DECEMBER 5TH,
2004
I.
These verses declare THE
VIRGIN BIRTH of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A.
Mary “was found with child
of the Holy Ghost “ before she was officially married to Joseph. (18)
-
The Gospel of Matthew is
clear that Joseph was not the father of Jesus.
B.
The Lord Jesus was conceived
of the Holy Ghost. (20)
1.
The birth of Jesus followed
the natural course of all births.
2.
The Lord Jesus was the Son
of God from conception.
-
He didn’t become the Son of
God later in life.
C.
Mary is called a “virgin” in
verse 23.
1.
The Virgin Birth was a
fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah
7:14).
2.
Mary was found to be with
child BEFORE she knew a man, and the Father of her Child was The Holy Ghost.
II.
What was the purpose of The
Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ?
A.
The Virgin Birth was the
first of four miracles pertaining to the life of Christ – and these miracles
are essential to our Faith, and our salvation.
1.
The Virgin Birth of Christ –
The Lord Jesus was (and is) the Son of God.
2.
The sinless life of Christ –
II Corinthians 5:21
3.
The sacrificial death of
Christ – II Corinthians 5:21.
4.
The physical resurrection of
Christ – Matthew 28:2-6.
B.
Without The Virgin Birth,
everything that comes after would be impossible.
III.
The unique position of Mary
should be examined:
A.
Notice that Nary is referred
to as “mother” BEFORE The Lord Jesus was born.
(18)
-
So Mary was a Mother.
B.
Notice that Mary was an espoused wife BEFORE The Lord Jesus was
born (18
and 20).
-
So Mary was a Wife.
C.
Notice that Mary did not
“know” a man, including Joseph, until after The Lord
Jesus was
born. (24-25)
-
So Mary was a Virgin.
IV.
The unique position of
Joseph should be examined:
A.
Joseph was told of Mary’s
condition by an angel of God. (20)
1.
Joseph remained loyal to his
wife BEFORE the dream. (19)
2.
Joseph was a “just man” – a
man of godly morals.
3.
Joseph wanted to prevent
unnecessary embarrassment for Mary.
4.
Joseph rose from his sleep
and did as the angel said. (24)
B.
So, Joseph was not only a
just man, but a great man of faith.
V.
The unique position of the
new-born Jesus should be examined:
A.
His natural Father was God.
B.
His natural mother was a
virgin until the day He was born.
C.
He was declared to be “God
with us” in verse 23.
D.
He was born for a purpose:
“….he shall save his people from their sins.”
(21)
Conclusion: This Christmas, we celebrate a miraculous
birth that made our new births possible.
PLEASE READ LUKE 2:1-7
FOR NEXT SUNDAY.