1 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:10,280 We've been studying the genealogical record leading up 2 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:11,880 to. The birth of Jesus. 3 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,080 In a time on the church calendar called Advent. 4 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:18,200 So we have week by week. Looked at the themes of Advent 5 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:22,200 and each theme finding someone in the genealogical. 6 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:25,520 Record of Jesus that that has a story that helps us. 7 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,360 Understand that Advent, a time where we remember that people 8 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:31,680 were waiting for. God to fulfill the. 9 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:34,720 Promise to send the Messiah. Had to wait. 10 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:39,480 In the promises yet unfulfilled. And so we looked at the theme of 11 00:00:39,480 --> 00:00:42,920 hope and we looked at the theme of love and the theme of peace. 12 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:47,520 And today maybe the the biggest tension in waiting is the theme 13 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:51,800 of joy. That you're waiting will 14 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:57,680 somehow, often miraculously, but always in God's goodness, turn 15 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:02,720 into joy. Earlier this month, about a week 16 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:04,879 ago. We got the 1st. 17 00:01:04,879 --> 00:01:07,720 Delivery of Christmas presents dropped off at our house. 18 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:11,200 Daniela's sister came with a couple presents. 19 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:13,200 Put them under. Our tree. 20 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:17,480 And left. And my son, who can't read many 21 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:22,720 things, but he can read his own name, went under and found a a 22 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:26,040 gift with his name on it. He was so excited that the gifts 23 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:27,240 had finally arrived. He and he. 24 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:31,680 So he, he took the gift, and he, he, he, he proclaimed with joy 25 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:36,280 that Christmas had come. And my wife looked at him and 26 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:37,880 said, well. The gift is here. 27 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:41,560 But you can't open it yet. And for his six year old mind. 28 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,880 That that was the. Worst news he'd ever heard in 29 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,800 his life. And he came up to me weeping 30 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:52,360 tears of sorrow and he told me that he no longer wants to 31 00:01:52,360 --> 00:01:55,680 celebrate Christmas. Christmas was cancelled. 32 00:01:56,840 --> 00:02:01,240 And this is the Advent tension. He the the gift is. 33 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:03,400 So close and yet he can't have it yet. 34 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:08,440 And in his little 6 year old brain, he would rather not have 35 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:10,360 the gift then wait. For. 36 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:13,440 The gift and that. Is the the? 37 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:15,240 Tension that many of us have. To. 38 00:02:15,240 --> 00:02:20,280 Experience in the Advent. Trust that difficult. 39 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:24,120 Times will in fact turn into joyful times. 40 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:29,800 We may not have the, let's call it frankly, the honesty of a 41 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:30,480 six. Year old. 42 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:34,200 We're we're too mature and sophisticated to throw tantrums, 43 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,120 but in your heart of hearts, there's times in your life. 44 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:39,640 Where you. Start to question whether a 45 00:02:39,640 --> 00:02:43,640 confusing, difficult change of plans, unexpected event could. 46 00:02:43,640 --> 00:02:46,080 Actually be used by God as a good. 47 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:48,880 Thing and that is what we're going to look. 48 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:53,000 At today, is that God's joy? Biblical joy. 49 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:56,120 Will use surprising circumstances. 50 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,960 To give you a. Surprising ending, and this is 51 00:02:59,960 --> 00:03:02,800 in line with all of the themes of Advent. 52 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:05,400 Remember hope? We looked at Abraham. 53 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:08,280 He hoped against hope. It did not look like he had 54 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,880 anything to be hopeful. For for love, we looked at Ruth 55 00:03:11,920 --> 00:03:14,760 and before she gets to the love that she gets to share. 56 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:17,360 In a wedding. She had to display love to a 57 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:19,600 widow it. Was surprising in the way that 58 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:21,960 it. Starts and for peace we looked 59 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,120 at Rahab. Who was a woman who? 60 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,080 Was a a picture of. Peace in the middle of 61 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,200 destruction. All of these are. 62 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:32,800 Shocking and surprising, and yet it's so worth our attention, 63 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,960 because this is in. Fact how God typically works. 64 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:40,680 Out in your waiting and joy will be no different. 65 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:48,360 The question of your life is can God use surprising events? 66 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:51,600 To give you joy. When you don't have what you 67 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:53,640 want immediately. When plans break. 68 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:56,240 When you don't see. Exactly how it's all. 69 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,520 Going to work out, can you be someone? 70 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:02,600 Who trusts God still? So that you can get through the 71 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,360 confusion and into the joy and so. 72 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:07,840 For that we will. Look at the very end of the 73 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:10,640 genealogical record which will. Give us a great. 74 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,920 Preview into what you've all been invited to our Christmas 75 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,959 Eve service when we will. Celebrate with great. 