Dead Things Can Live Again - Part VI, Mark Brand, Antioch Church, August 28, 2016

Dead Things Can Live Again, Part VI

Antioch Church, Sunday, August 28, 2016

TEXTS

Ezekiel 37:1–14 (NIV) — 1 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. 11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ ”

The BIG Idea

The Holy Spirit wants to help us speak words of experience, testimony, prayer, and praise. As we do, His power changes things around us.

INTRODUCTION / REVIEW

In Ezekiel’s vision of “the valley of dry bones,” God used the prophet’s words to release the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit (the “wind”) and to accomplish His purposes in and through His people, the children of Israel.

Ezekiel’s experience teaches us that another important key to seeing dead things live again is to speak what God gives us…(vs. 7-12)

·       Go where God is leading you. (vs. 1)

·       Look at what God is showing you. (vs. 2)

·       Believe what God is promising you. (vs. 3-6)

·       Speak what God is giving you. (vs. 7-12)

God wants to USE my words to release His power and to accomplish His purposes….

As we walk with God whose spoken word has such power, He sometimes gives us things to say that release His power and bring His will to pass when we speak them in faith and obedience…

This is not because of our words have creative power, it is because His words have creative power. (Rom. 10:17)

God wants to GUIDE my words by helping me know what to speak, when to speak, where to speak, and how to speak. (Acts 19:13–16)

Here are two very important things to remember:

Here are some examples of the kinds of words the Spirit gives us to say…

·       Words of saving faith (Rom. 10:8-17)

·       Words of profession (Rom. 8:15-16; Matt. 10:32-33)

·       Words of provision (Matt. 6:11; James 4:3; Gen. 22:6-14)

Matthew 6:11 (NIV) — 11 Give us today our daily bread.

Lessons We Can Learn From Abraham (Gen. 22)

• Abraham said it before he saw it…! (Gen. 22:8)
• Abraham’s confession was the overflow of his conviction…! (Gen. 22:5; Rom. 10:9; Mk. 9:20-24)
• Abraham’s words glorified God and not himself…! (Gen. 22:8; Is. 42:8; Dan. 4:27-37)
• Abraham’s words impacted those around him…! (Gen. 22:8; Acts 27:20-26
• Abraham’s words set in motion forces that would continue long after his life was over…! (Gen. 22:14; Phil 4:18-19; Heb. 11:17-19)

1.     Words of experience (Ps. 71:17-18; 102:18; 22:30-31)

Psalm 71:17–18 (NIV) — 17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. 

Psalm 102:18 (NIV) — 18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord… 

Psalm 22:30–31 (NIV) — 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

2.     Words of intercession (Rom. 8:26-27; 1 Cor. 14:1–28, 39–40)

Romans 8:26–27 (NIV) — 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 

Romans 8:26 (The Message) — 26 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. 

1 Corinthians 14:1–28, 39-40 (NIV) — 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue….20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” 26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God…39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Paul’s Perspective on Spiritual Language (Speaking in Tongues)

In modern times, probably no spiritual gift is more controversial than the ability to speak in tongues/spiritual language/unlearned languages.

In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul sets forth several principles of propriety in public worship and makes several important points specifically about speaking in tongues.

• Speaking in tongues is good and from God. (14:2, 14-15)

1 Corinthians 14:2 (NIV) — 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:14–15 (NIV) — 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.

Paul did NOT say, “Since my understanding is ‘unfruitful’ when I pray or sing with the Spirit, therefore I will pray and sing with my understanding instead of praying and singing with my spirit…!” Rather, he said, I will intentionally do BOTH…!

• Speaking in tongues strengthens and blesses (edifies) the person who experiences it. (14:4; Jude 1:20-21)

1 Corinthians 14:4 (NIV) — 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 

1 Corinthians 14:4 (NLT) — 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. 

Jude 20–21 (NIV) — 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

WHY would speaking/praying/singing in tongues be important if our mind (“our understanding”) does not understand what our mouth is saying (“is unfruitful”)?

