Celebrate Faith! “Joseph and Mary”

December 15, 2019
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CELEBRATE FAITH! “Joseph and Mary”

1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 NLT

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 NLT

THE WHOLE STORY INVOLVING JOSEPH AND MARY IS A STORY OF FAITH.
● Mary had to trust God’s promise.
● Joseph had to trust Mary.
● Mary had to trust Joseph.
● Joseph had to trust God.

GOD STILL SEARCHES FOR FAITHFUL MEN AND WOMEN.
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him… 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT
● People who will pursue obedience, whatever the cost.
● People who will trust God – even though the outcome seems unsure.
● God raises up people for his purposes.
● God is looking for people humble enough to give him all the glory.

PEOPLE STILL SEARCH FOR FAITHFUL MEN AND WOMEN.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Proverbs 20:6 NLT

FAITHFULNESS IS THE KEY TO BLESSING AND VICTORY.

4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5 NLT

A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20 NIV

QUALITIES OF A FAITHFUL PERSON:
● Holiness
● Humility
● Patience
● Good Stewardship
● Servanthood
● Selflessness

Next Steps for me today…
● Surrender to God’s plans.
● Walk in humility like Christ.
● Honor the commitments I’ve made.

Next Steps

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