Stories of Christmas | Part Two: Joseph

Why did God choose Joseph to be the earthly father of His Son?

1. Joseph was righteous.

Because Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man… Matthew 1:19

• Being righteous means “you do the right thing.”
• Righteousness comes from putting God first.
  • Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When He was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. Luke 2:41-42
• Righteousness on the outside flows from character on the inside.
• Joseph tempered his righteousness with compassion.

2. Joseph took time to consider.

…and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he considered this… Matthew 1:19-20a

• Take time to think before you speak.
• We live in an impulsive world.
• Pray before making decisions.

3. Joseph listened to God.

…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said…  Matthew 1:20b

• God speaks to His people in one of five ways:
  • Through an audible voice
  • Through Scripture (God’s Word)
  • Through other people
  • Through circumstances
  • Through His still, small voice

4. Joseph was obedient.

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him. Matthew 1:24

• Obedience is about trusting God.
• As Christians, we are called to be servants of God.

• Be obedient and leave the results up to God.

5. Joseph fully committed himself to God’s plan.

But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:25

• God’s plans are better than our plans.
• Two of the main roles of the father in the home:
  • Teacher of a trade
  • Spiritual leader of the home

• God chose Joseph, and God has chosen you.