• Since speaking in tongues is supernatural, exercising this gift strengthens our faith. Every time we speak with tongues, we are entering into a supernatural experience and we are reminded of the reality of the supernatural.
• Since speaking in tongues requires yielding to the Spirit, speaking in tongues increases our sensitivity to the Spirit. This increased sensitivity to the Spirit’s promptings can result in our receiving greater spiritual revelation in other areas and/or becoming more aware of how God desires to lead us.
• Since speaking in tongues transcends our human understanding, speaking in tongues enables us to pray, prophesy, and praise without being limited by our understanding. Many times in life we do not know in our human understanding what we should do, where we should go, what we should say. As we open our spirit up to the Holy Spirit by praying in the Spirit, sometimes a clear conviction comes to our hears about these and other things.
• Since speaking in tongues addressed toward other people must always be accompanied by a supernatural interpretation, according to 1 Corinthians 14, allowing the gift of tongues plus interpretation in our public worship services gives room to the Holy Spirit. (cf. Myer Pearlman conversion story at Azusa Street revival, etc.)

• We should be thankful that we speak in tongues. (14:18)

1 Corinthians 14:18 (NIV) — 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

• We should desire for other Christians to experience it. (14:5)

1 Corinthians 14:5 (NIV) — 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Whenever you get into a discussion with someone who is strongly against speaking in tongues, it is sometimes interesting and revealing to ask them these questions: “Would you like to speak with tongues?” Or “Would you like all of the people in your church to speak with tongues?“ The answer to these two questions is rarely, “Yes.” Ironically, many times these people are very Pauline in their theology (they highly value the Apostle Paul’s epistles and their didactic content), but they are not very Pauline in their methodology. 

What you will quickly discover is that sometimes the prejudice people have against speaking in tongues is more sociological than theological. In other words, they associate speaking in tongues with unlearned and unrefined people and do not want to be in any way associated with all of that.

• The Holy Spirit does not give public tongues to every Christian. (12:30)

1 Corinthians 12:30 (NIV) — 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 

1 Corinthians 12:30 (NLT) — 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!

Differences of opinion exist, even between people who value tongues, as to whether or not Paul is talking about all spiritual language or specifically about the God-given ability some people have to give public “messages” in tongues to a corporate gathering. (Tongues as “evidence” vs. tongues as “gift”) 

Classical Pentecostals tend to believe that: a.) Since the context of 1 Corinthians 14 is the exercise of spiritual gifts in public worship gatherings, b.) the record of the Book of Acts shows clearly that tongues was very common whenever people are described as being filled with the Spirit (three out of five times), and, c.) Paul specifically states in this chapter that he would like every one of the Corinthians to speak with tongues, therefore tongues is the one gift God wants to give to every believer. Theologically, this is usually called, “tongues as initial evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” 

Charismatics tend to take one of the following positions: a. Tongues are something that will occur at one time or another in the life of every Spirit-filled believer, b.) tongues are one of the possible evidences of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (the other most common evidence cited as a possibility being prophecy), or c.) tongues are simply one of several gifts that God may or may not sovereignly choose to give any particular Spirit-filled believer. 

Whichever position one takes regarding the question of whether or not every believe can and/or should receive the gift of spiritual language, verse 30 makes it crystal-clear that, at the very least, not every Christian is used to give public “messages” in tongues to others.

• We should never discourage or forbid speaking in tongues. (14:39)

1 Corinthians 14:39 (NIV) — 39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

During the early days of the Pentecostal movement (the first few decades of the 20^th Century), speaking in tongues became very controversial. Some denominations (Nazarene, etc.) flat-out forbid the practice, typically saying that this gift was only for the earliest days of the Christian church, before the canon of New Testament Scripture was closed. Others (Christian Missionary Alliance, etc.) sought to find a middle-ground concerning the practice and adopted A.B. Simpson’s famous dictum as their guide: “Seek not; forbid not.” In practice, those people who adopted “Seek not; Forbid not” as their guide tended, over time, to gravitate completely away from the phenomenon and eventually wound up more in the “Seek not” part of the positional spectrum instead of the “Forbid not” wing.

• Speaking in tongues has the potential for special impact upon unbelievers when properly exercised. (14:22-23)

1 Corinthians 14:22–23 (NIV) — 22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

Some church leaders today, usually in part because they have seen undesirable excesses in the past in certain quarters, take the approach that tongues should only be a part of personal, private prayer and never be exercised in public because, they say, it will drive unbelievers away from any church service where it is allowed. Interestingly, Paul specifically states in 1 Corinthians 14 that tongues are a sign to unbelievers. The primary Old Testament passage he appears to be referring to is Isaiah 28:11 (see also Deut. 28:49-50) where tongues are a sign of God’s judgment upon unbelieving Israel. 

In public worship services, God may sometimes sovereignly choose to use a “message” in tongues accompanied by an Spirit-given interpretation because He knows this will have a greater impact upon someone present than if the same thought or message was communicated via a prophecy in the mother tongue of those present.