76 00:04:16,959 --> 00:04:19,399 Joy, the remembrance that. Jesus did come. 77 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:22,000 In all of the expectations, in the waiting, the promise was 78 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,400 fulfilled and. Today we'll look at the preview 79 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:28,120 of that story. As we remember how the 80 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,920 genealogical record ends in Matthew chapter one, verse 16, 81 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,880 it says and. Jacob begot, Joseph. 82 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:40,160 The husband of Mary. Of. 83 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:45,400 Whom was born Jesus? Who is called Christ so all of 84 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,920 the the. The names on the list thus. 85 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:49,960 Far are. Leading to the moment. 86 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:52,440 Where Jesus? Is going to be sent into the 87 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:56,480 world and he will be sent into the world through a parental 88 00:04:56,480 --> 00:05:02,400 unit of Mary and Joseph now genetically he comes through 89 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:05,600 Mary, but. We get the Joseph record so that 90 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:07,800 we could. Understand that he is in fact a 91 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,440 direct descendant through the line of. 92 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:13,680 Joseph. To the throne of David, which is 93 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:17,360 part of the messianic promise that the descendant of David. 94 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:20,760 Would fulfill a. Kingdom everlasting and for 95 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:22,440 this. If you've ever. 96 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:24,160 Asked the question well. How is he a? 97 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:26,800 Fulfillment of the line of David if he's not actually. 98 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:30,000 Related to Joseph, this is. This is just. 99 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,600 How genealogical records work. It is not necessarily genetics. 100 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:38,720 But it is the legal right to what the legacy of the. 101 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,760 The person that you're being brought into. 102 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:45,080 So Joseph is going. To have a decision to make about 103 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:48,160 whether or not he will claim this son as his own. 104 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:52,200 In fact, it will end in the custom of naming the child, and 105 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,640 to name the child is to claim the child as. 106 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:57,880 Your. Own, thus giving him all. 107 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:00,720 The rights that that. Joseph would have in the 108 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:02,360 lineage. Of David so. 109 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:04,880 With that in mind. Joseph is going to be. 110 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:09,400 Presented with an option on whether or not to accept the 111 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:12,520 claim of this child and we we get the tension of this. 112 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:14,800 This is a This is a story of good. 113 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,200 Tidings and great. Joy, as the Gospel of Luke will 114 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:18,600 tell us. But it's. 115 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:20,720 It's not good tidings in the beginning. 116 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:23,440 It doesn't start with. Great news. 117 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:27,440 For Joseph Matthew chapter. One now skipping into the the 118 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:29,440 direct. Story of of. 119 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:32,760 Joseph now in verse 18 it says now the. 120 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:35,080 Birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. 121 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:39,280 After his mother, Mary. Was betrothed to Joseph. 122 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,040 Before they came together. She was. 123 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:45,000 Found. With child of the Holy Spirit 124 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,840 this is. Probably not new information for 125 00:06:47,840 --> 00:06:50,320 you if you've been around the Christmas story at all, but 126 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:55,600 Matthew is deliberately drawing out a great tension that must be 127 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,880 understood about the Christmas story. 128 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:00,880 And it's right there, he says. That Mary. 129 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:04,680 Was betrothed to Joseph. This is for our best. 130 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:08,520 Reference point they were engaged and in their culture 131 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:10,040 that. Was called a betrothal. 132 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,200 Which meant that they needed to. Wait. 133 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:15,800 A year the families have come together, they've made the 134 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:20,080 traditional accepting of one another from the families of of 135 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:23,600 both Mary and Joseph and now the tradition was to to wait one 136 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:28,120 year both to make preparations of this union and. 137 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:32,040 Also to. Allow one year of testing to be 138 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,640 made that there was nothing scandalous happening within this 139 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:39,160 relationship and to. Break a betrothal is. 140 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,800 Not as easy as calling off a wedding. 141 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:45,320 To break a betrothal. Would be the equivalent to 142 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:48,520 getting a divorce. In this time, everything has 143 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:51,800 happened, but the final moment of coming together and 144 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,360 Matthew's, he's telling us, he's reminding us. 145 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:57,680 This is a very important part of the Christmas story. 146 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:01,160 Before they came together. While they were committed to one 147 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:06,320 another, Joseph is presented. With the fact that as it says. 148 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:10,840 Mary was found. To be with Child of the Holy. 149 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:13,800 Spirit. So knowing the Christmas story, 150 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:16,600 Mary has already gotten her news. 151 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,480 She's already gotten a vision of what has happened to her. 152 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:21,080 She's. She's already visited. 153 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:24,000 Her cousin and and and things have happened in her world. 