40,460 --> 00:12:42,460 uh, so this was 167 00:12:42,460 --> 00:12:46,860 I guess as you say kind of a mixed family kind of kind of relatable to us. Is it not? 168 00:12:47,900 --> 00:12:54,620 Uh, this is this is not you know when when we look at these bible characters, uh, this is just a side note. Um 169 00:12:54,620 --> 00:12:57,420 I'd love to find the relatability to them 170 00:12:58,300 --> 00:13:03,260 I think too often we put them on such a pedestal and say I can't be like that or I can't ever and I can't 171 00:13:03,260 --> 00:13:07,740 I don't know. They they were they were men and women like us. They had family dynamics like us 172 00:13:08,300 --> 00:13:14,140 They had flaws and and blemishes like us and they had shining moments like we do 173 00:13:14,940 --> 00:13:19,980 Praise god for that praise god for the relatability. Like I say, there's nothing new under the sun, right? 174 00:13:20,780 --> 00:13:22,780 So let's look at joseph 175 00:13:22,780 --> 00:13:30,300 So let's look at joseph the birth of jesus christ took place in this way. This is verse 18 of matthew 1 176 00:13:31,500 --> 00:13:37,980 When his mother mary had been betrothed to joseph before they came together. She was found to be with child 177 00:13:38,540 --> 00:13:40,540 from the holy spirit 178 00:13:42,380 --> 00:13:48,140 And her husband joseph being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame 179 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:51,080 Resolved to divorce her 180 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,080 quietly 181 00:13:53,660 --> 00:13:55,980 There's a lot that can be said about joseph in this 182 00:13:57,740 --> 00:14:03,980 Let's place a little bit of historical context a little further into this story 183 00:14:05,900 --> 00:14:10,140 One today, uh teenage pregnancy maybe out of wedlock 184 00:14:11,020 --> 00:14:12,460 That happens 185 00:14:12,460 --> 00:14:18,540 I believe it's happened throughout human history. It happens. We're familiar to it our society responds to it 186 00:14:18,540 --> 00:14:22,220 It's different than they did differently than 50 years ago 187 00:14:22,220 --> 00:14:27,740 But certainly differently than this time in history for a girl to be pregnant 188 00:14:28,380 --> 00:14:33,500 Not married and I keep saying girl because we don't think that mary was very old 189 00:14:34,140 --> 00:14:39,260 For a girl to be pregnant not married was deeply humiliating 190 00:14:40,300 --> 00:14:44,400 deeply shameful and would always equal ostracization 191 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:49,120 Is being kicked out of the social circle if you will 192 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:54,880 And in the strictest reading of the the jewish laws she could have been stoned 193 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:57,600 She could have been put to death 194 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:00,720 That's how serious this was 195 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,080 It was also 196 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:07,600 If we understand joseph to be a just man 197 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:14,560 A just man according to the cultural setting a just man would have followed through with that 198 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:20,000 A just man would have understood that this was an immoral girl 199 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:25,280 That she had not controlled herself that i'm okay 200 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,720 And he would have followed through on the legal steps 201 00:15:29,680 --> 00:15:32,800 And he could have done it publicly that was certainly within his right 202 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:38,160 Uh that would have been just according to the time and the laws 203 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,120 uh 204 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:44,740 He was well within all of those options 205 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:52,880 But the bible describes him as being a just man unwilling to put her to shame 206 00:15:55,600 --> 00:16:00,160 I believe we start to get a glimpse into how god views a just person 207 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:07,520 In our society today I as I look around and in in particular I look at the the 208 00:16:09,040 --> 00:16:11,520 Filth that we find on social media 209 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:19,520 And every study proves that it's not good for our social interactions, especially the younger. They are when they're engaged in it 210 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:27,440 But we have a real interesting and I it seems to me as i've kind of worked through this and considered it our society has flipped 211 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:30,240 Our attitudes of shame a little on its head 212 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:39,280 It is shameful now for me to stand on the pulpit or in public discourse and say I believe a marriage 213 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:43,200 Definition is a man woman union 214 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:46,560 and 215 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:53,520 