1. There is a good man that is often overlooked at Christmas time. He is usually pictured in the manger scenes, but crowded out by the baby Jesus, the virgin Mary, the shepherds, the wise men (who were not even there), angels, horses and cows, even the little drummer boy!
2. I have never heard a sermon preached about him.
3. Not a single word he utters is recorded in the Bible.
4. He is found only in Matthew 1 & 2, and Luke 1 & 2. Then he fades from the scene. Most commentators assume that he died before our Lord commenced His earthly ministry.
5. Of course, I am talking about Joseph, the husband of Mary and the step-father of our Lord.
6. But I believe that if God chose Mary because of her character and godliness, then He likewise chose Joseph as well, even though he was only the foster-father of our Lord.
7. Please keep in mind that in the Hebrew home, the father ruled the roost. Therefore, the man whom God chose for this important role would have to be a godly man, a strong leader – "a just (righteous) man" (Matt.1:19).
8. Can you imagine if he were not? What would have happened if he decided to have Mary stoned to death? (cf. Matt.1:18,19).
9. Joseph was God’s man. Today, even though the Bible does not tell us much about him, I would like for us to do a study on Joseph.

I. HE WAS A CONSIDERATE HUSBAND-TO-BE.

1. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth. Perhaps Joseph had been born in Bethlehem but had moved to Nazareth later on. The Bible only tells us that "Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)" (Luke 2:4).
2. Mary too was of the house of David (cf. Luke 3:23; Scofield’s notes).
3. Mary was "espoused ( or betrothed) to" Joseph (cf. Luke 1:27). Webster’s Dictionary defines "espousal" as betrothal, to promise to marry. It defines "betrothal" as "a mutual promise or contract for future marriage."
4. Espousal or betrothal in their culture was much more serious than our modern day engagement. I heard about a young man who ordered an engagement ring, and he asked the jeweler to engrave the names, "From Harry to Clara." The jeweler kindly suggested that he have it engraved simply, "From Harry." He had seen too many customers break off their engagements. Perhaps you may of heard the ridiculous story of the Wall Street tycoon that spent over a half of million dollars on some model and he wanted her engagement ring back. Money cannot buy common sense!
5. And there is that incredible clown Donald Trump, whose second wife was caught making out on the beach with her bodyguard. Now in addition to signing pre-nuptial contracts, he has to hire bodyguards to keep an eye on the other bodyguards.
6. I heard another story about a young couple who awakened a justice of the peace at 2:00 a.m. and asked him to marry them. The justice of the peace noticed that the name of the girl on the license differed from the name of the prospective bride. The young man tried to explain by saying, "I was engaged to the girl on the license, but she backed out this afternoon so I got another girl!"
7. But espousal was much more serious back then in Jewish culture. It was as binding as marriage. That is why Joseph is referred to as Mary’s husband, and she his wife, even though they had not consummated the marriage (cf. Matt.1:18,19).
8. So serious was the betrothal that it could only be dissolved by divorce. Infidelity during engagement was regarded then as infidelity during marriage today (cf. Matt.1:18,19).
9. One can only imagine what must have gone through Joseph’s mind during those days before the angel informed him of the virgin birth. Mary went to visit her cousin Elisabeth and stayed with her for three months (Luke 1:56). Joseph knew he was not the father. He must have suspected that she was unfaithful. Ungodly gossips were spreading this around (cf. John 8:40,41).
10. The law called for public exposure and the death penalty. But Joseph loved Mary very much and was too kind to see her punished. He showed his mercy and compassion by putting her away privately (Matt.1:19).
11. In this passage we can see Joseph’s gentleness, tenderness, kindness, courtesy, and compassion. That is why God chose him to be the step-father of our Lord – he was a considerate husband-to-be, and therefore, a good step-father.