154 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:26,120 To. Confirm to her that this is part 155 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:29,680 of God's plan for her life. But Joseph, it says. 156 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:33,679 Has to see it for himself. She's found with child. 157 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:38,360 What that finding out look like we don't know, but maybe an 158 00:08:38,360 --> 00:08:42,760 inference could be made that it's once the the child is 159 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:45,520 conceived, eventually the woman will be found. 160 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:51,560 Some of you are probably showing signs of conception this morning 161 00:08:51,560 --> 00:08:53,040 because. It's hard to hide A. 162 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,640 Pregnancy all the way to. Delivery, so Joseph is. 163 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:59,320 Faced with an undeniable. Fact that she is with. 164 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:05,360 Child, and that presents him with the tension that will lead 165 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:08,560 to eventually. Great joy, good tidings, but it. 166 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:12,240 Presents with him a. Reality that it's a very. 167 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:16,320 Difficult thing that he's being called to do, I want to remind. 168 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:18,520 You what the Bible tells us about biblical. 169 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:21,440 Joy that. Those of you who. 170 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:22,960 Can at. All relate. 171 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,760 To this story know. That God actually allows us to 172 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:30,680 go through. Difficult times and to view them 173 00:09:30,680 --> 00:09:33,480 through the lens of trusting him that they'll turn into good 174 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:35,680 times. And one of the most profound 175 00:09:35,680 --> 00:09:39,600 verses that you'll ever be reminded of when the challenge 176 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:42,000 of joy comes into your life will come from James chapter 1. 177 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,760 My brethren, count it all. Joy. 178 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:49,800 When you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing 179 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:55,120 of your faith produces patience, this is a verse that James has 180 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:57,760 retrospectively to this moment, but no doubt. 181 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,520 This is the exact. Thing that James was 182 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:02,840 referencing. There will be times in your life 183 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:04,760 when what? You believe about God. 184 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,640 Faith gets tested. And what the Bible? 185 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:12,000 Says for those of you who are. Brethren who who know God, who 186 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:17,520 have faith in God, count it joy. Something's happening in your 187 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:22,160 testing that will produce in your life something good, and 188 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:24,560 this is. A great test that Joseph is. 189 00:10:24,560 --> 00:10:28,360 Going to model for us. How to walk through the trials 190 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:29,600 of life? To get. 191 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:32,400 To the other side. Where the promise of joy is 192 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:35,760 waiting. And so how does Joseph handle 193 00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:38,360 his test? It says then Joseph, her 194 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:41,720 husband, being a just man and not wanting to make her a public 195 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:48,680 example, was minded to put her. Away secretly, so he's got what 196 00:10:48,680 --> 00:10:54,000 is easily stated as a classic. Dilemma. 197 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:57,360 It's a dilemma in the sense that. 198 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:00,840 He's got. Two options, and both of them 199 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:05,640 seem unfavorable. He can either, it says, make a 200 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,880 public example, not. His choice to make a public 201 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,840 example would be. To abide by the Levitical law 202 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,280 of. What to do when someone 203 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:17,040 apparently has committed adultery to go? 204 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,280 Through the process of. Divorce and to present. 205 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:23,360 His case as to why and. Avoid personal shame and present 206 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:25,560 Mary as someone who needs to be punished. 207 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,600 Or. He can go through the matter 208 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:34,360 privately, he can try to do everything he can to protect her 209 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,760 reputation and to find a A. Path forward that will. 210 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:42,760 Allow separation to happen in the most protective and private 211 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:47,400 way possible. And it says he's a just man and 212 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,240 he prefers mercy. I love that. 213 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,120 It says he's a. Just man, Joseph is not an extra 214 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:59,120 In the play of Mary's life, Joseph is being called to a 215 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:03,360 mission to take the infant. Savior of the world. 216 00:12:03,560 --> 00:12:08,200 And raise him he's. Qualified for this. 217 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:11,120 He's qualified to go through the test that God. 218 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:15,120 Would need someone who would stay with a apparently 219 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,120 scandalous woman. At a word. 220 00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:21,960 That it was his plan. He was just as a side note. 221 00:12:22,560 --> 00:12:25,680 It is a just cause to try to figure out how to. 222 00:12:25,680 --> 00:12:27,280 Lay down your. Life for the sake. 223 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,320 Of a family. Joseph was a good. 224 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:33,360 Man and a just man. And that's why this decision was 225 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:36,320 so difficult. For his life he was still. 226 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:38,920 Thinking about Mary, he was still thinking about how to 227 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:42,720 protect her and care for her, even with a tough decision in 228 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:44,080 front of him. And it's a dilemma. 229 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:47,640 Because whether he does this publicly or secretly. 