Choosing Jesus: Overcoming Fear and Embracing Faith
Summary
In his sermon, Pastor Matt Wilt delves into the theme of overcoming the fear of others' opinions, particularly through the lens of Joseph's experiences surrounding the birth of Jesus. He begins by drawing parallels between the obedience of Joseph and Jesus, noting how both faced betrayal and rejection yet remained steadfast in their divine callings. Joseph had to forsake his own dreams to navigate life-threatening situations, while Jesus willingly accepted death on the cross. Pastor Wilt shares his personal struggles with choosing Jesus, including health issues and hidden sin, and acknowledges that others may also harbor disappointments or hurts with God.
Pastor Wilt then transitions to the good news of Jesus, emphasizing the hope and redemption found in His sacrifice. He shares his journey of being forgiven and released from shame and guilt, and how God's presence has been a constant through trials, including surgeries. He encourages the congregation to choose Jesus over fear or disappointment, praising Jesus' worthiness.
The cultural context of marriage during biblical times is explored, detailing the betrothal process and its legal implications. The narrative shifts to Joseph's predicament when Mary, his betrothed, is found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit, a situation that threatened to upend his life. Despite the potential for public disgrace, Joseph's character shines through as he opts to handle the matter discreetly, guided by an angel's reassurance in a dream.
Pastor Wilt highlights Joseph's lineage from King David, emphasizing the significance of his role in raising Jesus. Joseph's interactions with angels and his immediate obedience to their messages are underscored. The sermon also touches on the arranged nature of marriages at the time and the young ages of those involved.
The pastor reflects on the audience's potential roles in a Christmas Nativity drama, sharing his own experiences and the fears associated with judgment. He stresses the importance of choosing Jesus amidst these fears. The sermon concludes with a collective prayer, inviting the congregation to stand in reverence and submission to God's authority.
Key Takeaways:
- Joseph's quiet discretion in handling Mary's pregnancy reveals a profound balance between upholding the law and embodying God's mercy. His decision to divorce Mary quietly, rather than seeking public vindication, demonstrates a character that values compassion over condemnation, setting an example for how we should treat others when faced with situations that challenge societal norms. [49:32]
- The obedience of both Joseph and Jesus to their divine callings, despite personal sacrifice and societal judgment, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's plan. Their examples encourage believers to trust in God's purpose for their lives, even when it contradicts personal desires or leads to difficult paths. [58:39]
- The incarnation of Jesus is a testament to God's intimate involvement in the messiness of human existence. Jesus' birth into a situation marked by potential shame and scandal underscores the reality that God's redemptive work often takes place within the complexities and imperfections of our lives. [57:53]
- Pastor Wilt's personal testimony of experiencing God's forgiveness and presence in times of shame and surgery is a poignant illustration of the transformative power of choosing Jesus. It serves as an encouragement to those who may be struggling with guilt or fear, reminding them that God's love and redemption are available to all who turn to Him. [01:02:51]
- The sermon's exploration of the cultural context of marriage in biblical times, particularly the betrothal process, provides valuable insight into the gravity of Joseph's situation upon discovering Mary's pregnancy. This historical perspective enriches our understanding of the social and legal challenges they faced, highlighting the courage and faith required to embrace God's plan amidst cultural expectations. [42:57]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 1:18-25 - The birth of Jesus Christ and Joseph's response to the angel's message.
2. Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel.
3. Isaiah 7:14 - The prophecy of the virgin birth.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Joseph's initial reaction upon discovering Mary's pregnancy, and what options did he consider? ([47:51])
2. How did Joseph respond to the angel's message in his dream? ([52:05])
3. What cultural and legal implications surrounded the betrothal process during biblical times? ([42:15])
4. How does Pastor Wilt describe his personal struggles with choosing Jesus? ([59:26])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Joseph's decision to divorce Mary quietly reveal about his character and understanding of the law? ([49:32])
2. How does the obedience of Joseph and Jesus to their divine callings serve as a model for believers today? ([58:39])
3. In what ways does the incarnation of Jesus demonstrate God's involvement in the complexities of human life? ([57:53])
4. How does Pastor Wilt's testimony of experiencing God's forgiveness and presence illustrate the transformative power of choosing Jesus? ([01:02:51])
#### Application Questions
1. Joseph chose to handle Mary's pregnancy discreetly, valuing compassion over condemnation. How can you apply this principle of mercy in your interactions with others? ([49:32])
2. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between following God's plan and your personal desires. How did you navigate that decision, and what was the outcome? ([58:39])
3. Pastor Wilt shared his struggles with health issues and hidden sin. Is there an area in your life where you need to experience God's forgiveness and release from shame? ([59:26])
4. The cultural context of marriage in biblical times added significant pressure to Joseph's situation. How do societal expectations influence your decisions, and how can you prioritize God's will over them? ([42:15])
5. Pastor Wilt encourages choosing Jesus over fear or disappointment. What fears or disappointments are currently hindering your relationship with Jesus, and how can you address them? ([01:03:42])
6. Joseph's immediate obedience to the angel's message is a powerful example. What steps can you take to cultivate a heart of immediate obedience to God's guidance in your life? ([56:13])
7. Reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth into a situation marked by potential shame and scandal. How does this reality impact your understanding of God's redemptive work in your own life? ([57:53])
Devotional
Day 1: Compassion Over Condemnation
Joseph's choice to handle Mary's pregnancy discreetly, rather than seeking public vindication, exemplifies a compassionate heart that aligns with God's mercy. This act of kindness, despite the personal cost and societal pressure, challenges us to consider how we respond to others in difficult situations. It is a call to balance justice with mercy, reflecting God's heart in our actions. [49:32]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: How can you show compassion in a situation where you feel wronged or when societal norms encourage condemnation?
