Title: The Birth of Jesus Christ
Text: Matthew 1: 18-25; 2: 1-23
Date: 12-19-2010
Place: SGBC, New Jersey
This Saturday, December 25, is the day in which the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Much of what will be said and done comes only from false tradition passed down over generations. But God is clear in the scriptures concerning the birth of Jesus Christ. This morning we will see what God says in his written word.
Matthew 1: 18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:
No day is given. We do not know the actual day. The focus is not a day. But who came into this world and why and what took place is of utmost importance.
Mt 1:18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, [Lawfully betrothed to Joseph] before they came together, [Mary was a virgin] she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
I. THE CHILD IN MARY'S WOMB WAS OF THE HOLY GHOST, WITHOUT THE AID OF A MAN.
Christ Jesus was born of woman that he might be a man, like those he came to save. But he was born of the Spirit of God that he might not be sinful, like those he came to save
He is the spotless Lamb of God--his thoughts, words and deeds were without sin because he is sinless in nature. The opposite is true of every man born into this world.
Adam is the only man who ever became a sinner by sinning. Every other descendent of Adam sins because we were conceived in sin. We came forth from our mother's womb speaking lies.
Christ was conceived in holiness of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1: 19: Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Joseph knew he was not the father of her child. But Joseph was "just"--he sought of the Lord what to do--what would be right and honorable to God. He thought Mary had sinned but he loved her. He could have made her a public example--even lawfully had her stoned to death. But he thought to cover her sin rather than expose it.
Matthew 1: 20: 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.
What a lesson! Joseph sought the Lord. He rejoiced in mercy, rather than judgment. And the Lord made it clear and comforted both their hearts together by his Spirit.
Proverbs 20:22: Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Proverbs 3: 5: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Joseph's fears were not only relieved, he was given the revelation of who this child is!
II. JEUS IS THE VICTORIOUS SAVIOR OF HIS PEOPLE
Matthew 1: 21: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
His people were chosen of God the Father in him unto salvation
Ephesians 1: 3: Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
The Father entrusted his people to his Son therefore his people must be and shall be saved by him FROM THEIR SINS.
John 10:16: And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
For he shall save his people from their sins".
· From the penalty--by his blood atonement (Rom. 3:24-26).
· From the spiritual death of sin--by his regenerating Spirit--born of his Spirit
· From the love of sin--though sin is in our members, we serve him in the inward man by the power of his grace.
· And saved into resurrection glory (I Cor. 15:51-57).
III. EVERYTHING THAT CAME TO PASS CONCERNING THE LORD'S BIRTH WAS ACCORDING TO WHAT HE FORE-ARRANGED,, DECLARED BEFORE AND BECAUSE HE BROUGHT IT TO PASS.
Matthew 1: 22: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The Lord HIMSELF--said he would come forth this way--by the Spirit through Isaiah in Is 7: 14 then he brought it to pass. Likewise, everything else recorded here: read Mt 2: 1-15;…16-17, 18;…19-23
We see an infant born, being carried from place to place. But make no mistake--this is Emmanuel--the Sovereign, All-Powerful, God with us--the Son of God given, sent into the midst of the earth--working all things together after the council of his own will. Everything came to pass because God with us--brought all these things to pass--ruling in the hearts of his children--as well as in the hearts of his enemies. Not only concerning his birth--but even all that came about concerning his crucifixion.
Acts 4: 28: For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
God in three persons is manifest in the face of this one glorious Person who is flesh of our flesh--the fullness of the Godhead bodily--the GODMAN!
Yet, without sin like us--the spotless Lamb of God. Fit to bear the sins of his people in his own body on the tree and die the death his children owed. Yet, at the same time, the everliving God.
What a mystery! God can not die. A man could not eternally satisfy righteousness and holiness--But the GodMan did both!--for he shall save his people from their sins!
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Application:
What happens when our God moves in Spirit in the hearts of his children? Christ is formed in us even as he was formed in the womb of Mary. And we are made willing to obey his Voice, as Mary and Joseph did!
Matthew 1: 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS….12:…they departed into their own country another way…14:…he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15: And was there until the death of Herod:… 21: And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
What is it he will for me to do? May the cloud overshadow you and may the voice speak out of the cloud into your hearts right now so you hear him say:
Matthew 17: 15: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
John 6: 29: Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent….35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst….40: And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Believe on Christ and everlasting life is yours! And everything he bids you do from the day he makes you willing to believe on him--you shall do--and you will give him the praise and honor for making it so! Amen!