230 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:53,000 His plans are still broken and he'll in all likelihood still 231 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,880 lose the woman he was supposed to marry. 232 00:12:57,560 --> 00:13:04,840 And so we now come to a point in the story where God wants to 233 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:08,720 meet us with maybe an example of what to do in the dilemmas of 234 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:10,440 life. I love that this. 235 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:12,960 Is a dilemma because God has some of you in dilemmas. 236 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:17,720 What do you? Do with the challenges of life 237 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:21,720 that all scenarios in front of you seem unfavorable. 238 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:24,520 Well I can tell you where Joseph examples can help you start. 239 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:28,520 It says in verse 20. But while he thought about these 240 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:30,400 things, behold an Angel of the Lord. 241 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:31,600 Appeared. We'll stop there. 242 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:35,840 It says that he actually thought about what to do. 243 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:40,520 James says considerate joy, other translations say. 244 00:13:40,680 --> 00:13:43,400 Well, well, Joseph was. Considering these things, 245 00:13:43,680 --> 00:13:48,040 there's times in your life that are apparent dilemmas that will 246 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:50,480 bring you to your knees in deep thought. 247 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:53,520 And that is the point is to consider. 248 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:55,280 The ways of the Lord. That are not. 249 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:59,280 Obvious to your. Own mind, and this is a great 250 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:03,280 example and a great reminder for all of us in a world of instant, 251 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:06,640 everything that God sometimes wants us to think before we do 252 00:14:06,640 --> 00:14:09,840 anything else. To not react with emotion, to 253 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:12,840 not react with anger, to not. React with wrath. 254 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:17,840 Or your own ideas emotionally, but to think before we act. 255 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:21,080 Jesus would say to consider the cost of what? 256 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:25,880 You're going to do and if you're in this moment, let me just say 257 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:31,600 that if you can hold on to this story and remember this moment 258 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:32,920 in Joseph. 'S life he's. 259 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:35,400 Faced with the dilemma and he stops to think. 260 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:38,720 Just want to encourage you that this is the moment of the. 261 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:42,200 Story that I would call the pre. Joy, he's not there yet. 262 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:43,680 He. Hasn't got to the other side of 263 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,160 the trial, but if you. Start to think of your 264 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:49,440 considerations of life and you really. 265 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:53,440 Have trust that God worked out the details of Joseph's. 266 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:55,160 Life and he can work. Out the details of your. 267 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:58,560 You can begin to smile at the forks in the road. 268 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,520 And here's how you do it. I've had moments in my life, 269 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:03,360 I've had moments this week. Where I'm like, Lord, how do 270 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:06,080 you, how do we work this out? How do we go? 271 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:09,600 Through this and what you can do is you can actually say I don't 272 00:15:09,600 --> 00:15:12,280 know, but I'm excited to find out. 273 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,560 I have the the. Beginning of joy. 274 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:17,480 Is to say. Wait a second. 275 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:21,800 My plans are broken. My ideas are failing me. 276 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,800 I've got to think beyond thinking. 277 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:25,920 And when you're in that moment, just do this. 278 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:30,080 Believers do this God. I can't wait to see how you 279 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:32,640 handle this one. This is the. 280 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:35,000 The beginning of joy in Joseph. 'S life. 281 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,360 And and just as. Sure, as God would be faithful 282 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,040 to Joseph, he will be faithful to you. 283 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:46,120 It says that as Joseph was. Thinking, he thinks. 284 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:48,440 So hard he falls. Asleep, don't you love? 285 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:52,320 That he's exhausted. From this situation and it says 286 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,000 still in verse 20, behold, an Angel of the Lord appeared to 287 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:59,840 him in a dream saying Joseph son of David don't. 288 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,400 Be afraid to take to you. Marry your. 289 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:06,800 Wife for that. Which is conceived in her. 290 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:13,640 Is of the holy. Spirit, wow, a message from God, 291 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:22,200 the promise for you. Today is that God speaks to 292 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:25,960 people who are. Seeking him, Joseph was a man 293 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:29,240 who God spoke to through dreams in in the course. 294 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:31,040 Of his life. We actually never see a. 295 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:33,960 Word that Joseph spoke but. Time and time again. 296 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:37,800 The the way that he was called to lead his wife. 297 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:41,160 And then his family. Through the challenges leading 298 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:44,880 up to birth and the danger of Herod afterwards, God 299 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:48,240 continually spoke to him and gave him the plan. 300 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:53,560 Through a message of an Angel in dreams, he spoke to him and the 301 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:55,840 promise. Of today is that. 302 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:57,920 The word says in times past that. 303 00:16:58,080 --> 00:16:59,680 God spoke through. Prophets, and now he. 304 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaks through his. Son, you do not believe in a. 305 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:06,400 God of Scripture. You did not come to church this 306 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:09,480 morning hoping that God would. Speak. 