This past weekend we continued our series “Family Tree” at Eastbrook Church. This is the third week in the first part of our extended journey through the Gospel of Matthew (see previous weeks here and here). During Advent, we will focus on the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew, chapters 1 and 2. This message explored the significance of Joseph as seen in Matthew 1:18-25.

You can view the message video and outline below. You can follow along with the entire series here and the devotional that accompanies the series here. You could always join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“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.’”  (Matthew 1:20)

Joseph the Upright (Matthew 1:18-19)

• righteous – “faithful to the law”
• merciful

Joseph the Dreamer (Matthew 1:20-23)

• dreams of Joseph (1:20-21; 2:13; 2:19; 2:22)
• Joseph listens to God

Joseph the Obedient (Matthew 1:24-25)

• hearing the angelic message
• responding directly to what was spoken (1:20 & 1:24; 2:13 & 2:14; 2:20 & 2:21)

Joseph the Adoptive Father (Matthew 1:25)

• The importance of taking Mary home
• The importance of naming Jesus
• “The Son of David”

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper into the life of Joseph from Matthew 1:18-25 in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize the angel’s  words to Joseph in Matthew 1:20-21
• Consider reading about Joseph in all of the New Testament accounts of him:
  • Matthew 1:16, 18-25; 2:9-12, 13-23; 13:55
  • Mark 6:1-3
  • Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-52; 2:1-12; 3:23; 4:22
  • John 1:45; 6:41-42