As we turn the page to Matthew 2:13–23, Pastor Mike Skedeleski helps us to see the sovereign hand of God guiding and protecting us according to His redemptive plan, even when it seems to lead through danger, displacement, and sorrow. We learn that Joseph is obedient when told to take Mary and baby Jesus and flee to Egypt. What appears chaotic is actually fulfillment. God is retracing Israel's story and proving Himself, through Jesus, to be the True and Promised Deliverer.

Matthew shows us that even in heartbreaking tragedy, God's purposes prevail. From Egypt to Nazareth, every movement fulfills prophecy and demonstrates that God remains faithful to His promises. Pastor Mike reminds us that God's guidance requires our trust, even when we don't understand. God leads us step by step, and our calling is to obey with faith. In every season, whether marked by clarity or confusion, we can rest in the assurance that God is directing our path toward His greater purposes and ultimate redemption.

As we look into Matthew 2:1–12, we meet the wise men and their lengthy journey which teaches us about true worship. Set against the backdrop of political tension and fulfilled prophecy, the passage contrasts three responses to Jesus: hostility, indifference, and wholehearted worship.

Herod, a self-proclaimed king, responds to the news of Christ's birth with paralyzing fear and self-preservation. Though he knows the prophecies concerning the Messiah, he refuses to surrender his throne. The chief priests and scribes possess biblical knowledge and can quote Micah with precision, yet they remain unmoved. Close to the truth, yet cold-hearted and unwilling to seek the Savior. In contrast, the wise men travel hundreds of miles at great cost, seeking the King not for power or information, but for worship.

Pastor Maiola explains the difference between looking for what is merely intriguing and instead choosing to focus on what is truly important. While many details of the star and the magi spark curiosity, the central message is clear: God sovereignly guides seekers to Christ. Maiola challenges us to pursue Christ wholeheartedly and to offer Him worship that is costly, sincere, and filled with joy.

Matthew 1:18–25 draws our attention to the faith and obedience of Joseph when God unfolds the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. As Joseph faces the shock of Mary's pregnancy, Scripture reveals a righteous man who chooses to show mercy rather than condemnation. God calls Joseph to believe what is humanly impossible and to obey at great personal cost. His humble response demonstrates that faith is not merely intellectual agreement, but courageous trust expressed through obedient action.

In this message, we'll explore why affirming the virgin birth is essential to Jesus' identity as Savior and King. We see that through Joseph's willingness to receive Mary as his bride and to name the child Jesus, the legal lineage of David is preserved, and God's redemptive plan advances exactly as promised.

Pastor Maiola challenges us to believe that God is worthy of our trust and obedience, even if His calling disrupts expectations, invites misunderstanding, or requires sacrifice. Like Joseph, we are called to walk in faithful obedience, confident that God is always at work fulfilling His promises for His glory and our good.