1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,900 He's glorious. 2 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:13,780 Behold the one who has come to us. 3 00:00:13,780 --> 00:00:15,740 Welcome to Hub City Vineyard. 4 00:00:15,740 --> 00:00:17,780 To get connected or to give online, 5 00:00:17,780 --> 00:00:23,680 you can go to connect.hcv.church or give.hcv.church. 6 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:25,660 If at any time during this message 7 00:00:25,660 --> 00:00:28,300 you feel called to make a change in your life, 8 00:00:28,300 --> 00:00:33,060 text changeme to 970-00. 9 00:00:33,060 --> 00:00:34,760 Thank you and enjoy the message. 10 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:35,800 Hey, good morning, everyone. 11 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:37,340 How we doing? 12 00:00:37,340 --> 00:00:38,240 So good to see you. 13 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:39,240 If you're joining us from home, 14 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:40,640 thank you for welcoming us into your space, 15 00:00:40,640 --> 00:00:43,300 your dorm, your car, wherever you may be watching. 16 00:00:43,300 --> 00:00:45,240 Can we just give another hand to our worship team? 17 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:51,960 They do such a great job just welcoming God's presence here 18 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:54,860 and just getting us connected with Jesus 19 00:00:54,860 --> 00:00:57,920 as we enter into this Christmas season. 20 00:00:57,920 --> 00:00:59,960 I just want to remind everyone that we are doing 21 00:00:59,960 --> 00:01:02,100 an HCV Wells campaign. 22 00:01:02,100 --> 00:01:04,360 We've been doing it throughout the year. 23 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:07,540 We're going to send a check to an organization 24 00:01:07,540 --> 00:01:10,500 to build wells in Africa in two weeks. 25 00:01:10,500 --> 00:01:14,700 So if you have not given yet today or next Sunday 26 00:01:14,700 --> 00:01:16,840 is your last opportunity, we will come up with a total 27 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:18,940 and let everyone know on the 31st 28 00:01:18,940 --> 00:01:21,540 how many wells we will be able to build. 29 00:01:21,540 --> 00:01:25,360 At last count, we are right around $40,000. 30 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:29,960 So that's four wells, which is a lot and great. 31 00:01:29,960 --> 00:01:35,260 I just appreciate everyone giving and giving generously 32 00:01:35,260 --> 00:01:37,200 that we can just give away because I believe 33 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,460 that's what God would want us to do. 34 00:01:40,460 --> 00:01:42,760 For the last two weeks, we've been looking 35 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:45,240 at the Christmas story through the encounters 36 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:48,140 of ordinary people with an extraordinary God 37 00:01:48,140 --> 00:01:49,800 in our December series, Tremble. 38 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:52,920 I kicked off the series with Zechariah 39 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,740 and his encounter with the angel Gabriel in the temple 40 00:01:55,740 --> 00:01:59,720 discussing how we all have a little Zechariah in us 41 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:02,860 because we all question God. 42 00:02:02,860 --> 00:02:05,260 Last week, Jess shared an amazing message 43 00:02:05,260 --> 00:02:07,800 about Mary's encounter with Gabriel 44 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,100 and how she was willing to obey God 45 00:02:10,100 --> 00:02:13,400 and that she was a part of that moment 46 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:14,560 that would change the world. 47 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:17,840 Mary, of course, is the star of the story. 48 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,880 Joseph, her fiancee, does not get that much attention. 49 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:24,980 In fact, I believe that we could call Joseph 50 00:02:24,980 --> 00:02:27,880 the unsung hero of Christmas. 51 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:29,040 I mean, think about it. 52 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:31,760 We always say Mary and Joseph. 53 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,080 We never say Joseph and Mary. 54 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,280 And that is how it is at weddings. 55 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:39,960 I mean, I thought back to when Jess and I got married. 56 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:43,300 I mean, no one commented on my tux. 57 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:48,460 No one said how stylish my hair was, 58 00:02:48,460 --> 00:02:51,560 how beautiful my smile was. 59 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:53,600 No, I wasn't the star. 60 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:57,200 See, people don't attend a wedding to see the groom. 61 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:01,640 Everyone goes to see the bride wearing her beautiful dress. 62 00:03:01,640 --> 00:03:04,040 Jess, of course, was beautiful, right? 63 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:05,680 A dream girl, the star of the show. 64 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:09,120 I was simply a prop that started the wedding off. 65 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,560 You know, I just walked down the aisle first. 66 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:13,680 I mean, people may have thought 67 00:03:13,680 --> 00:03:15,880 there was like a cardboard cutout up front 68 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:18,920 if it wasn't for the fact that I couldn't stop sweating 69 00:03:18,920 --> 00:03:22,560 because we decided to get married in the middle of August 70 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:24,640 on the hottest day of the year 71 00:03:24,640 --> 00:03:27,840 in a church with no air conditioning. 72 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:30,880 Oh, did I mention we packed it full of 400 people, 73 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:34,040 no seats left, and it was the hottest day of my life? 74 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:40,520 Joseph, see, he relates well to the groom at the wedding. 75 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:42,480 He was there for the ultimate moment, 76 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:45,640 but what role did he really play? 77 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:48,060 See, Mary and Joseph were chosen by God 78 00:03:48,060 --> 00:03:51,480 to be the earthly parents of his son, Jesus. 79 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:55,160 And if we're honest, parenting is always a challenge. 80 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,640 Even though Jesus was the son of God, 81 00:03:57,640 --> 00:03:59,360 he was still an infant, 82 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:02,980 which means that Jesus had dirty diapers. 83 00:04:02,980 --> 00:04:06,900 Jesus would get sick, he would spit up all over Mary. 84 00:04:06,900 --> 00:04:10,800 I'm sure he woke up Mary and Joseph with his tears. 85 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,640 Jesus probably had the terrible twos. 86 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:18,640 Although he was fully God, he was still fully man. 87 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:20,760 I mean, personally, I feel enormous pressure 88 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:24,600 raising my six children, Isaac, Trinity, Zoe, 89 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:27,040 Lily, Nolan, and Phoenix. 90 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,320 You know, I just don't wanna mess them up. 91 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:33,400 You know, I wanna do my best to be Jesus to them. 92 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:38,280 Could you imagine the pressure of parenting the son of God? 93 00:04:38,280 --> 00:04:41,360 I mean, how do you discipline God's son? 94 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,480 Do you really give the creator of the world a bedtime? 95 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,620 Do you make the son of God take a bath? 96 00:04:49,620 --> 00:04:52,240 And if he takes a bath, does he look at you and say, 97 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:53,820 well, can I walk on water? 