Societally it could be shameful to me that to say that I believe a man is only one thing and a woman is only one thing 216 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:57,360 And because there might be some differences over here that doesn't eradicate 217 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:00,080 the two 218 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:03,520 You might be considered uh to be to be 219 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:07,280 shamed if you if you happen to think that 220 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,000 um this old 221 00:17:10,080 --> 00:17:13,040 ancient dusty collection of just 222 00:17:13,360 --> 00:17:17,440 Maybe some wise sayings, but mostly allegorian stories 223 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:21,280 Should have a moral guidance in your life definitively 224 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:24,480 People might shame you for holding that that's superstitious 225 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:28,800 That's clearly outdated. You shouldn't do that get with the times 226 00:17:29,120 --> 00:17:33,040 Don't you know that we are in the time of modernity and then post-modernity? 227 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:38,400 But here's here's here's where we get it for 228 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:41,200 Long-held millennia 229 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:43,440 millennia long 230 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:47,520 held traditions and understanding about the human nature or the 231 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:52,080 the role of the family or how societies have some 232 00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:57,760 Necessary connection that holds them together instead of isolating into little 233 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:02,560 compartments and little different things and if you still hold to that 234 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:10,400 Society believes that we should appropriately publicly shame you for holding on to traditional values 235 00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:14,400 That's where the whole idea of the canceling of the traditional values 236 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:17,440 That's where the whole idea of the cancel culture comes in 237 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:21,920 If you hold to something traditional or you just simply read let's just use 238 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:27,840 What we read at the beginning of our praise and sharing if you read remember the sabbath day to keep it holy six days 239 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:29,920 Days shalt thou do all thy labor and all thy work 240 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:34,480 But the seventh day is the sabbath unto the lord thy god in it you shall not do any work, right? 241 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:40,000 If you read that and you go aha I can count on a calendar sunday to friday one to six 242 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,560 I work that's a part of the commandment. I work 243 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:46,480 But then I that's god's that's his that's sabbath day 244 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:53,280 If you read that and you want to practice it 245 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:59,600 And maybe you want to say i'd like to guide my professional experience along those lines 246 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:04,960 It's proper to to perhaps be publicly called out and get fired 247 00:19:05,360 --> 00:19:10,480 If you hold to again the ideas of human nature people might find out where you work and ask 248 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:13,120 That you get fired if you if you hold on to that or 249 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:20,400 This is a real thing in society public shaming if you hold traditional values and then at the same time 250 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:24,480 What used to be understood as deeply shameful? 251 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:30,160 Is now applauded and paraded and flaunted and 252 00:19:31,120 --> 00:19:34,560 Is perverting our culture left right and center 253 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:39,280 For example, it's it's not a secret that that maybe 254 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:44,080 Husbands and wives have husband and wife activities 255 00:19:45,120 --> 00:19:47,120 But we understood that that was kept private 256 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:53,920 Now all of that private is not only brought out into public but all of the various options 257 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:56,960 Are also publicly demonstrated 258 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:01,840 And little kids are invited to a public event 259 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:05,040 And little kids are invited to observe 260 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:10,800 Well, we used to have laws that