Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 1:18-25 ESV
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Key Points
- Joseph was disappointed, faced a dilemma, and made a decision.
- When we are disappointed, we can REST:
1) Reflect on the source of our disappointment
2) Explore our own hearts
3) Seek out others we can process with
4) Trust God to give us grace in difficult times - There are two horns to every dilemma and avoiding one will impale us on the other.
- In the Kingdom of God, our decisions should always be rooted in our identity as dedicated and devoted children of God.
- Righteousness is doing what is right in relation to God. Justice is doing what is right in relation to society.
- Satisfying the dilemma between God’s love and holiness, Jesus was impaled for us on the cross so we could live in both grace and truth.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
-Jeremiah 17:8 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: Why do you think Joseph was disappointed?
2: What were the two horns of Joseph’s dilemma? In other words, considering the choices available to Joseph in the face of his disappointing dilemma, what costs were associated with each choice?
3: How does Joseph’s decision compare to the character of God?
4: Examine your own heart. What disappointment did you carry into today?
5: What dilemma are you facing this week, and what are the two horns of that dilemma?
6: What do you know about the character of God that can help you make your decision?
7: How are you personally challenged and encouraged by Joseph’s story?
8: Who do you know who needs to hear Joseph’s story?
· Will you tell them?
Pray
Lord, you are well-acquainted with the weight of disappointing dilemmas and difficult decisions. Just as you spoke peace to Joseph in the midst of his disappointing dilemma, speak peace to ours today. Just as you supplied Joseph with the clarity and courage he needed to make difficult decisions that honored you, supply us with clarity and courage to make difficult decisions, too.
