Peter Tan-Chi - Christmas Unwrapped, Experience God's Best Like Mary and Joseph
Today, what will we discuss? Very simple. What can you learn about experiencing God’s best in the life of Mary and Joseph? Are you ready? 3 important realities you can learn from Joseph and Mary, especially when it comes to realizing God’s best. Okay. I will give you a mental outline. Number 1: you must, «Realize God’s Grace». So, if you want God’s best from the life of Mary and Joseph, this is something I will highlight. There are many things I will discuss, but this is something I want to highlight. «God’s Grace».
You have to «Realize God’s Grace». Number 2: you must, «Respond in Faith and Obedience». Remember that song we sang, «Trust and obey…» There is no other way. Do you want God’s best? Trust and Obey. Number 3: you have to, «Rejoice in God and His Word». I want you to look at Luke Chapter 1. Let us begin. «God’s Grace». Everybody, if you do not mind, can you read with me? All right, together, one more time. «Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary». «And coming in, he said to her…» Everybody read. «Greetings, favored one!..»
Now, when you look at your English Bible, you do not really appreciate the root word for that. The root word for, Favor is «Charis». It is grace. That is the word for, Grace. «Charis». «The Lord is with you». Grace, it is so amazing. It is «God with us». It is umerited favor. «…But she was very perplexed at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation (this was.) is this? The angel said to her,…» Everybody read. «Do not be afraid, Mary;…» Literally the name is, «Miriam» in Hebrew. «Maryam».
Now in English, «Mary»; for you have found favor [charis] with God». The first thing you need to understand is you must realize God’s best is anchored in His grace. It is something undeserving. Do you want to know how that word «Grace» is used in the Bible? I want to comfort you to realize grace is not given to just a few. It is God’s heart to give you His best. What do I mean? Let us look at how that word «Grace» is used in the Bible. Let us look at Ephesians 2. Let us read together. «For by grace, [charis] you have been saved through faith; (and that) not of yourselves, it is a gift of God;…» Notice, even grace is a gift. «not as a result of works, (so) that no one may boast».
Faith, grace, they all go together. It is a gift from God. Salvation is God’s gift. Have you experienced God’s grace? Can I tell you how that word is used, «Grace»? I will show you another verse, Look at how that word is used. Titus 2 (vv. 11-12). Together. «For the grace, [charis] of God…» Grace comes from God «…has appeared bringing salvation to all men,…» Notice, this Grace refers to «Jesus». God’s best is Jesus. But how is that word used? It will teach you how to live. «instructing us to deny ungodliness…» To say no to sin, «…and wordly desires…» Do you realize your desire has to be changed by God? I cannot change my own desire. I can try. But I need God’s grace. The earlier you discover that today, the more you will go into your knees and pray, «Lord, change my heart». Luke 1:31, «And behold…»
Now, God is telling Mary what will happen. 8 things, God told Mary what will happen. Number 1: «…you will conceive in your womb…» Number 2: «…you will bear a son,…» Number 3:, «you shall (name) call him Jesus…» By the way, Jesus means what? «Yahweh is my Savior». «God is my Savior». You will call him Jesus. He is your Savior. Next, He will be great. Next, He will be «And called the Son of the Most High;» The words «The Most High» is a reference to God. In the Chinese language, if you see the ancient Chinese literature, they refer to God as «Shangdi (Shang-Ti)». «The highest». «The most high». Nobody is higher than God. That is what the Bible is saying. He will be the Son of the most high. Next, «and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father…»
In other words, He will be a King. He will sit on the throne of His Father. This is all prophetic. Next, «And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,…» This King is going to be unique. Look at the history. Look at all dictators. They come, they go, they come, they go. One of the most powerful dictator in the world, «Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan». They come they go. But this king is different forever. And lastly, «And His kingdom will have no end». Friends, This is all prophetic. Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us, everybody read together. «(For) a child will be born to us, a son will be given (to us); (And) the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will…» Look at that name. «(be called) Wonderful counselor,…» Meaning, Super I.Q. «…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace».
Jesus is not just a man. He is God who became a man. That is important for you to know. Everybody read, «there will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom,… The zeal of the Lord (of hosts) will accomplish this». Now, when Mary heard this, can you tell me what went through her mind? Well, let us find out. I appreciate Mary. The scholars tell us by this time she was probably around 14 to 16 years old. Here was a teenager given the most amazing revelation. And look at what she said. Everybody read. «Mary said to the angel,…» Everybody. «…How can this be, since I am a virgin»? Literally, in your Greek Bible, it says, «I have not known a man». That is the meaning of «I am a virgin».
