1. JOSEPH – WHEN ACTIONS REVEALED GOD Matthew 1:18 - 25

2. CONTEXT Angel appearances so far: Zacharias, Mary Betrothal contract Mary - “found” to be pregnant (3 months) Divorce her publicly: Deut 22:20; John 8:3-11

3. 1.GOD CHOSE A FAMILY TO BRING HIS SON INTO THE WORLD. Why not? 1.“Call” him at age 30 2.“Create” him by command at age 30 3.“Appear” him at age 30 4.Angel Gabriel raise him

4. 2.GOD CHOSE A GODLY MAN TO BE THE HUMAN “DAD” TO HIS SON Joseph’s “sign”: Matthew 1:23 (NASB) 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.“ (Isaiah 7:14)

5. 3.JOSEPH ACTED IMMEDIATELY V 24. “He awoke from his sleep… Options: It was just a dream. Decide tomorrow Isaiah 7:14 - sign

6. JOSEPH’S FEARS 1.Loss of life 2.Loss of reputation, humiliation of family name. 3.Abandonment by family, friends 4.Loss of possessions: 1.Left Nazareth for Bethlehem 2.Left Bethlehem for Egypt (Matt 2:14-15)

7. IN JOSEPH’S ACTIONS: 1.He reveals the type of husband and father he will be: He looses everything to care for Mary (Luke 2:4-5) 2.He reveals what he believes about God. Isaiah 7:14, the sign was real. 6 months to change his mind.