Day 2: Faithfulness Amidst Sacrifice
The unwavering obedience of Joseph and Jesus to God's plan, despite the cost of personal dreams and societal judgment, is a testament to their faithfulness. Their stories inspire us to trust in God's purpose for our lives, even when it leads us down unexpected and challenging paths. This calls for a steadfast faith that prioritizes divine will over personal comfort. [58:39]
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Reflection: When have you had to sacrifice your own desires to remain faithful to what you believe God is calling you to do?
Day 3: Redemption in the Midst of Mess
The birth of Jesus into a situation fraught with potential shame and scandal reveals that God's redemptive work often unfolds amidst the complexities of human life. This incarnation is a powerful reminder that God is intimately involved in our lives, bringing hope and transformation even in the most imperfect circumstances. [57:53]
Isaiah 43:19 - "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Reflection: Can you identify an area of your life that feels messy or imperfect? How can you invite God into that space to work His redemptive power?
Day 4: Transformative Power of Choosing Jesus
Experiencing God's forgiveness and presence in times of shame and suffering illustrates the life-changing impact of choosing Jesus. This choice leads to freedom from guilt and fear, and it opens the door to a deeper relationship with God, who is our constant companion through every trial. [01:02:51]
Psalm 34:18 - "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Reflection: What shame or guilt have you been carrying? How can embracing Jesus' forgiveness transform your experience of these burdens?
Day 5: Understanding Cultural Contexts
Grasping the cultural context of marriage in biblical times, especially the betrothal process, deepens our appreciation for the gravity of Joseph's response to Mary's pregnancy. This historical insight sheds light on the immense courage and faith required to step beyond cultural norms and embrace God's unconventional plan. [42:57]
Deuteronomy 24:1 - "If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house,"
Reflection: How does understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical events change your perspective on the challenges faced by biblical figures?
Quotes
"Joseph had to put aside his dreams for his life and we have Jesus that forsook being in heaven to come to Earth in a broken world. Joseph was obedient in life-threatening situations, but Jesus was obedient facing his own death on the cross." [58:39] (Download)
"I grew up in a church that rightly highlighted the fact that Jesus had the power to heal, but as a kid, I wasn't being healed and I struggled with that. I also struggled with sin in my life and I kept it hidden and quiet." [01:00:08] (Download)
"Coming to grips with acknowledging that I did not like Jesus, confessing that, was a turning point. It's in facing our disappointments with God, our unanswered prayers, that we often find a deeper understanding of His presence in our lives." [01:00:53] (Download)
"He came to take away my sin, not just take it away but give me his righteousness. What good news, what hope that we have so that I can stand here forgiven, that I can stand here and say that my shame, my guilt, my embarrassing history with sin is set aside, is taken away." [01:02:51] (Download)
"Marriage in ancient times was a multi-step process, beginning with a legally binding betrothal. This period, where the couple was viewed as husband and wife yet lived separately, was a time of preparation and financial exchange, setting the foundation for their future together." [43:46] (Download)
"Joseph's life was turned upside down when, before his marriage to Mary was consummated, he discovered she was pregnant through the Holy Spirit. This unexpected twist in their betrothal narrative highlights the profound impact of faith and divine intervention in our lives." [46:10] (Download)
"Joseph... was viewed as a righteous man he would go on to have additional children with Mary after Jesus was born and the guy had a lot of interactions with angels and he had a lot of like almost like a immediate obedience that he had after these visitations from Angels." [40:44] (Download)
"The idea of marriage at this time of history... was very much kind of an arranged marriage... the men were about 16 to 18 years old and the females about 12 to 14 so we're talking about some very young people here and some choices that were being made for them." [42:15] (Download)
"Joseph was being given a choice to choose Jesus, to choose this story, and to be engaged with this redemptive story that God had for Mary and Jesus. And now Joseph was going to be having a choice to be involved." [55:26] (Download)
"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... to highlight Joseph's character, here he was faithful to the law and so he was going to be honoring that... but something that was close to God's heart throughout the whole Old Testament and with all of the law was this idea of mercy." [49:32] (Download)
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