This week’s devotions are based upon Jem’s message from Matthew 1:18-25.
‘‘When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.’ (Matthew 1:24-25)
After Joseph woke up, he took action to obey God. He did the hard thing. He overcame his fears and suspicions and chose to trust God. Faith in God’s word will lead to obedience. Our lifestyle choices reveal what we believe about the Bible.
Specifically, all of our relationships will be formed around God’s word. Our approach to marriage, in particular, will be radically shaped by God’s word. We all, like Joseph, have traditions that we have grown up with, but when God speaks, he takes Mary as his wife. The bible teaches a radically different approach to marriage. For example,
‘Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…’ (Ephesians 5:22-25)
Joseph was prepared to do what God said in his relationship with Mary. May God give each of us the faith and humility that is required to listen and obey.
This text has something to say to each of us whether we intend to marry or not. All of us are to take radical action in the relationships that we have. We are to obey God and forgive. We are to obey God and be hospitable. We are to be generous. We are to use the gifts we have to serve others… How does God want to speak to you about your relationships?
OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE
I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s more important that you engage with the text yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of today’s text.
‘‘When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.’ (Matthew 1:24-25)
I find it helpful to use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).
1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?
2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?
3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?
4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week?
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU!
On Sunday, we continued with our Christmas themed messages. We looked at the message of God to Joseph.
'This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.' (Matthew 1: 18 - 25 )
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