The Joy of Promise
Matthew 1:18-25
Scripture Reference:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Introduction:
We are continuing our series entitled THE SEASON OF OUR JOY. Over the last few weeks we have examined the various aspects of joy that can be found in the Christmas story. In the account of Zacharias and Elizabeth we saw THE JOY OF FAITHFULNESS. Last week, observed Mary’s part in the Nativity and in that encounter we saw THE JOY OF FAVOR. We have joy in the favor of God because it brings:
THE LORD’S PRESENCE (Luke 1:28)
THE LORD’S PEACE (Luke 1:30)
THE LORD’S PROVISION (Luke 1:35)
THE LORD’S PEOPLE (Luke 1:36-38)
This morning our text is about one of the greatest men in the entirety of the Bible, even though his story only takes up a few verses in the entire book. Joseph was a just and honorable man. He took upon himself a role that must have been both intimidating and fulfilling to say the least. The angelic vision that Joseph received would be filled with such promise that he gladly accepted the responsibility of fatherhood to the Son of God.
The title of my message is, THE JOY OF PROMISE. The Apostle Paul wrote…
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20
There is joy to be found in the promises of God that will not fail, and that will bring glory and honor to Him through us. We should rejoice this Christmas season for the promises that He has fulfilled and that He will ultimately fulfill.
First of all, the joy is found in…
I.THE PROMISE OF PURPOSE (Matthew 1:20)
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
A.Joseph was fearful about his reputation and the reputation of Mary.
1.In the 19th verse, the Bible says that Joseph didn’t want to make her a public example because he was a just man.
2.His desire was to put her away secretly for both of their sakes in order that he could just move on with his life.
3.To say that he was a man with very mixed emotions is an understatement, but he was honorable and loving in his response to Mary’s pregnancy since under the law he could have had her stoned (see Deuteronomy 22:21).
B.In the 20th verse, we see Joseph thinking deeply upon what he should do.
1.In humiliation, he probably thought all of his hopes and dreams were shattered.
2.He carefully weighed his options, and as he does so, he falls asleep thinking about them.
a)Adam fell asleep in Genesis 2:21-23 and woke up with a wife.
b)Joseph will also fall asleep and wake up willing to take a wife for himself through whom the Savior would come.
3.The angel told him not to be afraid and gave him the reason why he need not fear:
…for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20
4.The Holy Spirit was active in the conception of Jesus and would thus bring purpose to the life of everyone touched by Him!
C.It is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that guides us into the purposes that God has for us.
D.Jesus, our Great Example, shows us the importance of the Spirit in bringing us to that place where we find life’s ultimate aim.
1.The Spirit descended on Jesus in His baptism (Matthew 3:16).
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. Matthew 3:16
2.The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tested (Mark 1:12).
Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. Mark 1:12
3.In His death the Spirit was at work (Hebrews 9:14).
…how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14
4.The Spirit delivered Jesus from death (Romans 8:11).
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
E.Jesus, led by the Spirit, ever remains our example of the joy that comes when we fully surrender to the purpose of the Spirit in our lives (Hebrews 12:2).
…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
F.In like manner, the Holy Spirit likewise gives us purpose in our lives.
1.The Spirit empowers us to be witnesses (Acts 1:8).
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8
2.The Spirit enriches us with love (Romans 5:5).
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5
3.The Spirit equips us for service (John 16:13-15).
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
G.The purpose of the Holy Spirit brings about a sense of joy in our lives that ever leads us onward in Him.
Next, the joy is found in…
II.THE PROMISE OF PARDON (Matthew 1:21)
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
A.The name Jesus is the equivalent in the Greek to the name Joshua.
1.It means, “Jehovah is Salvation.”
2.Jesus came to save His people from their sins.
B.When the angel instructed Joseph to name the child to be born Jesus, this was good news.
1.In Jesus would be found pardon from sin.
2.In Jesus salvation would be available.
C.Since its introduction into the human experience, sin has had devastating consequences.
1.Nature was affected by it (Genesis 3:17, 18; Romans 8:22).
2.Mankind has known its destructiveness, which includes:
a)Sickness
b)Sorrow
c)Hatred
d)War
e)Crime
f)Death
g)Hell
D.Joseph knew well the terrible penalty of sins from his own family tree.
1.He could look to his progenitor, David, and know that sin can destroy.
