God with Us: A King is Born

Of all the New Testament miracles the virgin birth of Jesus creates the most controversy.

R. C. Sproul

The birth of Jesus is the sunrise in the Bible.

Henry Van Dyke

Birth of Our Savior

Matthew 1:18–25 (ESV)

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. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

What are some ways you are struggling to obey God?

Obedience to God is an act of faith. When we distrust God’s goodness, wisdom, power, and authority, we aren’t inclined to do what He says. But when we are convinced that God is good enough, gracious enough, and powerful enough to both command what He wants and empower us to do what He wants, we’re compelled to obey. Our obedience or disobedience to God communicates whether or not we believe He is trustworthy

Why is God’s presence with His people such an encouragement?

The virgin birth of Christ is an unmistakable reminder that salvation can never come through human effort, but must be the work of God himself.

Wayne Grudem

It is an encouragement to us, because of what Wayne Grudem says, that our salvation is not of us, but of God for us! When we celebrate the coming of our King, of His birth, we are also celebrating and remembering His and resurrection. That He alone brings salvation to the world.

He was created of a mother whom he created. He was carried by hands that he formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, he the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.

Augustine of Hippo

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew unveiled a divinely orchestrated parallel between the immediate fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a boy named Immanuel born to a young woman and the future fulfillment of Jesus’ birth to the virgin Mary. The immediate fulfillment entailed a young woman conceiving a son through natural means, but the complete fulfillment entailed an actual virgin conceiving a son through supernatural means. The immediate fulfillment of the prophecy ensured military salvation for Judah, but the complete fulfillment ensured the spiritual salvation of God’s people. Matthew highlighted this prophecy to drive home his point: Jesus is the promised Christ, the fulfillment of Israel’s expectation.

What Does Jesus’ Kingdom look like?

Christ’s Kingdom!

Isaiah 9:1–7 CSB

1 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. 4 For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian. 5 For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of [Hosts] (Angel) Armies will accomplish this.

We write Jesus’ name upon our banner, for it is hell’s terror, heaven’s delight and earth’s hope.

Jesus Christ Himself, Volume 23, Sermon #1388 - Ephesians 2:20

Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 110:1 CSB

1 This is the declaration of the Lord to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”

“Here he asserts that, no matter how many strong enemies plot to overthrow the church, they do not have sufficient strength to prevail over God’s immutable decree by which he appointed his Son eternal King. Hence it follows that the devil, with all the resources of the world, can never destroy the church, founded as it is on the eternal throne of Christ.”- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion & 2, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, vol. 1, The Library of Christian Classics (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), 498.

This Psalm is used in Hebrews, when the author speaks of Jesus’ fulfillment of forgiveness of our sins. It also, gives us a glimpse of Him on the throne and our mission as Christians!

Hebrews 10:11-18 11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for [f]sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until His enemies are put as a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the [g]Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,”

He then says,

17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Continuing this theme of Christ being victorious is found in Matt. Where Jesus explains that the “gates of hell will not overpower” the church!

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.’” (Matt. 16:16-19)

 9   I have before me God’s Word which cannot fail, nor can the gates of hell prevail against it; thereby will I remain, though the whole world be against me.

Martin Luther

Table Talk (16th century)

Martin Luther

Martin Luther’s quote brings up a solid point, that even if the world is out to kill us; God is on our side and we will be victorious. Jesus’ prayer with the disciples further illustrates this point, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Christians in every age group including Middle School needs to keep these words in mind, we do not lose on earth or anywhere else. The Bible assumes we are on the offensive fighting battles on behalf of our King, Jesus. Doing as He commanded us, preaching the gospel as often and everywhere we can. We plant the seeds, we water the seeds, but only God can make them grow and bring salvation. We need to be better as a group about praying for those who are lost and hurting, that God moves in their lives and they too will be able to experience the joys of Christmas.

(Go over the reasons we rejoice)

In Closing:

My prayer for all of you is that you take what you have learned today, and walk out of here with attitudes of victory! Christ promises us a Kingdom that cannot and will not lose. We play our parts as soldiers in His army, by taking the fight to Satan and the world with this in mind. Christ is on His throne right now ruling the nations, and all He asks of us is to proclaim the Good news of His Kingdom. I pray that we not only remember our Saviors’ birth, but why He came in the first place, to live for us, to die for us personally, and be raised from the dead first as an example of our future in Him. He takes our sin, and we take His righteousness. I pray we are more bold and that more of us will be brave and tell those that we care about, the reason why we celebrate Christmas!