Text:
Luke 2:1  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Luk 2:2  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

Luk 2:3  And everyone went to his own town to register.

Luk 2:4  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

Luk 2:5  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Luk 2:6  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,

Luk 2:7  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luk 2:8  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Luk 2:9  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Luk 2:10  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luk 2:11  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Luk 2:12  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Luk 2:13  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

Luk 2:14  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luk 2:15  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Luk 2:16  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Luk 2:17  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

Luk 2:18  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luk 2:19  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luk 2:20  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.


Notes:

1.      One day we will all be counted…

a.     How will you be found?  
                                                             
i.      Blessed? 
                                                           
ii.      Cursed? 

b.     There will be a day…

2.     Action

a.     Let’s __

b.     Let’s ___

c.      Spread the _____

d.     ____________ & _____________

3.      Questions:

a.      Do you really think the Shepherds understood who it was?

b.      Why do you think God came to earth?
                                                                
i.      See what it was like
                                                              
ii.      Convince them He is God!
                                                            
iii.      Be real with them?

c.       Was it ______?

Text:

Mat 1:18  The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. His mother Mary had been promised to Joseph in marriage. But before they were married, Mary realized that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

(That’s the setup)

Mat 1:19  Her husband Joseph was an honorable man and did not want to disgrace her publicly. So he decided to break the marriage agreement with her secretly.

Mat 1:20  Joseph had this in mind when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

Mat 1:21  She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins."

Mat 1:22  All this happened so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true:

Mat 1:23  "The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel," which means "God is with us."

Mat 1:24  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him to do. He took Mary to be his wife.

Mat 1:25  He did not have marital relations with her before she gave birth to a son. Joseph named the child Jesus.
Notes:

1.      How did Joseph display honor?

a.     Dealt with the situation ___________.

b.     How should we deal with people who offend us? _____________

c.      Use a ______  ________, with ______, and use the ____________ principle.

2.     Joseph ____________ ­the Lord.

a.     We need to pay attention to our ________.

b.     How do you know if your dream is from the Lord? __  ____  ____ __________.
                                                             
i.      Ex.  a nightmare that produces fear. 

ii.      What is the only good fear: ________________________
                                                        
iii.      ­­_______ will take away your fear! 

c.      Joseph did the right thing!  _______  ________ happened! 

3.     What enabled Joseph to do the right thing?  __  ____  ______  ___!

4.     Joseph got to _____ and ______Jesus!