The Greatest Story Ever Told

Introduction

Turn to Matthew 1:18-21.

I enjoy hearing a good story. I grew up hearing my grandparents tell stories. My Grandma Oellig would tell stories about life on a dairy farm during the mid 1900’s. My Grandma Brubaker would tell stories about travelling the United States while Grandpa served in the Army. Those childhood memories will remain with me forever, but I’ve found that today there are often two kinds of people who can tell a pretty good story.

If you were to go down south a few hours and find a greasy spoon restaurant, step inside and take a look around. If you see an older gentleman wearing bib overalls, chances are, you’re looking at someone who has some stories to share.

But they’re not the only ones. The other good storyteller you can find just about anywhere. You can find them at Walmart. You can find them in a restaurant. You can even find them here in church.

If you go to any of these places and see an older man or woman wearing a baseball cap that identifies them as one of our nation’s veterans, it’s likely they have some stories that they could share also.

I love hearing the stories from these individuals, but today I want to share with you the Greatest Story Ever Told.

It’s not a great story because I am a great storyteller. It’s a great story because it is about the greatest gift that God could ever give to mankind. It is the story of how God sent His Son Jesus into this earth to redeem mankind from the curse of sin.

Read Matthew 1:18-21.

Next slide here:

The reality of sin

The verses that I read a few minutes ago actually give us a summarized version of this story. Joseph and Mary were two individuals who feared God and lived in Israel 2000 years ago. It was an exciting time in their lives. They were about to be married. Legally and culturally it was as though they were already married, but they had not had a physical relationship yet - she was preparing for the wedding and he was building their house.

But then Joseph’s world is turned upside down when Mary tells him that she is expecting a child. She was going to give birth to the Son of God! I have no doubt that Joseph was shaken to his very core at this news. But at that critical moment God sent an angel to Joseph.

The angel, in verse 20, reassured Joseph about the situation. This was no ordinary child because this was no ordinary conception. This was a miracle of God and this child would be the Son of God who would come for one purpose: to save his people from their sins.

You see, from beginning to end, the Bible teaches that all of mankind is under the curse of sin. That’s the reality that all people - Jew and Gentile - must live with.

Romans 3:23 KJV 1900

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Galatians 3:22 KJV 1900

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

That is the reality of our existence! We don’t like it! We don’t celebrate it! But we find that even when the angel shared the news that Mary was carrying the Son of God in her womb, even then, the curse of sin was acknowledged!

Application: You may be thinking to yourself, “How could this be the greatest story ever told?”

If the story stops here, then you’re right, it cannot be the greatest story ever told. But please understand, it cannot be the greatest story without this part either.

If we don’t recognize why Jesus came to this earth, then the whole story gets lost in the bright lights and tinsel of the Christmas season. This is the raw but necessary part of the Christmas story. Jesus came because we are hopelessly lost in sin.

We’ve considered the reality of sin, secondly…

Next slide here:

The prophecy of the Savior

Read Matthew 1:22-23

In these verses, Matthew reminds of a prophecy that Isaiah had made approximately 700 years earlier. He predicted that a virgin would miraculously be with child and would bear a son who would be called Immanuel - meaning, God with us. This Immanuel, who would also be called Jesus, would take away the sins of the world.

John 1:29 KJV 1900

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

John 3:17 KJV 1900

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

All throughout the Bible are prophecies of the coming Savior - the one who would take away the sin of the world. Jesus lived a sinless life. He lived the life that we could never live.

In John 10:10, Jesus himself said,

John 10:10 KJV 1900

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Application: Why did Jesus come to earth as a baby? He came to offer you abundant life now and eternal life forever! That is why He came. That news is what makes this the Greatest Story Ever Told. But it can be the Greatest Story to you, only if you give up your feeble attempts to earn your salvation and believe that Christ alone can save you from your sins!

We’ve considered the reality of the sin curse and we’ve seen the prophecy of the Savior, now thirdly I want to direct your attention to…

Next slide here:

The evidence of faith

Read Matthew 1:24-25.

Joseph here shows us what living by faith is. He shows us what it means to believe God.

The angel gave this message to Joseph in a dream and how did Joseph respond? Did he get angry with God or with Mary that he was thrust into this embarrassing situation? Did he laugh in disbelief? Did he act like it wasn’t true? No, he did none of those things. Joseph believed the angel of the Lord and we know it because he obeyed. It changed the rest of his life. He was never the same after he believed the angel’s message.

Application: And so I ask you this morning, have you believed the Greatest Story Ever Told? In other words, have you come to grips with the reality of your sin and the reality that your sin separates you from God.

There comes a point where every one of us must humble ourselves and admit that we are sinners who desperately need Jesus to save us from our sins. If that is you this morning, then there is hope for you because Jesus came to this earth to save sinners! He lived a perfect, sinless life, and then as an adult He was crucified on a cross as a sacrifice for your sins. He died, He was buried, and then He rose again and the Bible says that whoever believes in Christ alone for salvation will be saved from their sins.

I invite you to make that decision today. I invite you to make that decision right now.

Quickly pray.

Invitation

Please remain with your head bowed and with your eyes closed. If you want to be forever saved from your sins this morning it really is quite simple. Jesus did all of the work of salvation. You must simply trust Him that what He did is good enough to save you.

This morning, reject your sin. Reject your feeble efforts to earn your salvation. Reject everything else. Make the choice right now to trust Jesus Christ alone to eternally save your soul and tell Him by praying to him.

I’ll lead you in a prayer. You could say something like this.

“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know I can’t save myself from my sins. But I believe that you can. Today I am trusting Christ alone to save my soul. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for me. In his name I pray, amen.”

With heads bowed and eyes closed, is there anyone who would quietly raise their hand to show me that they just made that decision? Anyone who just told the Lord that in prayer?

Offer assurance. Offer counseling. Close in prayer and dismiss to line up for food and fellowship.