307 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:12,240 God. Speaks to his people. 308 00:17:12,599 --> 00:17:15,319 Seek and you will find knock and the door will be open. 309 00:17:15,319 --> 00:17:17,200 Ask and the questions will be answered. 310 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:20,599 Now he doesn't speak often in the ways that we want. 311 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:24,240 Sometimes we we wish we'd get a dream from from God that told. 312 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:26,400 Us as we. Presented him with our plans, 313 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:28,000 which one that he liked. The best? 314 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:30,000 Sometimes we wish that. God would. 315 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,520 Give us a dream of the winning lottery numbers, or the winning 316 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,880 business plan, or the winning mission field or the next. 317 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:36,760 Revival so that we could just step into. 318 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:40,520 All of our dreams as in the American dream sense of the 319 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:43,560 Bible. In this dream, Joseph. 320 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:45,720 Was told to do. Something very. 321 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:47,160 Difficult. In fact, it. 322 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:48,560 Wasn't what he was planning at all. 323 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:52,120 But know this, it might not be through a dream. 324 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:54,880 It might be through the word. It might be through a timely 325 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,120 word of a sermon or a friend, or just. 326 00:17:57,320 --> 00:17:59,480 God. Speaking to you in the voice of 327 00:17:59,480 --> 00:18:03,120 your heart, but God. Speaks to people who ask. 328 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:05,640 Fact, James. Will go on to say as a. 329 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:08,160 Playbook towards joy. If any of you lacks. 330 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:09,840 Wisdom. Joseph lacked wisdom. 331 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:12,600 He needed thoughts beyond his thoughts. 332 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:15,920 Let him ask of God. And here's the promise. 333 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:20,480 He liberally gives you wisdom. Without reproach, meaning 334 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:23,280 without judgment, without condemnation, without shame, the 335 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:26,280 wisdom of God is. Available to you and he will 336 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:32,160 give it to you if you ask. And now I want to take just a 337 00:18:32,160 --> 00:18:36,320 minute to to look at a couple of things that the message. 338 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:40,320 That Joseph received was. And how it was given. 339 00:18:41,120 --> 00:18:44,960 The Angel says Joseph son of David. 340 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:48,760 The Angel is preaching A genealogical message. 341 00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:51,880 To David, just like. The Gospel of Matthew is 342 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:55,000 preaching to us, and that's no small thing. 343 00:18:56,080 --> 00:19:00,840 One one thing to be encouraged. By today is that before Joseph 344 00:19:00,880 --> 00:19:04,560 ever got. The plan, even the answers. 345 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:07,680 He was reminded of his own identity. 346 00:19:09,360 --> 00:19:13,320 We often get that backwards. We often want to get right to 347 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:15,000 the plan. We want to get right to the 348 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:16,960 answer. But the Bible? 349 00:19:16,960 --> 00:19:18,560 Always. Wants you to know. 350 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:23,560 Who you are before what you're supposed to do, Joseph. 351 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:27,240 Was the son of. David Joseph was part of God's. 352 00:19:27,240 --> 00:19:31,960 Plan to fulfill promises for the throne of David to instill an 353 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:34,280 eternal Kingdom, and it was going to come through. 354 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:41,360 Joseph, Joseph, you have a. Part to play in this and I want 355 00:19:41,360 --> 00:19:44,000 you to be encouraged that in all of the dilemmas of life. 356 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:45,880 As you think. About answers and which way to. 357 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:48,000 Go there is a. Fundamental thing that. 358 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:50,960 Has to happen, God. Has to remind you of your 359 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:53,400 identity. Think about. 360 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:56,960 The message that James. Gave, he says. 361 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,840 Count it all joy, he doesn't say just. 362 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:03,480 Do it, he says, brethren, because. 363 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:06,320 You're in the family of God because you've been adopted into 364 00:20:06,360 --> 00:20:08,880 the family. By the blood of Jesus. 365 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:12,400 You are now part of the calling and you. 366 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:15,360 Are part of. The family of God, and for that 367 00:20:15,360 --> 00:20:17,360 reason, whatever happens is going to be. 368 00:20:17,360 --> 00:20:20,720 Joyful so. Brethren, count it joy. 369 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:28,240 James actually does that in. Other places of his word he 370 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:31,880 actually says that we should. Remember. 371 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:35,840 That we're also beloved. One of the fundamental things 372 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:37,600 for you to remember about your dilemmas of life. 373 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:40,640 It doesn't change who God knows you to be. 374 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:42,560 You are. The beloved James says. 375 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:46,240 Beloved, be slow to speak, slow to wrath. 376 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:49,880 Quick to listen and you do those things as an extension of how 377 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:52,000 much God loves you. You are now going to love 378 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:56,960 others. And so remember your identity. 379 00:20:57,920 --> 00:21:01,640 And Joseph needed to hear. Don't be afraid, son of David. 380 00:21:01,840 --> 00:21:05,360 What was at stake for Joseph? His public identity. 381 00:21:06,280 --> 00:21:08,680 His public. Reputation, his public profile. 382 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:13,120 He was going to be a young. Divorcee with a. 383 00:21:13,120 --> 00:21:15,360 Scandalous woman who cheated on him. 384 00:21:15,360 --> 00:21:18,760 Or he was going to be someone who accepted her anyway. 