• In public worship gatherings, tongue-speaking should only take place in such a way that unbelievers will not be unnecessarily repelled by it. (14:23-25)

1 Corinthians 14:23–25 (NIV) — 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

The Gospel of the Cross is itself offensive, but we should never exercise tongues or do anything else that erects unnecessary barriers between lost people and salvation or between saved people and greater edification.

1 Corinthians 1:18–19, 22-25 (NIV) — 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”…22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

• Any speaking in tongues directed at others in a public meeting must be accompanied by an interpretation. (14:27-28)

1 Corinthians 14:27–28 (NIV) — 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.  

1 Corinthians 14:27–28 (NLT) — 27 No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. 28 But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.

Ø  When exercising the gift of spiritual language or any other spiritual gift in a corporate worship setting, instead of asking ourselves, “How can I be blessed through this gift?” we should ask, “How can others be blessed through this gift?”

When we do things God’s way, the most people get the most benefit!God’s gifts exercised God’s way build God’s church!

Ø  On a practical note, it is important to remember that each individual local church has its own “DNA” and its own “protocol.” We should never violate Scriptural propriety in any church. In addition, we should never intentionally violate protocol in any specific church.

3.     Words of praise (Acts. 2:1-12; Ps. 34:1-3; 2 Chron. 20:20-22; Ps. 71:8)

Acts 2:1–12 (NIV) — 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 

Psalm 34:1–3 (NIV) — 1 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. 

Psalm 71:8 (NIV) — 8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. 

2 Chronicles 20:20–22 (NIV) — 20…as they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21…Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men…who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

The most important thing was not their swords swinging; it was their worship working…! 

Note: Jehosophat sent out worshippers before they had won the battle…! 

Sometimes, words of Spirit-inspired praise are the key to winning spiritual warfare.

Christmas - A Story of Signs and Wonder, December 16, 2007.doc

Christmas - A Story of Signs and Wonder

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Text

" 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 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. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. " (Matthew 1:18-25 NIV)

Introduction

Of the four Gospels, only Matthew and Luke deal with the circumstances of Jesus’ birth. Both of their narratives are filled with the supernatural, as one might expect when God was sending His own Son into the world…! While both of their accounts include some things in common, such as angelic visitations, they each stress different aspects and events. Luke tells us about God’s glory being manifest to humble shepherds; Matthew mentions the visit of the magi and their very, very generous gifts. Luke’s narrative highlights the manifestation of God’s glory and the gift of spirit inspired speech or prophecy; Matthew repeatedly references God-given dreams.

As we approach the Christmas season, I want to talk to you today about that very thing – the role of dreams in God’s way of working His will in the world and in our lives.

·        God-given dreams will be more common in the end times. (Joel 2:28)

" 28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." (Joel 2:28 NIV)

This does not mean that every dream comes from God…!

·        God-given dreams do not come to everyone. (Joel 2:28)

“old” men…! This does not mean God never gives dreams to the young, but this Scripture does indicate that not everyone receives God-given dreams.

The Christmas story underscores the fact that God is truly sovereign in the way He speaks to us and in the way He guides us. Abraham invited angelic travelers into his tent and did not recognize them for who they were, but when the angels appeared to the shepherds, “…the glory of the Lord shone round about…” It does appear, however, from a careful study of Scripture, that when someone receives a God-given dream, they know it is significant (Butler and cupbearer – Gen. 40; Pharaoh – Gen. 41; etc.)

·        God-given dreams sometimes come to unbelievers.

Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4 – tree cut down, him becoming like an animal for seven years)

East Alton story about the man winning the lottery and needing to collect the price of the ticket from some of the most desperate homes in town…!

·        God-given dreams do not always come in the way we would expect or carrying the message we would expect.

For some reason, God sometimes tells angels to only deliver their message via dreams…! (This happened three out of four times to Joseph, whereas Mary saw the angel while awake.) My natural mind would think it would be more impressive and more conclusive if the angel showed up in person, manifesting the fullness of their supernatural glory, but such is not the case. In fact, God sometimes sends angels in such human form that even godly people do not recognize them for who they are,

"2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2 NIV)

·        God-given dreams require God-given wisdom for proper interpretation.

