Our church for the week is Lighthouse Baptist, Cottage Grove, MN; Pastor Loren Bjokne. He asks us to pray for the following: They have several elderly folks with health issues. They need wisdom re: their building expansion with the help of Continental Baptist Mission. For the smooth transition of the addition of two new staff members For their mother church, Faith Baptist, St Paul, and the health of its pastor, Julian Suarez We will take a break next week.  A blessed Christmas to all! Next up will be Bible Baptist, Crosby, Pastor Gerald Fisher Thanks for praying with us – Pastor Rob Adams/Westbrook MN

The Simple Faith of Christmas #3 Joseph: Faith for Enablement 12-11-16 AM

Who are the people of faith in the Christmas story? The Simple Faith of Christmas Mary – Luke 1:26-38 - Faith for Enlistment Joseph – Mathew 1, 2 - Faith for Enablement Elizabeth – Luke 1:39-56 - Faith for Encouragement Zacharias – Luke 1:67-80 – Faith for Exposition (unveiling) Shepherds – Luke 2:8-20 – Faith for Evangelism Wise men – Matthew 2 – Faith for Expedition Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 – Faith for Enlightenment Anna – Luke 2:36-38 – Faith for Endurance (faithfulness) Which faith describes you?

joseph: Faith for Enablement Luke follows Mary’s part in the Christmas Story Luke Chapter 3 outlines Mary’s family tree Matthew Matthew Chapter 1 outlines Joseph’s family tree Bio’s Joseph’s part in the Christmas Story Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew 2:13-15 Matthew 2:19-23

Matthew 1:18-25 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.

Matthew 2:13-15 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." 14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

Matthew 2:19-23 19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 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."

Joseph’s simple faith was… Seen in his Reflection His Character – “Just” The Law meant much (right by the law) The Lord meant much (righteous before the Lord) His Compassion – “Not willing to make her a public example” (love and mercy) His Consideration – “Mindful … Thought on these things” (Careful, thoughtful} Seen in his Attention Revelation from the Lord Four appearances by an angel to Joseph in two chapters Each of these were in complete agreement with Scripture (1:21-23; 2:15; 2:23) Reverence for the Lord – he listened and remembered and obeyed Seen in his Submission Simple faith is simply seen in simple obedience. 3 illustrations of obedience (1:24; 2:14; 2:21; 2:23)

God will use your simple faith for Enablement Faith is a gift from God. There is divine enablement for us to receive and “use” faith. Thank the Lord! See that Joseph’s faith produced obedience that enabled The marriage to take place. The Son of God to have an earthly family. Mary to be protected. Jesus to be protected from Herod. The family to move to Galilee. Scripture to be fulfilled. God will use your faith to do His will and get His work done!

An illustration of Enlistment and Enablement in the local church! Romans 12:1-8 NKJ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 ¶ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.