The Birth of the King

Text: Matthew 1:18–25 (ESV)

Bottom Line (≤12 words)

God entered our broken world to save us from our sins.

1) Engage – When God’s Plan Disrupts Ours

Most people love the idea of God’s plan—until it interrupts their plan. Engagements, careers, reputations, family expectations—these are things we carefully build. And then something unexpected happens that changes everything.

Matthew does not begin the Christmas story with shepherds or angels singing. He begins with a problem—a righteous man whose life has just been turned upside down. Before we ever see the miracle, we feel the disruption.

From the beginning, Matthew wants us to understand this truth: the birth of Jesus is not sentimental—it is costly, disruptive, and saving.

Bottom Line stated: God entered our broken world to save us from our sins.

2) Tension – How Does God Work Through Messy Situations?

Matthew 1:18 immediately presents a crisis:

Matthew 1:18 ESV

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.

“When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” (v.18)

The tension is obvious:

Mary is pregnant.

Joseph knows he is not the father.

The law gives Joseph the right to expose her.

Joseph’s righteousness is now tested.

The question Matthew forces us to ask is not just what happened, but how will God accomplish salvation through something that looks scandalous, painful, and confusing?

This is the tension of the incarnation: Can God really be at work when circumstances seem wrong?

3) Truth – God’s Saving Work Through the Birth of Jesus

Truth Movement 1: God Works Through Righteous Obedience (vv. 18–19)

Matthew 1:18–19 ESV

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.

Exegesis

Matthew describes Joseph as “a just man.” In Matthew’s Gospel, righteousness is not merely technical obedience to the Law, but conformity to God’s will as revealed in Scripture. Joseph knows two things for certain: Mary is pregnant, and he is not the father. According to Deuteronomy 22, he has legal grounds to expose her publicly. Yet Matthew tells us Joseph resolves to divorce her quietly.

This decision shows that Joseph’s righteousness is shaped by both truth and mercy. He refuses to ignore what appears to be sin, but he also refuses to use the Law as a weapon. Matthew introduces Joseph as a man who fears God more than public opinion.

Talking Points

Righteousness in Scripture always involves both obedience and restraint.

Joseph does the best he can with the information he has, without compromising his integrity.

God often begins His work of salvation through ordinary faithfulness, not dramatic acts.

Application

Many believers face moments where obedience to God does not feel clean or celebrated. Like Joseph, we may be forced to choose faithfulness without full understanding. This text reminds us that God honors obedience even before He explains everything.

Big Idea

God advances His plan through obedient faith, not perfect circumstances.

Truth Movement 2: God Reveals His Plan Through His Word (vv. 20–23)

Matthew 1:20–23 ESV

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).

Exegesis

While Joseph is considering these things, God intervenes through an angelic message. The angel addresses him as “son of David,” grounding this moment in God’s covenant promises. The explanation is clear and direct: Mary’s child is conceived by the Holy Spirit, not through human sin.

Matthew then pauses the narrative to explain that this event fulfills Isaiah 7:14. The emphasis is not on Joseph’s feelings, but on God’s faithfulness to what He previously revealed. Scripture interprets the event before Joseph acts.

Talking Points

God does not leave His people to guess His will when clarity is needed.

Matthew anchors the incarnation in prophecy, not speculation.

The authority in the passage rests in what God has said, not what Joseph feels.

Application

Believers today are likewise called to interpret life through God’s Word rather than interpret God’s Word through life. Scripture gives stability when circumstances create confusion.

Big Idea

God’s Word explains what our eyes cannot yet understand.

Truth Movement 3: God’s Son Comes With a Saving Mission (vv. 21, 25)

Matthew 1:21; 25

Matthew 1:21 ESV

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:25 ESV

25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Exegesis

The angel gives Joseph a specific command: he is to name the child Jesus. The reason is theological, not sentimental—“for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew wants the reader to understand the purpose of the incarnation immediately.

The name “Immanuel” does not replace the name Jesus; it explains its significance. God being “with us” is not primarily about comfort, but about salvation. God’s nearness addresses humanity’s deepest problem: sin.

Talking Points

Salvation in Matthew is moral and spiritual, not political or social.

Jesus comes to deal with sin before He deals with anything else.

The incarnation is purposeful, not symbolic.

Application

Many people want God’s presence without God’s authority. This text reminds us that Jesus came not only to be near us, but to rule us by rescuing us from sin.

Big Idea

God came near in order to deal fully with our sin.

Truth Movement 4: God Is Glorified Through Costly Obedience (vv. 24–25)

Matthew 1:24–25 ESV

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.

Exegesis

Joseph’s response is brief but powerful. He does exactly what the angel commands—no delay, no recorded objection, no negotiation. He takes Mary as his wife, names the child Jesus, and accepts the social consequences that follow.

Matthew emphasizes Joseph’s obedience more than his emotions. Faithfulness is measured by action, not internal experience. Joseph’s obedience secures Jesus’ legal place in the line of David.

Talking Points

Obedience often carries reputational cost.

Joseph’s role is foundational, even though he fades from the narrative.

God uses faithful men and women who are willing to obey quietly.

Application

Faithful obedience may never receive public recognition, but it always serves God’s purposes. Joseph reminds us that obedience itself is worship.

Big Idea

True faith responds to God’s revelation with action, not delay.

4) Closing – God With Us, For Us, To Save Us

Matthew wants us to leave this text understanding one central truth: God did not stay distant. He came near.

The birth of Jesus means:

God entered human history.

God stepped into broken families and reputations.

God came not to condemn, but to save.

This same Jesus still calls for a response today.

Call to Action

If Jesus truly came to save us from our sins, then we must respond to Him in obedience. The gospel still calls for faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins.

Bottom Line restated: God entered our broken world to save us from our sins.