Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons podcast.
We're so glad you chose to listen today.
Today, we reflect on Joseph's pivotal role in the Christmas story
and the lessons his life teaches us about faith, obedience, and compassion.
Faced with the unimaginable news of Mary's pregnancy,
Joseph chose patience, justice, and trust in God's plan.
Through his journey, we explore the person of Christ as Savior
and the promise of Emmanuel, God with us.
Join us as we uncover how Joseph's faithfulness points us to the hope we have in Jesus.
Thanks for listening.
Well, good morning.
It is good to be here with you guys today.
If you have your Bible, and I hope you do,
I want to invite you to join us in Matthew chapter 1 is where we will be.
If you're our first-time guest, I want to echo what Pastor Dave said.
We're so grateful and so glad that you were here.
One small favor that I would ask of you is at the end of the service,
my wife and I will be back here at this table.
If you wouldn't mind stopping by, we would love to meet you
and to thank you for being here to worship with us.
And if you have any questions about our church, it would be a wonderful opportunity for you to get those questions answered.
Also, as you guys know, on a lot of our Thursdays since Hurricane Helene came,
we've been going out and doing some work.
And this Wednesday, we will have two different locations set up that we are going to work at here in West Columbia.
And so if you would be able to serve that morning, we would greatly appreciate it.
Ideally, we got kind of a unique situation, the tree removal that we're doing,
and we may need a couple of dump trailers.
So if you have access to that and you can volunteer that day, that would be great.
If you could let me know if you'd like to volunteer that day,
we'll be back in the back and you can share that with me.
Also, Pastor Dave will be sending out an email this week, and you can respond and let us know.
We will be doing some cutting, but we also will be doing just some hauling off
and picking things up and moving those.
So if you're ready to get a good bicep and back workout that day, we would love to have you with us.
Also, we are in the final stages of our budgeting process that we've been working on since this past August,
or even Joel's been working on it into the summer months,
and there are copies of the budget that are back here as you walk through the doors.
And we'll have our vote on that for membership in a couple weeks.
The whole schedule is there to kind of walk you through the process of what we're doing with the budget.
However, our budget looks a little different this year with a cover letter on the front of that.
And so I want to explain to you why we are doing what we're doing with that cover letter,
but it shares all of this information as well.
One of the largest increases that we have in our budget, percentage-wise,
which is a little bit different than how we've done things here in the last several years,
is in our personnel.
And so kind of how we have our budget broken out is personnel, and that's the staff.
Then our operations, which is the usage and the things that take place in our buildings,
our ministries, what we do inside with you guys in our congregation,
and then our missions, what we do outside of the walls, both locally and across the globe.
And so because that has not been a budget line item that has jumped like it has,
I want to kind of explain the reason why.
We're still operating in under what is recommended for church of our size to operate in personnel.
But what we are doing is we are taking a position that has been part-time,
and we are moving it to a full-time status.
And that new position will be our director of facilities and young adult ministries,
which is led by Josh Nix.
And so Josh has been working for the church part-time,
and so the increase in that budget is to move that to a full-time position.
And so we just wanted to give some clarity and explanation of why you would see that.
But we will have a budget meeting that you guys can come and ask questions.
If you have any questions between now and the time of vote, please feel free to ask.
We would love to answer all of those for you.
Well, as we get into our message this morning, as we're looking at the different characters
and individuals that we meet in this Christmas story,
I want to read to you a verse from our passage this morning.
Matthew 1.23 says this,
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel.
Would you pray with me?
God, we thank you for the beauty of this time together.
We thank you for our time of worship through song.
Lord, and we eagerly anticipate to hear you through the teaching and preaching of your word.
God, may all that is said bring glory and honor to your name.
And Lord, may we respond as the Spirit leads us.
And it's in Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
So we have been largely in Luke, but now we are moving to Matthew.
We'll kind of go back and forth and the gospel writers and talking about the birth and the early days of the life of Jesus.
Luke largely tells the narrative of the birth of Christ through the perspective of Mary.
And Matthew will largely tell the birth of Jesus from the perspective of Joseph.
You know, guys, you know, I love to tell a story at the beginning of a message.
And I particularly love to tell a story oftentimes about my family.
And I promise that most of the time, some of the time, rarely do I get permission to tell these stories.
This story, though, is one that I got permission to tell this weekend.