II. JOSEPH WAS AN OBEDIENT SERVANT.

1. One characteristic of Joseph that we see is his immediate willingness at every turn to do God’s will. He had many problems that he had to deal with. He did not attempt to escape his responsibilities. Think of his troubles – his fiancee was pregnant before they were married (not such a big thing today but a major scandal in those days. Here in America today 75% of black babies are born out of wedlock and 25% of white babies), Herod was trying to kill his stepson, he and his wife and infant son had to flee to a foreign country (Egypt), then after Herod died, he still had to avoid Judea because of his wicked son Archelaus (Luke 2:19-23).
2. Joseph did not crack up under the pressure, he did not take pills, he did not have a "pity party." Someone said that when you throw a pity party, there is only one guest – you.
3. The Bible says that "while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream" and revealed to him the news of the virgin birth (Matt.1:20-25).
4. Joseph obeyed the Lord. Waking from his dream he took Mary to wife. With what joy he must have hurried to her house! It must have been a blessing for her to hear of it.
5. Once again we see Joseph’s obedience, when he was instructed to flee with his family to Egypt (Matt.2:13-15).
6. And yet a third time an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph (Matt.2:19,20). Notice that the angel always gave the directions to Joseph because he was the head of the home, not to Mary.
7. And once again we see Joseph obeying God (Matt.2:21). Notice God does not specify where in Israel. God was leading Joseph one step at a time. I believe He still works that way. He gives us enough light to keep going one day at a time (cf. Matt.6:11; Luke 11:3).
8. Then at the right time, God led Joseph and his family away from Judea and back to Nazareth (Matt.2:22,23).
9. Let me make an application. I do not know what 2004 has in store for our church and school, but I know God will direct us step by step.
10. A man or woman volunteers to serve God, but they know not where. Step by step, the Lord will lead them to the right Bible college, and then He will continue opening doors for ministry, marriage, etc.
11. I do not believe that God reveals everything to His servants all at once. We do not see this in the Bible or from common experience. Read the biographies of the great missionaries and you will see that God directed them one day at a time.
12. Turning the steering wheel of a car is much easier when the car is moving than when stationary. God directs those that are moving.
13. A young man went to Spurgeon for advice on becoming a preacher. Spurgeon asked him what he did for a living and he replied that he worked for the railroad. Spurgeon asked him if he had won any of his co-workers to the Lord.
14. Years ago, before China fell to the Communists, a young man wanted to go there and so he applied to a mission board. In the town where he lived there was a small Chinese population. The director of the mission board asked the young man if he went soulwinning in their neighborhood and he admitted that he had not. The director wisely told him that if he made no effort to convert the Chinese in his own home town, it was doubtful that he would succeed in China.
15. Joseph was moving in the right direction and so God gave him further directions. Perhaps they would have preferred to avoid Nazareth. Many people would believe the gossip (cf. John 8:41). Even today the vast majority of so-called Christian ministers deny the virgin birth.
16. Even though tongues would be nagging, and people would be giving funny looks, he was willing to bear the shame if that is what God wanted. And today most people do not want to accept the reproach that comes from being a fundamental Christian.
17. But Joseph willingly assumed fellowship in the sufferings of the Saviour (cf. Acts 5:40-42).

III. JOSEPH WAS A FAITHFUL FATHER.

1. Joseph and Mary were very poor. At our Lord’s dedication in the temple they brought the alternative offering possible to those too destitute to bring a lamb (Luke 2:24; cf. Lev.12:8).
2. But though Joseph was poor in material things, he was rich in spiritual treasures. It is better to have godly parents than wealthy ones. My heart breaks when I see pictures in the newspaper of children of Madonna or Donald Trump and all these other wicked people. What chance do they have in life?
3. We are told by those in the know that most Americans are very content because the economy is strong. All the sin and wickedness does not bother most people as long as they have money.
4. Joseph was responsible for the physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being and development of Jesus (cf. Luke 2:40,52).
5. It was the custom then for every boy to learn a trade. Our Lord worked at His father’s carpentry bench. In Mark 6:3 someone calls him "the carpenter, the son of Mary."
6. Our Lord grew up attending worship at the synagogue regularly. Joseph was faithful in seeing to this. It is disheartening to see how many Christian people are negligent in this area. Bro. McCoy calls them "religious slackers."
7. If church and Sunday School are not important to dads, it probably will not be important to their children.
8. Our Lord knew all the Scriptures (cf. Deut.6:7). At the age of twelve He stumped the religious leaders with His Biblical knowledge. How many dads today are teaching the Bible to their children?
9. You may have heard the story of the little boy who was following in his dad’s footsteps in the snow.

CONCLUSION:

1. Joseph says not a word in the Bible. One preacher said, "He is the silent servant who acts rather than speaks."
2. Joseph knew that our Lord was only on loan to him for a special task. But actually, all children are on loan from God. And some day we will have to give an account and God will judge whether or not we have been faithful.