"17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds." (Daniel 1:17 NIV)

"14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. 17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”" (Daniel 2:14-23 NIV)

let’s notice both what God did and what Joseph did…

1.    God used a dream to tell Joseph the truth. (Matt. 1:20)

“"20 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." (Matthew 1:20 NIV)

In response, Joseph willfully violated social custom by taking Mary directly into his home before the one-year betrothal was over and cared for her without having sexual relations with her.^[1]

In other parts of Scripture, God also used dreams to tell someone the truth about people…!

"19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”" (Matthew 27:19 NIV)

2.    God used a dream to warn Joseph of an unknown danger. (2:13)

" 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”" (Matthew 2:13 NIV)

In response, Joseph went somewhere he had never been before, somewhere he would never go again, somewhere he would have never wanted to go, somewhere his ancestors would have told him to never go…!

God could have taken Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus to other countries (Lebanon, Syria, Persia), but He specifically led them to the one country where their ancestors had suffered so tragically during 430 years and where Abraham had made his greatest mistakes…! Why? On the surface, it is obviously in order to fulfill Bible prophecy.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." (Hosea 11:1 NIV)

But, the initial and obvious reference of that passage is to the experience of Israel as a “young” nation that was delivered through Moses in the Exodus. Why did it need to apply to Jesus?

There are only two reasons I can come up with:

·        Because it brought God greater glory and builds our faith – God protecting them from one enemy (Herod) by taking them into the presence of another enemy (Egyptians)…! David understood that principle…!

“You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies…!” (Psalms 23)

·        Because the  missionary minded God of the Bible is so redemptive that He wanted to wipe away the reproach, bitterness, and fear of Egypt from the collective minds of the people of God by redeeming their historic relationship with an ancient foe^[2].

"19 In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the Lord at its border. 20 It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. 21 So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the Lord and keep them. 22 The Lord will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the Lord, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. 25 The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.” " (Isaiah 19:19-25 NIV)

In response, Joseph remained in that undesirable place until God’s purposes were finished there…!

3.    God used a dream to show Joseph the right time. (Matt. 2:19-21)

" 19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel." (Matthew 2:19-21 NIV)

In response, Joseph did what God said to do at the time God said to do it…!

Timing is so very important in God’s economy…! The right thing done at the wrong time can become the wrong thing and bring about the wrong result. God knows the right time for everything.

" There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. …10 I have seen the burden [perhaps referring to God’s requirement that men trust His timing…!] God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end…14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. " (Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 NIV)

4.    God used a dream to calm Joseph’s fears. (2:22-23)

"22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” " (Matthew 2:22-23 NIV)

As a result, Joseph raised the boy in a household filled with faith.

5.    God used a dream to settle Joseph in the right place. (2:22-23)

"22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” " (Matthew 2:22-23 NIV)

As a result, Joseph changed his mind (something that is sometime very hard for males to do…!)

There is no evidence that Joseph ever knew he was being used by God to fulfill divine prophecy. Later, some of the contemporaries of Jesus would actually reject Him as Messiah because he had grown up in Nazareth.

"45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip." (John 1:45-46 NIV)

It does appear from the text that Joseph’s original intent was to settle in Judea instead of back in his home area of Galilee (Perhaps to spare Mary and Joseph from the sting of gossip?) If Joseph had tried to make right decision for his family’s life and his son’s “messianic career,” he would never have chosen to rear the boy in Galilee, but God knew best…!

Invitation

1.    Do you need  God to tell you the truth about someone or some situation?

2.    Do you need God to show you the right time?

3.    Do you need God to lead you to the right place?

4.    Do you need God to restore you to a right relationship with Him?

Benediction

May God bless you with dreams that come from Him and with the ability to know both what they mean and what you should do. And may He give you the ability to know what is not from Him so your life will be grounded in His truth and not your own imaginations, so you will never stray from His purposes, but fulfill your destiny…!

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^[1] Marriages were arranged for individuals by parents, and contracts were negotiated. After this was accomplished, the individuals were considered married and were called husband and wife. They did not, however, begin to live together. Instead, the woman continued to live with her parents and the man with his for one year. The waiting period was to demonstrate the faithfulness of the pledge of purity given concerning the bride. If she was found to be with child in this period, she obviously was not pure, but had been involved in an unfaithful sexual relationship. Therefore the marriage could be annulled. If, however, the one-year waiting period demonstrated the purity of the bride, the husband would then go to the house of the bride’s parents and in a grand processional march lead his bride back to his home. There they would begin to live together as husband and wife and consummate their marriage physically. John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:20.

^[2] Hagar got Ishmael a wife from Egypt (Gen. 21:21) and his descendants settled near Egypt (Gen. 25:18).