Matthew 1:18-25 is a beautiful example of God's faithfulness in the time of trouble. We find Joseph with a terrible dilemma. Does he take Mary to be his wife, despite her being with child, or does he try to put her away as quietly as possible. Most of us, when we have trouble, try to fix the problem as quickly as possible. Matthew 1:18-25, teaches us that we need to stop and give God the opportunity to show us the better way, His way.
Trusting God'’s Way
Matthew 1:18-25
August 4, 2002
I. Intro
A. We are a TV Generation!
1. We want all of our problems rapped up in less than 30 minutes!
a) We want it EASY: n/t too difficult!
b) We want it FAST: n/t too long!
c) We want it NOW: don’t wait!
B. We must learn to trust God’s Way.
1. The Dilemma
2. The Deliberation
3. The Deliverance
II. Body
A. The Dilemma. V18
1. To be espoused was to be engaged!
2. Engagement was legal marriage!
a) Outcome : @ worst stoning, @ best heartbreak
3. Joseph had a dilemma!
Ex. A Dilemma is a choice b/w unpleasant alternatives!
4. Joseph had trouble!
a) Some teach that if you get saved you won’t have trouble!
b) Jesus taught the opposite, he said you will have trouble!
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
c) “tribulation” - lit. “a pressing” or “a/t that presses” -
TROUBLE - AFFLICTION - PRESSURE - ANGUISH - BURDEN - DISTRESS- PERSECUTION - TRIBULATION
d) Timothy had stomach trouble, John got old, Paul had a thorn in the flesh - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Joseph had trouble!
B. The Deliberation. V19-20a
1. His first thought was to have Mary “put away” privately!
a) Death, Disowning, Shame?
2. He did not just react, he stopped and thought!
a) “thought” - to reflect on, to ponder! - lit. to be infused with spirit or encouragement!
Ex. While he was thinking, God was working!
C. The Deliverance. V20b-23
1. You must give God the opportunity to deliver you!
2. Step out on faith and trust God to deliver you!
III. Closing
A. The First and Hardest thing is Obedience! V24
B. To be Obedient requires real Faith! V24
C. Real Faith brings Divine Deliverance! V25
COPYRIGHT 2005 by Micah J. Mauldin. (All Rights Reserved)
Micah J. Mauldin Ministries
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