You remember, so if you don't know, I've got two kids.
They're twins.
They're 16 years old.
They'll be 17 in February.
I love them.
God has blessed us with them and love to see them grow up and see all that God is doing in their life.
But, you know, like when your kids are really little and they mispronounce words and you kind of embrace it because it's just adorable.
Like if it were a 35-year-old, you'd be like, come on, man.
But in a five-year-old, it's awesome.
So Emma was our child that mispronounced words all the time.
We'd go to the Mexican restaurant and she would love to order broccamole.
Instead of guacamole.
When something frustrated her, she would say, that's being ridiculous.
And when speaking of the character in the Bible that we are going to read this morning,
there was Mary and Joseph.
But for Emma, and we don't know why,
it was always Mary and Jovus.
So this morning, the precursor is that if all of a sudden I'm in the midst of preaching and going through
and you hear me talk about Jovus,
I haven't lost my mind.
I'm just reverting back to what we commonly would refer to in our house
as the parents of Jesus, Mary and Jovus.
Before we look at our passage this morning,
I want to ask you this question.
How do you process new information?
I was going through a box of things that I've had since my childhood a few weeks ago
and it was stored up in the top section of my closet.
And it's the part that had all of my sports memorabilia in it.
And I was looking through and I had baseball cards and I had different things.
And then at the very bottom, I had a stack of newspapers that were saved.
Some of the newspapers were newspapers about the football team that I played on at the time.
But most of them were the front page picture when things in the sports world happened
that I thought meant something that I wanted to cling to.
I don't know why, but I do remember this event being very specific in my life.
But if you remember, I forget the year that it was,
but the battle between Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa
for who was going to have the most home runs in a season.
And going through that box, on the bottom of that box
were all of the newspapers that had that as the front picture.
And I remember there was a point in time where the news came on at 5.30,
the news came on at 7, and if you missed either one of those,
to find out what's happening in the world,
you had to wait until the morning and you would walk by the newspaper stands
and there would be the picture of the information of what's there.
But you and I are constantly getting,
we're constantly receiving,
we're constantly being sent new information.
I put my phone on airplane mode
before I walk up on to the stage to preach
so that it doesn't vibrate in my pocket.
But I am a little anxious,
and guys, do not go to your phones,
but ESPN just released
their projected bowl schedule, all right?
We want to keep the focus on God,
and all of us have good places in our hearts.
But we're given new information constantly.
24-hour news,
text messages to give us the updates,
emails that can be sent out in a moment's notice
so that everything in the world that's going on
can come to us.
You and I cannot necessarily overly remove ourselves
from the fact that we're going to be bombarded with new information.
But the question that I have for you
and I to contemplate this morning
is how do we process new information?
I think the question that you and I as followers of Jesus Christ
should continually wrestle with in our lives is this,
is how do we process the new information that we have received,
whether it's globally, politically, or personally,
very specifically in light of the gospel?
How does the impact of the gospel of Jesus Christ
impact how you and I respond and process
the new information that we receive?
Here's what I would plead with you
and with your heart this morning.
That every piece of information
that you and I receive
should always be filtered to the truth
that Jesus knows
and He knew before you did.
That Jesus is in control
of every moment
and every situation.
that Jesus loves you.
And as a follower of Jesus Christ,
no matter what happens to you
in the light of the information
that you just received,
you are a child of God.
And that's the hope that we have.
Our hope is not found
in the means
and in the leaders
and in the stories of this world.
But our hope is found
in a God
who holds the world in His hands.
In the narrative that He is writing,
He is good
and He is loving
and we are children of God.
The Christmas story so far
has been filled
with individuals
finding out information.
Maybe a better word.
Individuals finding out good news.
In our first week,
we looked
and the angel
communicated some news
to Zechariah
and it was news
that he couldn't believe.
We saw an angel last week
communicate to Mary
and we saw that
in the mind
of this young girl,
it was news
that her mind
could not fully comprehend.
but it was news
that she could obey.
Now this morning,
we're going to see
about the news
that comes to Joseph.
So let's read his account
of Joseph
starting in Matthew 1 verse 18.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ
took place in this way.
When His mother Mary
had been betrothed to Joseph
before they came together,
she was found to be
with child
from the Holy Spirit.
And her husband Joseph,
being a just man
and unwilling
to put her to shame,
resolved
to divorce her
quietly.
