POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN A POLITICALLY INCORRECT WORLD. Matthew 1:18-25 INTRO: I have done a lot of thinking the past couple of days about the content for the message this morning. In preparing for this morning this thought came into my mind –“Being Politically Correct in a Politically Incorrect World.” No this message, is not about politics…its about Christmas. Last Sunday night, I proposed the idea of what’s the big deal about Christmas…if you remember. Without sounding “redundant” I get tired of those who say, “You can’t say that anymore…it’s not politically correct. In New York bus ads put a negative light on Christmas. There’s always a group who like to be the “kill-joys” of society and try to police everything that is being said today. I was amazed to find that we have a politically incorrect dictionary giving us words that are no longer correct to say. Here’s just a few words that you can no longer say. No longer can we refer to them as “broken homes.” Oh, no! Now they are “dysfunctional families.” Neither can we say, “bum” because we don’t want to shed the light on anyone who is “homeless person.” And heaven forbid if we call people “Illegal Aliens.”– Now they’re referred to as Undocumented Immigrants. And the definitions go on! Some of them would not be tolerated within the confines of this church body. At this time of year, it’s no longer “cool” to say “Merry Christmas” as I mentioned last week. It might offend somebody! However, in protest to the attempts to remove Christ from Christmas, a group of ladies are involved in erecting billboards with these captions. “It’s alright to say Merry Christmas.” Signed Jesus.” Thankfully, we have some people in this country and I believe you and hope you represent that group of people who will continue to declare its “Christmas” not “X-mas.” Hey, it offends me when people try to tell me that I can’t wish someone a Merry Christmas…doesn’t it you? Where are our rights? Maybe we ought to get someone to represent us in the courts of law when it comes to our rights being threatened. Where are you going with this preacher? I’m glad you asked. In our text we are introduced with being “politically correct in a politically incorrect world.” The scene is Nazareth. A young lady by the name of Mary is engaged to Joseph. But there’s something “politically incorrect.” Something’s awry! The talk of the town was surely “she’s pregnant and she isn’t even married yet.” Now I’m not advocating pregnancy before marriage in no way, but this one was “politically correct.” Why the talk even upset Joseph, the future husband. “Had she proven to be unfaithful?” “What’s up?” The Bible tells us that Joseph was mindful of the view and was willing to “put her away privily.” Betrothal by Biblical standards meant they were “married.” By law, Joseph, being a “just man” had legal grounds for putting her away by divorce. God declared in His Word, the Bible, the legitimate purpose for divorce…unfaithfulness or infidelity…commonly “fornication.” According to the way I view God’s words, any other reason is contrary to the Word of God. Jesus declared, “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Mt. 5:32, KJV) Mary was faithful. She had not “known” a man…even though she was “legally” married; she had not consummated her marriage to Joseph. No doubt, this was as politically incorrect as one could be. Even years ago, it was taboo for a young girl to find herself with child. It was a “disgrace” to her, her family, and even society. How lax it is that we have become, isn’t it? Now if a young girl gets pregnant, no big deal. But yet, it was “politically correct” in God’s eyes…that is Mary’s pregnancy. But Joseph, a just man knew the ramifications of what had happened. His mind was no doubt bombarded with all kinds of thoughts…one to put her away. But just as an angel had revealed it to Mary that she would be with child, an angel gave Joseph the “okay” from God. As Joseph wrestled with the thought of his “intended” had been unfaithful, confirmation from God came to Him. “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:20, KJV) My friends, I guess what I am trying to say is simply this – What God Does, He Does It Right! As we, the faithful, approach this time of year we might be labeled as “politically incorrect” but we are “politically correct” in God’s eyes. Christmas is about the “birth of Jesus Christ.” Has always been for as long as we know it, and it will always be regardless what some “far left-wing” group dictates to us. Christmas is about the salvation of mankind. Look again at the purpose of which we celebrate the “birth of Christ.” “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Mt. 1:21, KJV) Today, you and I are saved because of what “politically incorrect” event had taken place in the life of Mary and Joseph. Because of his obedience to God and not “societal rules” Joseph “took unto him his wife.” (Mt. 1:24, KJV) Do you want to be “politically correct?” If so, then don’t allow mainstream society to say you can’t believe in God. Don’t allow them to say that you’re a “far right Looney tune” for following this “Christianity stuff.” I had rather be a “politically correct Looney tune” living in a politically incorrect world than lost and doomed for a devil’s hell. After all, it was him (Satan) that was and is behind all of the stuff that goes on in this “politically incorrect” world today. Satan was defeated at the cradle by the birth of Jesus, even though he tried to have the “babe” exterminated at the hands of Herod. It was not Herod’s intent to “worship the babe, but destroy Him.” Because he saw Him as a rival to his rule and reign. “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Mt. 2: 3, KJV) He was defeated at the cross when Jesus gave His life for the sins of the world. He will be defeated when Jesus comes back again to set up His rule and reign as the “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Even though the attempts of secular humanism tries to usurp authority over God and His people…they cannot and will not destroy the will of man if he faithfully follows God and His ways. As long as the “truth goes forth” the overseers of this world (the ACLU, Christian haters, and the like) will try to make us compromise and join their twisted, perverted views of humanity. Will you fall for the rhetoric of the “far left” who are out to destroy the very moral and religious fiber of this great land we call America? To be “politically correct” we must be willing to call sin –sin. We must be willing to call the abominations of this society – abominations. We must stand for the “truth of God’s Word” even if it means being labeled “politically incorrect.” “Yes, Virginia, there is a God!” You see- the terminology that we are faced with today is as old as the stories from the Bible. Man has tried to thwart the move of God for as long as we have known it. Call me a Bible thumping Baptist fanatic if you like, that’s what I am. Call me a Jesus freak if you like, that’s what I am. Call me insane, that’s alright because I’m crazy about Jesus! Call me “politically correct!” What better time than right now for you to declare that you too will be “politically correct.” Why not declare to the world that Christ came in the form of a babe born of a virgin in order that you could be saved from your sins? Trade in your “politically incorrectness” for that of being “politically correct.” Just as Joseph came to a crossroad of decision you too must decide what you will do with your life. Will you allow society to tell you what you can and cannot do? Will you let the “anti-Christian” haters overpower you with their “poisonous venom?” Be different! After all that’s the way God intended for us to be…a peculiar breed of people. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us of our position as God’s representatives…”But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (KJV) To follow Him, means you’ll be different…radically different. Hey, I guess it is pretty good to have “political correctness” in a politically incorrect world, after all. Merry Christmas! Jesus is the Reason for the Season! I must put a disclaimer on this message. The first time that I have ever done so I think. “This message does not necessarily reflect the opinion of this church and its members. It is simply the view of this lowly and humble servant of Jesus Christ.” I hope that your view will be that of mine, as we serve God together to make a difference in this politically incorrect world. He made a difference in us, now let’s make a difference to those around us.