Bring It {Day 16}

It’s FINALLY here – CHRISTMAS WEEK! Kids are out of school – YEAH (from the kids) Yikes (from the parents). Many of you will be traveling out of town this week -–let your journey remind you of the travel of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem to take the Roman census.

(Luke 2:4-5)  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

Yesterday we looked in depth at this “man of mystery”: JOSEPH – We talked about how he responded in a VERY tough situation: Mary was….. pregnant! 

I can’t imagine how hard the conversation would have been between Mary and Joseph when he found out she was with child and he KNEW it was NOT his baby! So what did he bring to the story:

                                       Insecurity and Doubt

 
Joseph thought they should break off the relationship, but almost INSTANTLY, in the story we see what he will take away FROM the story:

                                        Faith and protection 

The Angel of the Lord assures Joseph that this is the holy plan of God and Joseph submits to God’s will, no matter HOW it might appear to others. Joseph will protect Mary’s reputation and the life of his newborn son with his very life! He will watch him grow up and learn his carpenter trade – a worker of wood… 

“Like father, like son” – have you ever heard that old saying? It’s so many times true, isn’t it? But not for Joseph… quite the opposite actually:

                                     “Like son, like father”  

Joseph WAS like his son, Jesus. He had his ear turned towards heaven, accepted the will of God and fullfilled His purpose in life… A man of Faith and Protection… Like Joseph today, let’s be LIKE JESUS during this season…  

Question: How much like Joseph are you? Full of insecurity and doubt? Name some of them before the Lord and ask Him to take that burden from you. Would people that know you BEST say you are “like Jesus”? Why or why not? 

Application: We want YOU to bring it – each week – “COATS AND CANS”

Bring any winter coats and canned goods that we can donate to Heritage Baptist Church in the inner city of Greenville. This Wednesday night’s Christmas Eve service will be the LAST chance for you to “BRING IT”. Our Christmas Eve service will be 5:00 – 6:00 pm. We will observe communion. No child care for this service, but nursey rooms are available as needed.