Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:20 December 8, 2012 Deaf Liberty Baptist Church

Joseph Was A Righteous Man Joseph was a careful observer of the Law of Moses He worked for his living as a carpenter He resembled the pious, hard-working class of his Jewish colleagues

Mary Was Espoused to Joseph Joseph asked his parents about Mary Joseph’s father met Mary’s parents The fathers agreed to a marriage contract between their children Their parents uttered a formal benediction over them as they tasted a cup of wine together

What Would Joseph Do With Mary? 1. Marry her quickly even though the baby wasn’t his 2. Publicly divorce Mary as an adultress, in which case she would be stoned to death 3. Have the marriage contract set aside quietly, while Mary went off to have her baby elsewhere

Joseph Had His First Dream Matthew 1: Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

Joseph Had His First Dream Matthew 1: But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Joseph Had His First Dream Matthew 1: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Joseph Had His First Dream Matthew 1: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Joseph Had His First Dream Matthew 1: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Joseph Had His First Dream Matthew 1: Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Joseph Had His First Dream Matthew 1: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Joseph Had His Second Dream Matthew 2: And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Joseph Had His Second Dream Matthew 2: When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Joseph Had His Second Dream Matthew 2: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Joseph Had His Third Dream Matthew 2: But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Joseph Had His Third Dream Matthew 2: Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

Joseph Had His Third Dream Matthew 2: And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Joseph Had His Fourth Dream Matthew 2: But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

Joseph Had His Fourth Dream Matthew 2: 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 Was A True Disciple Joseph was a godly and obedient man. 1. Listening to what God has to say 2. Obeying what He tells you to do – when He says it