Joseph was engaged to Mary but faced a dilemma when she became pregnant since he was not the father. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to marry Mary anyway, as the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Though difficult, Joseph obeyed God without question by taking Mary as his wife. He further demonstrated obedience through his actions, such as fleeing to Egypt with Mary and Jesus when warned in another dream. Joseph modeled faithful obedience to God through both his inward trust and outward actions.

1. JOSEPH’S
DILEMMA
SSMC
SUNGAI WAY-SUBANG
METHODIST
C H U R C H
Matt 1:20-24
Message by
KOH CHIEN AUN
4 DEC 2016

2. Joseph’s Dilemma
Matthew 1:20-24
SSMC
SUNGAI WAY-SUBANG
METHODIST
C H U R C H

3. What do we know of Joseph?
• A direct descendent of David
(Matt 1:1-18).
• A carpenter or craftsman.
• Not the biological father of Jesus.
• Probably died before Jesus’ public
ministry (Luke 2:33-35).

4. Joseph’s Dilemma
• Accept her – Liar or made
a mockery of the Jewish
marriage institution.
• Reject her – Condemned
her to public ridicule,
maybe even death by
stoning.

6. What do we know of his character?
•He faithful to the law (v.19)
•Honourable
•He was gracious (v.19)
•OBEDIENT
•FAITHFUL
•KNEW GOD

7. Joseph’s Dilemma Obedience
• An angel of the Lord
appeared in a dream.
• He did not question,
he acted promptly.
• Repeated again a
number of times:
• Egypt (Matt 2:13-14)
• Return from Egypt
(Matt 2:23)

8. Joseph’s Dilemma Obedience
• Solved his dilemma.
(Inward)
• Came with a cost:
• Reputation
• Stability
• Ultimately ushered in
God’s kingdom on Earth.
(Outward)

9. By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God and obey his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5 : 2–3

10. Joseph’s Dilemma Faith
James 2:21-23
Was not Abraham our father
justified by works when he
offered up his son Isaac on the
altar? You see that faith was
active along with his works, and
faith was completed by his works;
and the Scripture was fulfilled
that says, “Abraham believed
God, and it was counted to him
as righteousness”—and he was
called a friend of God.

12. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Faith is only real when
there is obedience, never
without it, and faith only
becomes faith in the act
of obedience.

13. Joseph Knew his God
•He was well versed with the Law. (v.19)
•He recognised the messenger of God.
•He faithfully obeyed and trusted God completely.

14. Closing questions to ponder…
•Do you know your God?
•Do you trust your God?
•Has God asked you to do something
in obedience?