98 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:59,940 Can you really say to Jesus, because I said so? 99 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,520 I mean, when you say because God made it that way, 100 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:06,200 does he ask why or does he already know? 101 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:08,840 I mean, think about this, blow your mind. 102 00:05:08,840 --> 00:05:12,520 Do you teach Jesus the animal sounds? 103 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:14,480 I mean, he created them. 104 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,280 What an incredible challenge. 105 00:05:18,280 --> 00:05:20,880 I mean, there must have been something special 106 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:25,460 about this couple that was chosen by God. 107 00:05:25,460 --> 00:05:27,520 And this morning, I wanna focus on Joseph, 108 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:31,120 the supporting actor, not the star, 109 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:34,300 but the Christmas story reveals some incredible truths 110 00:05:34,300 --> 00:05:38,520 about his heart that I believe all of us can learn from 111 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:41,400 and ultimately be changed by God from. 112 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:42,400 So let's open in prayer. 113 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:43,960 Holy Spirit, come. 114 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:45,600 We're just thankful for this season. 115 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:48,920 This is a season of anticipation, of waiting, of longing, 116 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:50,800 to just connect with you. 117 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,820 We're thankful for your birth, Jesus, 118 00:05:53,820 --> 00:05:57,320 that you made a way for us to reconnect with the creator. 119 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:58,800 Have your way this morning, God, 120 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,040 may it be your words, not mine. 121 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,060 And more importantly, may we all be changed 122 00:06:04,060 --> 00:06:08,200 as we gather to connect with you in Jesus' name, amen. 123 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,400 And all of that leads us to our first thought this morning. 124 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:13,240 You see, Joseph was a righteous man. 125 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,560 Matthew chapter one, verses 18 through 19 126 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,320 is where we start the story. 127 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,720 This is how Jesus, the Messiah, was born. 128 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:22,860 His mother Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. 129 00:06:22,860 --> 00:06:24,400 But before the marriage took place, 130 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:26,560 while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant 131 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:28,720 through the power of the Holy Spirit. 132 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:32,800 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man 133 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:34,920 and did not want to disgrace her publicly, 134 00:06:34,920 --> 00:06:38,760 so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 135 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:40,600 And for so many people, they don't understand, 136 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:42,160 well, why quietly, Chris? 137 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,640 And let's look at some historical background, 138 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:48,340 which will better help us to understand Joseph's dilemma. 139 00:06:48,340 --> 00:06:51,900 Joseph lived in a society where he didn't have an option 140 00:06:51,900 --> 00:06:53,920 to give Mary a second chance. 141 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:57,720 Jewish, Greek, and Roman law all demanded 142 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,080 that a man should divorce his wife 143 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:03,200 if a woman was guilty of adultery. 144 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,440 If Joseph didn't break things off with Mary, 145 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:08,440 he was breaking the law. 146 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,520 On the other hand, if Joseph went through with the wedding, 147 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:15,760 people would assume he was the one that got Mary pregnant. 148 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:18,940 His reputation would have been ruined. 149 00:07:18,940 --> 00:07:22,400 So we find Joseph in a no-win situation. 150 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,780 Leave Mary and she is destroyed, 151 00:07:24,780 --> 00:07:28,720 stay with Mary and he was destroyed. 152 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:32,040 And imagine how Joseph felt when he heard the news. 153 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:35,680 You put yourself in his shoes, he's engaged to be married. 154 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:40,680 Now she's pregnant and he knew it wasn't his baby, obviously. 155 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:44,920 And this news would come after three months 156 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:48,240 of Mary being absent from the relationship. 157 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:51,840 Remember, Mary left to stay with her cousin Elizabeth 158 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,760 after encounter with the angel Gabriel. 159 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,040 So Joseph would have been hurting. 160 00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:01,200 It was evident that his soon-to-be wife had betrayed him, 161 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:04,480 but we read that Joseph was a righteous man. 162 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:05,320 What does that mean? 163 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:07,520 It means he's a man of character 164 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,840 who God trusted to be the earthly father for his son. 165 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:15,640 Now we must realize Joseph's reaction was not typical. 166 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,520 One would expect a counterattack against Mary 167 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:20,840 or the father or whomever it was 168 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:23,080 because that's human nature. 169 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:25,280 When a person is hurt, quite typically, 170 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:27,200 they go on the offensive. 171 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:32,200 They attack or strike back because hurting people hurt people. 172 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:36,600 And this is especially true in relationships. 173 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,080 Typically when teenagers or immature adults 174 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:43,000 break up with one another, what immediately follows? 175 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:47,960 They focus on how bad the other person was 176 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:50,280 or how bad the other person is. 177 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:54,720 And do we even realize that this makes no sense whatsoever? 178 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:56,600 Because if you're pointing fingers 179 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:59,000 at how bad the other person is, 180 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,160 think about the moron you must be 181 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:02,760 to be in a relationship with him. 182 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:05,480 Look in the mirror. 183 00:09:06,680 --> 00:09:09,480 Joseph didn't want people to think 184 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:11,800 or speak negatively about Mary. 185 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:14,000 He didn't launch a campaign to smear her name. 186 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:15,840 He didn't start gossiping. 187 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:18,920 He knew he had to leave Mary, 188 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,920 but he didn't want to embarrass her or ruin her reputation. 