Bible Text: Matthew 1 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship | — Pastor Lou’s Notes —
Intro: I am always amazed when the Scripture reminds me that God in the flesh was willing to invade humanity. He left heaven to be born into a time and place the was a mess. Politically, Israel was under the political control and abuse of the Roman government. Economically, times were extremely difficult and taxes were very high. He was born into a stagnant, legalistic religious system that made the religious elite look good and every one else look bad. They would manipulate people with religion rather than love them with the love of God.

He chose to be born into a peasant family. His very presence posed even more problems if Joseph and Mary, their families, the neighborhood, and the nation in which they lived.

The fact of the matter is that on the day Jesus was born, he moved into the neighborhood. How would your feel if Jesus moved in next door?

1.
Joseph’s Mess

1.
He is betroth to Mary e.g. engaged for a year legally without consummating the marriage

1.
This could only be broken legally with a divorce
2.
Mary is pregnant

1.
What went through Joseph’s mind?

1.
Did she cheat?
2.
Should I have her stoned or just divorce her?
2.
Mary’s Mess

1.
What would she tell Joseph and their families?
2.
How would then handle to family and neighborhood gossip?
3.
God’s Solution of Grace, Love, and Faith

1.
Our response to God’s grace, love, should be repentance, faith, and obedience

1.
God sends a messenger to Joseph in a dream.

1.
He addresses Joseph by name
2.
He tells him not to fear
3.
He is to take Mary home as his wife
4.
Her pregnancy is supernatural of the Holy Spirit
5.
She will give birth to a son
6.
Joseph will name him Jesus e.g. Savior
7.
All this was said through the prophets e.g Isaiah 7:14
2.
Obedience through the mess

1.
He did exactly as the angel of the Lord commanded
2.
He kept her a virgin until she gave birth
3.
He named the baby, Jesus
2.
Knowing Jesus Is a Sometimes Difficult Journey

1.
Being obedient in the face of family, peer, and legalistic religion pressures
2.
Being obedient to Christ means we don’t take the easy way out
3.
Being obedient means continual prayer, assurance for the promises of God, faith, and submission to the Holy Spirit
3.
Jesus Chose to be born into the mess of humanity

1.
Review the historical, political, and economic context
2.
He was born into an imperfect family in an imperfect world
3.
He came to rescue them and us from our sin and give hope to us in the messes of life

Closing:
1.
Will you and I be humbled, because the King of heaven humbled Himself and came to earth? He was born into the messes of humanity.
2.
He wants to be invited into our messes to give us hope and show us a better way. Will we invite Him in?
3.
Will you and decide to trust God in the process?