Holy Family

THE HOLY FAMILY
(What the Family Should Be Like) (PP)
Various Scriptures
(Filed as The Holy Family (Revised) & as XMASMES2.WPS / Sermons/ GBC - 12/14/97 & 12/15/02)
 

Introduction
Where do we go to get the examples we need for family values, morality and spiritual leadership?
I want to ask you, where do our values come from? How do they get within us? What do we base them upon?

Help me here, give me some answers.
(TV, sports characters, politicians, community leaders, pastor’s family)
Where can we go to get the examples we need for family values, morality and spiritual leadership? (The Bible)
[PAUSE]
Our world is sadly lacking in appropriate family role models.
Therefore....
I present to you today... THE HOLY FAMILY.
Let's study this family from the written accounts in the Word of God and find our values, our morality and our spiritual direction.

Let's look first of all at the Father - Joseph.

What are some basic characteristics that we expect of a father? (Answers) (Love, work, responsibility, faithfulness)
Did Joseph fulfill these characteristics? (Yes)
Of course we must remember that Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. God the Father is the Father of Jesus Christ by a miraculous conception in the womb of the virgin Mary.
I. JOSEPH. (PP)
A. Matthew 1:18-25. (All look up in Bible) (PP)
1. Mary was engaged to Joseph. The Jewish engagement was more binding than our present day marriage with its facility for divorce. Today it is too easy to get married and too easy to get a divorce.
2. Mary was pregnant.

a. Imagine Joseph's frustration.

b. It is not his child.
Application
What were his alternatives? (Pause)
What would be the alternatives for today? (Answers)
1. Abortion - aren't you glad Mary and Joseph were not
Pro-Choice?
2. Run Away - Abandon her and the child. Joseph could have let her face it alone. Let her have the baby on her own.





c. V19 - "Joseph her husband, being a just man"
1) It was as if they were already married – "husband".








2) He was a just or righteous man.
Application

What does this comment mean?

What characterizes a "righteous man"?
How is that played out in a husband's life today? (Answers)
**Husbands... are we just and righteous?
(V19) 3) He was a gracious man.
a. He loved her.
b. He did not want to embarrass her.
Application
What does it mean to be gracious? (Kind, loving, merciful)
How can a husband be gracious? (Considerate of family desires)
**Husbands.... are we gracious?
(V19) 4) He was a discreet man and wise man.
Application
How can a husband today be discreet?
(Not broadcast wife’s weaknesses)
How does he show he is wise? (Answers)
**Husbands.... are we discreet and wise?
d. V20 - He received revelation from God.
1) God spoke to him directly.
Application
We will note this about Joseph several times in scripture. He was the spiritual leader of His home. Observe from the life of Joseph what it means to be the spiritual leader of the home. (PP)
2) V21 - God confirmed the name of the child - Jesus. Why this name? It means "Savior".








"it is he who will save His people from their sins"

What is sin? (PP)

Sin is disobedience to God. It is an offense to God's holiness. (PP)

Who has sinned? (PP) (Rom. 3:10, 23, 6:23, 5:8)

Isa. 53:6 - "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him"... Jesus Christ.

II Cor. 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
3) Matt. 1:24 - Joseph obeyed the Word of the Lord. He married Mary even though she was pregnant.







Application
Husband... do we obey the Word of the Lord?
In what areas are we failing in our obedience?
Do we obey the command of the Lord in Eph. 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her." (PP)
Again.... Col. 3:19, (PP) "Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them." [Holding a grudge, resentment, unforgiving]
Again.... Col. 3:21, (PP) "Fathers, do not exasperate (provoke to anger) your children, that they may not lose heart." (Broken Promises make children loose heart, bad examples make children loose heart, lack of love and harshness make children loose heart, the absent father makes the child loose heart.)
Again.... Deut. 6:6-9, (PP) We are to teach our children the Word of God.
Again.... Ex. 20 (PP) We are to keep the Ten Commandments and be an example in obedience.
4) Matt. 1:25 - Joseph kept Mary a virgin until the birth of Jesus. Why? VV22-23







