JOSEPH - THE FORGOTTEN MAN
MT. 1:16-25

I. Joseph's Background
   A. He was of Kingly linage - Mt 1:16
   B. He was a righteous man - Mt 1:19
   C. He loved Mary and was betrothed to marry her - Mt 1: 18-20
      i) engagement   ii) betrothal   iii) marriage
   D. He was from Nazareth - Jn 1:45-46
   E. He was a carpenter - Mt 13:55

II. Joseph And Mary's Baby
   A. Discovery about Mary's baby - Mt 1:18
   B. Dilemma ( options )  about Mary's baby - Mt 1:19
      i) disbelieve her and put her away openly ( what many would do )
      ii) believe her and walk away from the woman he loved to allow her to do her to raise the God -man ( noble act )
      iii) marry her and become father to the baby ( endure humiliation )
   C. Dream about Mary's baby - Mt 1:20-23
   D. Decision about Mary's baby - Mt 1:24-25

III. Joseph And Jesus
   A. Fulfilled the role as earthly father
      i) cared for him when Herod tried to kill him - Mt 2:13-22
      ii) Openly known as Jesus father - Mt 13:55 ; Lk 2:42-52
   B. Taught him to be a carpenter - Mk 6:3
   C. God spoke to him through dreams about Jesus
      i) Mt 1:20 don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife
      ii) Mt 2:13 told to take Jesus to Egypt
      iii) Mt 2:19 told it was safe to return to Israel
      iv) Mt 2:22 told to go to Galilee instead of Judea
   D. Jesus used lessons from carpentry in his teaching ( e.g. beam in the eye , a man built his house )

IV. Why Joseph?
   A. God needed a man to be Mary's husband and help raise Jesus who was ;
      i) righteous  ii) obedient   ii ) self controlled   iii) steady
   B. Joseph was the man God could count on
   C. Joseph did not let God down