Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- As human beings we react to different situations in different ways
- There are different responses to the Christmas Story
- Zechariah - reacts with unbelief
- Mary - reacts with belief
- The Wise Men - they travel to Jerusalem
- Herod - is troubled and fearful
- These reactions are to do with:
- Our state of heart
- How a person responds to the word of God
- The revelation is to us today
- How do we react to Christmas?
- Today: considering Joseph and Mary
- Overview
- Their Circumstances
- Their Quiet Confidence
- Their God
Their Circumstances
- From a despised backwater place of Nazareth
- Example of John
- A mixed region of Jews and Gentiles - but a majority of Gentiles
- The Jews were less radical
- A simple people - agricultural
- Different accent
- Yet an angel speaks to Mary and Joseph
- God does not speak to princes but a simple couple living in a poor despised place
- God chooses the weak and foolish things of this world
- Who were the first to see the Christ child - working Shepherds
- God calls the poor of the world
- We must pray that God will work in the outcast of society
- God is no respecter of persons
- Consider Herod - Mary and Joseph had a simple life, but:
- Herod seemed to have everything (but really had nothing)
- Bound by his lust for power
- Troubled and confused thinking
- A maniac
- A bloody butcherer
- Do not live for wealth or the world - live for God
- If He blesses you materially, use it for God
Their Quiet Confidence
Joseph - Matt 1:18-25
- Joseph was betrothed - engaged, pledged to each other, not yet married
- Mary was with child (by the Holy Spirit)
- Being upright he did not want to shame her
- He didn't want a scandal
- He must have felt things keenly
- He considered to put her away secretly
- God is gracious and sends an angel to Joseph
- Joseph believed the angel
- He took Mary to be his wife
- He was prepared to face the stigma, accusations and misunderstandings
- Joseph had a quiet confidence in God
- What does it mean to honour God?
Mary - Luke 1:26-38
- Mary was with child
- Mary asked how these things would be as she was a virgin
- Mary believed
- Is this our response when things seem difficult in God's word?
- Do we accept any implications in our lives?
- Do we accept God's word?
- Mary had a quiet confidence in God
- Do we have confidence in God?
- Do we trust God?
- Do we worry about the future?
- Are you deeply troubled?
- Mary's future was not easy, but she trusted God
Their God
- This allows their quiet confidence
- Consider last weeks Sermon in the Garden of Eden
- The Seed - Jesus
- Of David's line and throne
- Prophecies of Isaiah, Micah 5:2, Hosea, Jeremiah
- God is Lord of all - His purposes are being fulfilled
- Jesus the Son of God, the Second person of the Trinity
- God humbles Himself and becomes man
- He contracts Himself to human flesh
- God visits Mary - Luke 1:42
- Jesus lived a righteous life, died on the cross, rose again and ascended to heaven
- Jesus sent the Holy Spirit
- God tabernacled amongst us
- The angels were staggered the Son of God would come
- Jesus had come for all people
- Not just for Mary and Joseph
- For all the nations
- However, this depends on you - on your response to the message
- Will you receive this wonderful good news?
- Do not remain in unbelief
- Turn to God - He will not turn you away