189 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:27,240 And this is the reason he would leave her quietly. 190 00:09:27,240 --> 00:09:30,840 And see, many people assume that Joseph already knew 191 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:33,040 or believed that Mary was gonna give birth 192 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:34,680 to the Son of God. 193 00:09:34,680 --> 00:09:37,160 This was not the case. 194 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:39,640 You know, Joseph did what was right 195 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:41,960 before he heard from the angel. 196 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:43,400 Did everyone hear that? 197 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:45,080 He was a man of integrity. 198 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,520 He was a righteous man. 199 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:53,840 Joseph didn't make a decision out of immediate anger. 200 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,160 He wasn't irrational, he wasn't unstable. 201 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:00,920 And for a young man who had just had his life 202 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:02,480 turned upside down, 203 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:06,680 he demonstrated remarkable grace and poise. 204 00:10:06,680 --> 00:10:09,240 He took time, he assessed the situation, 205 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:11,800 and seeing that Mary was human, 206 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:15,680 he made the choice of what would be best for her 207 00:10:15,680 --> 00:10:18,080 because Joseph was righteous. 208 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:20,280 His goal was not to get even, 209 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:23,760 his goal was not to get revenge. 210 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:28,240 A righteous heart doesn't seek revenge. 211 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,280 A righteous heart does not carry grudges, 212 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:32,520 but does just the opposite. 213 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:37,520 A righteous heart releases others from anger, 214 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:40,200 and it takes a righteous person 215 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:43,280 to walk away from a hurt or an offense. 216 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:45,840 In fact, this is a great way to assess 217 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,000 a person's spiritual maturity. 218 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:52,440 To assess a person's depth in their relationship with Jesus. 219 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:55,520 Are you a person that forgives? 220 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:59,800 Do you release people when they hurt you? 221 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:01,200 I mean, I've been following Jesus 222 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:03,520 for going on 28 years now, 223 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:07,280 and when people betray you, trust me, it hurts. 224 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:08,960 When people talk bad about you 225 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,760 or smear your name with gossip, it hurts. 226 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:14,400 When people judge your motives 227 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:17,840 or you get left out or looked over, it hurts. 228 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:21,240 Just because we are in a relationship with Jesus 229 00:11:21,240 --> 00:11:23,640 does not mean that we are free 230 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:25,400 from experiencing hurt and pain. 231 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:30,260 However, it's a choice to allow God 232 00:11:30,260 --> 00:11:32,800 to work on those areas of your heart. 233 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:34,840 It's a choice to allow the Holy Spirit 234 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:36,840 to bring healing and forgiveness, 235 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:40,040 and friends, that is living with a righteous heart. 236 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:41,560 When we allow righteousness 237 00:11:41,560 --> 00:11:44,240 to be stronger than your emotions, 238 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,600 it's a choice that every single one of us have. 239 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,320 We don't have to lash out, 240 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:52,260 we don't have to write that post, 241 00:11:52,260 --> 00:11:54,420 we don't have to try to publicly humiliate 242 00:11:54,420 --> 00:11:56,660 the other person in order to win, 243 00:11:56,660 --> 00:11:59,640 we don't have to walk away from relationships, 244 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:01,380 we don't have to leave your church 245 00:12:01,380 --> 00:12:03,840 and point fingers on your way out. 246 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:06,880 You can choose to lay down the offense, 247 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:08,480 throw away the anger, 248 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:13,360 choose a righteous, healthy response to hurt and pain. 249 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:16,240 And friends, you need to let go of the idea 250 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:19,880 the world needs to know the reason behind your actions. 251 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:21,880 We don't need the world's justification 252 00:12:21,880 --> 00:12:25,160 because we've already been justified by Jesus. 253 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:26,680 Doesn't matter what other people 254 00:12:26,680 --> 00:12:29,200 in the social media world thinks. 255 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,840 But Chris, that person hurt me. 256 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:33,320 I get it. 257 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:37,880 I can relate, I work with people every single day. 258 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:40,400 We must remember hurting them 259 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,840 does not make us feel any better. 260 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:45,400 It just lowers us to their level. 261 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:46,600 And I wanna challenge you church, 262 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,480 be like Joseph, be righteous. 263 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:51,040 And what does that look like? 264 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,200 It means you're surrounded by Jesus. 265 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:56,920 And you allow the love of God to be evident in your life. 266 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,920 Let your words, your actions, your attitudes 267 00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:01,640 be guided by the Holy Spirit. 268 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:06,640 And it's my prayer for our community of faith 269 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:11,120 that when people see us, they see Jesus. 270 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:12,140 And what does that look like? 271 00:13:12,140 --> 00:13:14,760 Well, Micah 6, 8 explains it for us. 272 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:19,080 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good. 273 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,880 And this is what he requires of us, 274 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:25,880 to do what is right, to love mercy, 275 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:29,540 and to walk humbly with your God. 276 00:13:29,540 --> 00:13:31,540 And when we do that, friends, 277 00:13:31,540 --> 00:13:34,640 we are reflecting God to our culture, 278 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:36,040 which leads us to our next thought. 279 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:40,560 You see, Joseph considered before he acted. 280 00:13:40,560 --> 00:13:41,720 And we must remember, again, 281 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:45,240 this is all before he had his encounter 282 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:47,000 with the angel in a dream. 