Application
Joseph knew the scriptures. He knew the Messiah was to be born of a Virgin.
He denied himself the "rights" of marriage that God might be glorified and the scriptures might be fulfilled.
(God’s will first – not my rights!)
Father.... do you know the scriptures? *II Tim. 2:15 (PP)
Father.... are you willing to sacrifice your "rights" as a husband, father... man and fulfill the Word of God?
B. Matthew 2:13-15. (All look it up) (PP)
1. Joseph receives direction from the Lord for his family. He had a prayerful dedicated religious life. He was in touch with God.
2. Joseph obeys the Word of the Lord. This was probably a characteristic of his life. He was chosen in the plan of God to raise the Son of God just as Mary was chosen for her part in that first Christmas.
3. He steps out by faith and moves into unknown territory at the Word of the Lord. He was a man of great faith and trust in God Almighty.




Application
Fathers... do we hear the voice of God directing us?
Do we obey what the Lord tells us to do?
Do we step out by faith and lead our families?
Do we have an ongoing living relationship with God Almighty?
Do we have a relationship that is the light and vigor of our lives?
C. Matthew 2:19-23. (PP)
1. Note... some four times the Lord speaks to Joseph in these passages and He obeys every time.
2. Note... V21.
a. He arose. He took the initiative. He was the leader.
b. He took the child and His mother. He was in charge. He was the spiritual and actual head of his home.






Application
Husbands... are we the spiritual and actual head of our homes? Or are we just a fasad, a front man?
Note... this was not a matriarchal society or a mother led family. The Judeo-Christian Biblical teaching is male leadership in the home, the government and the church. (Do you lead your home?)
Note carefully that Mary was subject/submissive to her husband and thus obedient to God.
3. V22 - Joseph was afraid.
Application
Father... Husband... do you ever get afraid in your many and varied responsibilities as the head of the home? (I do!!)
If not... I dare say you do not even realize the magnitude of your God given responsibility..... or you are blinded thinking you are perfect in the performance of your duties.

It is time we wake up and accept responsibility and do our duty!!




D. Luke 2:22-24, 41-43. (PP)
1. Note the faithfulness of Joseph in carrying out his religious responsibilities.
2. Note they did as God had commanded Moses in the Law.
Application
What religious responsibilities do we have according to the New Testament? (Answers - Study the Word, Pray, Attend Church, Give, Dedication to God, Service, Good Works, Witness)
Dad... are you fulfilling your religious responsibilities?
What are the overriding characteristics of the life of Joseph?
(Answers) [Faith, obedience, spiritual leadership....]
Men are we following the example of Joseph?
The Holy Family....
What an Example to Us... AMEN??!!
II. MARY. (PP)
A. Luke 1:26-38. (Look up in Bibles) (PP)
1. She was a virgin. She had never had sexual relations.
Application
Virgin (PP) is not a dirty word. Yet, it is put down in our society as being something unusual, strange, abnormal, naive, lame, prudish, stupid, or uneducated.
Condoms can be discussed and distributed in our schools, family planning through birth control can be discussed but abstinence and virginity are ridiculed as "puritanical", old fashioned, obsolete, ridiculous, and abnormal.
Abstinence, as a form of birth control among teens, is not given first billing on the chart of recommended procedures. Abstinence is the only 100% sure method of birth control. (PP)
Former President George Bush stated that, "AIDS is the only disease that can be almost completely controlled by a change in behavior".
I like a bumper sticker promoting a cure for AIDS...
"Get married and stay faithful." (PP)
How many here have never been married? (Raise Hands)
Think on this next question. I do not ask you to raise you hand.
How many of you are still virgins?
Could you honestly raise your hand?
If not, have you confessed your sin to God?

