Christian Life Church
December 15, 2024 at 8:30am & 10:00am
Matthew writes about the Jewishness of Christ, His birth, and prophetic fulfillment. Mark skips the birth of Christ altogether. Luke communicates the historical facts of Christ’s birth to people outside the Jewish community. John focuses on the theological truths of the birth.
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
CHRISTMAS STORIES DECEMBER 15, 2024
JOSEPH
SCRIPTURE
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. 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. 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. And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: "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.'" When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her Son was born. Matthew 1:18-24
ANCIENT JEWISH MARRIAGE
Matthew writes about the Jewishness of Christ, His birth, and prophetic fulfillment. Mark skips the birth of Christ altogether. Luke communicates the historical facts of Christ’s birth to people outside the Jewish community. John focuses on the theological truths of the birth.
Engagement and marriage was not individualistic, but family and community oriented.
Joseph never utters a word in Scripture. But his actions speak loudly of his character.
CHARACTER COUNTS
“The Church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men.” E.M. Bounds
1/ Joseph teaches us to choose dignity over dishonor.
He chose a quiet divorce before he knew this was from God!
“We don’t honor people because they are honorable, but because we are honorable.”
2/ Joseph teaches us to choose selflessness over selfishness.
He chose to marry a single mother and adopt her Son.
“Perhaps the greatest contribution you can give to the Kingdom of God is not something you do, but someone you raise.” Andy Stanley
3/ Joseph teaches us to choose purity over passion.
He refused to have sex with his wife until after the birth of Christ.
“We have a Bill of Rights. We need a Bill of Responsibilities.” Bill Maher
If what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again.
1 Corinthians 8:13
4/ Joseph teaches us to choose obedience over objection.
Each time a word was spoken, he obeyed, even when he didn’t understand.
Joseph obeyed the spoken and written instructions from the Lord.
When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home. Luke 2:39
5/ Joseph (and Mary) teaches us to choose pondering over proclaiming.
One test of spiritual maturity is knowing when to speak and when to be silent.
Sometimes our part to play is “praying through” to completion.
JOSEPH
SCRIPTURE
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. 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. 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. And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: "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.'" When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her Son was born. Matthew 1:18-24
ANCIENT JEWISH MARRIAGE
Matthew writes about the Jewishness of Christ, His birth, and prophetic fulfillment. Mark skips the birth of Christ altogether. Luke communicates the historical facts of Christ’s birth to people outside the Jewish community. John focuses on the theological truths of the birth.
Engagement and marriage was not individualistic, but family and community oriented.
Joseph never utters a word in Scripture. But his actions speak loudly of his character.
CHARACTER COUNTS
“The Church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men.” E.M. Bounds
1/ Joseph teaches us to choose dignity over dishonor.
He chose a quiet divorce before he knew this was from God!
“We don’t honor people because they are honorable, but because we are honorable.”
2/ Joseph teaches us to choose selflessness over selfishness.
He chose to marry a single mother and adopt her Son.
“Perhaps the greatest contribution you can give to the Kingdom of God is not something you do, but someone you raise.” Andy Stanley
3/ Joseph teaches us to choose purity over passion.
He refused to have sex with his wife until after the birth of Christ.
“We have a Bill of Rights. We need a Bill of Responsibilities.” Bill Maher
If what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again.
1 Corinthians 8:13
4/ Joseph teaches us to choose obedience over objection.
Each time a word was spoken, he obeyed, even when he didn’t understand.
Joseph obeyed the spoken and written instructions from the Lord.
When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home. Luke 2:39
5/ Joseph (and Mary) teaches us to choose pondering over proclaiming.
One test of spiritual maturity is knowing when to speak and when to be silent.
Sometimes our part to play is “praying through” to completion.