When an Angel Spoke to Joseph, Part 1

Without a doubt, when Mary discovered her untimely pregnancy. Her fiancé Joseph had to be shaken. How this young Jewish couple explained their predicament to friends and family what today on Insight for living. Chuck Swindoll presents another message in a brand-new miniseries which were looking at the dramatic clarification brought by an angel of God, the earth shattering. The announcement brought a measure of relief. Certainly joy Chuck titled today's message when an angel spoke to Joseph just before he begins. We step into the worship center to sing this medley. Thank you for the joys connected with music of the season. No music like this Christmas music remind us again and again that it is story that we never tire of hearing that your son Jesus came to set the people free to pay the price for our sins. Grateful we are. Thank you for the genius plan of the virgin conception, the virgin birth, the cooperation about first couple working together against ridicule misunderstanding misrepresentation. Thank you for the hope that comes in knowing Christ and him alone.

His Savior make the message clear and pure through the lips of these children as they sing these instrumentalists as they play we commit the morning to you now. Gratefully, in the name of Jesus, our Savior and everyone said amen.

We are grateful to the stoneware community church youth choir soloist Jane Parsley for this beautiful performance. You're listening to a special edition of Insight for living and when you have a few moments later today.

Take some time to view the Christmas interview with Chuck Swindoll. You can easily find a link to this 30 minute conversation that insight.org/conversation another message from Chuck titled when an angel spoke to Joseph Welborn's Angels this Christmas. Last week we we met Gabriel, who appeared to marry you remember and end up as all that meant to be seen over here I thought.

Had it not been for the work of angels.

I'm not sure all of them would've come together like that in such a meaningful way. All the transitions involved to make that come to pass. Angels fly their way through the Bible, time and again. Did you know that 17 books in the Old Testament mentioned the Angels 108 times. Interestingly, another 17 books in the New Testament mention Angels hundred 65 times. So for almost 275 times they appear and reappear from Genesis to Revelation. And when they do remember they they show up they they step up please speak up and then they scooped it seemed like it is over before it starts. And yet, what, what a message they bring. Reviewing three of them at Christmas time this year. Gabriel who brought Mary great Revelation that she would have a child, though a version the child conceived within her would be of the Holy Spirit, he would be the son of God, the angel who appeared to Joseph brought relief and reassurance member how we struggled will look closer at Joseph today.

What a gift that Angel brought Joseph.

What relief in the angel who appeared to the shepherds brought great rejoicing, what messages they brought Revelation relief rejoicing.

Speaking of Joseph we we really we really know very little about him, we know a lot about Mary effect books have been written on Mary, but I don't know of one substantial work that's been written seriously on Joseph because we have so little information in God's word about Joseph and songs Mary did you know I'm never heard Joseph, did you know I wonder why what child is this who laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping. Then the child Leon Joseph slap also. It's almost as if he's he's forgotten matter-of-fact that would happen if you went by what was recorded in the Bible you know that there is not one word. Joseph spoke written in the Scriptures. Not one word. Now he had a lot to say and certainly must've said a lot to Marion and to others but nothing is recorded in all 66 books of the Bible that fell from the lips of Joseph. We don't know a lot about him. We don't know his age we don't know how he and Mary met we we don't know about his personality.

We we don't know of his siblings when he was growing up anything about his family life. We don't know how I wound up in Nazareth, but here is there's an old saying that's quaint and familiar to all of us still waters run deep. Joseph Curtis set for a portrait of that piece that line stable solid as a stone just pure amount of true integrity, diligent.

We know he worked in the carpenter shop but we know nothing of the carbon free business, but Jerry was deeply in love with Mary. They were engaged in those days it was known as a betrothed the betrothed hole.

It was a year and lengthen and it was a formal engagement. Unlike our engagement which has to do with the engagement ring and few words spoken lots of romance but in in ancient days. The betrothed hole was a commitment that was illegal. The only way I would be broken is one of them were unfaithful and in ancient days before the Romans came the unfaithful person was stoned even though the act of fornication was done outside of marriage. It was done during the betrothed hole and so all that to say that in order to break the betrothed hole you needed to get a divorce was actually a certificate of divorce where the man would say she is not going to be my wife. I am not going to be her husband and would sign it and the rabbi we decided it would be posted in the synagogue. It was a formal serious event. But back to their tight relationship. It was it was it was wonderful until Monday. Mary departed never left a note is no conversation between Mary and Joseph, though they must've talked every day.

You know how it is when you're engaged.

But he found out, probably through her parents that she had gone almost 100 miles south to to Judea. The hill country where her aging cousin lived.

Her name was Elizabeth. Elizabeth would understand probably is what drew Mary to her. I don't believe Joseph knew that Mary was pregnant when she left I think she waited till she got back to telling and by then she was three months alone. He looked up one day the sun was high noon and he was busy in the carpenter shop and there stood Mary in the doorway. Hi. She'd been crying.

He walked over to her and embraced her and told her much in Mr. she pushed him back and said Joseph I'm pregnant I'm I'm going to have a baby. In fact, I'm three months along. At that moment, his his mind began to spin. I'm sure he started her and want to know who the man was the father was, not some Roman soldier, not that man that flirted with her when they were at the synagogue when somebody cement down there and Judea wasn't. She said no no I wasn't any man the Holy Spirit has caused my pregnancy and and though I'm a virgin.

I have a baby in my womb. Well, we were so familiar with the story.