385 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:22,160 And it wasn't just to the law. His identity was at stake. 386 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:27,680 And I said, don't worry, you're the son of David, don't be 387 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:28,800 afraid. To take her. 388 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:32,680 Don't be afraid of the shame that awaits you from some of 389 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:33,600 these. People's eyes. 390 00:21:34,080 --> 00:21:39,320 And what a great reminder that Joseph was going to walk into 391 00:21:39,320 --> 00:21:41,240 something that was. So worth that public. 392 00:21:41,240 --> 00:21:43,280 Criticism How do we remember Joseph? 393 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:48,120 Today. We remember him every year as 394 00:21:48,120 --> 00:21:52,200 the one chosen to be the. Caretaker of the baby Jesus. 395 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:56,280 He's remembered as a St. He's remembered at every 396 00:21:56,280 --> 00:21:58,200 nativity scene as the one who was carrying. 397 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,320 He is. One of the greats of the whole 398 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:03,800 world. And yet he was being challenged 399 00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:05,800 as to what people would think about him. 400 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:09,560 In your dilemmas of life, it will challenge you. 401 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:11,480 What will people think about you if you get this wrong? 402 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:16,640 What will people think? If you are bold or courageous or 403 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:18,520 do the will of God. Follow the narrow gate. 404 00:22:18,520 --> 00:22:22,960 Proclaim the truth in the in a world of lies, ask yourself what 405 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:29,600 God thinks he says, beloved brethren, and then it says, do 406 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:30,640 not be. Afraid to take. 407 00:22:30,920 --> 00:22:32,600 To you marry your. Wife. 408 00:22:33,400 --> 00:22:35,520 Why? Because that which she. 409 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:39,200 Is conceived in. Her is the Holy Spirit. 410 00:22:40,360 --> 00:22:44,320 This is, of course, the doctrine of the virgin birth. 411 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:49,680 There's no, there's no way around what we believe. 412 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:52,920 That this is the. Son of God and not the Son of 413 00:22:52,920 --> 00:22:54,400 Adam. He is fully. 414 00:22:54,400 --> 00:22:57,240 God and fully man, the seed of a woman. 415 00:22:57,320 --> 00:22:59,600 Who will crush? The Serpent. 416 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:04,440 This is the beautiful. Doctrine that God miraculously 417 00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:10,360 sent his Son into the world without the DNA of sin. 418 00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:14,480 It's also a beautiful. Reminder for the dilemmas of 419 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:18,880 life that as we present God with option A, public shame or option 420 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:21,000 B. Private put away. 421 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:26,560 God comes and says Option C wasn't even on Joseph's 422 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:29,320 consideration. You fell asleep thinking hard 423 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:32,360 about how to do his plan. And Jesus met him and said, I'm 424 00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:35,360 going to do my plan, which is you're actually going to still 425 00:23:35,360 --> 00:23:37,760 marry her. You're going to stay with her. 426 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:40,960 You are called to fulfill a. Promise. 427 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:48,360 She is not a scandalous woman. She is not someone who has. 428 00:23:48,360 --> 00:23:50,600 Betrayed you? She has not committed adultery. 429 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:56,280 She is the chosen 1. To be the virgin that was 430 00:23:56,280 --> 00:24:01,600 prophesied. And that is how he will go on to 431 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:03,600 continue to encourage. Joseph. 432 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:07,520 He says in Matthew chapter one, verse 21 And she will bring 433 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:10,680 forth a son, and you shall call his name. 434 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:15,560 Jesus, for He will save his. People from their sins His 435 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:19,040 dilemma had dilemma had two unfavorable options. 436 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:23,680 He is now getting word that she is going to be the mother of 437 00:24:23,680 --> 00:24:26,880 the. Savior of the world, this is the 438 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:29,880 road to. Joy, the surprising joy, because 439 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:33,320 your plans are broken, because God has a greater plan. 440 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:36,920 And it is also. The great beginning of all joy. 441 00:24:37,280 --> 00:24:40,520 As we look at this story both as practical. 442 00:24:40,520 --> 00:24:43,280 Encouragement for ways that maybe you can relate to some of 443 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:45,200 the ways that Joseph finds encouragement. 444 00:24:46,120 --> 00:24:48,360 It is also the. Beginning of all joy. 445 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:52,560 That Joseph is the first to hear the Gospel of grace. 446 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:56,320 That you will name him Jesus, which means the. 447 00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:59,400 Lord saves. And the beginning of. 448 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:02,320 Joy for the theme of joy. You're waiting for joy. 449 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:06,240 You want joy in your life. The beginning of joy. 450 00:25:06,720 --> 00:25:08,840 That Joseph gets to hear word of. 451 00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:11,520 Before anyone else. Is that it's? 452 00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:14,520 Not going to be a Messiah who comes to. 453 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,400 Overthrow the. Occupation of the Evil Empire of 454 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:20,680 Rome. He does not come to save people 455 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:22,840 from Rome. He does not come primarily to 456 00:25:22,840 --> 00:25:25,880 save people from poverty or ailments of the body. 457 00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:30,120 To save people. From the the conflicts of 458 00:25:30,120 --> 00:25:32,880 marriage primarily. All of those things will flow 459 00:25:32,880 --> 00:25:36,880 from the salvation that he brings, but the primary mission 460 00:25:37,160 --> 00:25:39,920 of the Messiah is to. Save people. 461 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:43,320 From their sin and until you have. 462 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:46,720 Accepted the free gift of grace. To be saved from your sin, you 463 00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:51,520 will not know fundamental joy. The lack of joy of your life is 464 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:54,400 the root of. Sin in your life, you say? 465 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:56,240 Well, wait a minute. I thought sin was fun. 466 00:25:56,240 --> 00:25:58,280 That's like the temptation works because it's fun. 467 00:25:58,360 --> 00:26:00,720 Sin is pleasurable. It's not joyful. 