said that's child abuse and now it's it's proper and and no no 261 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:13,840 It should be shameful to do those things in front of little kids 262 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:16,560 It should be 263 00:20:17,120 --> 00:20:19,120 If we look at joseph though 264 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:23,040 Joseph being a just man 265 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:27,040 unwilling to put her to shame shows that he had a 266 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:29,200 better 267 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:34,720 More heaven-sent understanding of what it is to be sensitive and empathetic to one another 268 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:39,440 He was well within his rights to publicly 269 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:44,420 Pull mary out and divorce her and let everyone know that she was tainted 270 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:48,960 But he understood 271 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:51,440 That if i'm going to love one another 272 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:55,920 If i'm going to practice the ideals that i've read in the torah 273 00:20:55,920 --> 00:21:00,880 And the prophets if i'm going to put that into practice I cannot 274 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:06,080 Drag this girl through the mud because in his mind 275 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:09,220 Maybe she had a momentary lapse in judgment 276 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:17,300 In exercising his restraint in shaming her he demonstrates that he is a merciful 277 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:20,000 Man that he is an empathetic 278 00:21:20,400 --> 00:21:22,380 man that he 279 00:21:22,380 --> 00:21:24,560 understood what it would do to her 280 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:30,800 Her and he was willing to sacrifice his own rights in order to protect 281 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:32,640 and and 282 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:34,640 Help her out 283 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:38,740 I think that's a quality that we can learn for today 284 00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:46,660 If we keep moving on he resolved to divorce her quietly 285 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:49,760 That was how he was going to 286 00:21:49,760 --> 00:21:51,760 Protect her from the shame 287 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:57,600 As he considered these things this is verse 20 behold an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream saying 288 00:21:58,300 --> 00:22:04,400 Joseph son of david do not fear to take mary as your wife for that which is conceived in her is from the holy spirit 289 00:22:05,120 --> 00:22:10,000 She will bear a son and you shall call his name jesus for he will save his people from their sins 290 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:14,000 All this took place to fulfill what the lord had spoken by the prophet 291 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:21,040 Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall call his name immanuel, which means god 292 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:23,760 with us 293 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:25,760 How many of us have had? 294 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:28,400 crazy dreams 295 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:32,720 Uh you eat that pizza five minutes before you go to bed 296 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:35,840 Uh 297 00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:40,800 Maybe you know i've always heard this that it's like spicy foods will do that spicy foods could upset 298 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:45,040 You know maybe give you some some dreams or something. I don't I don't know. Um, I like spicy foods 299 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:49,760 But i've never had that I I know some family members of mine who have some wild dreams at times 300 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:52,160 And they wake up and they go my goodness 301 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:55,040 How did that get there? 302 00:22:55,040 --> 00:22:57,040 Why am I thinking this? 303 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,600 This to me seems seems like 304 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:09,920 Joseph could have woken up and thought that the falafel did not sit well 305 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:17,280 Or his his flatbread or his fish or whatever he had ate the night before 306 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:20,480 Maybe the olive oil had turned. I don't know 307 00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:24,960 Because maybe he could have maybe he could have woken up and gone 308 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:30,560 doesn't make sense if she is a virgin how this because 309 00:23:30,560 --> 00:23:37,360 Maybe that verse from isaiah was only talking about the prophet and