But as he considered
these things,
behold,
an angel of the Lord
appeared to him
in a dream
saying,
Joseph,
son of David,
do not fear
to take Mary
as your wife,
for that which is conceived
in her
is from the Holy Spirit.
She will bear a son
and you shall call
his name Jesus,
for he will save
his people
from their sins.
All this took place
to fulfill
what the Lord
had spoken
by the prophet.
Behold,
the virgin
shall conceive
and bear a son
and they shall call
his name
Emmanuel,
which means
God with us.
When Joseph
woke from sleep,
he did as the angel
of the Lord
commanded him.
He took his wife
but knew her not
until she had given
birth to a son
and he called
his name
Jesus.
So there's some
overlap
of what we read
last week in Luke
and what we're seeing
this week
in Matthew.
We see
Mary
hearing
from the angel
while she is
betrothed
to Joseph
and we're seeing
Joseph
processing
information
before
he hears
from an angel.
Now it's important
for us to know
and begin
to wrap our minds
around
the state
that Joseph
and Mary
find themselves
in
in this setting
and it's
their betrothal
and for you
and I
in our culture
and in our day
I'll be honest
with you
there's nothing
that we do
that compares
to what this
is.
There's nothing
because it's
more
than engagement
but it's
less than
marriage
so let me
kind of explain
because this will
help us see
and understand
why Joseph
is doing
what Joseph
is doing
and how we
can draw
from this
how we
process
the things
of God
even when
we don't
have
all of the
information
of the
working
of God
so
they're
betrothed
so a
Jewish
couple
in the
time of
Christ
would become
engaged
and after
a time
of engagement
they would
be betrothed
and then
after the
time of
betrothing
they would
be married
or the time
of betrothal
they would
be married
so that's
the timeline
that they
would follow
engagement
betrothal
marriage
and betrothal
required
a ceremony
right now
this wasn't
and not
Aaron I talk
about this
often like
man we were
glad that we
got like
engaged
before
social media
because I
feel like
man you've
got to
coordinate that
with like a
Hollywood
production team
to make
everybody
aware
right
but for
in here
betrothal
required a
ceremony
that was
both
legally
and
spiritually
binding
during their
day
so they
would have
gone through
their engagement
they would have
gone through
a betrothal
a ceremony
would have
happened
it probably
would have
looked a lot
there's
commitments
it's before
God
there's
vows
there's
people who
are there
that are
witnessing
this account
that's there
it's before
the Lord
it's before
your friends
it's before
the family
this is the
process
that they
would go
through
and you're
like well
that sounds
a lot
like a
marriage
so why
was this
not
marriage
well
in the
betrothal
the couple
was pledged
to one
another
in every
area
of their
life
emotionally
in
responsibility
financially
but
they were
not allowed
to live
together
and
they were
not
to engage
in sexual
activity
so it's
the
responsibilities
it's
the
relational
commitment
it's the
spiritual
commitment
it's the
financial
commitment
but you
don't live
together
you don't
sleep
together
and
betrothal
lasted
for one
year
and then
the marriage
would take
place
you see
this level
of commitment
you see
this level
of investment
so how
do you
process
new
information
Zachariah
and
Mary
found out
their
information
through an
angel
the
information
they
received
and the
spiritual
validity
of the
message
happen at
the same
time
how does
Joseph find
out
how does
Joseph find
out
we don't
know
where we
see
how he
will get
the
fullness
but how
does that
initially
take place
look back
at verse
18 and
19
now the
birth of
Jesus Christ
took place
in this
way
when his
mother
Mary
had been
betrothed
to
Joseph
before they
came together
she was
found to be
with child
from the
Holy Spirit
and her
husband
Joseph
being a
just man
and unwilling
to put her
to shame
resolved to
divorce her
let's pause
