Matthew 2:19–23
19But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20“Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Focused Thinking:
What was the cause of Herod’s death?
The passage doesn’t tell us, but I’d like to see if history books record it.
I’m just curious about the timing of Herod’s death.
How did Herod’s death affect these events?
Who replaced Herod and what did that process look like?
- Archelaus, Herod’s son (see verse 22)
Note: Most of the time I don’t take the time to go answer these types of questions, but I ask them because they help me think through the context of the story.
How did God communicate to Joseph?
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
It’s interesting that he communicated to Joseph as the head of the home.
It was Joseph’s role and responsibility to protect Mary and Jesus.
I wonder why Scripture doesn’t tell us what happens to Joseph.
If my memory is correct, we know nothing about Joseph after the family visits Jerusalem for Feast of the Passover when Jesus was twelve years old.
What did Joseph do when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream?
He got up and took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Personal Application:
What do I do when God speaks to me?
Far too often I evaluate what God said versus what I think is best.
- How stupid is that?
- I know when God speaks.
- Rarely is God’s Word and direction unclear.
- God is almost always clear about “what” He wants us to do.
- Sometimes God isn’t as clear about “how” to do it.
- When I start obeying the “what” the “how” becomes clearer.
It this situation Joseph started obeying but circumstances and more communication from God redirected Joseph to Nazareth.
22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
I need to be more confident in my ability to hear God’s voice through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
I need to be more confident in my ability to trust the discernment of the Holy Spirit and to obey the Holy Spirit in the moment.
I need to quit worrying about what other people think and let the Holy Spirit have His way in my life, in my leadership and in our services.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, give me the ability to sustain and increase spiritual intensity. Give me the ability to spend so much time in Your Word and prayer that I trust my discernment and obedience to the Holy Spirit completely. Forgive me for the ways I get distracted. Forgive me for the ways that I worry and stress. Forgive me for the ways I control instead of letting You control. Father, I pray that I will let You lead me and this church. Give me Your Words for this sermon series. Give me the ability to say what You want said with Your authority and power. Father, anoint me for Your purposes. Father, I can do absolutely nothing apart from You. Give me the desire and discipline to grow closer to You than ever before. Give me the ability to discipline my life for the purpose of godliness. Give me the ability to go to next level in my walk with You. Give me the ability to transition from leader/pastor to pastor/leader.
Father, heal me in the area of my fears. My fears are based upon my limitations, but I don’t have limitations when I’m abiding in You. Heal me from my past and all the ways that my past makes me doubt myself and never feel good enough. It isn’t about me feeling good enough; I’m not good enough. Only You are good enough. Give me the ability to be 110% dependent upon You. Give me the ability to pray according to the reality that apart from You I can do nothing. Give me the faith to pray and believe that You answer prayers. Give me the faith to pray and believe that You will answer my prayers and bring revival. Forgive me for the ways that I pray in a hopeful way instead of a confident way. Give me the ability to pray from conviction and confidence. Give me the faith to reaffirm the Words of the past that You’ve spoken to me and to live in them until they come true. Father, speak new Words to me to increase my faith. Father, give me the privilege of seeing prayers answered in order to glorify Yourself and to increase my faith. Father, I ask that You anoint me in a way that You’ve never anointed me before. I ask that the Spirit of God embody me and speak through me. Father, give me the ability to write and teach with confidence in Your Word and in Your presence.
Father, I pray that our people will truly invest and invite for this series. Give us the ability to reach many people and to see their lives changed forever. I pray that this will not be just another church experience for many. I pray that this will be a divine appointment. Give me the perfect messages. Anoint Your Words and breath life into everyone who hears my words. I pray for unbelievable numbers of people to repent of sin and place their faith in You for the first time. I pray for others to repent of being convenient-Christians or crisis-Christians. I pray for people to repent of playing the game of religion instead of living in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Give us the ability to gain momentum this Spring and to see the church grow spiritually, numerically and financially. Father, I pray that the power of the resurrection will be visible in our church. Give us the ability to live according to the power of the resurrection and to overcome sin and death in the lives of our people and this city.
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