283 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,680 Joseph loved Mary, 284 00:13:48,680 --> 00:13:51,400 but he knew he needed to break off the engagement. 285 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:53,640 He didn't know who the father of the child was. 286 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:55,680 He just knew it wasn't him. 287 00:13:55,680 --> 00:13:57,960 And then in Matthew 1, 20, we read, 288 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:01,600 as he considered this. 289 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:06,200 See, Joseph didn't make a rapid, angry, stupid decision. 290 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:08,920 He took time before he acted. 291 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:10,800 He considered it. 292 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:12,440 He thought about it. 293 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,000 He worked through the different possibilities. 294 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,920 He did not take immediate action. 295 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:20,320 He had a lot invested in this relationship. 296 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:22,600 So he gave the decision thought, 297 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:25,160 and I believe he gave it a lot of prayer. 298 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:28,400 And I want to encourage you to be that kind of person 299 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:32,500 who understands the advantages of considering things. 300 00:14:32,500 --> 00:14:36,740 Don't make immediate, emotionally-based decisions. 301 00:14:36,740 --> 00:14:39,420 Consider your actions. 302 00:14:39,420 --> 00:14:44,420 Before acting in anger, consider, think, and pray. 303 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:48,200 In our culture, though, it's normal to do the opposite, 304 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:52,120 to act without considering the consequences. 305 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:52,960 I mean, think about it. 306 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:55,240 We do it all the time when we drive, right? 307 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:59,280 We blow our horns and lash out as someone that cuts us off. 308 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:01,740 I mean, we're yelling at people who, by the way, 309 00:15:01,740 --> 00:15:02,720 never hear us. 310 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:07,720 I mean, if you really want to see a person 311 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:11,860 who doesn't think, watch the parents 312 00:15:11,860 --> 00:15:13,540 of Little League baseball players. 313 00:15:14,780 --> 00:15:18,020 I mean, I have literally seen adults and parents 314 00:15:18,020 --> 00:15:21,560 in screaming matches with a 16-year-old umpire. 315 00:15:23,260 --> 00:15:26,100 They don't consider how they look 316 00:15:26,100 --> 00:15:28,380 or how humiliating it is for their kids. 317 00:15:29,740 --> 00:15:32,460 And we do this in arguments with our spouses. 318 00:15:32,460 --> 00:15:35,860 If we would only slow down and consider 319 00:15:35,860 --> 00:15:38,820 the impact of our words, our relationships 320 00:15:38,820 --> 00:15:40,820 would be so much better. 321 00:15:40,820 --> 00:15:44,940 And this Christmas season, many people do not consider 322 00:15:44,940 --> 00:15:48,100 what they are purchasing, and then they end up drowning 323 00:15:48,100 --> 00:15:49,440 in debt in January. 324 00:15:50,460 --> 00:15:53,460 Many people during the holidays do not consider 325 00:15:53,460 --> 00:15:56,060 what they are eating, and they find themselves 326 00:15:56,060 --> 00:15:59,940 miserable and tired from all the calories. 327 00:15:59,940 --> 00:16:01,940 Oh, did I mention social media? 328 00:16:01,940 --> 00:16:04,480 It controls our culture, and for some of us, 329 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:09,020 too much of our time, which causes people to post 330 00:16:09,020 --> 00:16:11,780 and scroll through images for hours throughout the day 331 00:16:11,780 --> 00:16:16,300 because they don't consider the waste of time. 332 00:16:17,340 --> 00:16:18,620 I mean, just think about the foolish posts, 333 00:16:18,620 --> 00:16:21,580 the arguments, the comments that people make every day 334 00:16:21,580 --> 00:16:25,020 with their thumbs because they don't consider 335 00:16:25,020 --> 00:16:26,080 before they type. 336 00:16:27,140 --> 00:16:30,940 Most of the decisions, words, and actions that we regret 337 00:16:30,940 --> 00:16:33,580 happen when we recklessly speak or act 338 00:16:33,580 --> 00:16:37,260 without considering the consequences. 339 00:16:37,260 --> 00:16:40,740 And friends, the Bible challenges us to live carefully. 340 00:16:40,740 --> 00:16:42,500 Look at Ephesians chapter five. 341 00:16:42,500 --> 00:16:45,260 So be careful how you live. 342 00:16:45,260 --> 00:16:48,680 Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. 343 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:52,300 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 344 00:16:52,300 --> 00:16:55,300 Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand 345 00:16:55,300 --> 00:16:57,580 what the Lord wants you to do. 346 00:16:57,580 --> 00:17:02,460 What would it look like if we all lived carefully? 347 00:17:02,460 --> 00:17:06,800 If we all took the time to think and then act, 348 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:08,980 making the most of every opportunity? 349 00:17:08,980 --> 00:17:11,860 How much different would the church be 350 00:17:11,860 --> 00:17:13,540 in our culture's eyes? 351 00:17:13,540 --> 00:17:15,940 How much more of an influence would we have 352 00:17:15,940 --> 00:17:19,540 in people's lives if we stopped and considered 353 00:17:20,620 --> 00:17:23,380 what is gonna happen with our actions? 354 00:17:23,380 --> 00:17:26,460 If Joseph wouldn't have taken the time to think, 355 00:17:26,460 --> 00:17:29,080 he would have missed the ultimate opportunity. 356 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:32,620 I mean, we wouldn't be talking about Mary and Joseph. 357 00:17:32,620 --> 00:17:36,100 I mean, we might be talking about Mary and Roscoe. 358 00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:37,040 Who knows? 359 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:42,540 But unexpectedly though, something happened 360 00:17:42,540 --> 00:17:44,160 that changed Joseph's mind, 361 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:46,260 which leads us to our next thought. 362 00:17:46,260 --> 00:17:50,480 See, Joseph listened, obeyed, and trusted. 363 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:52,620 Matthew chapter one, verse 20 to 24. 364 00:17:52,620 --> 00:17:55,260 As he considered this, remember, he's thinking, 365 00:17:55,260 --> 00:17:57,220 and the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 366 00:17:57,220 --> 00:17:59,540 And I believe, I wanna pause here just a second, 367 00:17:59,540 --> 00:18:03,980 there's amazing connection between Joseph considering 368 00:18:03,980 --> 00:18:08,020 and this amazing moment of hearing from God. 369 00:18:08,020 --> 00:18:11,660 See, impulsive decisions often prevent us 370 00:18:11,660 --> 00:18:13,460 from hearing God's voice. 371 00:18:13,460 --> 00:18:17,820 Joseph thought before acting, 372 00:18:17,820 --> 00:18:19,580 and it was in the thinking, 373 00:18:19,580 --> 00:18:22,300 it was in the pausing that Joseph what? 374 00:18:22,300 --> 00:18:26,120 Had a visitation in a dream from an angel. 375 00:18:26,120 --> 00:18:29,820 Mary heard from an angel, and now it was Joseph's turn. 376 00:18:29,820 --> 00:18:30,660 Let's continue. 377 00:18:30,660 --> 00:18:32,700 Joseph, son of David, the angel said, 378 00:18:32,700 --> 00:18:34,660 do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, 379 00:18:34,660 --> 00:18:38,300 for the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 380 00:18:38,300 --> 00:18:41,020 She will have a son, you are to name him Jesus, 381 00:18:41,020 --> 00:18:43,620 for he will save his people from their sins. 382 00:18:43,620 --> 00:18:45,980 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message 383 00:18:45,980 --> 00:18:46,820 through the prophet. 384 00:18:46,820 --> 00:18:49,140 Look, the virgin will conceive a child, 385 00:18:49,140 --> 00:18:50,340 she will give birth to a son, 386 00:18:50,340 --> 00:18:53,040 and they will call him Emmanuel, 387 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,460 which means God is with us. 388 00:18:55,460 --> 00:18:58,380 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord 389 00:18:58,380 --> 00:19:00,660 commanded and took Mary as his wife. 390 00:19:00,660 --> 00:19:02,900 And first, just notice a few things. 