Key Truth: The virgin conception of Jesus inaugurates a new creation in which the children of God will be saved to dwell with Him in eternal peace and joy which is best displayed in a wise balance of love for law and people.

Introduction:

Q: Are all things REALLY possible for God?

“History is not a haphazard sequence of events, but the unfolding of a plan determined by the Most High God before the foundation of the world. History moves toward a goal. It is ‘his story.’…The story of Jesus’ birth is thus the story of God coming down from heaven to enter into our humanity and to dwell among us, and to save his people from their sins.”

Mark E. Ross, Let’s Study Matthew

The Virgin Conception:

Matthew 1:18

“The act of divine creation demonstrates the power to bring something out of nothing. The conception of a baby in the womb of Mary is a divine act of creation ex nihilo, out of nothing. It is a work that only God can perform.”

R.C. Sproul, The Glory of Christ

Q: If God can speak Creation into being out of nothing and bring forth the baby Jesus out of nothing, then how much beauty can He create and bring forth out of your life?

Jesus, Yahweh Saves; Immanuel, God with Us:

Matthew 1:19-23

“Matthew surely intends his readers to understand that “Emmanuel” was his name in the sense that all that was involved in that name found its fulfillment in him. The quotation and the translation of the Hebrew name underline the fact that in Jesus none less than God came right where we are. And at the end of the Gospel there is the promise that Jesus will be with his people to the end of the age (28:20)- God with us indeed.”

Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew

Q: Did you know that the purpose of your salvation primarily is so that you can dwell with God in eternal peace and joy and to reflect this new creation reality to the rest of the world?

Joseph’s Righteous Example:

Matthew 1:24-25

“The character of Joseph, the man God chose for his Son to have for an earthly father, is not only interesting, it is also instructive to us. There are many who are righteous, but who are not kind. There are many who are kind, but who are not righteous. Joseph, however, loved God and his law, and that love of God touched his heart, causing him to be a kind man. When God chose a human father for his Son, he chose a man who would be righteous and kind, qualities that reflect God the Father himself."

J. Ligon Duncan III, “Jesus’ Virgin Birth: According to Scripture,” Sermon 12 January 1997

Q: Do you lean more toward emphasizing righteousness / God’s law or being kind? Which best displays the image of God?

Application:

Matthew 1:18-25 teaches us that:

-the virgin conception is an act of creation out of nothing (or ex nihilo) that signals the inauguration of a new creation

-our salvation is primarily for the purpose of dwelling with God in eternal peace and joy

-we display this new creation truth best by loving the law and loving people in wise balance

Benediction:

Ephesians 2:1-7