Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – December 8, 2019
Series Title: Views of the Birth of the Christ
Today’s Title: Joseph’s view; Believing, and Living with, the Impossible
Today’s Text: Matthew 1:18-25
JOSEPH AND THE CULTURE OF HIS DAY
THREE PATHS THAT JOSEPH COULD HAVE TAKEN
1) TO DIVORCE MARY PUBLICLY WOULD
BRING FINANCIAL COMPENSATION
INVOLVE A PUBLIC HEARING
INCREASE PUBLIC SHAME TO MARY
MAKE HER GUILTY OF A CAPITAL OFFENSE
SET HIM FREE TO MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN
2) TO DIVORCE MARY PRIVATELY WOULD
STILL BE HARD FOR MARY
LESS BRING SHAME ON MARY
SET HIM FREE TO MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN
3) TO GO ON WITH THE MARRIAGE WOULD
BRING PERSONAL SHAME
BRING A SHARED SHAME WITH MARY
LEARNING FROM HOW JOSEPH HANDLED AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION
HE RESPONDS TO SIN WITH COMPASSION
HE INTERVENES WITH GRACE
HE TAKES ON MARY’S SHAME AND BEARS IT HIMSELF
HOW JESUS HANDLED OUR IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION
Romans 5:1-5 & Hebrews 12:1-2