In today’s Advent message, we reflect on the love given to us by Jesus.  We will turn to Matthew 1:18-25 and highlight Joseph as a powerful example of the “good love that labors for good.” As Joseph models God’s kind of love, which is active, sacrificial, and obedient, not merely emotional.  Faced with what would appear as a great betrayal, Joseph chooses compassion, righteousness, and openness to God’s voice over public opinion.  When God revealed His plan, Joseph responded with costly obedience, embracing Mary and the role of raising Jesus despite misunderstanding, gossip, and personal sacrifice.  His love reflects God’s steadfast love that enters into our mess, works for our good, and ultimately leads us to salvation through Christ.  This message calls us to imitate Joseph by offering love that listens to God, chooses obedience, and labors even when difficult, trusting that such love reveals Christ to the world.

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STUDY GUIDE

1 – Why is Advent a season of both remembrance and anticipation, and how does Joseph’s life, in the history of Jesus’ birth, help us understand the deeper meaning of this season, and the love God has given us?

2 – In what ways does Joseph demonstrate a love that goes beyond emotion? How does his initial plan to quietly divorce Mary reveal both compassion and righteousness?

3 – How does the world’s understanding of love differ from God’s understanding of love as shown in Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:4–7; John 15:13)?

4 – What costs did Joseph face by choosing to love Mary faithfully and obey God’s calling? How does this challenge us in our own relationships and sacrifices?

5 – Why is being “open to the voice of God” essential to practicing a love that labors for good? How can we discern God’s voice amid competing opinions and pressures?

6 – Joseph obeyed God even when it brought difficulty, misunderstanding, and risk. What does this teach us about obedience as an expression of love?

7 – This week’s reflection card asks, “I will show love to someone by _____.” What specific action is God prompting you to take that reflects a good love that labors for good?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Galatians 6:9-10
Matthew 1:18-25
John 15:13
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
1 John 4:19