Sex outside of marriage is sin. (PP) (All Repeat)
*I Cor. 6:15-20 - Read. (PP)
(V16 - "One flesh" - married in the sight of God)
Parents have you talked to your children about sex?
Have you taught them what the Bible says?
In an article in the magazine Focus on the Family, a survey showed that Christian teens are almost as sexually active as non-Christian teens. Most teenagers in the U.S., male and female, have had sexual intercourse before the age of seventeen.
Date... Rape. Physical and emotional abuse... they run rampant in our society. According to Newsweek. (Article - Newsweek, Dec. 13, 1993, "Boy Meets Girl, Boy Beats Girl")
What about your child?
**Need help??? Focus on the Family (PP) offers ample materials for the Christian parent.
(Ann Landers Article - Dec. 14, 1994)

(Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002)
THE NEW VIRGINITY (PP)
The December 9 issue of Newsweek Magazine sported this cover story: "The New Virginity. Why more teens are choosing not to have sex," which highlighted testimonials from youth who are choosing abstinence instead of early sexual activity at an increasing rate.

"According to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control," Newsweek said, "the number of high school students who say they’ve never had sexual intercourse rose by almost 10 percent between 1991 and 2001." In addition, "cultural conservatives and evangelical Christians" were credited with the rise and success of the abstinence movement.

In a related article, Newsweek said increased Bush Administration dollars are likely slated for a program containing eight strict criteria, including the teaching that "sexual activity outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects" and "a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity." (PP)


LET US THANK the Lord for this encouraging trend, and LET US PRAY for the widespread teaching of "Abstinence until marriage" programs in our schools, and for the government support and funding necessary for their success.


Back to Luke 1 -
2. Luke 1:28 (PP) - Mary was spoken to by the Angel.
a. She received revelation from God. She was in communication with God. She had a close relationship to Him. Just like Joseph.







b. She was greatly troubled by this revelation.
1) "Favored one"... what did this mean? "Chosen one"
2) "The Lord is with you"... ??? "The Lord has chosen you."







3. Luke 1:30 - Why do you think Mary was chosen by God to bring the Messiah into the world?
a. She was a virgin, she was devoted to God, ....
b. In this choice we see the Sovereignty of God. He does the choosing. He is in control.
c. Think of the possible reactions of Mary. What might she of said and done in light of the situation? (Answers - rebelled, said "No", rejected the opportunity, run, aborted the child)






4. Luke 1:34 - The question.
a. It is not wrong to question God if it is done with reverence for His answer.






b. Note her humble acceptance - V38.
Application
Mother... do you ever question God?
Are you willing to submit to His answers?
Submission is a major issue for all humanity but especially for the wife. Submission (according to Webster) is: yielding, surrendering, resignation, obedience, meekness. (PP)
Wife... do you submit to God?
Wife... do you obey the Word of God in Eph. 5:22, (PP) "Wives be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord."
Again... Col. 3:18, (PP) "Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
Again... I Pet. 3:1, (PP) "You wives, be submissive to your own husbands..."

What kind of example are you setting for your family?
*Mary followed her husband's lead:
1. They went to Bethlehem together.
2. They fled to Egypt together (Mt. 2:13-15).
3. They returned to Nazareth together (Mt. 2:19-23).
Note Husbands: Joseph led. Do not expect your wife to follow if you are not leading.



B. Luke 1:46-55 (PP) - The Magnificat. (Don't read)
1. Here she worships God and extols His name.
2. Here she calls God... "Lord". She was His "bondslave", His servant.




3. Here she rejoices in God her "Savior" - V47.
a. She also needed a Savior.
b. She also had sinned - Rom. 3:10, 23.

Application
Can you call Him "Lord" and mean it?
Is He your "Savior"? (Plan of Salvation)
C. Luke 2:22 (PP) [Read] - "they", 2:41 - "His parents".
1. Mary followed the Biblical teachings.
2. She followed her husband's lead in spiritual things.
(Don't read passages because of time.)
D. John 2:1-11, Matt. 12:46-50 (PP) – In these passages we see Mary's continued concern for her son. She was there in His ministry.




