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Dec 06, 2020

Four Dreams and A Messiah

Four Dreams and A Messiah

Speaker: Dennis Gallaher

Category: Sunday Morning

God has a second cause to our struggles.

Deut 17:16-17 In any case, he is not to acquire many horses for himself, nor shall he make the people return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never again return that way.’ And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, so that his heart does not turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself. 

This reveals three areas of battle in a man's heart: pride (personal strength), wealth (ability to gain on my own), and women (morality).

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You.

Deut 17:18-19 Now it shall come about, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this Law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, so that he will learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully following all the words of this Law and these statutes.

This Word would keep a man following the right path - Joseph was this example with tremendous character. Look at the 4 dreams that Joseph had...

Matthew 1:19 And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Verse 20 But he had a dream... but when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Joseph was treated as royalty. Joseph didn't know the conversations about him in Heaven; he only knew of the prophecy of the son of David. We also don't know the conversations about us. God sees us not as the world sees us. God sees us as a son and a daughter of the Most High God. That title is to be lived up to. This first lesson of fulfilling our calling as men of God is to know who we are. Joseph's response was obedience. He awoke and did what the angel commanded.

Then the second dream: Matthew 2:13-14 ...behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him. So, Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 

Every man has frightful times when no amount of money, strength, or charm can change the circumstances. There are times in life where we are in the dark, crossing a desert, or on our way to seclusion among idol worshippers. But these are still times that God uses mightily. What was Joseph's response? Obedience.

The third dream: Matthew 2:19-20 ...but when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.”  What was Joseph's response? Obedience. 

The fourth dream: Matthew 2:22-23 ...But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, and came and settled in a city called Nazareth. This happened so that what was spoken through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Luke 2:4 tells us that Nazareth was the home where it all began. Was his home still there? Imagine the relief of arriving in a safe harbor. Through all of these things, leaving home, pregnancy, marriage, disgrace, birth in a stable, magi with gifts, travel to Egypt, and then...safe harbor. Lesson: God always has a second cause in all of our struggle and pain. Wait long enough!!

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

This is the story of two simple people, Joseph and Mary. There wasn't a script for Joseph to read. All was beyond his understanding, but he learned obedience through his suffering. Did he teach that to Jesus? Joseph's life fits into Hebrews 11 - Joseph's obedience, his commitment, yet not seeing the fruit. Verse 39-40 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Jesus the Messiah kept increasing in wisdom, stature, and favor. God sees and hears all of our troubles and fears. The key is obedience...obedience begins with believing what God says about who we are. Know there is a second cause...God over everything reigns. Trust God and obey Him. Accept Jesus. Know the goodness of God -  follow and obey. 

God is God; He sees and hears
All our troubles, all our tears.
Soul, forget not, ‘mid your pains,
God o’er all forever reigns.
Fear not death, nor Satan’s thrusts,
God defends who in Him trusts;
Soul, remember, in your pains,
God o’er all forever reigns.
For this life’s long night of sadness
He will give us peace and gladness.
Soul, remember, in your pains,
God o’er all forever reigns.
 

What are the 4 dreams that Joseph had?

Are you challenged to think about Joseph and Mary's return to Nazareth a few years later? their home, their tools, belongings?

What can we apply to our lives from Joseph's obedience?