Mary & Joseph Believed Sun Nov 27, 2011 The first Sunday of Advent Matthew 1:18-24 & Luke 1:26-38

1. Believe

Romans 1:16-17 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””

2. Joseph’s Story (Matt 1:18ff) Joseph and Mary were betrothed to one another (engaged but with more commitment) Mary & Joseph probably consented to be married Joseph likely already paid the “bride price” Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant (Matt 1:20 tells us she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit, but Joseph doesn’t know this!) Joseph was righteous – decided to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace

2. Joseph’s Story Continued Angel appears to Joseph in a dream – “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” (Mt 1:20) – “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people form their sins.” (1:21) Joseph believed the angel and did what God wanted him to do – “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” (Mt 1:24) Later: Joseph listened to the angel of the Lord in Mt 2:13ff – “Get up… take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you…” – Joseph did stay there until the angel came to him again Again Joseph obeyed the Lord in Mt 2:19ff – “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel…”

3. Mary’s Story (Luke 1:26ff) Contrast with Zechariah’s story in Lk 1:5-25 The angel Gabriel visited Mary : – “Greetings, you who are highly favoured!” (1:28) – “You will conceive and give birth to a son… Jesus” (v31) – He will be: “great… have the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (v32-33) “How will this be since I am a virgin?” v34 – Contrast with Zechariah who expresses disbelief: “How can I be sure of this?” v18 – Mary’s question is a matter of how, not whether it will happen The angel explains: – She will conceive by the Holy Spirit (v35ff) – “No word from God will ever fail.” (v37)

3. Mary’s Story Continued Mary’s response: “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said” v38 – Mary’s response is characterised by humility and sincere belief V45 says Elizabeth of Mary: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Mary’s Song / The Magnificat (vv46-55) – shows her belief in God’s words and ways

4. Responding to God – Mary & Joseph were believed in the words and ways of God. – Because of the strength of their beliefs, they received salvation, and indeed were instruments of salvation for the whole world. – We are called to do the same! – Hebrews 11:1 says: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”