New Testament - Matthew 1:18-25 - (Joseph's Dilemma) - CC Windward - Pastor Tim

New Testament - Matthew 1:18-25 - (Joseph's Dilemma) - Calvary Chapel Windward - OAHU, HAWAII - Pastor Tim Newman - From Local Olelo / Oceanic / Time Warner Cable show "A View from Calvary" - Episode #: - Original Air Date: 04/08/2012 A.D.

PASTOR TIM's NOTES:

Matthew 1:18-25
“Joseph’s Dilemma”
1. Joseph is confronted with a DIFFICULT opportunity.
Vs.18-19
1a. Joseph’s DIFFICULT opportunity came from his engagement with Mary.
 Being positioned by God doesn’t always mean the situation is going to be a
blessing immediately.
 Being in the center of God’s will doesn’t mean that things are always going to
make sense right away.
There are two stages to a Jewish wedding:
Kiddushin;
This was a binding contract and they would be considered legally married.
Huppah;
This is when the actual wedding takes place. It would last for 7 days.

1b. Joseph’s DIFFICULT opportunity came from 2 things that Mary claimed.
1) Mary claimed she was pregnant.
Luke 1:35-38

She submitted herself to God’s will for her life.

2) Mary claimed the child was from the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:31-36
2. Joseph DECIDES, on his own, to quietly divorce her.
2a. Joseph DECIDES to do this because he was a righteous man.
What does the text mean when it says that he was a righteous
man?
It spoke of his character and of the fact that he obeyed the word of God.
Prov 10:7, Prov 10:11, Prov 12:26, Prov 13:9
2b. Joseph DECIDES to do this because it was a public disgrace.
Joseph was righteous but he was not self righteous.
He wanted to obey God but he also wanted to be merciful.
1 Cor 15:10, 2 Tim 2:24-26
3. Joseph needed some DIVINE clarification.
Vs. 20-23
3a. The DIVINE clarification came because Joseph considered.
Vs. 20 "but after he considered this"
Matthew Henry says, " it is the thoughtful not the unthinking that God will
guide."
3b. The DIVINE clarification given was of a miraculous birth
The angel confirms Mary’s claim of God’s intervention.

The angel instructs Joseph to marry her.
do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,
What would be the fear in taking Mary to be his wife?
Ridicule and harassment!

Is the fear of man real?
Does it keep us from obeying the Lord?
Prov 29:25
3c. The DIVINE clarification given was supported by scripture.
Here the angel quotes Isaiah 7:14 to connect the virgin birth to the Old Testament.
In doing so he will verify that the promise of God had been fulfilled.
In fact, 50 times Matthew will quote from the Old Testament and 76 times he
will allude to it.
The Messiah was to be the branch of David
Jer 23:5
The Messiah was to be the branch of the Lord.
Isa 4:2-3
The Messiah was to be called mighty God.
Isa 9:6
The Messiah was to be virgin born.
Jer 31:22

How did the angel seek to calm the fear of Joseph?
It would be thru confirmation from the word of God.
4. Joseph DETERMINES to trust God’s plan.
Vs. 24-25
4a. Joseph DETERMINES to trust God by taking Mary as his wife.
4b. Joseph DETERMINES to trust God by giving him the name Jesus.
5. Joseph’s DELIMMA was part of God’s plan of salvation.
Joseph was to trust in the Son of God to save him from his sins.

Like all righteous men and women of the Old Testament, Joseph AND Mary needed
to be saved from his sins.
“all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”