1. Bigger Than Our Hopes Matthew 1:18-25 Created by David Turner www.BibleStudies-Online.com

2. Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV) 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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.

3. Matthew 1:18-25 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. 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuelwhich 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 had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

4. Life doesnt always go as we hope

5. We hope for a normal home A. We hope for the normal, perfect marriage: A home like mom and dads A home like Ozzie and Harriet, Father Knows Best, Leave it To Beaver, Huckstables, Snow White, Cinderella. A home where the kids get along, the husband and wife are always in love, the finances are good, the house is in order, the neighbors and family are supportive.

6. We hope for a normal home B. Mary and Joseph had hopes for the perfect Jewish home. Matthew 1:18 (NIV) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, They came from good, honest Jewish families with good linage. They were engaged – married but living apart with parents

7. The unexpected can shatter hopes

8. We often have our hopes shattered A.Our hopes, dreams, anticipations dont always go as expected. We dont get to go to the college we wanted to. We dont get the job we expected. We dont get the girl or guy of our dreams. When we get married, it isnt exactly what we hope for: finances arent perfect, kids arent perfect, our partner isnt perfect, …

9. We often have our hopes shattered B. Mary and Josephs hopes, dreams, anticipations didnt go as expected. Matthew 1:18b (NIV)….but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph didnt know it was from the Holy Spirit. Mary came back from visiting Elizabeth (her cousin) and Joseph discovered she was pregnant. What would you do?

10. We often have our hopes shattered C. Joseph tries to do what is right. Matthew 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Joseph could have shamed her and her family, even have her put to death. He decided not to take her before the magistrates but to divorce her quietly. Deuteronomy 22:23-24 23 If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, 24 you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to deaththe girl because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another mans wife. You must purge the evil from among you. Deuteronomy 24:1 (NET) If a man marries a woman and she does not please him because he has found something offensive in her, then he may draw up a divorce document, give it to her, and evict her from his house.

11. When hopes are shattered Gods plans are greater than our hopes

12. Gods plan is bigger than our hope A.Gods plans are bigger than our hopes. God has bigger plans than the college you couldnt get into. God has bigger plans than the promotion you didnt get. God has bigger plans than that girl/guy of your dreams. Whatever it might be, God has a bigger plan than your hopes.

13. Gods plan is bigger than our hopes B. Gods plans were greater than Josephs hopes Matthew 1:20 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. It is all within the Gods divine plan: His trust in Mary is restored – she wasnt unfaithful. His trust that God is in control is restored. Its not the same. Its not normal. Its not his son.

14. Gods plan is bigger than our hopes Joseph learns that is no accident. It is Gods prophetic plan. God chose him for this role …son of David because his linage gives Jesus access to the throne of David Matthew 1:20 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..

15. Gods plan is bigger than our hope Matthew 1:21 (NIV) 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. By naming the child, Joseph takes on the role of the father and shares in the meaning and mission of Jesus name.

16. Gods plan is bigger than our hope Joseph is Gods prophetic choice to fulfill Gods prophetic plan. Matthew 1:22-23 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuelwhich means, God with us. He was chosen to raise Gods son.

17. Obey Gods plan. It is far greater than your hopes.

18. Joseph was obedient to Gods plan. Joseph accepted and obeyed Gods plan. Matthew 1:24-25 (NIV) 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 had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. He took her home before the year of engagement was complete.

19. Joseph was obedient to Gods plan. Obedience for Joseph may not have been the easiest route. Joseph took Mary into his home before the year of engagement was complete. Rumors of either Marys infidelity or the two of them getting together before the end of the engagement period

20. We should be obedient to Gods plan Whatever God has planned for you is bigger than you hopes for yourself. It may not be the easier route. You may be ridiculed, laughed at or scorned. You may have to give up some of this world comforts. But, if you obey Gods plan you will fulfill a bigger purpose than your hopes could ever imagine.

21. Obey Gods plan for you and live life bigger than you could ever hoped or imagined.