The Benefit of Doubt

Matthew 1: 18 - 22

• Sometimes your first instinct is not God’s will. When God speaks it can contradict our logic (Joseph response to this pregnancy)

• Hope of keeping the law was broken. Prophets were rejected. When we reached Matthew 1, heaven seemed to have reached a dead end. 42 generations of frustration, Jesus is borned. Humanity was at a dead end, whatever we did was not enough. Joseph was at a dead end.

• Religion can leave you at a dead end, when you make so many commitments that you just can’t do. Dead ends are the perfect new beginnings for Jesus.

V20. what's in her is from Me.

What proof did the angel give Joseph, how did Joseph feel.

God just told Joseph “it’s Me, go through.”

• This was an arranged marriage, Joseph didnt know Mary to trust Mary. Joseph trusted God.

• Joseph gave God the benefit of doubt. No evidence to support my conclusion. Verdict first, evidence second. I don’t look to my bank account to conclude that God is my provider.

• Joseph did what he had to do even with his doubts.

• My doubt is the evidence of my growth. That God forgive my past wrongs and even those that i continue to wrong in.

• You have to experience faith for yourself, you have to make your own decisions as to who God is to you.

• The gifts are on the other side of my questions. THe greatest gifts that God gives are wrapped in doubt. If He given you proof, you wouldn’t need faith. If you stop right here, you’ll miss the promise of God.

• There are benefits to wrestling and doubting. Doubt is where faith matures and grow and develops. Like in the dark room.