Joseph’s Impossible Situation

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 8, 2019

Series Title: Views of the Birth of the Christ

Today’s Title: Joseph’s view; Believing, and Living with, the Impossible

Today’s Text: Matthew 1:18-25

 

JOSEPH AND THE CULTURE OF HIS DAY

THREE PATHS THAT JOSEPH COULD HAVE TAKEN

1) TO DIVORCE MARY PUBLICLY WOULD

- BRING FINANCIAL COMPENSATION

- INVOLVE A PUBLIC HEARING

- INCREASE PUBLIC SHAME TO MARY

- MAKE HER GUILTY OF A CAPITAL OFFENSE

- SET HIM FREE TO MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN

2) TO DIVORCE MARY PRIVATELY WOULD

- STILL BE HARD FOR MARY

- LESS BRING SHAME ON MARY

- SET HIM FREE TO MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN

3) TO GO ON WITH THE MARRIAGE WOULD

- BRING PERSONAL SHAME

- BRING A SHARED SHAME WITH MARY

LEARNING FROM HOW JOSEPH HANDLED AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION

HE RESPONDS TO SIN WITH COMPASSION

HE INTERVENES WITH GRACE

HE TAKES ON MARY’S SHAME AND BEARS IT HIMSELF

HOW JESUS HANDLED OUR IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION

Romans 5:1-5 & Hebrews 12:1-2