E. John 19:25-27 (PP) - Mary was present at His death.
1. Joseph may have died by now.
2. She was there with Him faithfully until the end.
F. Acts 1:14 (PP) - We find Mary with the disciples in prayer fulfilling the Lord's command to wait on the Holy Spirit.



Application
What are the overriding characteristics of the life of Mary?
(Answers) [Obedience, submission....]
Are we following her example?
The Holy Family... we can imitate them without fear. (PAUSE)
How many believe the Bible is the Word of God?
Recent statistics show (Barna, 92-93) that 56% of all Americans believe strongly that "the Bible is God's written Word and is accurate in all that it teaches".

What does the Bible teach about the third person in the Holy Family...??
III. JESUS. (PP)
Who was Jesus? is the title of an article in [the Dec. 20, 1993 edition of the] U.S. New and World Report. In this article the writer makes a lame attempt to define Jesus Christ. He states, Jesus "is depicted as an eloquent preacher and skilled healer, an exorcist and miracle worker. Now scholars are unearthing the historical truth of his life and times."
The article goes on to quote various professors, doctors of theology, and archaeologists... but never making strong reference to the Biblical text as the ultimate authority.
The world is confused as to who Jesus is and what part we should allow Him to have in our lives.
In Jackson, Miss. more than 250 high school students walked our in protest after their principal was fired for permitting a nondenominational prayer to be broadcast over the loudspeaker. One sign carried by the protestors said, "Our principal has principles." (U.S. News - Dec. 13, 1993)
The "Ten Commandment" battle is still raging in many parts of the United States.
There is an evident breakdown in the moral fiber of the country and some are bold enough to suggest it could be because God and the Bible have been taken out of public life.
The Holy Family....

Jesus... the babe in the manger. He was not only a babe in a manger. Note:
A. Luke 2:42-43, 49-51. (PP)
1. He was taught the ways of the Lord by His parents.
a. Joseph had to take the lead here as the head of the home.







b. Mary supported him.
c. Can you imagine Jesus in your Sunday School Class? He had perfect knowledge and understanding. He had all the right answers.
d. James was the half brother of Jesus. What do you think it would have been like to be raised with Jesus as your brother?
e. If any parents could have ever pushed the example of the older brother to the limit, Joseph and Mary could have... but they knew He is the Son of God.

But even at that, it had to be disconcerting.
After all... He is perfect.
2. He recognized His purpose in life very early - 12 years old. He was serious about it.
a. Young people can get direction for their lives at an early age. (I began at 13.)
b. We should train up our children in the way they should go.







Application
Young person, do you have direction for your life?
If not... why not?
3. He continued in subjection to His earthly parents even though He is God. He voluntarily limited Himself.




a. Again we see the principle of submission.
1) Joseph to God.
2) Mary to Joseph.
3) Jesus to His parents.
Application
Children... are you in submission to your parents?
Parents... do you provide an example that promotes respect and submission on the part of your children?

Do you submit to the laws of the land, to the authorities over you?
Ask your children if you have failed them in some way. Ask them if they have a high regard for you as a person and if not... why not.

B. Luke 2:52. (PP)
1. Jesus increased in wisdom.
2. He increased in stature or age.
3. He increased in favor with God.
4. He increased in favor with men.
Application
Do we have this same testimony?
If not, why not?
C. The life of Christ is clearly explained in the Gospels.
1. He is presented as Prophet, Priest, and King.
2. He is the humble servant of the Lord - Phil. 2:5-11 (PP).

