First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States Daily Devotions for Monday, 1 December to 7 December 2014 Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety by Craig Brown Text to read: Matthew 1:18-25

First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States Daily Devotions for Monday, 1 December to 7 December 2014  
Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety by Craig Brown Text to read: Matthew 1:18-25
Scritpure Reading:
Text to read: Matthew 1:The Birth of Jesus
18-19 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
20-23 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:
Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).
24-25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Matthew 1:18-25:
Verse 19
[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
A just man — A strict observer of the law: therefore not thinking it right to keep her.
Verse 21
[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Jesus — That is, a Saviour. It is the same name with Joshua (who was a type of him) which properly signifies, The Lord, Salvation.
His people — Israel. And all the Israel of God.
Verse 23
[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
They shall call his name Emmanuel — To be called, only means, according to the Hebrew manner of speaking, that the person spoken of shall really and effectually be what he is called, and actually fulfil that title. Thus, Unto us a child is born - and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace - That is, he shall be all these, though not so much nominally, as really, and in effect. And thus was he called Emmanuel; which was no common name of Christ, but points out his nature and office; as he is God incarnate, and dwells by his Spirit in the hearts of his people. It is observable, the words in Isaiah are, Thou (namely, his mother) shalt call; but here, They - that is, all his people, shall call - shall acknowledge him to be Emmanuel, God with us.
Which being interpreted — This is a clear proof that St. Matthew wrote his Gospel in Greek, and not in Hebrew. Isaiah 7:14.
Verse 25
[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
He knew her not, till after she had brought forth — It cannot be inferred from hence, that he knew her afterward: no more than it can be inferred from that expression, 2 Samuel 6:23, Michal had no child till the day of her death, that she had children afterward. Nor do the words that follow, the first-born son, alter the case. For there are abundance of places, wherein the term first born is used, though there were no subsequent children. Luke 2:7.
Daily Devotion:
Monday, December 1, 2014
Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety
When faced with an obstacle, which is your usual response, fight or flight?
Why?
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety
Does the choice between "flight or fight" depend on other factors?
What are they?
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety
When does too much patience become fear or cowardice?
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety
Read the entire story from Matthew 1:18-25.
What makes Joseph change his mind?
Is it that easy?
Friday, December 5, 2014
Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety
Does our hope in Christ call us fight?
What does that fight look like?
Where does it happen?
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety
How can a follower of Jesus be a courageous peacemaker?
How can you become this?
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Sermon theme: The Day Begins at Midnight - Resist the flight to safety
Pray for Christians under persecution for their faith today.
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First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108 United States
(619) 297-4366
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Sermon Story "Virgin Birth" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 7 December 2014
There are so many people who cannot believe that Mary was a virgin who gave birth to Yeshua the Messiah even today. These people are not alone. Joseph could not beleive that his future wife was pregnant without have sexual encouonter with another man until. The until was as he was thinking over in his heart and mind what to do with Mary that she would not become his wife without her being killed or disgraced that he fell asleep. As he was sleeping, an Angel of God came to him and said that indeed his fiancee was still a virgin and the child she is pregnant with was conceived by God's Holy Spirit. The Angel went on to say that this child would be the Promised Messiah of Israel who would save the Israelites from their sins and oppressors as well as the whole world from their sins. Joseph believed the Angel and awoke to go and marry Mary as his wife, but he would not have any sexual relationship with her until after Yeshua was born. This story is hard to beleive for some people, but how do we really trust God to fulfill His promises in our lives? Which characters in this story do you relate to or not relate to? How do understand the truth of this story? If you were given a similar situation in your life, how would you respond with God's love and truth as well as His mercy?
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street
San Diego, California
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