Christmas 2014

I GIVE THE GIFT OF COURAGE

MATTHEW 1:18-25 NIV GIVE THE GIFT OF COURAGE 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

MATTHEW 1:18-25 NIV GIVE THE GIFT OF COURAGE 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

MATTHEW 1:18-25 NIV GIVE THE GIFT OF COURAGE 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

It took courage to resist the plunge towards public vindictiveness. (Matthew 1:19) It took courage to listen the voice of God and not the pseudo-wisdom of society. (Matthew 1:20-23) It took courage to remain true to Mary in the face of societal pressure and disdain. (Matthew 1:25) It took courage to abstain from sex until after the birth of Jesus. (Matthew 1:25) CONSIDER JOSEPH

1.Practice personal integrity regardless of public pressure. (Matthew 1:18-19)

We often call this integrity. Principled living. Ethics.

PLACES THAT CALL FOR INTEGRITY EVERYDAY K-I-D-S

PLACES THAT CALL FOR INTEGRITY EVERYDAY W-O-R-K

PLACES THAT CALL FOR INTEGRITY EVERYDAY F-A-M-I-L-Y

PLACES THAT CALL FOR INTEGRITY EVERYDAY F-I-N-A-N-C-E-S

PLACES THAT CALL FOR INTEGRITY EVERYDAY S-O-C-I-E-T-Y

INTEGRITY

2. Pursue God’s vision, not man’s wisdom. (Matthew 1:20-23)

simple applicational question: Whose vision and voice are you tuned in to?

INTEGRITY VISION

3.Embrace sacrificial action instead of superficial anger. (Matthew 1:24-25)

Chris Spielman

INTEGRITYVISIOMSACRIFICE COURAGE

ACTS 4:1-13 NIV GIVE THE GIFT OF COURAGE The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

ACTS 4:1-13 NIV GIVE THE GIFT OF COURAGE 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!

ACTS 4:1-13 NIV GIVE THE GIFT OF COURAGE 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

ACTS 4:1-13 NIV GIVE THE GIFT OF COURAGE 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

ACTIONS TO TAKE 1)Practice Integrity by doing the right thing (witnessing of the resurrection),

2) Pursue God’s Vision (world evangelization starting in Jerusalem and going to the uttermost parts of the earth),

3) Embrace Sacrifice (willing to put their life on the line for the sake of the new church).

Joseph’s Footprints

Have a Blessed Christ Day