Sermon Application Questions

First Baptist Church Delray

Sermon Application Questions

December 15, 2024

Pastor Steve’s Message: “Joseph: Step In and Hold On”

Scripture: Matthew 1 (ESV)

Review the Exegesis of the Scripture

Read Matthew 1:18-19

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed

to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And

her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

1. How do we learn that Joseph, in general, lives a life of keeping the laws of God and his community?

2. Why did Joseph decide to end his betrothal to Mary?

Read Matthew 1:20–21

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,

saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived

in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

3. What was God doing to save His people from their sin?

4. How did God stop Joseph from ending his relationship with Mary?

5. What clear instructions did Joseph receive from God?

6. What reasons did God convey to Joseph?

Read Matthew 1:22–23

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall

conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

7. How did Matthew show that this was the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of prophecy by quoting Isaiah 7:14?

Read Matthew 1:24–25

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his

wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

8. What did Joseph do when he woke up after hearing from God?

9. How did hearing from God change everything for Joseph to step in and hold on?

Make Personal Applications of the Lesson

10. How did Henry Blackaby explain that God’s redemptive plan is already in motion when He invites you to step on board?

“When God shows you what He is doing, that is your invitation to join Him”

Experiencing God

11. How can you build a close personal relationship with God?

a. Prayer

1. Will you give Jesus the first part of your day while your heart is still fresh to sitwith Him in solitude and listen to Him?

2. Will you set additional special times to be with Him, like out on a walk or at the beach or on a drive?

b. People

1. Who are some people you know that have a close intimate relationship with Jesus?

2. How do interactions with these Christians and their calm, humble, and fruitful

lives helped and encouraged you in the process of building your own intimate relationship with Jesus?

3. On the other hand, how has interacting with others made life feel manic, anxious, stressful, uncertain, and out of control?

c. Content

1. Among these outlets, where do you get most of your daily content: podcasts, movies, shows, sports broadcasts, social media?

2. Is the content streaming into your brain aiding or opposing your intimacy with Jesus?

3. Do you think more about heaven or more about the likelihood your team winning or the meaning of a post?

4. Will you read the Bible more regularly? Perhaps start in one of the four accounts of the life of Jesus – Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John? And the Psalms for worship?

Then move on to the book of Proverbs or James for wisdom? And how to live out your faith in one of the epistles?

5. For further study, some great books to read and preachers to listen to are listed below.

Books:

A Praying Life – Paul E. Miller

Experiencing God – Henry Blackaby

Crazy Love – Francis Chan

Multiply – Francis Chan

Essential Christianity – J. D. Greear

The Meaning of Marriage – Tim Keller

Persuasive Apologetics – Jeff Robinson

Desiring God – John Piper

Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper

The Still Hour – Austin Phelps

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry – John Mark Comer

Preachers:

J. D. Greear – The Summit Church, Durham, NC

Jimmy Scroggins – Family Church, West Palm Beach, FL

Tim Keller – was pastor at Redeemer Church, New York City, NY, died 2024

Jon Tyson – Church of the City, New York City, NY

Vance Pitman – Hope Church, Las Vegas, NV

Francis Chan – formerly at Cornerstone Community Church, Simi Valley,

California, started Crazy Love Ministries

12. How long has it been since you did something that flowed from your intimacy with Jesus, something that could only be explained by Him?

13. If you haven’t yet, are you willing to receive the gift of salvation, letting God come to live in and through you?

14. What steps of faith that flow from intimacy with Jesus will you take?

a. Spend time with Jesus every morning.

b. Ask Jesus to show you what He is doing in the people around you.

c. Give more than you think you can afford.

d. Take a role serving others.

15. In what way is God moving in your spirit to step in and hold on?