468 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:03,680 It works. For a season and a moment. 469 00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:06,360 But it will always. Require more from you than it 470 00:26:06,360 --> 00:26:10,080 gives you and the beginning of. Joy that Joseph. 471 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:12,240 Is now getting. Word of For all of us to 472 00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:15,320 celebrate good tidings of great joy for the whole world. 473 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:18,200 Is that God sent his Son into the world that we wouldn't 474 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:22,240 perish from sin. And so if you come looking for 475 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:25,160 joy this morning, the joy will not start by saying well. 476 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:26,960 We're at church. Here's all the reasons. 477 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:29,960 We're at church because. Our marriage is just tried and 478 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:32,360 tested and we looked at each other and said let's just get 479 00:26:32,360 --> 00:26:33,640 into church and see if that helps. 480 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:36,640 It won't help until you're saved from your sins. 481 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:40,480 After that. You can start working on the the 482 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:41,680 the. Blessed Grace. 483 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:43,440 Of being husband and wife who are dying. 484 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:47,720 To to self we're. Here fundamentally and primarily 485 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:50,120 because we're really struggling as parents or job is just. 486 00:26:50,120 --> 00:26:52,560 Stressful, I feel. Burdened and lonely, all of 487 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:56,160 those things. We welcome you in the root of 488 00:26:56,160 --> 00:27:00,560 your loneliness and your. Lack of joy starts. 489 00:27:01,960 --> 00:27:08,000 With a need to be forgiven of your sins the beginning of. 490 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:12,680 Joy, is that Jesus? Comes to set us free from sin. 491 00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:16,960 Psalm 51 says restore to me the joy of salvation. 492 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:20,400 If any of you have been to and many of you have. 493 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:21,120 Our. Our. 494 00:27:21,120 --> 00:27:24,600 Church in the park and witnessed when people. 495 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:28,880 Give their life public. Declaration that they believe in 496 00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:32,200 Jesus as Lord and. Savior, I do believe it is the 497 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:35,120 great. Joy of the calendar year and 498 00:27:35,120 --> 00:27:37,520 maybe it's because often times I'm in the water watching people 499 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:40,840 come up, but there's no greater joy in your life than when you 500 00:27:40,840 --> 00:27:44,600 go into the baptismal water and die to yourself and realize that 501 00:27:44,600 --> 00:27:46,560 you've been given the. Free gift of. 502 00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:51,040 Eternal life in that moment, to walk in the freedom of new life, 503 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:55,960 that is joy fundamental. And then it says in Matthew 504 00:27:55,960 --> 00:28:00,120 chapter one, verse 22, all these things done that it might be. 505 00:28:00,120 --> 00:28:01,920 Fulfilled, which was spoken by the Lord. 506 00:28:01,920 --> 00:28:04,440 Through the prophet saying, Behold the Virgin. 507 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:07,520 Shall be with child. And bear a son, and they shall 508 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:09,960 call his name Emmanuel, which has translated. 509 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:16,840 God with us. This is why we look back at the 510 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:19,320 birth of Christ. In the season of Advent, in the 511 00:28:19,320 --> 00:28:22,880 season of waiting, in the season of longing, because what is 512 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:26,360 given to Joseph is something that everyone in his day would 513 00:28:26,360 --> 00:28:29,320 have known was the expectation of the people, there was a 514 00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:33,320 prophet named Isaiah 700. Plus years ago that said. 515 00:28:33,320 --> 00:28:37,640 There was a plan that God would send himself into. 516 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:43,480 The the world of his people. Through a virgin and Joseph is 517 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:46,680 hearing the word. Today it is fulfilled. 518 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:51,160 God is with you. And we? 519 00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:54,360 Don't just celebrate. Advent as a historical reminder 520 00:28:54,360 --> 00:28:58,120 that God kept his promise then. For for Joseph. 521 00:28:58,120 --> 00:28:59,440 And for all. Who would receive? 522 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:02,960 Jesus as the fulfillment. Of the Isaiah prophecy that was. 523 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:05,080 The first advent this. Is what they were. 524 00:29:05,080 --> 00:29:12,040 Waiting for and Joseph gets to hear these amazing words that it 525 00:29:12,040 --> 00:29:14,800 be fulfilled. It is the fulfillment of the 526 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:16,560 promise of God. And I remind. 527 00:29:16,560 --> 00:29:19,400 You that we celebrate. Advent in two directions. 528 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:23,520 We celebrate by looking back, remembering that people who 529 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:25,880 waited on God. Received the joy. 530 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:29,760 Of the first Christmas and we are people who are waiting on 531 00:29:29,760 --> 00:29:31,680 God. We are in Advent. 532 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:34,640 We are. We are waiting for the final 533 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:38,040 joy, not just when the Savior comes the first time, but when 534 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:43,840 the Savior comes again to put everything to write says in 535 00:29:43,840 --> 00:29:47,440 first Peter chapter 1 whom having not seen. 536 00:29:47,440 --> 00:29:52,000 You love though now. You do not see him yet 537 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:55,880 believing. You rejoice with joy. 538 00:29:55,880 --> 00:30:01,160 Inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, 539 00:30:01,160 --> 00:30:03,960 the salvation. Of your souls. 540 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:09,000 The end of your faith, The final inexpressible. 541 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:14,840 Joy of your life. Is not going to happen now. 542 00:30:15,800 --> 00:30:18,040 This will be another lesson I can share with you from my own 543 00:30:18,040 --> 00:30:21,240 children is that when the gifts do come, what happens every 544 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:23,440 year? The joy wears off. 545 00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:28,560 The the wrappings get burned and the toys. 546 00:30:28,640 --> 00:30:31,360 Lose their luster. And they go back to waiting for 547 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:34,640 the next thing and. You are little children. 