How can that be? So how will you answer that question? How can a virgin get pregnant? Do you want to know the answer? I am so glad, Luke is the author. Luke is a doctor. So he knows medicine, he knows science, but the answer is amazingly simple. «…The angel answered and said to her,…» Everybody read. «…The Holy Spirit…» The 3rd person of the Trinity, «…The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High…» God the Father, «…the power of the Most High will overshadow you;…» That word «Overshadow» means you will be surrounded. Engulfed. God will do it. Wow! It is all supernatural. «…and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God» Wow! And then God knows what Mary was thinking.
You see, God always affirms our faith. He helps you to believe if are sincere. And here is the confirmation. God told Mary. «And behold, even your relative Elizabeth…» Her cousin, «…has also conceived a son in her old age;…» You see, Elizabeth was old already. Impossible to conceive. Not only that «…and she who was called barren is now in her 6th month». In other words, «something impossible already happened to your cousin». You know Mary, when she heard about her cousin, if God can do that to my cousin, God can do it to me. But the angel did not stop there. The angel said, everybody read. This should be your memory verse. Okay? Today. Read. «For nothing will be impossible with God…» Nothing.
Ladies and gentlemen, do you believe that nothing is impossible with God? Louder. All I am trying to tell you is this, Guys, do you want God’s best for you? All right. You have to respond. You have to respond in faith and obedience. Look at what Mary did. After knowing nothing is impossible with God, everybody now. «…Behold, the bondslave of the Lord;…» Mary is now saying I am a dulos. The word «Bondslave» is not ordinary servant. It is a bad translation. When you have the word «servant,» it is literally a «bondslave». I am a slave. A slave has no free time, a slave has no break, A slave is completely owned by the master. And that is what Mary saying. «I am the slave». «I am the slave of the Lord». Everybody. Therefore, «…may it be done to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her».
What was the angel doing? The angel God is giving Mary a chance to respond. You see, God wants to do supernatural things in your life and my life. In this case, God did not force His will upon Mary. Mary said, «Okay, be done to me». What about you, do you know what God wants you to do? See, many times we do not. We do not respond to God. We want it our way. Do you know for Mary to say yes to God, What is she saying? «I do not mind if I lose my life. I do not mind if I am ridiculed. I do not mind if I am humiliated, and I do not mind should Joseph divorce me. I do not mind when I will be embarrassed for the rest of my life. I do not mind if I am rejected by society and I’ll be a poor person». You know, why? Why did she say yes? You must respond in faith, and to respond in faith is to obey.
You know, to believe and not to obey is not yet to believe. Say that with me. «To believe and not to obey is not yet to believe». You cannot say, you believe and you do not obey. You see, obedience and faith go together. So look at your life. Are you responding in faith and obedience? Everybody read now. Why it is so important to respond in faith? Everybody, together. «And without faith (it) is impossible to please (Him) God. (for) he who comes to God must believe…» God is nothing is impossible with Him, but, «…He is a rewarder (of) to those who seek Him».
Do you know why people do not seek after God? Why you do not have hunger for God, because you have been brainwashed, lied to by Satan, that God is really not after your happiness. That is why most people do not seek after God. That is why you do not obey Him. Ask yourself, what is it that God wants you to do, and you know it, and you are not obeying it? Like paying taxes, living your Holy life, asking for forgiveness. What is it? Let me tell you, at the end, your unbelief. «Obedience brings blessings». Blessings to yourself, blessings to your children, blessings to your family, and blessings to the people around you. Disobedience, believe it or not, brings curse. You will be cursed your children will be affected, the people around you will be affected. That is why the Bible tells us, you choose today. Do you want a blessing or a curse? What do you want? Louder.
Well, how do you do it? Realize it is the Grace of God. Humble yourself. Number 2: you must respond in Faith and Obedience. Look at Mary. You know, I really appreciate this young girl. «(Now) at this time, Mary arose and went in a hurry to the Hill country, to a city of Judah, entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth…» Her cousin. Why? She wanted to be confirmed. Now, what is said is true, and «When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb;…» By the way, that is why I am never in favor of abortion. I am never in favor of killing the baby. You know why? A baby, there is life. In this case, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Read the next verse. «And she cried out with a loud voice and said, 'Blessed are you (among) women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ' And how is it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold,…» Everyone read. «…when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy…» 6 months old baby can hear. Amazing! I do not how to explain that. Read. «And blessed…» You see, «…who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord». In other words, you are blessed if you believe what God is saying. Amen? Praise God. Do you believe in God’s promises to you? You better, because God will never lie. And you know what happened? Do you recall when Jesus was preaching and people said, blessed is the breast that nurtured you? What did Jesus said? Jesus said, blessed is everyone who hears my Word and obey. You want to be blessed.
