The Majesty of Christmas Part I: The Remarkable Arrival of the Messiah Pastor Joe Pursch Chinese Grace Bible Church Sunday, December 4, 2011

Introduction

Matthew 1:18-25 (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.

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV) 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 1:18-25 (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.

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV) 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV) 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV) 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV) 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV) 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

I.The Remarkable __________ for the Virgin Birth Reason

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.

Galatians 4:4 (ESV) 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV) 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV) 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV) 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

II. The Remarkable ________ of God Across History Reach

Matthew 1:22-23 (ESV) 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

Matthew 1:22-23 (ESV) 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

Genesis 3:15 (ESV) 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV) 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

III. The Remarkable ___________ of Joseph and Mary Response

Matthew 1:19-21 (ESV) 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 1:19-21 (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.

Matthew 1:19-21 (ESV) 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Luke 1:26-31, 38 (ESV) 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

Luke 1:26-31, 38 (ESV) 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

Luke 1:26-31, 38 (ESV) 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"

Luke 1:26-31, 38 (ESV) 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

Luke 1:26-31, 38 (ESV) 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:26-31, 38 (ESV) 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Luke 1:26-31, 38 (ESV) 38 And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV) 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV) 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Conclusion