391 00:19:02,900 --> 00:19:07,820 The angel refers to Joseph as a son of David. 392 00:19:07,820 --> 00:19:11,460 See, God didn't just pick any first century Jewish man 393 00:19:11,460 --> 00:19:13,660 to steward the life for his son. 394 00:19:13,660 --> 00:19:16,060 He picked a faithful son of David. 395 00:19:16,060 --> 00:19:19,460 I mean, the only other person in the New Testament 396 00:19:19,460 --> 00:19:23,620 to be referred to as son of David is Jesus. 397 00:19:23,620 --> 00:19:26,900 I mean, so the angel is speaking to Joseph, 398 00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:29,660 this title that came with authority. 399 00:19:29,660 --> 00:19:32,420 He reminded Joseph of his royal line 400 00:19:32,420 --> 00:19:36,420 in preparing him for the task ahead. 401 00:19:36,420 --> 00:19:40,060 Second, Joseph chose to listen and obey. 402 00:19:41,500 --> 00:19:44,220 And this must be why God chose him. 403 00:19:44,220 --> 00:19:47,680 There are so many times that we are not sure 404 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:50,840 which decision to make, which road to take, 405 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:54,700 but if our heart is pure and we are seeking God, 406 00:19:54,700 --> 00:19:57,900 he will reveal truth to us. 407 00:19:57,900 --> 00:19:58,860 You say, Chris, well how? 408 00:19:58,860 --> 00:19:59,700 How do we? 409 00:19:59,700 --> 00:20:01,800 It might come from reading your Bible. 410 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:05,700 It might come from quiet time of prayer and reflection. 411 00:20:05,700 --> 00:20:08,580 God could use me to speak to you. 412 00:20:08,580 --> 00:20:11,260 An answer could come during our worship time. 413 00:20:11,260 --> 00:20:13,220 God could use a friend or a coworker. 414 00:20:13,220 --> 00:20:15,020 God could come and visit you in a dream, 415 00:20:15,020 --> 00:20:16,720 just like he did Joseph. 416 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:19,840 If we want God's direction for our lives, 417 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:23,600 I wanna challenge you, slow down and listen. 418 00:20:24,540 --> 00:20:27,300 Joseph didn't question his dream. 419 00:20:27,300 --> 00:20:29,740 He didn't blame it on last night's shrimp. 420 00:20:31,100 --> 00:20:34,240 He didn't know how everything was gonna turn out, 421 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:35,140 but what did he do? 422 00:20:35,140 --> 00:20:39,660 He chose to obey and trust God with his next steps. 423 00:20:39,660 --> 00:20:43,740 When he woke up, he did as the angel commanded him to do, 424 00:20:43,740 --> 00:20:46,000 and he took Mary to be his wife. 425 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:51,000 God spoke, God commanded, Joseph obeyed, Joseph trusted. 426 00:20:54,580 --> 00:20:57,340 Joseph knew that people would make fun of him, 427 00:20:57,340 --> 00:20:58,660 talk about him. 428 00:20:58,660 --> 00:21:00,380 Why, he was going against culture, 429 00:21:00,380 --> 00:21:01,540 he was going against the law. 430 00:21:01,540 --> 00:21:04,120 It didn't make any common sense. 431 00:21:04,120 --> 00:21:07,220 But Joseph received a command from God, 432 00:21:07,220 --> 00:21:11,500 which meant he told him to do something and he responded. 433 00:21:11,500 --> 00:21:16,140 In church, if you haven't heard from God in a while, 434 00:21:16,140 --> 00:21:19,600 pause and reflect on this simple question. 435 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:23,700 Was I obedient the last time God gave me instructions? 436 00:21:25,940 --> 00:21:30,020 Was I obedient the last time God told me something to do 437 00:21:30,020 --> 00:21:32,460 during a Sunday gathering? 438 00:21:32,460 --> 00:21:35,740 Did God ask you to do something, say something, 439 00:21:35,740 --> 00:21:38,020 to give something, and you didn't? 440 00:21:39,060 --> 00:21:40,380 Here's a principle. 441 00:21:40,380 --> 00:21:42,700 If we don't obey God's commands, 442 00:21:42,700 --> 00:21:44,620 don't be surprised by his silence. 443 00:21:46,940 --> 00:21:51,080 If you're wondering, hey God, I don't hear you, 444 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:53,460 why aren't you speaking to me? 445 00:21:53,460 --> 00:21:56,500 Go back to the last point of disobedience 446 00:21:56,500 --> 00:21:57,480 and make it right. 447 00:21:58,700 --> 00:22:00,260 Did he challenge you to forgive someone 448 00:22:00,260 --> 00:22:01,500 and you chose not to? 449 00:22:01,500 --> 00:22:04,060 Did he challenge you to restore a relationship 450 00:22:04,060 --> 00:22:05,900 and you said no, I was hurt too bad? 451 00:22:05,900 --> 00:22:09,620 That's disobedience. 452 00:22:11,780 --> 00:22:14,700 And when the Holy Spirit speaks to us, we know it's him. 453 00:22:16,380 --> 00:22:18,900 And when we argue with him and turn our back 454 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:22,500 and say it's not him, we're basically saying, 455 00:22:22,500 --> 00:22:23,960 no God, I don't believe. 456 00:22:25,180 --> 00:22:28,160 And I know for a fact, every Sunday that I share, 457 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:31,020 I see the Holy Spirit speaking to many of you. 458 00:22:31,020 --> 00:22:33,900 I see the Holy Spirit all over your faces and your actions 459 00:22:33,900 --> 00:22:36,340 as you walk out these doors. 460 00:22:36,340 --> 00:22:40,140 And my question to you is, do you respond? 461 00:22:40,140 --> 00:22:42,580 Have you responded? 462 00:22:42,580 --> 00:22:44,260 Because if he challenges you to do something 463 00:22:44,260 --> 00:22:47,900 and you don't, don't be surprised by his silence. 464 00:22:47,900 --> 00:22:49,760 Well, Chris, I'm not sure it was from God. 465 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:51,580 Are you reading your Bible? 466 00:22:51,580 --> 00:22:54,180 Because the Bible's our God and our lives 467 00:22:54,180 --> 00:22:57,260 are to be lining up with the words that are in that book. 468 00:22:57,260 --> 00:23:01,020 And if it's not lining up, we need to change. 469 00:23:01,020 --> 00:23:03,740 I mean, Joseph's response tells us two things 470 00:23:03,740 --> 00:23:07,340 about the man who would be the earthly guardian of Jesus. 471 00:23:07,340 --> 00:23:11,760 He knew who he was and he was committed to the scriptures. 472 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:14,580 And this isn't a small thing. 473 00:23:15,620 --> 00:23:18,000 This is how the Bible appeals 474 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,180 to the followers of Jesus today. 475 00:23:20,180 --> 00:23:21,260 Know who you are. 476 00:23:21,260 --> 00:23:23,040 You, if you're in a relationship with God, 477 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:26,660 you are a son and daughter of the King. 478 00:23:26,660 --> 00:23:30,080 You are a son and daughter of the creator of the world. 479 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:34,680 And if you're not reading the Bible and receiving truths, 480 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:39,660 then are you really walking in all that God has for you? 481 00:23:39,660 --> 00:23:41,440 See, a lukewarm follower of God 482 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:43,600 reacts to a difficult assignment 483 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:46,120 if God tells you to do something by saying, 484 00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:47,680 I'm not doing that, God. 485 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:49,780 You put your feet in the ground 486 00:23:49,780 --> 00:23:52,000 because I don't feel like doing it. 487 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:54,120 And we may not vocalize it that way, 488 00:23:54,120 --> 00:23:57,080 but when we knowingly go against what God has said 489 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:00,440 or what God has told us to do, that's what we're doing. 490 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:03,040 You're forgetting who you are. 491 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:05,200 Even though it was difficult to accept and believe, 492 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:08,200 Joseph obeyed and never looked back. 493 00:24:08,200 --> 00:24:11,280 God said it, Joseph believed it, and then he did it. 494 00:24:12,220 --> 00:24:14,920 It's just a remarkable display of obedience, 495 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:17,240 faith, and trust. 496 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:20,240 Joseph's obedience to God cost him the right 497 00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:22,400 to value his own reputation. 