1. Joseph, The Stepfather of God Matthew 1:16-25
Joseph is the most overlooked figure of Christmas.

2. Her husband…..
The status of betrothed was of such a nature that it required a divorce to break it off.

3. Being a righteous man…..
This righteousness consists of
Not defending his rights, but doing right:
Wangerin: “Evidently, one’s rights do not define one’s righteousness.”

4. Being a righteous man consists of…
Honoring God’s law in a way that reflects God’s mercy.
Wanegerin: “His righteousness combines two things: the obedience we owe to God and the mercy God grants us to grant others.”

5. Even as a righteous man, HE NEEDED A SAVIOR.
GOSPEL REMINDER:
Matthew 1: "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
Even as a righteous man, HE NEEDED A SAVIOR.
WE NEED Christmas BECAUSE our righteousness is as filthy rags

6. There are several things here that require faith:
He responded to the angel in Faith…
There are several things here that require faith:
1). The child is conceived of the Holy Spirit –.
2.) .21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

7. 3.) " 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US.“

8. We need to walk by faith because God wants to make not just our homes, but our hearts, ground zero for his Immanuel Agenda.

9. Joseph continued to respond in faith:
When he wakes up, Joseph discovers the gracious ability of the obedience of FAITH.
If you make him lord after doing a cost benefit analysis you haven’t made him Lord at all.

10. To become a child of God means some disruptions – turning from the idols of the heart and mind to worship and treasure the True King.

11. Beware the SPIRITUAL DIET PLAN – God lite – All the presence of God but with less disruptions, less obedience, less life change.
Joseph learned that “God with us” means disruptions, but see what it cost HIM to get near you.

12. Jesus’ life was far more disrupted than Joseph’s or ours.