The Christmas Experience – Week Three
Experiencing God’s Peace
Matthew 1:18-25 - Victory Fellowship
December 17, 2023 – Third Sunday of Advent
Dominant Thought: We experience God’s peace in the midst of chaos when we obey.
Introduction
• Joseph would have been experiencing anything but peace. His fiancée was pregnant, his village probably thought he was an idiot, and he had to travel to Bethlehem to register for the census. His life was a mess, and he couldn’t control it.
• But in reading the Christmas story, we don’t even see a hint of stress from Joseph. It was certainly there, but that’s not what stuck out about this man. None of the biblical authors record anything negative about Joseph—not even close. Instead, he is portrayed as a righteous man, a fitting husband and father for the Messiah.
• There is peace in Joseph’s life—even though his world was spinning out of control. Joseph’s story in Matthew 1 gives us a glimpse into the peace of God, even in the midst of chaos, because Joseph did things God’s way.
Compassion (Matthew 1:18-19)
• Joseph is faced with the difficult decision of what to do with Mary. She became pregnant outside of wedlock, and she could face any number of consequences. But, rather than responding out of anger, Joseph’s initial response is out of compassion.
• He doesn’t enter a chaotic situation and try to find peace by seeking what he wants; he thinks about Mary. That’s how we find peace—seeking the good of others.
Prayer (Matthew 1:20-23)
• Joseph has a dream in which God tells him what to do. I don’t know if God will speak to us like that all the time—though He certainly can. But I do know that giving God a chance to weigh in on difficult decisions is the way to peace.
• When we turn our decisions over to God and we let Him have a say about what we should do, His peace can overtake even the most chaotic circumstances.
Obedience (Matthew 1:24-25)
• Verse 24 is probably the most important verse in this whole passage. Joseph had godly motives—compassion—and he let God speak into the decision. The danger is hearing what God wants and then doing something different.
• Joseph, though, “did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” The only way to experience the peace of God—even at Christmas—is to do things His way.
Conclusion
• Doing our will often seems like the easiest, most peaceful way. But the only way to truly experience peace in the midst of a chaotic world is to do things God’s way.
(Sermon Bumper clip) We know God’s peace when we express compassion for others, when we pray for guidance, and when we are obedient to God. The Prince of Peace is for our Peace.
PRAYER
SONG: Our Lullaby (MercyMe)
Matthew 1:18-25 NASB
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of 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 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