The shock is leftist, but if you put yourself in an Joseph sandals and you place yourself in front of Mary and hear these things for the first time and know that they won't soon be looking for a wedding dress so be looking for maternity clothes if they Mary and Joseph decides being a just man, he can't marry one who is been unfaithful.

He can't believe the story hangs a closed sign on the door of his shop and Mary leaves to walk home alone.

He goes to his place in drops in. By now it's nightfall and he's exhausted, confused and somewhere between net angry and bewildered.

She wasn't the woman he thought she was God. How could this be.

She's the one I love.

Now this is happened is exhausted, he fell asleep. Scripture tells us that he began to dream and while dreaming here we go on the last courthouse shows up.

The angel of the Lord and stands by him. He steps up.

He doesn't stand in the darkness of the room. He steps up and then he speaks up and he says Joseph don't be afraid to marry her, that which is happened is of the Holy Spirit. God is overwhelmed or he is having his way.

She is the chosen one to bear the Christ child and you will name him Jesus.

He will save his people from their sins. The angel says without stuttering clearly declares it. Joseph hears it all were talking major relief.

Relief was pause there, great word relief of hers began to think seriously about it when my sister and I had a meal together several years ago we were a little restaurant in. She paused and pushed her plate back and she looked at me and said what's your favorite feeling. I said after thinking about it for a few seconds accomplishment. I said, she said I could say that the most evil person I know you are so driven. I knew you'd see accomplishment. She said on the one better than accomplishment.

Is that what could be better than accomplishment. She said relief. She was right. Think about it you in a court room. You have been charged with a crime in your your innocent and you're there long enough to hear the judge say not guilty. You can go free relief legal relief. There's occupational relief.

The phone rings on a Friday morning and you hear a voice on the other line and the other end of the line say congratulations you got the job you're we think you're a perfect fit for it. Can you come in on Monday. Relief.

You got a job there other reliefs, how about educational relief. Your high school senior you wanted to go to the school for two years, you've heard your mom and dad tell you about it in its your dream. But even though you've applied you've heard nothing. You check the mail on Saturday afternoon. There is an envelope the corner of the envelope is the name of the school and inside you read the word accepted that's academic relief educational relief but there's nothing better than personal relief. Like Joseph felt the Joseph knew because of the faithful angel who came just when he was needed and brought reassurance and relief knowing to make a personal this story is about acceptance, obedience, and patience isn't first. Both Mary and Joseph accepted the message.

This is interesting.

When Gabriel spoke to Mary and she didn't fight the message. She believed it she accepted it.

Joseph heard it from the angel not one resistant, not not one moment of hesitation he accepted. By the way, have you accepted the message that Christ was born to save people like us. If you accepted are you still arguing with still fighting so resistant a question worth pondering. Now on the last program. Chuck Swindoll described that surprising moment when an angel spoke to Mary and now he's turning our attention to Mary's fiancé Chuck titled his message when an angel spoke to Joseph you're listening to a special edition of Insight for living. To learn more about this ministry.

Please visit us online@insightworld.org now just before we hear a closing comment from Chuck. I'll remind you.

He recently sat down for a special interview in this 30 minute conversation you'll hear Chuck describe his passion for reaching the lost which was inspired by the great commission of Jesus. More importantly, will help you understand how to integrate this command from Jesus into your daily life as well defined easy instructions on how to view Chuck's conversation when you go to insight.org/conversation well even though the pandemic and its threat upon our lives has begun to subside. It's very clear that our biggest challenges may lie ahead, Chuck.

Along those lines. In recent days you've shown us that our view of God's power will determine the course of our lives.

That's right Dave, I believe with all my heart that God is not only big but he's the God of limitless possibilities. Think about that my convictions are founded on biblical truth, I'm thinking. For example, of Luke 1827 where we read the things that are impossible with people or possible with God. And the same thought is in Jeremiah, the weeping prophet wrote this. Nothing is too difficult for you. Jeremiah 3217.

In addition to these biblical affirmations I have also bear witness to the God of limitless possibilities of seeing his greatness at work in my own life again and again. For these reasons, and so many more. I'm compelled to pursue what many people deem impossible. That is to obey the great command of our Savior Jesus and make disciples of all the nations. That's right, all the nations, would you be willing to join us in this journey. In recent days and months.

You've heard me talk about what we call vision 195. So this is not new to you is the passion of our hearts to bring insight for living to all 195 countries of our world. I confess it's an audacious dream in my own strength. Admittedly, it's impossible, but I base my confidence on the God of limitless impossibilities in the last two years. God is accomplished the impossible. He's guided insight for living ministries through a global pandemic as well as a combative national election and a season of isolation. We never experienced until now. During this time. We kept every single radio station and we have not missed a broadcast and my friend.

I believe our best days still lie before us so let's trust this God of impossibilities, shall we, let's pull together and let's offer our personal resources to tell of God's amazing grace and all the countries of the world.

That's 195 of them. Please follow God's prompting and give generously whatever God is placed on your heart that do that today. Thanks so much for standing alongside getting attention responding to Chuck Swindoll is easy to commit the best for you. First callers listening in the US dial 1-800-772-8880. Once again, 1-800-772-8888 or it might be quickest and most efficient to get better secure website insight.org/donate.

Join us again tomorrow when Chuck Swindoll describes the moment when an angel spoke to Joseph. That's Wednesday on insight for living. The preceding message when angel spoke to Joseph was copyrighted in 2020 and 2021 and the sound recording was copyrighted in 2021 by Charles R.

Swindoll. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited