OceanSide church of Christ

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THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS

Wayne Rodgers

TEXT:  Mat 1:18-25

 

THESIS: To show forth the virgin birth of Christ.

INTRODUCTION:

1.      "Larry King, the CNN talk show host, was once asked who he would most want to interview if he could choose anyone from all the annals of history. He said, 'Jesus Christ.'  King also replied, "I would like to ask Him if He was indeed virgin-born. The answer to that question would define history for me'."

2.      In fact, there are many miraculous events recorded in the Bible.

3.      One that stands above most is the virgin birth of Christ.

4.      The virgin birth of Christ is truly amazing and worthy of study.

5.      This lesson will discuss the prophecies and purpose of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

DISCUSSION:

I. The Prophecy examined.

A. Isaiah prophesied seven hundred years before Christ was born.

                                           1. King Ahaz would not challenge the Lord to give a “sign” of His encouragement

                                           2. He said this would “tempt the Lord” (Isa. 7:11-12).

Isa 7:11-12  Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.  (12)  But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

                                           3. Therefore, the Lord would give the sign himself.

a.         Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

b.        The “sign” was to be that which would cause Ahaz to take courage.

c.         Also, the name Immanuel literally means “God with us” (Matt. 1:23), which would be great encouragement to the King.

                                           4. Skeptics and liberal theologians reject the virgin birth in attempts to discredit the Lord and his claims as the Son of God.

a.         However, learned men of the Hebrew language have attested to the fact that the word “almah” is literally “virgin,” and not young maiden.

b.        No where in the Bible or any other document is it translated as young maiden; in fact, the statement is made by several Hebrew experts that “almah” is the only biblical word that signifies a virgin.

                                           5. Matthew answers the question raised by any skeptic by saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son…” (Matt. 1:23).

a.         Matthew by inspiration makes known the meaning of the word in Isaiah’s prophecy.

b.        He also states that Mary was betrothed to Joseph and this birth was “before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:18).

c.         The angel explained to Joseph: “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

B. Skeptics are in the minority. (A note of encouragement.)

                                           1. Even though skeptics attempt to discredit the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, many today, as many as 80% of American believe in a virgin birth.

                                           2. This number actually exceeds those who would refer to themselves as believers in God in America today.

                                           3. In fact, 47% of non-Christian adults believe in a virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

                                           4. Even Islam teaches that Mary was a virgin.

C. Even with prophecy examined, we should note the:

II. The PURPOSE exalted.

A. What was the purpose of the virgin birth?

                                           1. Matthew 1:22-23 “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and thy shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

a.         Even John 3:16-17 point back to the event and stress the deity of our Lord: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

b.        Salvation is only possible for mankind, because God has sent His only son, one not born of man, but of a woman.

c.         Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

                                           2. Another prophecy which should be noted as important in considering the purpose is Gen. 3:15.

a.         “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

b.        This prophecy shows that the “seed” of woman would strike a death blow to the head of Satan.

1.        This is not the seed of man; it is the seed of woman.

2.        This is not just any woman; Isaiah’s prophecy said, “a virgin shall conceive…” (Isa. 7:14).

3.        As human conception goes, we understand that the “seed” does not come from woman, but of a man.

4.        This is yet another point of evidence showing the miraculous nature of this grand event.

                                           3. Mary’s question answered. (Luke 1:26-38)

a.         As many have, Mary asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34)

b.        “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

c.         It should be noted that we may not fully understand how this happened, but we can be assured of the evidence as Luke says, “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

B. The purpose was to bring forth Him, who could not be mistaken as anyone, but, The Son Of God in the flesh.

CONCLUSION:

1.       The fact of the virgin birth is central to Christianity, for the miracle of Jesus’ conception is in its very essence representative of His place as not just a man, but God in the flesh.

2.       Though some claim the impossibility of this great miracle, it is evidence through scripture.

3.       We must stand up for this great Bible truth and steadfastly point to these scriptures concerning the virgin birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

4.       Though men may try to reword and rework the Truth of God's Word let the faithful ever proclaim the Truth of the Virgin birth of Jesus, and let it ever be understood that there is an unbreakable link between His miraculous birth and His deity.