right there
in the
timeline of
his life
verse 18
and verse 19
happens
there is no
angel
there is no
special message
from God
you've got a
man
betrothed
to a
woman
who's
pregnant
and he
knows
that's not
mine
that's
not
mine
I don't
know
and it
would do
us no
good
to try
to
assume
how
that
conversation
took
place
but I
can only
imagine
and I
will
assume
that in
the
conversation
because of
what we
see in
these
actions
that there
was a
confrontation
between
Joseph
and Mary
I
would
find it
hard to
believe
that this
would be
a
light
hearted
conversation
between the
two of
them
like I
think we
can feel
the weight
of that
here today
I
would
imagine
that she
maintained
the fact
that she
was a
virgin
why
wouldn't
she
and I
can only
imagine
that he
didn't
believe
her
and it's
easy
standing on
this side
of the
narrative
to judge
that
and I'm
not going
to speak
for you
I'll
speak
for me
I
wouldn't
have
believed
her
either
we're
engaged
we're
betrothed
and you're
telling me
that you're
pregnant
but you
haven't
been
with a
man
that's
insanity
to the
mind
of a
human
so
what
does
Joseph
do
with this
information
what
would
you
do
with
this
information
for a
moment
put
yourself
in his
shoes
someone
you
love
hurt
you
betrayed
you
humiliated
you
and now
as a
victim
what
do
you
do
now
imagine
this
specific
situation
I think
it's
fair to
say
has never
happened
to you
and it's
never
happened
to me
but have
you ever
been betrayed
by someone
you love
have you
ever been
hurt by
someone you
care for
have you
ever been
humiliated
by someone
close to
you
have you
ever been
victimized
sure
we all
have
how did
you
respond
maybe
not
great
but the
question
this morning
for us
remember
it's not
how do
we
respond
but
how
do
we
respond
in light
of the
gospel
knowing
Jesus
knows
knowing
that he
knew
before
knowing
that he
is in
control
knowing
that he
loves you
and knowing
that you're
a child
of God
I want
us to
look at
some things
as we
look at
these
characters
we're
calling
them
the
faith
lessons
that
we're
learning
I want
to look
at
Joseph
because
I think
there's
some
wonderful
aspects
of his
godly
character
of his
faith
and who
God
is
that
even
though
he
does
not
know
yet
what
he
will
know
he
responds
in a
way
that's
godly
the
first
thing
that
we
see
and
that
we
want
to
understand
with
Joseph
is
that
Joseph
was
just
Joseph
was
just
what
does
that
mean
that
he
was
just
he
was
a
carpenter
he
wasn't
a
judge
he
wasn't
a
magistrate
he
wasn't
a
lawyer
he
wasn't
a
person
that
we
think
of
when
we
think
of
that
their
ruling
would
be
just
but
yet
the
Bible
says
very
clearly
in
verse
19
and
her
husband
Joseph
being
a
just
man
this
word
it
implies
here
something
spiritual
that is
going
on
something
spiritual
that has
been
going
on
in
the
life
and
in
the
heart
of
Joseph
that
not
only
does
he
know
the
law
and
the
knowledge
of
the
word
of
God
but
that
Joseph
in
being
just
not
knowing
what
is
just
but
that
in
being
just
knows
and
applies
the
word
of
God
so
what
we
can
read
into
this
very
beginning
of
verse
19
is
we
can
take
the
implication
of
this
word
just
and
say
that
her
husband
Joseph
being
a
godly
just
desiring
to
glorify
God
man
this
is
who
he
is
that
in
spite
of
his
emotions
in
spite
of
what
he
feels
in
spite
of
his
motives
in
spite
of
his
perspective
Joseph
is
going
to
desire
in
all
things
the
rule
and
reign
of
God
and
I
believe
that
what
we
see
of
his
actions
in
verse
19
and
20
point
to
this
and
that
the
steps
he
will
take
even
before
he
understands
even
before
all
the
information
is
given
to
him
is
done
so
with
an
intent
that
God
will
be
glorified
that
God
will
be
glorified
the
Bible
says
that
being
a
just
man
the
second
thing
is
Joseph
was
compassionate
you
see
the
gospel
in
your
heart
and
in
your
life
works
you
into
a
place
of
the
truth
of
God
and
the
mercy
of
God
these
things
that
work
together
and that
become
the grace
of God
in this
being
just
knowing
and
desiring
for the
truth
of God
