The birth of Jesus Christ is one of the three most important events in all of human history (the other two being the crucifixion and the resurrection). However, because the circumstances around it have been abused and perverted so badly by so many in the world it sometimes is an avoided subject lest we become subject to criticism by others. This simply should not be so. Seeing how the birth of Jesus has impacted this world in such an amazing way it demands our attention. This week’s sermon starter examines Matthew 1:18-25 and three personal applications of that great event.
Title: The Birth of Jesus Christ was on this Wise
Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Main Point: There are certain people and events in our lives to whom we can attribute so much of our success: parents, friends, spouses, sermons we have heard, conversations we have had, etc. While the blessing of those people or events is rarely recognized at the time, we often see it in retrospect. However, we question where we might be in life if it had not been for them. But they you think about how dramatically your life shifted when your children were born – positively shifted. As wonderful a blessing as the birth of those children were, though, how much more blessed have we been by the birth of another. It would be surprising to see just how much of an impact a single birth has made, but when we realize that it was the virgin birth of the Son of God we know its made a difference.
Discussion Points:
§ The Birth of Jesus was Petitioned – To petition for something is to make a request or to diligently search for it. However, can it not also be the case that we make a petition when we make the circumstances demand something. How many times have children deliberately disobeyed their parents and the mother or father’s disciplinary response was preceded by the words, “You’re just asking for it!”? Their actions made the circumstances demand punishment. Genesis 3:6 – circumstances demanded the sending of a Savior (Genesis 3:15). Sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), thus sin must be covered (Psalm 32:1; 85:1-2; Romans 4:7). It is only because Jesus came into this world that we are able to enjoy the fullness of an eternal relationship with God (Galatians 4:4-7).
§ The Birth of Jesus was Promised – The seed of woman (Genesis 3:15) who was born of woman and under the law (Galatians 4:4) was promised to make a grand and miraculous entrance into the world. (1) He would be the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:7); (2) He would be the seed of Isaac (Genesis 17:19); (3) He would be of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10); (4) He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14); (5) His name would be Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14); (6) He would be born a King (Jeremiah 30:9); (7) He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:1-5); (8) His birth would be preceded by a forerunner [John the Baptist] (Malachi 3:1). God had an eternal purpose in the sending of His Son, and everything would be just according to His specifications – it was! That promise sustained the people until that fullness of time came – His promised coming gave credence to who He was and what He was to do.
§ The Birth of Jesus was Provided – Not just did He come, but He came just as promised. (1) He was the seed of Abraham (Matthew 1:1); (2) He was the seed of Isaac (Matthew 1:2); (3) He was of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:3); (4) He was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:8); (5) His name would be Immanuel (Matthew 1:23); (6) He would be born a King (Matthew 2:2); (7) He would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5-6); (8) His birth would be preceded by a forerunner [John the Baptist] (Luke 1:57). The power inherent in His coming was evident of the power with which He would live, with which He would die, and by which we would be saved. It was that birth that has made such a dramatic impact on our lives.
Where would we be in life if Jesus had not come? But most importantly, where would we be going? Did you ever imagine a single birth could influence so much?
-Andy Brewer