What would you do if you were made to look foolish in everyone’s eyes when you found out your fiance was pregnant? How would you react to the disbelief, shown by others, when you explained the situation was caused by God and not yourself? Hard questions, aren’t they? Well, put yourself in Joseph’s shoes for a minute. Whatever you think about this godly man, he had integrity! This sermon outline highlights some aspects of his character!
Title: “A Man Of Integrity!”
Text: Matthew 1:18-25
(Matthew 1:18-25) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (KJV)
Introduction:
• Much is said in sermons about Mary, the babe Jesus, the manger, the wise men, and shepherds, but very little is said about Joseph, probably because of the Scripture’s lack of mention of him.
• He does not play a leading role in the Gospel accounts but we do find him playing an important one.
• He is to raise this young man and love him as his own. It is hard to speculate what it must have been like seeing the little fellow growing up.
• One does not want to be sacrilegious!
• I want to point out a few things about Joseph that should help us learn about his integrity!
Proposition: There are five ingredients to Joseph’s character that reveal the amount of integrity that he had!
I. He Loved And Honored His Wife!
(Matthew 1:19) “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.” (KJV)
(Ephesians 5:25) “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (KJV)
A. Joseph could have shunned and publicly humiliated Mary when she was found with child.
B. He loved her and showed that by giving honor to her.
C. He treated her like he would want to be treated.
(Ephesians 5:28-29) “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:” (KJV)
D. We can learn a lot from his acts of love.
II. He Learned To Live Through Unexpected Hardships!
A. It was before they were officially married that this unexpected problem came up.
B. The measure of a man is seen by what it takes to stop him.
C. He thought about the situation and no doubt prayed about everything!
(Matthew 1:20-23) “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (KJV)
D. He trusted God to help give him direction. When they fled to Egypt, it was Divine direction that was followed.
III. He Recognized His Redeemer!
A. It is obvious that Joseph believed who his Redeemer was!
B. Had he not accepted this, things would have turned out much differently!
C. He believed the revelation given to him about his the child being Emmanuel, which is “God with us”!
IV. He Obeyed God!
A. Joseph’s is seen throughout the Gospel accounts of him as an obedient person.
B. He obeyed in naming the child Jesus!
(Matthew 1:24-25) “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (KJV)
C. He obeyed in protecting the child and fleeing to Egypt!
(Matthew 2:13-15) “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” (KJV)
D. He obeyed and came home, eventually by Providence would have it to Nazareth!
(Matthew 2:19-23) “But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” (KJV)
V. He Endured Criticism!
(John 8:40-42) “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” (KJV)
A. These verses do not directly speak of Joseph being criticized, but the inference is made!
B. It is apparent that many did not believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost!
C. No where do you find Joseph be said to have fought back about it!
D. Joseph endured the sly comments that were sure to have been said!
Conclusion:
To The Sinner:
• Be saved!
To The Christian:
• Let us work on our integrity!
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Would You Consider Purchasing…
By A.P. Gibbs / ECS Ministries
This present books brings Gibb’s encyclopedic knowledge of the subject within our reach. Gibb’s seriousness, thoroughness, energy, and urgency breath from this book. First entitled A Primer on Preaching, as Gibbs matured so his study of the sacred art of preaching grew. His final edition was completed just months before his sudden homecall in an auto accident enroute to Hamilton, Ontario, for a two week series of Gospel meetings.
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