498 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:24,480 It wasn't about him. 499 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:27,240 And for many followers of Jesus today, 500 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:28,840 probably much older than Joseph, 501 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:30,600 claiming they're led by the Spirit, 502 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:32,520 have you learned that lesson? 503 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:35,000 Joseph was a man of few words. 504 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:37,660 We don't know much at all about him, 505 00:24:37,660 --> 00:24:42,520 but we do know he was a man of simple faithfulness. 506 00:24:42,520 --> 00:24:45,360 He did the next right thing in front of him. 507 00:24:45,360 --> 00:24:48,720 He listened, he obeyed, and so much of following God 508 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:52,140 is simply asking, hey God, what do you want me to do next? 509 00:24:52,140 --> 00:24:56,260 And because of his obedience the first time, 510 00:24:56,260 --> 00:24:59,620 think about it, God was again able to speak to Joseph 511 00:24:59,620 --> 00:25:03,780 in a dream through an angel so he could get Jesus 512 00:25:03,780 --> 00:25:07,540 away from an evil king that wanted to destroy him. 513 00:25:07,540 --> 00:25:09,420 We read this in Matthew two. 514 00:25:09,420 --> 00:25:11,620 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord 515 00:25:11,620 --> 00:25:13,940 again appeared to Joseph in a dream. 516 00:25:13,940 --> 00:25:16,200 Get up, flee to Egypt with the child and his mother, 517 00:25:16,200 --> 00:25:17,620 the angel said. 518 00:25:17,620 --> 00:25:19,340 Stay there until I tell you to return 519 00:25:19,340 --> 00:25:23,180 because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him. 520 00:25:23,180 --> 00:25:26,300 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child 521 00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:27,940 and married his mother and they stayed there 522 00:25:27,940 --> 00:25:29,380 until Herod's death. 523 00:25:29,380 --> 00:25:31,780 This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet. 524 00:25:31,780 --> 00:25:35,180 I called my son out of Egypt. 525 00:25:35,180 --> 00:25:38,500 Which leads to our final thought this morning. 526 00:25:38,500 --> 00:25:41,700 Friends, Joseph modeled integrity. 527 00:25:42,660 --> 00:25:46,900 Matthew one, verse 25, but he did not have 528 00:25:46,900 --> 00:25:50,580 sexual relations with her until her son was born. 529 00:25:50,580 --> 00:25:54,040 And Joseph named him Jesus. 530 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:58,580 So this means Joseph and Mary did not have sex 531 00:25:58,580 --> 00:26:02,380 until after Jesus was born even though 532 00:26:02,380 --> 00:26:04,220 they were husband and wife. 533 00:26:04,220 --> 00:26:05,140 And some of you are sitting there like, 534 00:26:05,140 --> 00:26:08,320 oh okay, why is that important Chris? 535 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:11,860 Why are we bringing up sex in a Christmas talk? 536 00:26:11,860 --> 00:26:16,700 Well Joseph was a righteous man 537 00:26:16,700 --> 00:26:20,500 who was able to restrain his physical and sexual desire 538 00:26:20,500 --> 00:26:23,980 to be with his wife as a means of honoring God. 539 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:27,760 Listen, he did not want to jeopardize 540 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:30,260 the extraordinary life he was called to live 541 00:26:30,260 --> 00:26:31,720 for five minutes of pleasure. 542 00:26:32,540 --> 00:26:37,540 If they would have had sex, people could then question 543 00:26:38,220 --> 00:26:40,740 the Holy Spirit getting Mary pregnant. 544 00:26:40,740 --> 00:26:43,100 Could have been a cover up for lust. 545 00:26:44,140 --> 00:26:48,860 We are called to live with the same kind of integrity. 546 00:26:48,860 --> 00:26:52,420 Jesus followers need to stop making excuses 547 00:26:52,420 --> 00:26:53,740 for their actions. 548 00:26:53,740 --> 00:26:55,580 And I hear it all the time. 549 00:26:55,580 --> 00:26:58,280 We are called to live to a higher standard. 550 00:26:58,280 --> 00:27:00,280 Well Chris, that temptation was too much. 551 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:01,540 Lie. 552 00:27:01,540 --> 00:27:03,740 God promises that we will not be tempted 553 00:27:03,740 --> 00:27:06,360 beyond what we cannot bear or stand. 554 00:27:06,360 --> 00:27:09,700 Well I can't control my actions Chris, lie. 555 00:27:09,700 --> 00:27:13,180 God has given us not a spirit of fear 556 00:27:13,180 --> 00:27:16,100 but of love, power, and self control. 557 00:27:16,100 --> 00:27:17,500 Well everyone's doing it Chris, 558 00:27:17,500 --> 00:27:19,580 society approves, lie. 559 00:27:21,020 --> 00:27:22,860 When we're in a relationship with Jesus, 560 00:27:22,860 --> 00:27:27,140 we are controlled by God's spirit living inside of us. 561 00:27:27,140 --> 00:27:29,860 And think about it, Joseph was married 562 00:27:29,860 --> 00:27:31,380 and he stayed sexually pure 563 00:27:31,380 --> 00:27:35,220 because he focused on God's call for him. 564 00:27:35,220 --> 00:27:37,620 What, God's called to live an extraordinary life 565 00:27:37,620 --> 00:27:40,780 and we are called to do the same. 566 00:27:40,780 --> 00:27:42,660 We are called to walk with integrity 567 00:27:42,660 --> 00:27:44,780 so that people can see God living inside of us. 568 00:27:44,780 --> 00:27:46,340 Proverbs 28, six. 569 00:27:46,340 --> 00:27:49,280 It's better to be poor and live right 570 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:51,900 than to be rich and dishonest. 571 00:27:51,900 --> 00:27:54,400 Friends, God's plan and dream for our lives 572 00:27:54,400 --> 00:27:58,520 is so much bigger than our short term desires. 573 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:00,140 First Peter three tells us this, 574 00:28:00,140 --> 00:28:03,460 instead you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. 575 00:28:03,460 --> 00:28:05,980 And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, 576 00:28:05,980 --> 00:28:07,940 always be ready to explain it 577 00:28:07,940 --> 00:28:11,180 but do it with gentle and respectful way. 578 00:28:11,180 --> 00:28:12,820 Keep your conscious clear. 579 00:28:12,820 --> 00:28:16,020 Then if people speak against you, 580 00:28:16,020 --> 00:28:17,540 they will be ashamed when they see 581 00:28:17,540 --> 00:28:20,500 what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 582 00:28:21,540 --> 00:28:25,060 It's the life you are living this morning, 583 00:28:25,060 --> 00:28:28,420 a reflection of the Holy Spirit inside of you. 584 00:28:28,420 --> 00:28:31,040 Do people see God in how you handle conflict? 585 00:28:31,040 --> 00:28:33,180 Do people see God in your words and actions? 586 00:28:33,180 --> 00:28:36,980 Do people see God coming out of your generosity? 587 00:28:36,980 --> 00:28:40,060 Joseph lived with integrity, 588 00:28:40,060 --> 00:28:45,060 then he receives the opportunity to name God's son, Jesus. 589 00:28:45,980 --> 00:28:48,540 You know, I was thinking about this week as a father, 590 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:51,380 wouldn't you have been tempted 591 00:28:51,380 --> 00:28:54,060 to name your son Joseph Jr.? 592 00:28:55,580 --> 00:28:58,780 I mean, he's the son of God. 593 00:28:58,780 --> 00:29:00,820 I mean, his birth is the pivotal moment 594 00:29:00,820 --> 00:29:02,300 in history of the world. 595 00:29:02,300 --> 00:29:04,740 Naming him Joseph Jr. would have assured 596 00:29:04,740 --> 00:29:06,700 Joseph a place in history. 597 00:29:06,700 --> 00:29:09,280 Remember, during this time, and it's funny we laugh, 598 00:29:09,280 --> 00:29:10,700 but during this time, 599 00:29:10,700 --> 00:29:14,520 a child was typically named after his father 600 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:16,780 because it revealed his lineage, 601 00:29:16,780 --> 00:29:19,620 his heritage, his family line. 602 00:29:19,620 --> 00:29:23,740 And after everything that they had been through, 603 00:29:23,740 --> 00:29:27,780 Mary and Joseph have the right to name the child. 604 00:29:27,780 --> 00:29:29,020 You know, it's not about being fair, 605 00:29:29,020 --> 00:29:30,760 it's about being obedient. 606 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:31,700 And what did Joseph do? 607 00:29:31,700 --> 00:29:35,140 He didn't complain, he didn't argue with God. 608 00:29:35,140 --> 00:29:38,340 Joseph cared more about God's plan for the world 609 00:29:38,340 --> 00:29:40,120 than his own personal recognition. 610 00:29:41,100 --> 00:29:46,100 Obedience doesn't glorify God when we put our name on it. 611 00:29:46,780 --> 00:29:48,860 If you want to explain all the great things 612 00:29:48,860 --> 00:29:50,560 you're doing in Jesus' name, 613 00:29:50,560 --> 00:29:53,380 then you're simply bringing attention to yourself. 614 00:29:53,380 --> 00:29:55,740 It's all about giving God the glory. 615 00:29:55,740 --> 00:29:58,160 It's all about sacrificial obedience. 