2.He could consider his other ancestors, the kings of Judah after David and know how sin brings judgment.
3.In fact, he need look no further than the Roman soldiers and government that ruled the land of Israel, the very land he rightfully should have ruled since he was in the lineage of David.
E.The words of the angel to Joseph must have thrilled him as he realized that this baby would have more power than all the kings of the earth.
1.Jesus would do more than conquer Rome; He would conquer sin.
2.This baby, that he was to name Jesus, brought with Him the power and the promise of pardon for which man had been longing since the fall in Eden.
F.The birth of Jesus would spell doom for Satan’s kingdom.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
G.Jesus came and He brought with Him the promise of pardon for sin.
H.Joseph knew well the sacrificial system of the day.
1.He knew the importance of the blood of the innocent for the guilty.
2.The angel’s word signaled to Joseph that this child would be extraordinary because He would have the power to save people from sin.
I.The great thing about Jesus is that His blood is sufficient to cleanse sin.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
J.The pardon that Jesus would offer would not only cleanse us from sin, but also bring us near to God Himself and all the promises He possessed.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
K.The promise of pardon brings joy to the one who experiences the forgiveness of sins.
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:1, 2
L.The promise of pardon also brings joy in heaven over the one who repents.
Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10
M.The promise of pardon brings joy for it speaks of continual victory over sin.
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:11
N.The angel told Joseph to name the child Jesus, and that is exactly what Joseph did (Matthew 1:25).
O.Joseph received the promise of pardon through the naming of the child Jesus.
Finally, the joy is found in…
III.THE PROMISE OF PROPHECY (Matthew 1:22, 23)
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
A.Matthew quotes from Isaiah 9:14 as a way of proclaiming the miraculous nature of Christ’s birth for the Scriptures prophesied of Him.
1.This Child would be different from all other children.
2.He would be “Immanuel,” “God with us.”
3.It was the prophecy that God would become man!
B.The birth of Jesus brought joy for it was the promise of prophecy.
1.It was the promise of the numerous prophecies concerning Messiah in the Old Testament.
2.It was the fulfillment of the many types found in Scripture that pointed to the coming Christ.
C.There were over three hundred prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ in the Old Testament.
D.The fulfilled prophecies of Christ are overwhelming evidence of the divine origin of Scripture, the Messiahship of Jesus, and the truth of the Bible and Christianity.
E.Biblical prophecies and their literal fulfillment may fascinate our curiosity and challenge our minds, but ultimately they are designed to bring us to a personal point of faith and decision.
1.If the Bible predicted these things would happen and they actually happened, then we must take Jesus’ claims very seriously.
2.If He alone fulfilled these prophecies, then He alone is the Savior, the Son of God.
3.That’s why Paul could say…
32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. Acts 13:32, 33
F.The Apostle Peter wrote…
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21
1.As we approach His coming we can rely upon what the Word teaches because it has been confirmed.
2.The writers of Scripture were moved upon by the Holy Spirit and wrote down for us the very Word of God.
G.King David wrote…
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30
1.Over and over again the Scriptures are proven.
2.Every prophecy of the Bible has or will take place just as the Scripture says.
3.He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
H.Because we have the promise of prophecy we should follow the admonition of the Apostle Paul…
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
I.We find joy in the promise of prophecy for we know that if every word promised of His first coming came to pass then every word concerning His second coming will also come to pass!
1.The first time He came as a Lamb; He is coming again as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
2.The first time He came to redeem; He is coming again to reign.
3.He came the first time to die; He is coming again to raise the dead.
4.When He came the first time, they questioned whether He was King; next time the world will know He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
5.The first time He wore a crown of thorns; the next time He will wear a crown of glory.
6.The first time He came in poverty; the next time He is coming in power.
7.The first time He had an escort of angels; the next time He will come with ten thousands of His saints.
8.The first time He came in meekness; He is coming again in majesty.
J.The Apostle Peter said…
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:19-21
K.We find joy in the promise of prophecy.
Conclusion:
We can find much joy in the promises of God that will surely come to pass in our lives. Joy can be found in the purpose that He has given us through the Holy Spirit. Joy can be found in the pardon that is offered to all men freely through the grace afforded at Calvary. Joy can be found in prophecy, in the fulfillment of Scripture concerning Christ. There is joy in promise!