3. He is the sinless Savior of the world.
a. Jn.. 3:16 (PP).
b. I Pet. 3:18 (PP).
c. You can know Him today - Rom. 10:9-10, 13 (PP).
Conclusion
The Holy Family... is a worthy example for all of us. (PP)
I ask you....
Do you have a Holy Family? Is your family Holy?
Do you live according to the Word of God?
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?
Al and Tipper Gore have come up with a new definition of the family in their latest book. They say a family is a group of people with strong emotional ties (quote more or less).
If the former Vice-President and probable future candidate for the presidency has his way, just about anything will qualify as a family capable of and with the legal rights to raise children and if possible procreate.
Is this the Biblical standard? Is this what this country was founded upon? Is this what we want for our children and grandchildren?
God created Adam and Eve… not Adam and Steve. Rosie O’Donald is not our pattern to follow.




Ármond Nicholi of the faculty of Harvard Medical School and the staff of Massachusetts General Hospital, said, "For several years now, social scientists have warned us the family is disintegrating and will not survive this century (last century).
Is there danger that the American family will cease to exist? I do not think so. We do, however, have serious cause of concern – not that the family will disappear, but that certain trends prevalent today (the eighties) will incapacitate the family, destroy its integrity, and cause its members to suffer such crippling emotional conflicts that they will become an intolerable burden to society." [From: Our Dance Has Turned to Death by Carl W. Wilson]

Will our faith determine our future?
To our forefathers our faith was a personal experience based upon Biblical convictions.



To our fathers our faith was an inheritance.
To the Baby Boomer our faith became a convenience.
To our children our faith has become a nuisance.
Where do we fit in?
Do we have a Holy Family?
Do not imitate the tabloid or the politicians.
Imitate the Holy Family. (PP)

END


Filed as: The Holy Family – Study Sheet
The Holy Family
Pastor Mike Padgett

I. JOSEPH.
A. Matthew 1:18-25.
1. Jewish engagement was as binding as m______________.
2. Mary was p________________.
3. Joseph was righteous, gracious, discreet and wise.
4. Joseph received revelation from God.
5. Why was the child to be named "Jesus"?
________________________________________________
Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:10, 23, 6:23, 5:8
6. Joseph obeyed the Word of the Lord.
B. Matthew 2:13-15.
1. Joseph receives direction from the Lord.
2. He obeys the Lord.
3. He steps out in faith.
C. Matthew 2:19-23.
1. Joseph took the initiative.
2. He was in charge.
3. He was the spiritual and actual head of his home.
4. Joseph was afraid.
D. Luke 2:22-24, 41-43.
1. Joseph was faithful in his religious responsibilities.
2. He obeyed the Law.
II. MARY.
A. Luke 1:26-38.
1. Mary was a v__________.
2. Sex outside of marriage is sin - I Corinthians 6:15-20.
3. Mary was chosen by God.
4. She humbly accepted God's will for her.
B. Luke 1:46-55 - The Magnificat.
1. Mary worships God.
2. She calls Him Lord.
3. She rejoices in her S______________.
C. Luke 2:22, 41 - ________________________________________.
D. John 2:1-11, Matthew 12:46-50 - _________________________.
E. John 19:25-27.
1. Mary is present at the death of Jesus.
2. She was faithful to the end.
F. Acts 1:14 - Mary is with the disciples waiting and praying.
III. JESUS.
A. Luke 2:24-43, 49-51.
1. Jesus was taught the ways of the Lord by His parents.
2. He recognized His purpose in life very early.
3. He continued in subjection to His earthly parents.
B. Luke 2:52.
Jesus increased in:
1. W_______________.
2. S________________.
3. Favor with ________.
4. Favor with ________.
C. The life of Christ is clearly explained in the Gospels.
1. He is presented as Prophet, Priest and King.
2. He is the humble servant - Philippians 2:5-11.
3. He is the sinless Savior of the world.
a. John 3:16.
b. I Peter 3:18.
c. Romans 10:9-10, 13.

Do you have a Holy Family?

Will you follow the example of THE HOLY FAMILY?