NOTES: Tis the Season, Part 2
Tis the Season 2: Love- We Keep Using that Word
Text: Matt. 1:18-25
Date: Sunday Dec 4, 2022
Matthew 1:18-25, “18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”
Let’s Connect:
The Gospel-writer and Apostle Matthew tells about the birth of Jesus this way:
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
—Inigo Montoya, “The Princess Bride”
Luke 4:18–21 (ESV)
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
…21 And he began to say, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
The advent of Jesus Christ— the Messiah, proclaimed the great spiritual reset, the favorable year of the Lord.
Tis the Season for perfect hope, love, joy, and peace.
One of the amazing things about God entering time and space through Jesus Christ is that we see the evidence of his love throughout history.
The power and quality of love is very much dependent on who is giving it.
The character (integrity) of the person offering us love will have an enormous impact on how we experience that love.
1 John 4:7–8 (ESV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Let’s Understand:
Context of the story (vs. 18)
Mary is betrothed to Joseph (vs. 18)
Joseph finds out that she is pregnant (“she was found to be pregnant”):
He was a just man and unwilling… (vs 19)
1 Peter 4:8 (ESV) “8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (ESV) “4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Joseph thought deeply about this situation— “he considered…” (vs. 20)
An angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream (vs. 20-21)
Fulfillment of Scripture/prophecy (vs. 23)
Joseph obeys the Lord’s words (vs. 24-25)
Joseph faithfully lives out the biblical understanding of love.
(Principle of Firsts) Abraham’s obedience to sacrifice Isaac
Genesis 22:2 (ESV)
2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Abraham’s servant prays for God’s love (hesed) to be given for Isaac in his search for a wife (Gen 24:12)
Psalm 136:23–26 (ESV)
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
John 15:13–14 (ESV) “13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
Out of his great love, the Father sends the Son. In love, the Son empties Himself and comes humbly. He endures a life of being tempted in all ways yet without sin, and ultimately lays His life down in death…this is love (hesed)
Let’s Relate:
Divine love = costly obedience
Jude 20–21 (ESV)
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Our Challenge:
Keep using that word (LOVE)!