All right. Hear and obey. Now read. because of this, look at Mary. Rejoice in God and His Word. You know why you want God’s best, If you trust and obey, you end up rejoicing. Let us read this together. «And Mary said:…» Now this is the famous Magnificat. Have you heard of that term? «Magnificat». That is from the Latin word magnify. Here, Mary is worshiping God. Here, Mary is praising God, rejoicing in God. Let us look at her theology. Many people do not realize a young girl like Mary, 14, 16 years old, can know the Bible. Everything she is saying is a quotation from the Old Testament. Mary knew the Bible. Look at the Song of Mary. Look at her poem. Amazing. «My soul exalts the Lord, (And) my spirit rejoice in God my Savior…»
Notice, this is the object of her joy. God. It is internal. Rejoicing in God, the worship of God is from the heart. Wow! «(For) He has regard for the humble state of his bondslave;…» You see, when you learn from Scripture, when you learn about God, you learn to see yourself. Mary saw herself, I am a slave. Not proud. You learn to see yourself. Most of us do not know who we really are in the eyes of God. Full of pride. We are so entitled, than Mary. everybody read. I love this. «(For) behold, from this time on all generations will come me blessed». She is now applying God’s Word in the Old Testament to her life. These are all future tenses, but it is written in past tense. It is called «Predictive Prophecy».
Read the next verse. It is so sure that the future events is now considered past tense. She interchanged the past, the present, and the future, but it is all from the Bible. I love this verse. Look at her song. Look at her theology. «For the Mighty One has done great things for me;…» Personalize. Have you experienced God’s mighty deeds in your life? Louder. Those of you who have not, it is hard for you to really worship God, to be rejoicing, because you have not encountered the Lord. Then let me tell you why you have not encountered the Lord, because you have been compromising all your life. You do not give God a chance to prove Himself real in your life. You must be willing to obey God no matter what the consequences are. And then you ask God, «Lord…» this is suicide.
I remember a family. When the son took over the business, he told the Father, «We will pay taxes». And the father said, «We will go on bankrupt». The father told me. I said, «what happened»? Well, the son kept paying taxes. By the grace of God, this company is top inside the top 10 in the Philippines. But because the son was willing to walk by faith and trust God by doing right and leave the consequences to God. You see, God’s best may not happen immediately, but sooner or later, it will happen. Look at what Mary said. God has done great things for? Louder. For who? Louder. «(For) the Mighty One has done great things for…» What about you, Guys? You see, God wants a personal relationship with you. «And His mercy…»
Look at the description of God. Okay? For number 1: Mary understood God to be Mighty. Number 2: Holy. Number 3: Merciful. «And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with his arm. He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart…» Continue reading. «He has brought down rulers from the thrones, And He has exalted those who are humble…» Notice, these are still pass, but future tense. When Jesus comes again, He will reverse the order of society. He will be shocked. «He has filled the hungry with good things. And sent the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant,» future tense, «in remembrance of His mercy as He spoke to our fathers, Abraham and his descendants forever».
Mary is claiming God’s promise to Abraham what he will do someday. Can you see the secret of God’s best? You must rejoice in God, for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do for you. Friends, if you are sad, you are having problems, I ask you to readjust your mind. You now focus on God, His word, who He is, what He has done for you, and what He will do for you in the future. And that my friend gives me tremendous joy because God’s best is not always. now. Mary and Joseph did not fully understand what will happen. But can I tell you something? Later on in their lives, they realize the privilege of becoming the instrument where God will come on this earth, and would you believe it? They have no idea what their lives will do to you and to me.
You know God’s best is amazing. I want you to read a quotation from A.W Tozer. Salvation apart from the obedience. Everybody read. Together. «Salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred scriptures… Apart from obedience there can be no salvation. For salvation without obedience. is a self contradictory impossibility». Why am I preaching this? Because I have seen many churches today, all over the world, they preach shallow Christianity assuring people of salvation without a real encounter with Jesus. And my job is to make sure that I teach you properly. And I do not deceive you into thinking you are going to heaven, but you are not.
You see, Grace is never by works, but grace will always involve works. So when you refuse to obey God, example, God asked you to forgive somebody. Like what I am trying to do with these leaders, I am making them talk to each other. Many times, it is really hard. You do not want to talk to each other. But can I tell you why these leaders will talk to each other? Because they know Jesus. Friends, you need to learn to obey. If not, you would not experience God’s best. What happened to Joseph? Let us read. «Now the birth of Jesus was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph,…» Engaged. «before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit…» Remember the story?
