December 23, 2007 am   Would you take Jesus?   Matthew 1:18-25

^{By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church}

^{Scripture Text:  Matthew 1:18} This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. ^19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

^20 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. ^21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^a because he will save his people from their sins.”

^22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ^23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”^b—which means, “God with us.”

^24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. ^25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. ^[1]

The Revelation of God came through a man named Joseph.

What about your plans for your life?

What about the opinion of people in your life? 

What if you are already filled up with things and there is no room left for him?  No more bedrooms and space for another in your house and life?

What if you don’t believe what the angel says?  It could be a joke or a mirage.

Could it be possible that the virgin would have a child?  Does your God surpass all the laws of science and nature?

He will save me?  I don’t need to be saved.  I will have to save him. 

I don’t want to do it.  I want to name my son after my family.

How can God be with us? 

What will you do when you wake up?  On Christmas morning what will you do when you wake up? 

Would you deny yourself as Joseph and wait on the Lord? 

Joseph named the boy Jesus in obedience to what the Lord had commanded him through the angel.