Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Advent = “coming”

Christmas Paradox

Series introduction: Christmas Paradox

What is a paradox?

No, it is not two anchor points for boats on a body of water.

A paradox is not a contradiction; rather, it is a generally a counterintuitive statement or scenario that jars the mind causes you to stop to unravel it with your mind until it makes sense.

Examples:

"This statement is false."

If this is true, then the sentence is false, but if the sentence states that it is false, and it is false, then it must also be true!

So the sentence is both true and not true at the same time.

You can save money by spending it.

I know one thing; that I know nothing.

This is the beginning of the end.

Deep down, you're really shallow.

I'm a compulsive liar.

Here are the rules: Ignore all rules.

A paradox can be thought provoking but also fun to think about.

Some examples of witty statements:

Here are the rules: Ignore all rules.

The second sentence is false.

The first sentence is true.

I only message those who do not message.

The Christmas Paradox:

Almighty God as a helpless child

God’s love was shouted on a silent night

Jesus was the most unexpected Expected One

the Word became flesh!

God became human!

the invisible became visible!

the untouchable became touchable!

eternal life experienced temporal death!

the transcendent one descended and drew near!

the unlimited became limited!

the infinite became finite!

the immutable became mutable!

the unbreakable became fragile!

spirit became matter!

eternity entered time!

the independent became dependent!

the almighty became weak!

the loved became the hated!

the exalted was humbled!

glory was subjected to shame!

fame turned into obscurity!

from inexpressible joy to tears of unimaginable grief!

from a throne to a cross!

from ruler to being ruled!

from power to weakness!

"The Son of God became man, that we might become god" - Athanasius

1:17

How many of you would like to read that passage again?

How many found the name of your next child in that passage?

(Hezron, Abiud, Zerubbabel, Shealtiel)

One pastor has said of this passage:

“In this genealogy is everything you need to know about Christianity.”

(J D Greear)

The crooked family line of Jesus leads right to new hope.

Jesus brings a new beginning.

(1:1)

This first verse would have caught the ears of the Jewish audience and it should catch ours as well; however, we tend to miss it without the historical and grammatical context.

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The coming of Jesus signals a new beginning (γενέσεως)

“book of genealogy” - lit., “book of origins” (Βίβλος γενέσεως)

also found in LXX account of origins of heaven and earth

also found in LXX account of origins of humans through Adam

Matthew is saying that with Jesus comes a new beginning:

God’s next step in the plan of redemption,

New Covenant

Hope

How do I know this?

Look at the titles for Jesus:

(They point to Jesus as Jewish, King, God, Human)

Jesus - Yahweh Saves

Christ - Messiah - ‘anointed one’

“The colorless translation”Jesus Christ” . . . in many English versions does not do justice to the excitement in Matthew’s introduction of Jesus under the powerfully evocative title “Messiah,” the long-awaited deliverer of God’s people, in whom their history has now come to its climax.”

- R. T. France

Son of David - Royal title - Jesus is King

Matthew uses this title for Jesus 17 times - more than any other book in NT -

indicates establishment of a new kingdom

Matthew also uses the word “king” 22 times - more than any other book in NT

Son of Abraham - -not only shows Jesus as Jewish, but also shows hope for whole world since promise of God through Abraham was to all nations (; )

This is a theme Matthew will carry throughout the book:

People of Israel (; )

Whole world (; )

What if Jesus had NOT come?

only way to interact with God was through priest

only way to interact with God was through priest

we could only hope salvation would come

there would be longing instead of resting

In chapter 4, Matthew will quote the prophet Isaiah:

They had walked in darkness, but now that Jesus has come it is like the dawn of a new day.

**We have the privilege to walk on this side of the light.

Beyond the fact of recognizing the joy of being a part of the New Covenant, this first verse of Matthew’s Gospel points to the new beginnings found only with Jesus.

**Do you need a new beginning?

The New Year can’t come fast enough?

Maybe it’s something in your past you want to forget or a current struggle you would like to leave behind, only Jesus can truly bring a fresh start.

Jesus brings hope to the sinner.

(1:2-6a)

ILLUST - Take a look back on your own family tree and you’ll see some pluses and minuses.

I’m told I’m related to the pioneer and statesman, Conrad Weiser.

I have absolutely no way to substantiate the claim, but I at least pretend it’s true.

One ancestor that we are a little more sure IS in our family tree was a Confederate soldier who was captured by the Union army during the Civil War - He was a soldier on the losing side - and apparently not a very good one at that.