616 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:02,140 Joseph wanted God's name to be known, not his name. 617 00:30:02,140 --> 00:30:07,140 And this is a beautiful picture of how God partners with us. 618 00:30:07,260 --> 00:30:09,900 We can apply our lives to Joseph's 619 00:30:09,900 --> 00:30:14,060 and begin to live an extraordinary life every single day. 620 00:30:14,060 --> 00:30:16,940 And I believe that's what God wants for all of us. 621 00:30:16,940 --> 00:30:19,660 Four simple steps in living an extraordinary life, 622 00:30:19,660 --> 00:30:21,640 and the first is, you gotta listen. 623 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:26,520 Our life is too fast-paced and busy and out of control. 624 00:30:26,520 --> 00:30:29,220 We need to have time to listen. 625 00:30:29,220 --> 00:30:31,460 Matthew 1, as he considered this, 626 00:30:31,460 --> 00:30:34,260 an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 627 00:30:34,260 --> 00:30:36,060 Joseph, son of David the angel, said, 628 00:30:36,060 --> 00:30:38,260 do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, 629 00:30:38,260 --> 00:30:40,660 for the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit 630 00:30:40,660 --> 00:30:43,260 and she will have a son, and you will name him Jesus, 631 00:30:43,260 --> 00:30:46,420 for you will save his people from their sin. 632 00:30:46,420 --> 00:30:49,140 God gave the instructions to Joseph, 633 00:30:50,180 --> 00:30:53,020 and he daily does the same for us, I believe that. 634 00:30:53,020 --> 00:30:55,920 Every morning that you wake up, it's a fresh late 635 00:30:55,920 --> 00:30:59,700 for you to listen to what God wants you to do. 636 00:30:59,700 --> 00:31:02,460 It's an opportunity for you to pour a cup of coffee 637 00:31:02,460 --> 00:31:05,460 for Jesus and to have a conversation with him, 638 00:31:05,460 --> 00:31:07,340 because Revelation 320 tells us, 639 00:31:07,340 --> 00:31:09,380 look, I stand at the door and knock. 640 00:31:09,380 --> 00:31:12,740 If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in. 641 00:31:12,740 --> 00:31:14,740 And we will share a meal together as friends. 642 00:31:14,740 --> 00:31:19,460 And all of us at HCV learned, right, during our series seven 643 00:31:19,460 --> 00:31:23,180 that these words were not for those outside of the church. 644 00:31:23,180 --> 00:31:24,100 Who were they for? 645 00:31:24,100 --> 00:31:26,340 They were for the church. 646 00:31:26,340 --> 00:31:29,620 Jesus is inviting the church to listen daily, 647 00:31:29,620 --> 00:31:32,680 and I believe God wants to speak to us right now. 648 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:35,780 I'm gonna invite the Holy Spirit to come, 649 00:31:37,340 --> 00:31:39,620 and I want you just to simply listen. 650 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:43,380 Yes, it's gonna be silent, it's gonna be quiet, 651 00:31:43,380 --> 00:31:44,980 it's gonna be uncomfortable, 652 00:31:44,980 --> 00:31:47,900 but in a season of busyness and craziness, 653 00:31:47,900 --> 00:31:50,700 it's okay just to slow it down 654 00:31:50,700 --> 00:31:52,840 and allow the Holy Spirit to speak. 655 00:31:52,840 --> 00:31:54,840 So Holy Spirit, come now. 656 00:31:55,960 --> 00:31:57,320 We give you this time. 657 00:31:57,320 --> 00:32:21,920 Open our ears to hear from you. 658 00:32:57,320 --> 00:33:02,320 God, I come to you and pray for that couple 659 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:04,760 that's struggling in their marriage, God, 660 00:33:04,760 --> 00:33:07,400 that you would open up their communication 661 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:09,920 so they can clearly hear from one another. 662 00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:15,120 God, I pray for that back, that degenerative back issue 663 00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:17,440 that's happening in that person, 664 00:33:17,440 --> 00:33:20,400 and I pray for healing in Jesus' name. 665 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,080 God, I pray for that relationship 666 00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:28,080 between daughter and mom, 667 00:33:28,080 --> 00:33:31,080 and I pray you restore it and you heal it, 668 00:33:31,800 --> 00:33:35,280 and you bring glory to your name through it in Jesus' name. 669 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:38,400 And God, I pray for those migraines 670 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:40,520 that you would release them 671 00:33:40,520 --> 00:33:44,800 and that your healing would come in Jesus' name. 672 00:33:46,080 --> 00:33:48,080 Church, we need to listen, 673 00:33:48,080 --> 00:33:51,240 and when we listen and he speaks to us next, 674 00:33:51,240 --> 00:33:52,880 we need to be obedient. 675 00:33:52,880 --> 00:33:55,080 When Joseph woke up, what did he do? 676 00:33:55,080 --> 00:33:57,960 He did as the angel Lord commanded and took Mary his wife. 677 00:33:57,960 --> 00:34:01,120 Joseph responded, and God desires that we do the same, 678 00:34:01,120 --> 00:34:03,560 that we walk in obedience. 679 00:34:03,560 --> 00:34:06,120 God can use you, now think about this, 680 00:34:06,120 --> 00:34:10,800 God can use you to bring something into existence 681 00:34:10,800 --> 00:34:14,320 that changes the course of history for someone else. 682 00:34:14,320 --> 00:34:17,800 Obedience is making the decision to do what God says. 683 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:19,480 Look what Jesus said in John 14, 684 00:34:19,480 --> 00:34:24,160 if you love me, obey my commandments. 685 00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:26,080 And if we obey his commandments, what's he gonna do? 686 00:34:26,080 --> 00:34:28,880 He's gonna send the Holy Spirit to empower us, 687 00:34:28,880 --> 00:34:33,880 to fill us, to lead us so that others can see him in us. 688 00:34:33,880 --> 00:34:37,360 Jesus says, if you love me, obey church. 689 00:34:38,240 --> 00:34:41,600 Do what the Bible says, live like I live. 690 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:45,800 Don't compromise because we're filled with the Holy Spirit. 691 00:34:45,800 --> 00:34:48,960 We have a power that is greater than us, 692 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:52,960 living inside of us, that allows us to avoid daily slip ups. 693 00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:54,880 Look at 1 Peter 1, 14, 694 00:34:54,880 --> 00:34:57,080 you must live as God's obedient children, 695 00:34:57,080 --> 00:35:00,720 don't slip back into your old ways of living 696 00:35:00,720 --> 00:35:02,720 to satisfy your own desires. 697 00:35:02,720 --> 00:35:05,120 You didn't know any better then. 698 00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:07,480 We need to be obedient church, 699 00:35:07,480 --> 00:35:09,840 which leads us to our next step, be disciplined. 700 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:13,160 We listen, we be obedient, we be disciplined. 701 00:35:13,160 --> 00:35:15,880 But he did not have sexual relations with her 702 00:35:15,880 --> 00:35:18,640 until her son was born and Joseph named him Jesus. 703 00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:19,840 What is discipline? 704 00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:22,840 It's acting on that decision. 705 00:35:22,840 --> 00:35:26,400 Not just one time, but every single day. 706 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:28,320 It's not one decision, I love you God, 707 00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:29,880 I love you Jesus, forgive me. 708 00:35:29,880 --> 00:35:34,880 It's a daily choice to discipline ourselves, 709 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:37,120 to restrain ourselves. 710 00:35:37,120 --> 00:35:39,040 I will act on your leading God, 711 00:35:39,040 --> 00:35:41,240 I will be obedient to serve you, 712 00:35:41,240 --> 00:35:45,400 I will be obedient to serve and sacrificially give. 713 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:48,360 I will come tonight and serve kids 714 00:35:48,360 --> 00:35:50,200 at our angel tree Christmas party. 715 00:35:50,200 --> 00:35:51,960 I will be a part of our donut drop 716 00:35:51,960 --> 00:35:55,680 and give away hot chocolate and smile at my community. 717 00:35:55,680 --> 00:35:57,640 I will serve at the cold weather shelter 718 00:35:57,640 --> 00:36:00,320 and see the homeless loved on. 719 00:36:00,320 --> 00:36:04,360 1 Corinthians 9, 27, I discipline my body like an athlete, 720 00:36:04,360 --> 00:36:05,680 training it to do what it should, 721 00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:08,280 otherwise I fear that my preaching to others, 722 00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:11,240 I myself might be disqualified. 723 00:36:11,240 --> 00:36:13,680 I wanna challenge some of you this morning. 