Do Not Be Afraid of God’s Calling

FEAR NOT

Do Not Be Afraid of God’s Calling

Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph’s Living Nightmare

Matthew 1:18 (NIV) — This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:19 (NIV) — Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

How Can We Face Our Fear of Our Callings?

1. “Sleep on It”: in God’s

Matthew 1:20 (NIV) — But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 127:2 (NIV) — In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Psalm 105:17 (NIV) — “. . . and [God] sent a man before them — Joseph, sold as a slave.”

2. “Set an Alarm”: to God’s

Matthew 1:24 (NIV) — When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.