there are some who actually do propose that idea it didn't 310 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:39,760 Mean mary it only meant 311 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:42,000 The during the time of isaiah 312 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:45,200 He could have 313 00:23:45,760 --> 00:23:50,320 But because we understand that god himself describes him as a just man 314 00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:54,960 Uh, there are not very many men that get that description in in the bible 315 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:58,960 Joseph knew in one way or another and I would I would love to be able to ask him 316 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:01,760 How did you know the difference between that dream and maybe other dreams? 317 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:06,720 I think that's a great question for me. How did you know about this dream? But he he woke up 318 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:14,000 From the dream from the sleep and he did as the angel of the lord commanded him 319 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:19,520 This tells us that joseph was a man 320 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:22,080 Not foreign to the word of god 321 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:29,120 Joseph was a man who knew the words from heaven and had been blessed or had 322 00:24:29,840 --> 00:24:36,320 exercised and practiced his discernment in knowing that this was from god and not 323 00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:39,120 from a different source 324 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:42,880 This was a man who had put into his life 325 00:24:43,360 --> 00:24:48,320 The the writings of the prophets and the understandings of the prophets 326 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:55,600 The the writings of the prophets and the understandings of moses and he had prayed and he had 327 00:24:56,080 --> 00:24:59,200 Gone to to adonai. Yahweh 328 00:24:59,900 --> 00:25:01,760 Jehovah 329 00:25:01,760 --> 00:25:04,400 And he had he had communicated with his 330 00:25:05,120 --> 00:25:09,300 With his god with the god of his fathers and his grandfathers and his great-grandfathers 331 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:13,600 So that when the time was crucial 332 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:17,760 He understood that this word was from god and not a different source 333 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:23,120 We can put into practice this very thing 334 00:25:23,920 --> 00:25:32,400 Because you don't have to have it spelled out black and white but we know and how he responded that he had set the foundation for the crucial moment 335 00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:37,280 Are you setting your foundation for a coming crucial moment? 336 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:40,880 How are you in your devotions? 337 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:45,520 How are you in your devotions? How are you in studying the old testament? 338 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:47,600 uh 339 00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:52,240 The first five books the pentateuch. How are you in reading even the minor prophets? 340 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:55,760 We we just finished wednesday night reading through three of the minor prophets 341 00:25:55,760 --> 00:26:01,040 The last one was amos was the first time I had read verse by verse all the way through 342 00:26:01,120 --> 00:26:03,120 I think most of our group said the same thing 343 00:26:04,140 --> 00:26:05,920 powerful book 344 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:11,040 Often overlooked except for maybe two or three verses that are kind of like picked out and used here and there 345 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:18,480 Great book. Are you reading the minor prophets? Are you sprinkling in some daniel and revelation to? 346 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:20,800 flex your 347 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:22,800 cognitive muscles 348 00:26:22,960 --> 00:26:24,960 You got to wrestle with some of those 349 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:28,240 Are you praying? 350 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:33,360 I don't know whether you're on your knees or 351 00:26:33,360 --> 00:26:37,200 Still laying in bed when when conscience finally breaks through 352 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:42,080 Maybe you're praying as you wash your dishes or as you walk around your neighborhood 353 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:44,720 All of those are great times 354 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:48,400 To audibly or in your own mind 355 00:26:49,360 --> 00:26:51,360 Talk with your heavenly father 356 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:54,640 Get to know him when he talks back to you 357 00:26:55,680 --> 00:27:01,280 Listen for those words and and ask to be sensitive for those impressions 358 00:27:01,280 --> 00:27:07,440 Pray for the discernment so that when doors open or when doors close, you know that it's god saying this is my will 359 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:11,840 How are you in setting and building that foundation? 