Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Getting bogged down in the virgin birth...
1. The defense of the supernatural (Matthew 1:18-20)
2. The dilemma of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-20)
Getting the big deal of the virgin birth...
1. The virgin birth was necessary for God to be present
with us. (Matthew 1:22-23; cf. Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 7:13; Isaiah 7:14)
2. The virgin birth was necessary for us to be saved from our sins. (Matthew 1:20-21; cf. Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)
3. The virgin birth was necessary for us to fulfill
our mission. (Matthew 1:22-23; cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8)
Thanks Jim!!
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