II Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

WHAT DO WE GIVE BACK?

The term “indescribable” is defined in that adequate words don’t exist to explain how you feel.  That’s the picture of the gift that God gave when He sent His son to this earth as a little baby.  Last week, we asked the question...”Our God is such a giving God, what are we going to give back to Him?” 

Today, we continue to talk about that gift and continue to talk about our attitude of giving to Him.  And, today I want to begin looking at certain individuals who played pivotal roles in that gift.  From their stories, we can see how, in a human sense, we can respond to that indescribable gift.

Today, we’ll look at Joseph and Mary and their response to this indescribable gift.  What did they do and how can we learn from their response?

Matt. 1:18   Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22   So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  24   Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,  25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

The Picture of a Committed Life

1.  Joseph And Mary Knew Their Commitment Would Be Tested

Luke 2:33-35 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against ³⁵ Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 1:46-55   And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,

47             And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48             For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

            For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

49             For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

            And holy is His name.

50             And His mercy is on those who fear Him

            From generation to generation.

51             He has shown strength with His arm;

            He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52             He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

            And exalted the lowly.

53             He has filled the hungry with good things,

            And the rich He has sent away empty.

54             He has helped His servant Israel,

            In remembrance of His mercy,

55             As He spoke to our fathers,

            To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

2Cor. 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

OUR COMMITMENT WILL BE TESTED ALSO

II Timothy 3:12  Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

2.  Joseph And Mary Were Committed To Protecting Jesus

Matthew 2:13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”   ///¹⁴ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, ¹⁵ and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

In Our Lives, We Must Protect The Message of the Gospel

John 14:6…“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

James 1:22  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

3.  Jesus And Mary Were Committed To The End

John 19:25  Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  

Acts 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

What’s Our Commitment?

We Know What’s Coming - END TIMES...We Know About Eternal Life - LAST FEW WEEKS

WHAT ABOUT RIGHT NOW?  Are you a cheerful giver in response to His indescribable gift?

What Have You Given Him?