Fear Factor

This week's sermon continues to expand on the scripture passage we were looking at last week, and so the extra Advent resources are much the same.  To access these resources on Advent, click here.

And don't forget to check out the daily Advent devotional on the main page of the Church Website (look at the bottom of the center section).

To hear Pastor Dustin's sermon once again, click here.

Joseph's Journey

Take a few moments to trace the internal emotional journey that Joseph must have been on as this story unfolded.  While we can never fully get into the heads of even the people we know well (much less those from whom we are removed by almost 2,000 years), we can at least imagine what it would be like for us to have faced what they did (as best we can, taking what we know of the time and context into consideration)  Take a few moments to reflect on what you think he must have been thinking and feeling at each step along the way in the story.

• Joseph as he anticipates his wedding day

• Joseph as he discovers that Mary is pregnant

• Joseph as he hears from Mary her explanation of what has happened

• Joseph as he struggles with the most appropriate and honorable way to respond to what he must have found difficult to believe

• Joseph as he comes to his conclusion about the best way to handle the situation

• Joseph as he awakens from his dream in which his plans get turned upside down

• Joseph as he responds to God's leading and completely changes his direction

• Joseph as he talks with Mary after having made his decision

• Joseph as he deals with the community of people around him as he goes through with his plans to marry Mary, and takes her as his wife

• Joseph as he continues to process all that has happened, and as he anticipates the birth of Jesus.

• Joseph as he holds the new born baby in his arms for the first time, and names Him Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-26 (TNIV) 

  18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

    20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

    22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"  (which means "God with us").

    24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.