to rule
and reign
but the
compassion
the mercy
of God
of what's
there
and
while
Joseph
was
in a
bad
spot
terrible
spot
that I'm
sure
he woke
up
every
day
in
these
moments
and thought
why me
why now
but he
had options
and he
had options
that were
legal
he had
options
that would
have
been
acceptable
commonly
Joseph
had
four
different
options
that he
could do
the first
option is
he could
have had
Mary
executed
the law
would have
allowed
for this
to happen
he could
have brought
the charge
would have
been
proven
Mary
could have
been
executed
second
thing
he could
have had
Mary
punished
this
punish
could have
been
a physical
punishment
a beating
or jail
time
the third
option
you see
in betrothal
when you
dissolved
a betrothal
it was
referred to
as divorce
and so
in the day
he could
have
divorced
Mary
through
the court
system
he could
have sought
to expose
her
the foolishness
through his
mind
of her
story
the crazy
that she
was embracing
and trying
to commit
him to
he could
have
exposed
her
or
there was
one other
way
there was a
way that
they called
a quiet
divorce
and Joseph
could have
gone to
two
individuals
Joseph
could have
written
a letter
of
divorce
and in
the privacy
of his
home
the betrothal
could have
been dissolved
and that's
what Joseph's
plans were
he
believed
incorrectly
all right
incorrect
belief
but based
off of the
information
of the
moment
that Mary
had sinned
and this
is what got
them in the
situation
and instead
of allowing
vengeance
instead of
allowing him
to expose
her
Joseph
said you
know what
in the
quiet of
the moment
I'm going
to show
compassion
and I
can't
follow
through
with this
so this
is what
I'm going
to do
but it's
it's
divorce
it was
allowed
it would
have been
acceptable
even though
he would
have been
wrong
in the
eyes of
everyone
around
he would
have been
right
sometimes I
find that
when we
show
compassion
to those
that have
hurt us
we find
ourselves
in that
situation
as well
the world
around us
tells us
we're wrong
but when we
show compassion
before God
we are right
but then
there's this
third thing
and I love
this but
we can miss
this if we
just read
through this
story quickly
it's that
Joseph was
patient
Joseph
was
patient
so
Joseph
was
just
Joseph
was
compassionate
Joseph
had a
plan
but
look at
verse 20
but as
he
considered
these
things
see he
wasn't
in a
rush
he
didn't
want to
act
rashly
but instead
he waited
and I
believe
he
prayed
why do I
believe that
because he
was a
just
man
why do I
believe that
because he
was a
compassionate
man
and I
believe
what I've
seen in my
own life
and seen in
the lives
of others
that prayer
is what a
godly man
and a
godly woman
do
when they
are just
and they
are compassionate
and they
are patient
and they'll
turn to the
Lord
God why
God help
God make
sense
of the
mess
of where
I find
myself
what do
you pray
about
what do
you pray
about
I mean
this week
I examined
my prayer
life and
quite honestly
in full
transparency
often times
the
selfishness
of my
prayer
life
I find
that my
prayer
life can
be centered
around more
of what I
need God
to do
for me
instead
of my
prayer
life
being
focused
around
what I
need
to do
for
God
and I
believe
as we
look at
this
that
Joseph
prayed
God
what
do
you
have
me
to do
I believe
he would
have prayed
for his
actions
his heart
his mind
his testimony
I believe
being just
and being
compassionate
he would
have prayed
for Mary
I believe
being just
and being
compassionate
he would
have prayed
for the
baby
in her
womb
and why
do I
believe
this
not just
simply
because of
who he
is
because of
what God
did
Joseph
considered
these
things
I've
got the
plan
I'm
good
I've
got the
story
it
makes
sense
I've
got the
affirmation
of others
why not
move
forward
God I
don't need
you
about this
to pray
about
God my
way
seems
clear
and good
and right
but not
Joseph
but as
he
considered
these
things
he was
patient
and then
what we
see
from
Joseph
is
Joseph
was
obedient
Joseph
was
obedient
