Awakened to a New Life
Read More About Our Latest
Sermon
Pastor Gearl Spicer, December 29th, 2024
Part of the Share the Joy! It’s all about Jesus series, preached at a Sunday Online service
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:
23 “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.
Matthew 2:13-15
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Sermon Notes
What have you learned this year?
What lessons go with you into 2025?
May His joy rest on our souls and guide our ambition to please Him!
*Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent to be pleasing to Him. II Corinthians 5:9
*And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angle 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. Matthew 1:19-20
*Now when they had gone, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in dream and said, Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search to destroy Him. Matthew 2:13
Lessons to Remember:
Life is full of surprises—Be prepared—Matthew 1:18-20
*God prepared Joseph to accomplish His mission for his life
II. Listen for His voice—Clearly distinguishable—Matthew 1:21
*The clarity of instructions led to an obedient response
III. Anticipate His blessings—Challenges are answered in Him-Matthew 1:22-25
*The reward of obedience was a life altering blessing
IV. Follow instructions — Be careful to yield—Matthew 2:13-15
*Acting quickly to accomplish his purpose pays great dividends
Are you ready for a new year?