Matthew 1:18-25 NLT
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us .’” When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
Matthew 12:25 NIV Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
James 1:27 NIV Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
1 John 3:1 NIV See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Points: // 1. Joseph’s Response to his Blended Mended, and Extended Family…
- He had honor and respect for his family: this is critical
- He had deep faith / following God’s ways: be committed
- He makes great sacrifices: Battle selfish feelings
- He has patience: This process takes time WE Can Make it Better
- He shows great outcomes are possible: God is redemptive, we Must lead our family and relationships as VISIONARY of God’s Redemptive Nature IS..
// 2. Practical tips
- God first: establish a foundation in your Life 1st and in your Home&Family
- Love permeates: let children love both parents, be positive
- Put order in first place: discuss rules and consequences as a family
- Value unity: honor first, obey second
- Be consistent: follow through every time
- Give grace: strive to live in and point family members to God’s best
// 3. Extended Family
- Gives History: tell stories, bigger than me
- Models unconditional Love: Love your family, set the example
- Gives the family Better Perspective: now vs. long game
- Helps manage busy lives: with money, time and resources
- God is still extending His family opportunity
- Accept salvation and be adopted into His family