the
angel
appears
the
angel
comes
to
him
in
a
dream
Joseph
son
of
David
addressing
him
from
this
poor
carpenter's
lineage
to the
king
addressing
him
in
the
way
that
Jesus
will
be
addressed
as
the
Messiah
the
weight
of
the
word
that
is
going
to
come
to
him
in
this
moment
Joseph
son
of
David
do
not
fear
to
take
Mary
as
your
wife
for
that
which
is
conceived
in
her
is
from
the
Holy
Spirit
she
will
bear
a
son
and
you
shall
call
his
name
Jesus
for
he
will
save
his
people
from
their
sins
all
this
took
place
to
fulfill
what
the
Lord
has
spoken
by
the
prophet
behold
the
virgin
shall
conceive
and bear
a son
and they
shall
call
his
name
Emmanuel
which
means
God
with
us
and
the
Bible
tells
us
that
when
he
awoke
church
may
we
never
miss
that
moment
of
the
sweetness
of
the
instant
obedience
of
God
to
God
that
when
he
woke
from
his
sleep
he
did
as
the
angel
of
the
Lord
commanded
him
hey
let's
forget
the
divorce
hey
Mary
I'm
sorry
hey
I
need
to
repent
hey
I
get
this
I
understand
Joseph
didn't
need
to
seek
counsel
he
didn't
need
to
process
he
didn't
need
to
try
to
understand
Joseph
simply
did
what
he
was
commanded
to
do
what
causes
that
type
of
faith
what
causes
in
the
moment
to
not
sit
there
and
ponder
to
not
sit
there
and
wonder
to
not
sit
there
and
doubt
to
not
sit
there
and
try
to
seek
validation
from
other
sources
what
happens
to
create
in
that
moment
where
God
says
to
you
and
I
do
this
and
we
just
respond
with
full
on
obedience
to
him
it's
the
frequency
of
faith
it's
every
day
saying
Lord
grow
me
Lord
every
day
another
step
toward
you
Lord
another
day
of
dependence
on
you
and
here's
what
I
believe
I
believe
that
pouring
through
this
and
these
handful
of
verses
that
we
see
was
this
wasn't
the
first
time
Joseph
obeyed
that
the
more
and
more
that
he
trusted
God
with
the
plan
of
his
life
it
was
easier
to
trust
the
next
plan
of
his
life
so
that
when
God
sent
an
angel
to
him
in
his
dream
that
said
listen
you're
betrothed
Mary
she is a
virgin
in her
womb
is the
Messiah
he's
going to
save
his
people
from
their
sins
he
is
God
with
us
he
woke
up
and
said
okay
all
right
let's
go
let's
go
God
this
is
who
you
are
this
is
what
you've
done
this
isn't
my
first
rodeo
with
you
let's
go
do
this
we
see
the
frequency
of
faith
and
simply
he
never
speaks
when
you
read
later
on
Matthew
2
and
we'll
get
there
in
future
weeks
it's
pretty
remarkable
do you
know
what
happens
God
continues
to
appear
to
Joseph
in
dreams
and
Joseph
says
let's
go
God
let's
go
God
let's
go
God
what
is
God
saying
to
you
in
his
word
in
your
response
is
hold
up
God
hold
up
God
what
is
God
saying
in
your
in
his
word
to
you
about
sharing
the
gospel
you're
like
hold
up
God
what
is
God
saying
to
you
in
his
word
about
how
you
manage
your
finances
and
you're
saying
but
hold
up
God
what
is
God
saying
to
you
through
his
word
about
how
you
love
your
spouse
and
you're
saying
but
hold
up
God
what
is
God
saying
to
you
with
how
you
parent
your
children
but
you
say
but
hold
up
God
what
is
God
saying
to
you
about
how
you're
to
forgive
those
who
have
hurt
you
but
you're
saying
but
hold
up
God
what
is
God
saying
to
you
when
you
seek
to
blame
the
others
for
the
situations
that
you
find
yourself
in
that
your
sin
has
caused
and
created
in
your
life
and
you
saying
but
hold
up
God
what
if
in
the
midst
of
the
difficulty
what
if
in
the
midst
of
the
hard
what
if
in
the
midst
of
the
unfathomable
we
just
say
God
I'm
obedient
to
you
that
I
am
no
longer
a
slave
to
sin
but
a
slave
to
righteousness
I
am
not
no
longer
a
follower
of
the
prince
of
the
power
of
the
air
but
I
am
a
son
daughter
of
the
living
God
that
I
am
no
longer
defined
as
the
sins
that
I
have
committed
and
will
commit
but
I
am
defined
as
a
holy
redeemed
child
of
God
okay
God
I
don't
understand
I
don't
comprehend
but
God
I
want
to
be
just
God
I
want
to
be
compassionate
God
I
want
to
be
patient
in
seeking
you
in
your
will
and
God
when
you
make
it
evident
to
me
Lord
may
the
simplicity
