SF881 - The Value of the Virgin Birth (Matthew 1 18-25)
Matthew 1:18-25
Introduction
The virgin birth of Christ has been greatly contested.
The virgin birth of Christ is theologically essential.
Because it substantiates the incarnation
Because it insured the divine nature of the Son of God
Because it fulfilled OT prophecy
Genesis 3:15 (NASB) 15And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”
Isaiah 7:14 (NASB) 14“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name £Immanuel.
Galatians 4:4 (NASB) 4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
1A. The Intervention of the Spirit (1:18-21)
1B. The virgin birth conceived (1:18)
A humble woman - Mary
Ø Mary was sensitive and submissive to God.
Luke 1:38 (NASB) 38And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”
Ø Mary trusted God.
Ø Mary was a reverent believer.
Luke 1:46-49 (NASB) 46And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord, 47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48“For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 49“For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
A honest man – Joseph
Ø Joseph was industrious.
Matthew 13:55 (NASB) 55“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
Ø Joseph was righteous. (1:19)
A Holy Father – God
Luke 1:34-35 (NASB) 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
2B. The virgin birth confronted (1:19-20)
Joseph’s dilemma (1:19)
Ø Moral dilemma – the sin of adultery
Deuteronomy 22:23-24 (NASB) 23“If there is a girl who is a virgin engaged to a man, and another man finds her in the city and lies with her, 24then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and you shall stone them to death; the girl, because she did not cry out in the city, and the man, because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you.
Ø Legal dilemma – the practice of divorce
Common practice called for divorce.
God’s deliverance (1:20)
Ø Divine assurance - “do not be afraid”
Ø Divine instruction - “take Mary as your wife”
Ø Divine affirmation - “…is of the Holy Spirit”
3B. The virgin birth clarified (1:21)
The Savior
Ø “Jesus” = Jehovah will save
The salvation
Ø Salvation is certain – “will save His people”
Ø Salvation is complete – literally “from all their sins”
Ø Salvation is secure – “He”
2A. The Affirmation of the Scripture (1:22-23)
1B. The promised miracle – “the virgin…”
Ø God promised to preserve His people and His royal line. (Isaiah 7:1-16)
Ø God promised to present a sign of His faithfulness and Messiah.
2B. The promised man – “Immanuel”
Immanuel = God has come to dwell with us. In Christ, God came to dwell…
Ø With the sick, to heal them (Matthew 4:23)
Ø With the demon-possessed, to liberate them (Matthew 4:24)
Ø With the poor in spirit, etc., to bless them (Matthew 5:1-12)
Ø With the burdened, to ride them of care (Matthew 6:25-34)
Ø With the critical, to warn them (Matthew 7:1-5)
Ø With the lepers, to cleanse them (Matthew 8:1-4)
Ø With the diseased, to cure them (Matthew 8:14-17)
Ø With the hungry, to feed them (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39)
Ø With the handicapped, to restore them (Matthew 12:13; 15:31)
Ø With the lost, to seek and save them (Matthew 18:11)
3A. The Submission of the Spouse (1:24-25)
1B. Joseph obeyed immediately (1:24a)
1 Samuel 3:10 (NASB) 10Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
2B. Joseph obey completely (1:24b-25)
Ø He married Mary
Ø He maintained her purity
Ø He named her son.
THE VALUE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Matthew 1:18-25
1A. The Intervention of the __________ (1:18-21)
1B. The virgin birth conceived (1:18)
A __________________________ woman - Mary
Ø Mary was sensitive and submissive to God. (Luke 1:38)
Ø Mary __________________ God.
Ø Mary was a reverent believer. (Luke 1:46-49)
An __________________________ man – Joseph
Ø Joseph was industrious. (Matthew 13:55)
Ø Joseph was righteous. (1:19)
A ______________ Father – God (Luke 1:34-35)
2B. The virgin birth ________________ (1:19-20)
Joseph’s dilemma (1:19)
Ø _________________ dilemma – the sin of adultery (Deuteronomy 22:23-24)
Ø ________ dilemma – the practice of divorce
God’s ______________________________ (1:20)
Ø Divine assurance - “do not be afraid”
Ø Divine instruction - “take Mary as your wife”
Ø Divine affirmation - “…is of the Holy Spirit”
3B. The virgin birth ___________________ (1:21)
The ________________________
The ________________________
Ø Salvation is certain, complete, and secure.
2A. The Affirmation of the Scripture (1:22-23)
1B. The promised ______________ – “a virgin…”
2B. The promised ______________ – “Immanuel”
In Christ, God came to dwell…
Ø with the sick, to heal them (4:23)
Ø With the demon-possessed, to liberate them (4:24)
Ø With the poor in spirit, etc., to bless them (5:1-12)
Ø With the burdened, to ride them of care (6:25-34)
Ø With the critical, to warn them (7:1-5)
Ø With the lepers, to cleanse them (8:1-4)
Ø With the diseased, to cure them (8:14-17)
Ø With the hungry, to feed them (14:13-21,; 15:32-39)
Ø With the handicapped, to restore them (12:13; 15:31)
Ø With the lost, to seek and save them (18:11)
3A. The Submission of the Spouse (1:24-25)
1B. Joseph obeyed immediately (1:24a; 1 Samuel 3:10)
2B. Joseph obey completely (1:24b-25)