THE HOLY FAMILY
Matthew 1: 18-25
18 Now
the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been
betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child
by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a
righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away
secretly. 20 But when he had
considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,
saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife;
for the Child who has been conceived in her is of 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 Now
all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND
SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated
means, "GOD WITH US." 24 And Joseph awoke from
his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his
wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave
birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Galatians 4: 4-5
4 But when the fullness of
the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that
we might receive the adoption as sons.
Why do people discredit the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ?
· We’re too scientific
· We have a more modern theology
· Our human reason cannot understand it
All of these “reasons” betray a heart attitude of UNBELIEF
But Jesus’ virgin birth is foundational to Christianity. Had Jesus been conceived by natural means, He would not have been God and would not have been the true Salvation of sinners.
I DILEMMA of Joseph – vs. 18-19
- Could not go ahead with the marriage
- Didn’t want to shame Mary
-
Wanted to protect her from death ( Deuteronomy
- One conclusion: DIVORCE Mary secretly
II DIVINE assurance – vs. 20-21
- Extraordinary, direct, divine communication while Joseph was sleeping
1. FEAR not
2. FUNCTION of the Holy Spirit
3. FACT of Jesus’ birth
4. FABULOUS name: Jesus, Joshua, Jehovah – will save
III DEBATED verses – vs. 22,23
- Matthew quotes Isaiah 7: 14
- Hebrew word ALMA – virgin or young woman
- ALMA occurs 6 other times in the Old Testament – Genesis 24: 43; Exodus 2:8; Psalm 68: 25 ; Proverbs 30:19 ; Song of Solomon 1:3; 6:8;
- Each time it very clearly means VIRGIN
IV DILIGENT obedience – vs. 24,25
- Joseph’s feelings: Amazement, Relief, GRATITUDE
- Promptly and fully obeyed the angel’s command:
1.
Took Mary as his WIFE
2. Kept her a VIRGIN until after Jesus’ birth
3.
Called Him by the name JESUS
God The Greatest Giver
So Loved The Greatest Degree
The World The Greatest Need
That He Gave The Greatest Act
His Only Begotten Son The Greatest Gift
That
Whosoever The Greatest
Believed The Greatest Simplicity
In Him The Greatest Attraction
Should Not Perish The Greatest Promise
But The Greatest Difference
Have The Greatest Certainty
Everlasting Life The Greatest Possession
NOTES:
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