In other words, they were engaged already, then when Mary went to visit that place, remember? God appeared to Mary, got her permission. Remember Mary said, «Be done to me». God could have forced His way, but God gave Mary a chance to say yes to Him. Now people ask me, what if Mary said no? How would you answer that? Well, one thing I am sure of God’s purpose will be accomplished. It may not be Mary. It may be another person, but God’s purpose will be accomplished. So what will happen if Mary did not say yes? The Bible is not clear, we leave it with that. But one thing I am sure, God is always waiting for you to say yes to Him. And this is what happened, look at the consequences. «And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly».
You know, I admire Joseph. Because Joseph is a product of God’s grace. To be righteous, you need God’s grace. To act in graciousness, you need grace. Joseph was gracious. You know, many times you want to do God’s will. May I suggest? Do the right thing, but also the right way. Do not do the right thing in the wrong way. Joseph wanted to do the right thing, the right way. He did not want to embarrass Mary. He could have announced to the whole world, «Mary, this girl, immoral, unfaithful. I am divorcing her». No, he wanted it secretly. «But when he had considered this, Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit…'» «She will bear a Son;» Number 1. Number 2: «you shall call His name Jesus».
Joseph had no choice. The Son call his name, Jesus. What else? «He will save His people from their sins». Even the mission of Jesus, was given to the Father. This is His job description. He will be a Savior. You see, do you want God’s best? Trust and obey. What did Joseph do? Read the next verse. Now the angel mentioned a Biblical prophecy, and the author Matthew wrote the following: Everybody read. «Now, all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:…» You see, Christmas was not invented by man. Long ago, God thought of Christmas already. «Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,» which translated means, «God with us». God’s best.
Isaiah 7 (vs. 14). This is a repetition of the Old Testament. Everybody read this together. «Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call his name Immanuel». Christmas is God’s best. God wants what is best for you in your life like Mary and Joseph. Did you know? For them to experience God’s best for their life, they need to know the grace of God. They need to also realize not only God’s grace, they must respond in faith and obedience. Their focus is God. What did Joseph do? As we finish, let us read. «And Joseph awoke from his sleep (and) did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son;…»
Notice, kept her a virgin. In other words, when they got married together, Joseph did not have sex with her. Until, you look at the grammar. Until, «she gave birth to a Son and he called His name Jesus». Did you know that Jesus had brothers and sisters? Let me show you. Matthew himself wrote the following: You see, this is the problem. «(He) When Jesus came to his hometown and (began) teaching them in their synagogue, (so that) they were astonished, (and said,) Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers»? Now look at their conclusion. Look at their problem. «Is this not the carpenter’s son»? Son of Joseph. «Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas»? Jude. «And His sisters, are they not (all) with us? Where then did this man get all these things? (And) they took offense (at Him) of Jesus».
So my Friend, Jesus became a man 2,000 years ago. But before he became a man, he has always been gone. Understand. The virgin birth is crucial because it is to prove to us that Jesus was no ordinary man. That is why John 1:1, Everybody read. «In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, (and) apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being». Who is the word? «In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God». Who is the word? How do you know? Well, look at Verse 14. «And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us,…»
So Jesus, God has always existed in time eternity. But Jesus the man, took place 2,000 years ago, and what so amazing was Joseph is always obeying God. If you read the story of Joseph, God always appears to Joseph and Joseph is the one who is obeying. For example, «the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph…» «Get out of this place. Herold will kill, go to Egypt». Joseph obeyed. Matthew 2 (vs. 19), «An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph». «Now, Herold is dead. Go back from Egypt. Go back to Israel».
Joseph obeyed. Then when he went to Israel, the angel said, «Do not stay here. Stay in Nazareth. And Joseph did. What can you learn about Joseph? Joseph was the leader of the family and he obeyed God step by step. Look at this quotation. Everybody. „God’s commands are designed to guide you to life’s very best“. You will not obey Him, if you do not believe Him and trust Him. You cannot believe Him if you do not love Him. You cannot love Him unless you know Him. My Friends, God loves you. He wants what is best for you. Have you surrendered your life? Like Mary. Mary said, „I am your slave. Do to me whatever you want“. Have you done that? Let us bow our heads:
Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to You just like Mary. I will completely trust You. I am Your bondslave. Do it to me, however You want it, whenever You want it. Lord, here I am. Give me the faith to trust you. Give me the faith to obey you. Lord Jesus, I pray for these men and women who have raised their hands. Make Yourself real in their lives. And Lord, help us to anticipate Your best. Your best may not be now. It may be future, but whatever it is, remind us Lord. We trust you. You are faithful and You accomplish Your purpose in my life, as we surrender, as we walk with you. In Jesus' name we all pray. Amen and Amen.