360 00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:18,800 The bible tells us that the good comfortable times that one one day. I believe one day soon 361 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:21,200 Are going to come to an end 362 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:25,200 We're going to hit a tough time. You're going to hit a hard road 363 00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:28,320 And it might not be right before the eastern sun 364 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:31,920 And it might not be right before the eastern sky splits 365 00:27:32,320 --> 00:27:36,720 Maybe you're going to have a family member this week come to you and say 366 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:41,760 I don't know what to do. I am at a loss. I'm at my wit's end. I just 367 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:47,360 I just learned that someone else is having these ideations or these feelings or this 368 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,160 Sin that they've hid for 15 years 369 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:56,240 That doesn't have to be when prophecy ends that can be in your life tomorrow 370 00:27:56,800 --> 00:27:58,880 When the crucial crossroads come 371 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:02,240 Are you letting are you laying out your foundation? 372 00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:08,000 Now in the word of god and conversing with your heavenly father for those times 373 00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:11,840 Well, joseph clearly did that 374 00:28:13,920 --> 00:28:18,160 And our final point of view from joseph or about joseph in verses 375 00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:23,920 24 and 5 when joseph woke from sleep. He did as the angel of the lord commanded him 376 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:28,640 He took his wife but knew her not until she had given birth to a son 377 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:31,280 And he called his name 378 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:33,760 Jesus 379 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:41,760 Not only was joseph sensitive to the shame that might come to mary 380 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:44,640 And humbly 381 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:46,800 Gave up his right to marry 382 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:49,520 Gave up his rights in order to protect her 383 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:53,760 Not only was he sensitive to the word of god 384 00:28:54,960 --> 00:28:59,280 But he was also sensitive to his responsibility and obedience by faith 385 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:08,340 The angel had spoken he had already discerned this was from on high and not his own imaginations 386 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:11,840 And he 387 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:13,840 Lived it out 388 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:19,600 He didn't just say those are fine words and they make a whole lot of sense or they make me feel good 389 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:27,280 He didn't say well. Well, maybe that works in this instance, but maybe in an maybe i'll stay married to her 390 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:29,360 But i'll keep her in the back room 391 00:29:33,520 --> 00:29:39,680 In obedience by faith to the word of god he took mary as his wife 392 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:43,520 And he took her into his own house and he was a man of faith 393 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:47,200 Knowing that the child was not his 394 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:51,920 And only by faith could he accept that it was of the holy spirit 395 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:54,480 This was a man 396 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:56,480 on a pillar of faith 397 00:29:56,880 --> 00:29:59,760 Because I can promise you in my mind 398 00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:09,600 Suddenly she goes guess what honey? I don't I don't know if I would yell 399 00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:16,800 I don't know if I would slam doors, but I would certainly probably walk away. There's a 99 plus percent chance that I would walk away 400 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:23,460 If you are surprised by it and and you knew it wasn't yours because virgin 401 00:30:23,460 --> 00:30:25,460 He had to believe by faith 402 00:30:26,900 --> 00:30:30,920 That she was faithful in their relationship 403 00:30:31,540 --> 00:30:33,540 That this was of god 404 00:30:34,100 --> 00:30:36,580 And that he was to play an active part in it 405 00:30:38,340 --> 00:30:40,580 And just so you know without the credit 406 00:30:41,940 --> 00:30:43,940 He is not credited in the genealogy 407 00:30:44,900 --> 00:30:48,340 He gets small real estate in in the bible of the Bible 408 00:30:48,340 --> 00:30:57,460 