724 00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:16,120 In two weeks we're having our New Year's baptism, 725 00:36:16,120 --> 00:36:18,400 you're called to make that commitment. 726 00:36:18,400 --> 00:36:20,560 You're struggling in your relationship with Jesus, 727 00:36:20,560 --> 00:36:22,560 you're wavering, you're slipping back in 728 00:36:22,560 --> 00:36:25,200 because you haven't publicly declared that I love God. 729 00:36:26,080 --> 00:36:29,280 And I wanna challenge you, if that's you, sign up. 730 00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:33,960 Be a part, get under the water and make that commitment. 731 00:36:33,960 --> 00:36:37,560 Discipline is important because this is how God uses us 732 00:36:37,560 --> 00:36:39,160 in extraordinary ways. 733 00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:42,120 This is how we set the example for others to follow. 734 00:36:42,120 --> 00:36:44,680 Look what Paul shared to the church in Philippi, 735 00:36:44,680 --> 00:36:47,040 Philippians 4, 9, keep putting into practice 736 00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:49,680 all you learned and received from me. 737 00:36:49,680 --> 00:36:51,760 Everything you heard from me and saw me doing 738 00:36:51,760 --> 00:36:54,160 then the God of peace will be with you. 739 00:36:54,160 --> 00:36:56,640 Are you an example setter for your family, 740 00:36:56,640 --> 00:36:59,000 for your friends, for your coworkers, for your classmates? 741 00:36:59,000 --> 00:37:01,160 Are you simply coasting through life 742 00:37:02,200 --> 00:37:05,360 allowing the culture to control you? 743 00:37:05,360 --> 00:37:06,800 Which leads us to our final step. 744 00:37:06,800 --> 00:37:10,040 We listen, we be obedient, we be disciplined 745 00:37:10,040 --> 00:37:12,640 and we point people to Jesus. 746 00:37:12,640 --> 00:37:15,040 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message 747 00:37:15,040 --> 00:37:16,520 through his prophet, look, 748 00:37:16,520 --> 00:37:18,040 the virgin will conceive a child, 749 00:37:18,040 --> 00:37:21,080 she will give birth to a son and they will call him what? 750 00:37:21,080 --> 00:37:24,960 Emmanuel, which means God is with us. 751 00:37:24,960 --> 00:37:29,240 Friends, church, this is good news. 752 00:37:29,240 --> 00:37:32,000 God is with us. 753 00:37:32,000 --> 00:37:35,000 In a season of expectation, 754 00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:37,440 for many it's a season of feeling alone, 755 00:37:37,440 --> 00:37:41,600 sad, unloved, unseen because it's the holidays. 756 00:37:41,600 --> 00:37:43,760 People and children are walking with pain 757 00:37:43,760 --> 00:37:45,200 through a season of hope. 758 00:37:45,200 --> 00:37:49,280 And I wanna challenge you, will you point people 759 00:37:49,280 --> 00:37:51,360 to the person they're searching for? 760 00:37:51,360 --> 00:37:53,520 And how do I know that, how that happens? 761 00:37:53,520 --> 00:37:56,320 Just look, look at the shepherds. 762 00:37:56,320 --> 00:37:59,000 They hurried to the village, they found Mary and Joseph, 763 00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:01,880 they saw Jesus lying in the manger 764 00:38:01,880 --> 00:38:04,640 and after seeing him the shepherds told 765 00:38:04,640 --> 00:38:07,840 everyone what had happened and what the angel had said 766 00:38:07,840 --> 00:38:10,080 to them about this child and all who heard 767 00:38:10,080 --> 00:38:12,280 the shepherd's story were astonished. 768 00:38:12,280 --> 00:38:15,600 We are a week away from Christmas 769 00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:20,320 and for so many people, they want the holidays to be over. 770 00:38:20,320 --> 00:38:23,960 Why not take a step of faith and invite a few people 771 00:38:23,960 --> 00:38:26,440 to all of our Christmas celebrations? 772 00:38:26,440 --> 00:38:27,920 And you say, why? 773 00:38:27,920 --> 00:38:30,920 Because it's the reason that we are created 774 00:38:30,920 --> 00:38:33,640 to point people back to the creator. 775 00:38:33,640 --> 00:38:35,400 And when we invite and include, 776 00:38:35,400 --> 00:38:37,280 people's lives can be changed. 777 00:38:37,280 --> 00:38:40,040 Next Saturday we have our Christmas Eve Eve 778 00:38:40,040 --> 00:38:43,640 candlelight service, traditional service at seven o'clock. 779 00:38:43,640 --> 00:38:46,480 It is for everyone, we would love for you to come 780 00:38:46,480 --> 00:38:49,000 and experience Jesus, a week from today, 781 00:38:49,000 --> 00:38:50,640 Christmas morning, nine and 11, 782 00:38:50,640 --> 00:38:52,560 it's gonna be our Sunday celebrations 783 00:38:52,560 --> 00:38:54,480 like you've never seen. 784 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:56,720 Christmas morning, we'll be here at 10 o'clock, 785 00:38:56,720 --> 00:38:59,480 wear your PJs, I'll be in mine, 786 00:38:59,480 --> 00:39:00,960 and we'll read a Christmas story 787 00:39:00,960 --> 00:39:03,720 and challenge our childlike faith. 788 00:39:03,720 --> 00:39:05,320 Why invite? 789 00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:06,760 You say, why invite, Chris? 790 00:39:06,760 --> 00:39:08,920 Why should I invite anyone? 791 00:39:08,920 --> 00:39:10,800 Listen to what the birth of Jesus 792 00:39:10,800 --> 00:39:13,120 brought into our world, Galatians 4. 793 00:39:13,120 --> 00:39:14,840 But when the right time came, 794 00:39:14,840 --> 00:39:18,120 God sent his son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 795 00:39:18,120 --> 00:39:20,280 God sent him to buy freedom for us 796 00:39:20,280 --> 00:39:21,800 who were slaves to the law 797 00:39:21,800 --> 00:39:24,920 so that he could adopt us as very own children. 798 00:39:24,920 --> 00:39:26,240 And because we're his children, 799 00:39:26,240 --> 00:39:28,720 God has sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, 800 00:39:28,720 --> 00:39:31,520 prompting us to call out Abba Father. 801 00:39:31,520 --> 00:39:34,920 Now, you are no longer a slave, 802 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:38,120 but God's own child, and since you're his child, 803 00:39:38,120 --> 00:39:40,760 God has made you his heir. 804 00:39:40,760 --> 00:39:44,200 An opportunity from then, women, young, old, rich, poor, 805 00:39:44,200 --> 00:39:45,560 to experience what? 806 00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:48,880 New and abundant life through Jesus. 807 00:39:48,880 --> 00:39:50,840 And we all must remember, 808 00:39:50,840 --> 00:39:54,520 Mary did not give Jesus his name, who did? 809 00:39:54,520 --> 00:39:55,840 Joseph. 810 00:39:55,840 --> 00:39:59,960 Joseph partnered with God to accomplish God's plan, 811 00:39:59,960 --> 00:40:03,760 and Joseph had the honor of naming the Son of God 812 00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:08,120 with the name that is above every other name. 813 00:40:08,120 --> 00:40:12,000 Joseph gave him the name Jesus. 814 00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:15,600 There is power in that name, Jesus. 815 00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:19,160 There is healing in that name, Jesus. 816 00:40:19,160 --> 00:40:24,160 There is life and authority in that name. 817 00:40:24,160 --> 00:40:27,480 There is freedom from bondage and addiction in that name, 818 00:40:27,480 --> 00:40:29,680 and his name is Jesus. 819 00:40:29,680 --> 00:40:31,960 There is joy and peace in that name, 820 00:40:31,960 --> 00:40:34,080 and more importantly, for some of you, 821 00:40:34,080 --> 00:40:36,800 there is forgiveness in that name. 822 00:40:36,800 --> 00:40:38,000 Will you stand with me? 823 00:40:39,560 --> 00:40:42,040 And before we sing, and we're gonna sing big, 824 00:40:43,360 --> 00:40:44,840 I want to invite all of us 825 00:40:44,840 --> 00:40:47,200 to pray this simple prayer together. 826 00:40:49,280 --> 00:40:52,200 Jesus, I'm broken. 827 00:40:52,200 --> 00:40:53,960 I'm full of doubt. 828 00:40:53,960 --> 00:40:58,880 Shame, regret, anger, sin. 829 00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:00,240 Change me. 830 00:41:00,240 --> 00:41:03,280 I believe you're God's son. 831 00:41:03,280 --> 00:41:06,520 I believe you died for me. 832 00:41:06,520 --> 00:41:09,680 Make me new, set me free. 833 00:41:09,680 --> 00:41:12,080 Fill me with your spirit. 834 00:41:12,080 --> 00:41:15,040 Allow me to serve others. 835 00:41:15,040 --> 00:41:17,560 In Jesus' name, amen. 836 00:41:17,560 --> 00:41:19,800 And I was challenged, okay, 837 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:21,680 that if you prayed that prayer for the first time, 838 00:41:21,680 --> 00:41:24,920 see me, encourage me, high-five me, 839 00:41:24,920 --> 00:41:26,240 I wanna give you next steps. 840 00:41:26,240 --> 00:41:28,120 I wanna tell you to be baptized, 841 00:41:28,120 --> 00:41:31,120 because that's your connection with your creator. 842 00:41:31,120 --> 00:41:32,120 Come and behold, 843 00:41:32,120 --> 00:41:49,120 the King of Glory is here.