548 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:39,800 Your earthly joy will wear off. Your fundamental joy. 549 00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:44,320 Starts with the salvation. From your sin and the end of 550 00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:46,800 your faith, know this the fullness. 551 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:49,680 Of your joy will. Be an Advent for the rest of 552 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:53,520 your life. Joy Inexpressible is a coming 553 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:55,400 day, and This is why we celebrate Advent. 554 00:30:55,560 --> 00:30:59,560 Keep looking. This is not a time to say. 555 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:03,960 OK, this is. Everything we'll ever have, 2026 556 00:31:03,960 --> 00:31:05,840 is going to have challenges and trials. 557 00:31:05,840 --> 00:31:08,720 Fear not. The final joy is on its way. 558 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:13,920 And then it says. That you. 559 00:31:13,920 --> 00:31:17,880 Should call his name Emmanuel. This is the Christmas message. 560 00:31:18,720 --> 00:31:20,920 That God. Sent his son into the. 561 00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:21,920 World. The word. 562 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:26,440 Became flesh and this is another beautiful doctrine that you're 563 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:31,880 you can stand on with joy. This is the doctrine of the 564 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:35,120 incarnation. And so as you are in the 565 00:31:35,120 --> 00:31:37,840 dilemmas of life and you ever find yourself talking to someone 566 00:31:37,840 --> 00:31:39,960 and they try to cheer you up and they try to encourage you, and 567 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:41,760 they say just, you know, I'm counted all joy. 568 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:45,160 And you think, you look at them and you say, listen, you have no 569 00:31:45,160 --> 00:31:48,440 idea what I'm going through. And you know, you might be 570 00:31:48,440 --> 00:31:49,920 right. Depending on who you talk to, 571 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:52,000 you might hear a message from a preacher. 572 00:31:52,000 --> 00:31:52,640 And you think? Yeah. 573 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:54,960 What You're a? Preacher, you have no idea what 574 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:57,680 I'm actually going through. Here's the Doctor of Incarnation 575 00:31:57,680 --> 00:31:59,360 for the. Joy of your life. 576 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:06,240 You can never say that to God. You can never say you can never 577 00:32:06,240 --> 00:32:07,600 shake your. Fist at God. 578 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:10,720 With your circumstances and your dilemmas and your considerations 579 00:32:10,720 --> 00:32:13,440 for how to work it out and say this one is beyond you. 580 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:16,080 Because what we believe. About the Christmas message is 581 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:19,760 that we call him God, Emmanuel, he is with. 582 00:32:19,760 --> 00:32:23,880 US. He's with us in everything you. 583 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:28,720 Go through. He knows every temptation, every 584 00:32:28,720 --> 00:32:29,760 test. Of your life. 585 00:32:29,760 --> 00:32:33,680 Yet without sin, and it says in. Hebrews that the author. 586 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:34,880 And the finisher, our faith for the. 587 00:32:34,880 --> 00:32:36,920 Joy set. Before him endured. 588 00:32:39,120 --> 00:32:43,120 For the joy set before Jesus. He endured, which means. 589 00:32:43,640 --> 00:32:46,000 With the spirit of. Jesus in you, you can endure 590 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:47,560 unto. The joy. 591 00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:56,720 And finally it says, then Joseph being aroused from sleep, he did 592 00:32:56,800 --> 00:33:00,840 as the Angel of the Lord commanded him, and he took his. 593 00:33:00,840 --> 00:33:08,440 Wife he despised. The shame he made himself of no 594 00:33:08,440 --> 00:33:16,280 reputation and he took on this in the eyes of men, but not in 595 00:33:16,280 --> 00:33:18,720 the eyes of God. A scandalous woman and a 596 00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:23,120 scandalous child. And if you come back on 597 00:33:23,120 --> 00:33:24,720 Wednesday, you'll find out how it ended. 598 00:33:26,760 --> 00:33:28,840 But I'll tell you this. This is this is now. 599 00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:31,280 Every aspect of. Joy in your life we have the 600 00:33:31,280 --> 00:33:33,080 beginning of joy, which is your salvation. 601 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:35,720 We have the end of joy the the fullness of faith, all of 602 00:33:35,720 --> 00:33:37,560 eternity and this is the middle joy. 603 00:33:37,720 --> 00:33:41,120 Being aroused from his sleep, he did what was commanded. 604 00:33:42,760 --> 00:33:45,840 These are the three-dimensional. Joy of your life. 605 00:33:46,600 --> 00:33:49,480 It begins with your salvation. It ends with heaven and in the 606 00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:51,280 middle. As God awakes. 607 00:33:51,280 --> 00:33:54,200 You with the message of His word, with messengers of His 608 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:56,240 word. Says Joseph. 609 00:33:56,320 --> 00:33:57,360 Awoke. And he did. 610 00:33:57,360 --> 00:33:59,280 What God said. This is the middle. 611 00:33:59,280 --> 00:34:02,000 Joy. This is the joy for today. 612 00:34:02,080 --> 00:34:03,520 This is the joy. For tomorrow. 613 00:34:03,720 --> 00:34:06,760 This is the joy. For the next test, do. 614 00:34:07,040 --> 00:34:12,679 What God tells you to do. Says in Psalm chapter. 40I 615 00:34:12,679 --> 00:34:14,600 delight to do your. Will. 616 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:18,760 Oh my God. All of you will be. 617 00:34:18,760 --> 00:34:23,320 Faced with dilemmas, with challenges, with things you'll 618 00:34:23,320 --> 00:34:25,320 have to think about that go beyond your own thoughts. 619 00:34:25,480 --> 00:34:28,199 And you'll ask for wisdom. And wisdom will come. 620 00:34:28,600 --> 00:34:33,040 And here's the joy of your life if you do what God's Word says, 621 00:34:33,600 --> 00:34:36,920 if you allow the Spirit. To prompt your life and point 622 00:34:36,920 --> 00:34:39,719 you into His will, you will have. 623 00:34:39,760 --> 00:34:41,920 Joy. And joy more abundant. 624 00:34:41,920 --> 00:34:44,840 This is the promise of God. It is the great temptation of 625 00:34:44,840 --> 00:34:46,600 your life to think. I'll do. 626 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:48,480 It God's way, but my way would have been better. 627 00:34:48,840 --> 00:34:50,000 Here's the. Reality. 628 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:51,199 The middle. Joy is this. 629 00:34:52,120 --> 00:34:55,480 There's no greater joy than living in God's perfect will for 630 00:34:55,480 --> 00:34:59,240 your life. May He speak to you. 631 00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:04,080 May you trust Him. Thanks for joining us today. 632 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:07,080 If you would like to watch the full service, check out the link 633 00:35:07,080 --> 00:35:09,920 in the description. For next steps and to learn 634 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:12,160 more, visit calvaryboise.com.