of
obedience
be
my
posture
of
action
you
see
the
angel
comes
to
Joseph
son
of
David
the
messianic
line
fear
not
the
baby
in
her
womb
has
been
conceived
in
the
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
and
Joseph
being
a
just
man
would
begin
to
understand
all
that
he
is
saying
and
then
the
angel
says
let me
give you
two
names
of
who
this
baby
is
but
in
this
person
who
he
is
Jesus
she
will
bear
a
son
and
you
shall
call
his
name
Jesus
for
he
will
save
his
people
from
their
sins
and
in
this
picture
we
see
the
Messiah
Joseph
would
begin
to
understand
this
is
the
one
who
will
save
those
from
their
guilt
by
washing
them
in
his
blood
this
will
be
the
one
who
saves
them
from
the
dominion
of
sin
by
putting
the
Holy
Spirit
in
their
hearts
this
is
the
one
who
will
save
them
eternally
from
the
presence
of
sin
as
he
removes
them
from
this
world
to
rest
with
him
for
all
of
eternity
this
one
Jesus
will
be
the
one
to
save
them
from
the
consequences
of
sin
the
new
heaven
and
the
new
earth
their
new
body
for
all
of
eternity
folks
this
is
Jesus
this
is
God
sent
in
the
womb
of
a
virgin
to
be
born
as
a
baby
not
to
just
give
you
a
better
code
of
ethic
but
to
save
your
soul
not
for
a
moment
but
for
eternity
the
person
of
Christ
Jesus
but
he
also
he
quotes
Isaiah
in
verse
23
behold
the
virgin
shall
conceive
and
bear
a
son
and
they
shall
call
his
name
Emmanuel
which
means
God
with
us
and
so
the
person
of
Christ
but
also
the
position
of
Christ
Emmanuel
it
is
never
recorded
anywhere
in
scripture
where
Jesus
is
referred
to
by
name
as
Emmanuel
there
are
titles
and
names
that
he
has
given
but
we
see
this
very
early
on
in
the
fulfillment
of
God's
prophecy
that
he
will
come
in
the
story
of
Christmas
God
with
us
in
human
with a
nature
like
ours
in
all
things
except
no
sin
committed
and
through
Jesus
with
us
in
human
flesh
and
blood
at
the
same
time
truly
God
see
born
of a
virgin
Mary
with
us
he
hungered
he
thirst
he
was
weary
he
could
weep
he
could
groan
he
could
feel
the
bitterness
of
betrayal
but
yet
in
sinless
fashion
performed
miracles
new
people's
thoughts
had
powers
over
demons
was
ministered
to
by
angels
and
rose
from
the
dead
and
we
see
his
humanity
and
we
see
his
divinity
as
God
in
flesh
sent
to die
on the
cross
to
save
us
from
our
sins
to
rise
again
to
ascend
to
the
right
hand
of
the
father
until
one
day
one
day
to
return
this
baby
boy
Jesus
would
you pray
with me
God
God we
come to
you
Lord we
thank you
for the
truth of
your word
God I
pray that
in all
things
in all
circumstances
in all
situations
Lord
Lord as
we
receive
the
information
and the
news
of the
moment
that we
would
seek
to
respond
in a
manner
Lord that
is
reflective
of the
gospel
and who
you have
saved us
to be
God I
pray
we may
grow
in the
truth
and
application
of your
word
Lord where
our hearts
are sinful
and
self
righteous
Lord may
you grant
us through
the power
of your
spirit to
be just
Lord where
our hearts
are spiteful
and vengeful
Lord may
we find
in ourselves
through the
power of
your hand
to be
compassionate
God where
our hearts
are quick
to judge
and condemn
others
that we
feel
have fallen
short
from the
standard
that you've
given
Lord may
we be
patient
for the
working
of your
hand
God where
we are
disobedient
Lord
create
in
us
a heart
of
obedience
God we
praise you
for this
season
this
wonderful
season
where
the world
seems to
some
willingly
and some
unwillingly
pause
to remind
of the
specialty
of what's
happening
the truth
of Jesus
Christ
Emmanuel
God
with us
God
sent
to
save
pray
Lord
that all
of us
in here
would receive
the truth
of that
message this
morning
it's in
Jesus name
we pray
amen
that's it
for this
week's
message
be sure
to check
back next
week for
another
episode
in the
meantime
you can
stay up
to date
with
everything
happening
at
Willow
Ridge
by
visiting
us
on
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
and
online
at
willowridgechurch.org
thanks again
for listening
you