(Matthew 1:18-25)--"WHEN YOUR DREAMS BECOME NIGHTMARES"
Intro: When God moved in time to send His Son Jesus into the world, he chose a little teenage-girl named Mary to be the mother.  And, since the birth of Jesus was to be a virgin birth, there would be no need for a man to father the child. But because Jesus was coming into this world as a helpless infant in a poverty-stricken country,  there would be the task of  someone providing for the needs of this child. Therefore, God chose the man Joseph to be the earthly caretaker of His heavenly Son.  But just as Mary was unique,  Joseph also was no ordinary man. From this passage it is easy to see that Joseph was a man of compassion, integrity, decency and love...Joseph was a humble man who was more concerned about what God wanted out of his life than about what he wanted for himself.  Joseph was the kind of man we should all strive to be. I am certain that God will not call us to go through what Joseph went through, but I am sure that God wants to use your life and mine for His glory, just as He used Joseph's.
I. v. 18-19 THE TRAGEDY THAT MARRED HIS LIFE-Just because Joseph was hand-picked by God for a special mission, his life was not without its trials and tragedies. In fact, Joseph faced, weathered and overcame trials that would have derailed many other people. 
A. v. 18 The Tragedy Of Shocking Discoveries – Joseph was betrothed to a young woman named Mary. The betrothal period (which lasted up to a year) was just like a marriage, except for the fact that the couple did not live together and did not engage in physical relations. Both parties were expected to keep themselves pure for the day they physically came together as husband and wife...(SAME TODAY!!!)  It was during this period of time that Joseph discovers the Mary is pregnant. No doubt, she shared with him her side of the story as the phrase “she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” But, who had ever heard of such a thing? Joseph knows where babies come from and to him, this is a shocking discovery!
B. v. 18-19 The Tragedy Of Shattered Dreams –Most men look forward to the day when they can come together to share their lives. Joseph was probably preparing the home where they would live, and exited about putting together all the things they would need as husband and wife.  Joseph was thinking of starting this new family and the children they would have together.  (There is a traditional teaching that Joseph was a widower, and this betrothal to Mary was a means of healing his heartbreak after the death of his first wife!)  Then, like a cruel slap in the face, came the news--"Mary is pregnant and Joseph is not the father"!  It must have hurt as every dream he had came crashing down around him. All of his plans, his hopes and his dreams fell from his grasp....It was a time of shattered dreams.
C. v. 19 The Tragedy Of Sorrowful Decisions – The Bible says that he was a “just” man. This means that he was “righteous and one who kept the divine laws.” He knows that the Law says,  "When a woman is found guilty of adultery, she is to be stoned to death, Deut. 22:20-22"   But, there is another option. Deut. 24:1 says that he can just give her a bill of divorcement and send her away.  Joseph determines that he does not want to embarrass Mary publicly; he does not want to see her stoned to death either.  So he desides the best course of action is to deal with the matter privately, and just divorce her quietly....(TOUGH DECISIONS!)   One has said that this is a true portrait of the harsh realitys of life! We do our best to make our plans and get things all lined up like they thing they ought to be, then something happens and we see our hopes, our plans and our dreams come crashing down!  But, as with Joseph,  God is working behind the scenes!  As a matter of fact, it was God Who shattered our dreams! The things that take place in life are not accidents, but are carefully planned and arranged events designed to help us grow in the Lord. -(Romans 8:28)  His plans for us are not what we would have chosen for ourselves, but, His plans are always the best, even when they hurt us deeply!--(Job, Joseph!)
II. v. 20-23 THE TASK THAT MARKED HIS LIFE -As if the news of Mary being pregnant wasn't enough, then God called upon Joseph to raise the baby! The tragedy may have marred him, but the emense task marked him as the great man he was!
A. v. 20 The Task Involved Divine Revelations – Joseph is told that the child Mary carries is no ordinary baby. He finds out that Mary’s child is the Son of God.  (There is no bible record that Joseph EVER saw Jesus perform a miracle....Joseph was already dead before Jesus' 1st miracle in Cana!)
B. v. 20-21 The Task Involved Definite Requirements – Joseph is instructed that he is not to divorce Mary and he is not to have her stoned; but he is to take to himself as his wife, and he is to embrace her child as if He was his own Son. Joseph is told to name the Child, thus he is given the responsibility of caring for and of providing for the Baby Jesus. -(This was a tough job!  Your kids may claim to know everything...but Jesus actually did!)
C. v. 21-23 The Task Involved Delightful Realizations – After hearing what is required in his task, Joseph learns the amazing truth. The baby Mary carries is to be fulfillment of the greatest promise God ever gave to man, Gen. 3:15.  Throughout the Old Testament years, every lamb that was slain pointed ahead to the coming of this One Who was being formed in the womb of Mary. All the prophets looked ahead to this glorious moment in time, Isa. 7:14; Isa. 9:6. All of creation groaned for the day when this child would come and deliver this world from the bondage and blight of sin.  Then, Joseph hears the angel tell him that this child is to be named “Jesus.” This name will define His mission, “Jehovah is Salvation.”  I am sure Joseph does not understand everything that is happening. I am certain that he does not grasp all the importance of the moment...(just as none of us do!). But, he did understand enough to shoulder to the load God had called him to bear with joy.  I have talked to people whose dreams lie broken around them; there plans have been destroyed right before their eyes; and like Joseph they see no way out!  You may not see the WAY nor understand the WHY, but just wait on the Lord...he will come through with the answer!  (Solomon said in Eccles. 3-"He hath made EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL in HIS TIME!")
III. v. 24-25 THE TESTIMONY THAT MEASURED HIS LIFE-We have considered the tragedy that marred this man’s life. We have also looked into the task that marked his life. Let’s take a moment to think about the testimony that measured his life. For, in Joseph’s response to the tragedy and to the task; we are given a priceless glimpse of this man’s testimony.
A. v. 24 A Testimony Of Unconditional Compliance – Many men would have walked away from Mary at that moment. But, not Joseph! As soon as he awoke, he rose and carried out the command of the Lord. There is no doubt but that people talked about this couple!  When Jesus was 30 years old the bible says the rumours were still flying! ("We be not born of fornication as for this man!").   Joseph simply wanted to carry out the will of the God for his life in spite of his questions, his fears and his concerns, and THAT is his testimony! (Doing God's will IF IT HAIR-LIPS THE DEVIL!)
B. v. 25 A Testimony Of Unwavering Commitment – Even when he took Mary into his home, he refrained himself from physical contact with her. He obeyed the Lord and preserved her virginity until after Jesus had been born. Here is a man willing to bear the shame and reproach leveled at him from the community, and he is also willing to battle his private temptations, putting his personal needs and rights on the back burner. He wants nothing more than to do right by God!
C. v. 25 A Testimony Of Unfailing Completion – When the child was born, Joseph took the next step of faith and named the child Jesus, just as he had been commanded by the angel Gabriel. In spite of the fact that he has been called upon to believe the impossible and to do the incredible, there is no evidence that he wavered one iodah!  You've probably already discovered that the Lord has a plan for your life, as he had for Joseph.  Maybe you have also learned that this plan may be very difficult for you to carry out.  But just remember, "HIS PLAN IS THE BEST PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!  What will you do when your dreams become nightmares?  Did you know that he is still looking for special people He can use to carry out His will in the world today? I am certain that He will never ask you to do what He asked Mary and Joseph to do...but He does have plenty of difficult assignments that need to be fulfilled. He is looking for people who will follow him in spite of the tragedies and circumstances of life.  Are you that kind of person?  (Are you a parent?...children need someone to look up to.  And Joseph was one Jesus himself looked to as a child!