Title: Emmanuel Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Theme: The amazing wonder of the virgin birth, Emmanuel, God with us.
Introduction: Jesus said “I am from above; I am not of this world.” If his birth was by natural means we might have reason to question the validity of such a statement. The birth of Jesus Christ was all but natural. We can clearly see this through the eyes of Joseph as revealed to us in Matthew 1:18-25.
I. Joseph’s perplexing problem before God (Mt.1:18-19).
His betrothed wife was with child and it wasn’t his.
II. Joseph’s startling revelation from God (Mt.1:20-23).
His betrothed wife was with child by an act of God
This Child was the promised messiah of the prophecies of old. Isaiah 7:14, cf. 9:6
III. Joseph’s complete obedience to God (Mt.1:24-25).
He took his betrothed wife unto himself
He named the child as God had commanded
He took the child to Egypt (Mathew 2:13-15)
We can look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of others as well:
Mary: Luke 1:26-35
Shepherds: Luke 2:8-18
Angles: Luke 2:13-15
Wise men: Mathew 2:1-12
Simeon – A devout elderly man: Luke 2:25-32
Anna, elderly prophetess: Luke 2:36-38
God: 1 John 4:10 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Galatians 4: 3-5 “Even so we . . . were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Conclusion: Through the eyes of these witnesses we can see that the birth of Jesus was no normal birth. With a birth like Jesus had we should not be surprised when he says, “I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23).
Read “O little Town of Bethlehem”
Magnify! 