122423...When God Messes With Your Plans...

“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 Immanuel’ (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.”...-Matthew 1:18-25

“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’”...-Luke 1:34

Sermon In A Sentence: When God messes with your plans, ask God to help you respond like Mary & Joseph; and believe that His plans are better than yours.

3 Observations From The Christmas Story:
-God didn’t ask Mary & Joseph—He told them!
-God’s plan for Mary & Joseph was not an easy one!
-Though things were difficult for Mary & Joseph, God blessed!

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you”...-Isaiah 43:1-2

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” ... -Luke 2:52

“And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?’ And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart” ...-Luke 2:49-51

“And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.”...-Luke 2:33

Sermon In A Sentence: When God messes with your plans, ask God to help you respond like Mary & Joseph; and believe that His plans are better than yours.