He comes and then he goes and in this in this culture that would not have been the first response for a man of his 409 00:31:00,260 --> 00:31:04,340 I guess position in society just being a man. He had a position 410 00:31:06,900 --> 00:31:08,900 But he took mary as his wife 411 00:31:09,620 --> 00:31:12,020 He knew her not till she had given birth and he took her 412 00:31:12,020 --> 00:31:19,380 But he took mary as his wife. He knew her not till she had given birth and he called his name jesus 413 00:31:21,540 --> 00:31:28,900 Joseph was a man of faith joseph was a man of the word of god and joseph was a man of empathy to others 414 00:31:30,260 --> 00:31:34,900 And here's where I would say that he even has a little bit of a type of christ in him 415 00:31:36,580 --> 00:31:39,380 It was deeply shameful for him 416 00:31:39,380 --> 00:31:41,700 To be associated with her 417 00:31:43,220 --> 00:31:48,660 He was always going to be the man who married the woman who had the child out of wedlock 418 00:31:49,220 --> 00:31:51,220 And in his society 419 00:31:51,860 --> 00:31:57,540 Even he was not high on that ladder, but maybe he was a couple rungs up. He would have fallen a couple of rungs 420 00:31:59,860 --> 00:32:01,860 He was willing to be 421 00:32:01,860 --> 00:32:09,220 Shamed and bear that shame with her. He was willing to humble himself to the point of a servant 422 00:32:09,780 --> 00:32:14,980 In this relationship with mary and and this understanding that it was from heaven 423 00:32:16,820 --> 00:32:21,380 We read that description about another man very important to the bible 424 00:32:24,260 --> 00:32:26,260 And I find it 425 00:32:26,340 --> 00:32:30,180 Absolutely fascinating that joseph was a man of this faith 426 00:32:30,180 --> 00:32:33,060 Joseph was a man of this quality of character 427 00:32:34,580 --> 00:32:36,900 And as we consider as we reflect on 428 00:32:37,780 --> 00:32:44,980 The birth of jesus a little bit before now and for the next coming couple of weeks as we reflect on that gift from heaven 429 00:32:45,300 --> 00:32:50,500 As we remember about the faith of mary and she was also a deeply faithful woman 430 00:32:51,380 --> 00:32:57,860 As we look at how perhaps other people responded with the shepherds or with the wise men from afar 431 00:32:57,860 --> 00:33:03,060 Or even if you consider how harrid reacted to this news of a challenger to his throne 432 00:33:04,340 --> 00:33:10,100 Don't forget to consider joseph and wonder if perhaps his qualities should also be found in our own lives 433 00:33:11,300 --> 00:33:17,880 Because when we are being considered of heaven whether or not to be trusted with a rather important 434 00:33:20,260 --> 00:33:22,260 Mission 435 00:33:22,260 --> 00:33:29,300 God is looking for men and for women who can be described as just 436 00:33:30,580 --> 00:33:32,420 as merciful 437 00:33:32,420 --> 00:33:34,420 as empathetic 438 00:33:34,580 --> 00:33:36,580 As sensitive to the word of god 439 00:33:37,460 --> 00:33:39,460 and deeply faithful 440 00:33:40,500 --> 00:33:44,980 As you consider the gift from heaven I would encourage you to consider 441 00:33:46,660 --> 00:33:49,220 The background character if you will joseph 442 00:33:49,220 --> 00:33:53,940 And his point of view and wonder if perhaps some of his qualities 443 00:33:54,820 --> 00:33:56,820 Could be lived out in our lives 444 00:33:57,460 --> 00:33:59,460 So that god might consider you 445 00:33:59,840 --> 00:34:01,620 inappropriate 446 00:34:01,620 --> 00:34:02,820 roof 447 00:34:02,820 --> 00:34:04,820 To place his mission under 448 00:34:05,300 --> 00:34:06,900 Let us pray 449 00:34:06,900 --> 00:34:12,340 Loving heavenly father. We thank you for your word. We thank you for jesus. We thank you for 450 00:34:13,220 --> 00:34:15,220 the examples 451 00:34:15,220 --> 00:34:17,220 of men and women throughout history that you have 452 00:34:17,220 --> 00:34:18,820 Of in 453 00:34:18,820 --> 00:34:22,660 Through inspiration recorded not only for their benefit but for ours today 454 00:34:23,700 --> 00:34:27,060 Lord, I pray that we as a people would be found to be faithful 455 00:34:27,940 --> 00:34:32,920 I pray that we as a people would be found to be gracious and humble and merciful 456 00:34:33,460 --> 00:34:35,540 And empathetic to those that are around us 457 00:34:36,340 --> 00:34:40,500 Our too many people don't find that in today's society and I pray that we would be that 458 00:34:41,220 --> 00:34:44,020 I pray that we would be a people of your word 459 00:34:44,020 --> 00:34:46,260 Lord we look forward to a time when 460 00:34:47,620 --> 00:34:50,020 Knowing you through your word 461 00:34:50,900 --> 00:34:53,940 Can finally come together with knowing you in person 462 00:34:54,740 --> 00:34:56,740 Or we pray that 463 00:34:56,740 --> 00:35:01,540 The time would come soon when you would come back to claim us as your own and take us home 464 00:35:02,340 --> 00:35:04,340 And I pray that until then 465 00:35:04,340 --> 00:35:10,660 Your holy spirit would fill our hearts and our lives convert us from something cold and stony 466 00:35:11,220 --> 00:35:13,220 into warm 467 00:35:13,220 --> 00:35:15,700 And loving and we might be prepared 468 00:35:16,420 --> 00:35:22,660 To go home with you lord. We pray all of these things and we ask your blessing on us the rest of today before we pray in jesus name 469 00:35:22,660 --> 00:35:44,660 Amen