A Supernatural Beginning
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When we think of advent, what are we to think about? We often say that we as Christians look at Christmas for the real reasons. So, we look to Christ, the reason for the season. So, how do you do that. How should we look at this season, this time of year?
Intro
Intro
What will you give me for Christmas this year?
BB Warfield answering the question of Jesus “Supernatural birth” and it’s importance to the Christian Faith.
Christmas has become the holiday of gift giving
Christian’s are a part of this, especially as Americans
What are we to focus on, in this advent season? I want to encourage you to take the month to focus on Jesus in meaningful ways
It’s more than avoiding the trap of commercialism and remembering the reason for the holidays; I want you to go to holiday parties, I want you to spend time with family, I don’t even care if you exchange gifts.
But, I do want you to spend adequate time reflecting on who Jesus is and what advent means.
Essentially the birth of every man, in God’s providence is “supernatural”
Challenge: Focus not on what you will be giving, but what you have been given by God!
Jesus being supernatural in his nature and ministry must have a supernatural beginning
A Jesus who saves!
Drama
Drama
ADVENT - Latin for “Coming”
Coming
“Coming” of Jesus
Advent one - His birth
Advent two - His 2nd coming to gather his people at the end
Inter-advent period- Now and not yet!
This season is an anticipation as we look back at his first coming and cling o the promise of his second coming - salvation
Birth of Jesus
BB Warfield answering the question of Jesus “Supernatural birth” and it’s importance to the Christian Faith.
Essentially the birth of every man, in God’s providence is “supernatural”
Jesus being supernatural in his nature and ministry must have a supernatural beginning
Incarnation
The birth of Jesus is more than a celebration of a man
Who Jesus is as Scripture teaches us is an important part of our faith
Doctrine
Doctrine
Six facts about Jesus that must be a part of our faith.
Facts are important. What God teaches us about Jesus is important.
If we put our faith in anything different we end up with aplastic Jesus.
Illus: Plastic Jesus
We also could end up believing some really heretical things about Jesus
Bad theology leads to bad practice
Illus: PCUSA
Guys who did not even believe in Jesus: his miracles, his resurrection, etc . . .
God gives Jesus who is:
The Christ (18)
Matthew starts with fact - Jesus is Christ
Christ the Messiah
Conceived by the Holy Spirit (18b-19)
Supernatural conception
More than a mere man
Seed of the woman (Gen 3:15)
Born of a Virgin (23)
So as to not be tainted by sin
Seed of man
He had to be fully man and fully God, yet without sin
the one who fulfills Scripture (22)
Anticipated suffering servant of
Anticipated lamb of God
When you read Scripture you should be listening and looking for Jesus - Psalms, Isaiah, etc . . .
the Savior of His people (21)
English Standard Version Chapter 2
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
Here he is the savior and the Christ, synonymous.
The facts build upon one another making a complete Jesus, anything else is just a plastic Jesus
God with us (23)
Immanuel
God had promised to come and be with his people again
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.”
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Is
God’s presence with his people came in the person of Christ
Is
God came down to be incarnate
Took on the flesh of man
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 cor
Jesus is the Savior of the world who fulfilled Scripture, was born of a Virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit
He is Immanuel, God with us
Do you believe this? Is this the Jesus of your faith?
Doxology
Doxology
Let us Thank God that He sent his Son in such a supernatural way to do supernatural work
And, that he gives us the faith to believe and have faith in the Jesus who Matthew Describes here
Nicene Creed again: