Right Parents - Right response
December 3, 2006 AM
Pastor Brad Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church
Mary & Joseph.
Joseph, Scripture says, was a righteous man.
The Hebrew word for a righteous man is
tsaddîyq ~ (SA-DEK) this means he was known for his uncompromising obedience to the Torah,
The
Law has clear instructions about what to do to somebody in Mary's condition.
The Torah was clear. Joseph's reputation as a righteous man was on the line.
Why did God make Joseph wait till after he had to think and struggle with this news before He spoke to him?
1. Anxiety Removal is not God's number one goal for Joseph—or for us. Vs. 20
Joseph was being prepared by God to come to a new understanding of what righteousness is.
Is it possible that God is allowing this to take place in Joseph's life so he'll come to a new era of growth?
If you're confused or disoriented or uncertain about something… maybe you're about to grow.
2. God is renewing the definition of what it means to be righteous. Vs 20
“…do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife.”
Joseph would be afraid of:
þ Offending God
þ Losing his reputation.
Righteousness is not about following a list of rules - but finding the heart of God and obeying His lead!
3. God still calls people to be willing to die to reputation … and embrace what Jesus came to do for us! Vs. 24
When Joseph made the decision to wed Mary, he thought it was the end of his being known as a righteous man.
He did not know fully that the child he would adopt would bring to the human race a new kind of righteousness.
Now it is clear that no one can be made right with God by (just following) the law… Jesus died so that by our believing we could receive the Spirit that God promised.
Christmas is not only about the forgiveness offered by Christ's death, but also empowerment to be SA-DEK righteous men and women following God's heart.
Right living is right following - with our eyes and heart on Jesus.