The sermon that wasn't
The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.” Now all of this took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “See, the virgin will become pregnant, and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which is translated ‘God is with us.’” When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel commanded him. He married her, but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus. - Matthew 1:18-25
Through a bit of miscommunication, and some dialogue straight out of “Three’s Company,” I thought I was providing the sermon for my home church this Sunday (December 23.) I am only serving as the assisting minister, but in the few hours I thought I was going into the pulpit, I put together some thoughts. Please excuse the rough nature of these remarks, but it was a rough draft.
Joseph is one of the people in the Bible who has his moment in the spotlight and then disappears. And this is it. He marries the virgin mother because an angel tells him to do so. He leads the family to his ancestral home, Bethlehem. He takes his son to the temple to be circumcised. He takes the family to Egypt to flee from Herod. He takes the family to Jerusalem and loses track of his son, who is ultimately found in the Temple. That’s it. Mary is mentioned throughout the Gospels, from the wedding in Canaan up to the crucifixion. But this is Joseph’s highlight. He is never quoted in the Gospels; he is only told what to do.
Joseph is one of God’s faithful servants. Before being visited by an angel, he was going to quietly divorce Mary, and not cause her undue problems. But God sent an angel. And Joseph did as he was told to do. The call of Joseph is unique in the Bible. When God calls most people, they try to beg off, saying they are not worthy; they can’t do it. Not Joseph, but maybe that’s why he doesn’t have any lines. He does what he is told to do, without question. If only we could act in that way.
But you say you don’t hear God’s call? An angel may not have visited you, but you have heard God calling to you. Love me with your whole heart. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Take care of the least of these. Visit the sick and the suffering. Care for the poor.
That is why this church is here. Is this the greatest and safest and cleanest neighborhood? No, but isn’t this where hope is needed? Aren’t there closer and more convenient churches that I could go to? Probably, but who told you serving God was easy? Can’t someone else do things, because we’re too old? Who is better to be an example of living with God than someone who remains faithful throughout the ups and downs of life?
Joseph was a worthy role model for the Son of God. Joseph is a worthy role model for the children of His church. God is calling you to service. Will you come up with excuses and will you do as He asks?
Through a bit of miscommunication, and some dialogue straight out of “Three’s Company,” I thought I was providing the sermon for my home church this Sunday (December 23.) I am only serving as the assisting minister, but in the few hours I thought I was going into the pulpit, I put together some thoughts. Please excuse the rough nature of these remarks, but it was a rough draft.
Joseph is one of the people in the Bible who has his moment in the spotlight and then disappears. And this is it. He marries the virgin mother because an angel tells him to do so. He leads the family to his ancestral home, Bethlehem. He takes his son to the temple to be circumcised. He takes the family to Egypt to flee from Herod. He takes the family to Jerusalem and loses track of his son, who is ultimately found in the Temple. That’s it. Mary is mentioned throughout the Gospels, from the wedding in Canaan up to the crucifixion. But this is Joseph’s highlight. He is never quoted in the Gospels; he is only told what to do.
Joseph is one of God’s faithful servants. Before being visited by an angel, he was going to quietly divorce Mary, and not cause her undue problems. But God sent an angel. And Joseph did as he was told to do. The call of Joseph is unique in the Bible. When God calls most people, they try to beg off, saying they are not worthy; they can’t do it. Not Joseph, but maybe that’s why he doesn’t have any lines. He does what he is told to do, without question. If only we could act in that way.
But you say you don’t hear God’s call? An angel may not have visited you, but you have heard God calling to you. Love me with your whole heart. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Take care of the least of these. Visit the sick and the suffering. Care for the poor.
That is why this church is here. Is this the greatest and safest and cleanest neighborhood? No, but isn’t this where hope is needed? Aren’t there closer and more convenient churches that I could go to? Probably, but who told you serving God was easy? Can’t someone else do things, because we’re too old? Who is better to be an example of living with God than someone who remains faithful throughout the ups and downs of life?
Joseph was a worthy role model for the Son of God. Joseph is a worthy role model for the children of His church. God is calling you to service. Will you come up with excuses and will you do as He asks?
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