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Text: Matthew 1:18-25
This section deals with the conception and birth of Jesus Christ and particularly the effect on Joseph.
Miraculous birth
- Critics of the virgin birth
- The Bible is very clear that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin without any male involved. Why anyone would pretend to believe the Bible and argue about the virgin birth is ridiculous.
- “Christian” critic
- Critics of the virgin birth fall into the category of religious Pharisees in John 8:41.
- Someone said “virgin” is mistranslated in Isaiah 7:14. They said it should say “young woman which is stupid since a young woman having a baby is hardly a sign to anyone.
- Worldly critic:
- If you reject the virgin birth but you believe in evolution you’re just an idiot. You’d be willing to say life came from nothing, but reject the idea that at least a woman was present for the virgin birth. Half the genetic material is there wherein your case there is nothing.
- Medical critic:
- Another critic said there was no medical proof. Luke wrote about it as a doctor. Not to mention the responses of Mary and Joseph to the news of a conception tells you all you need to know. The problem is that critic doesn’t accept the medical evidence they’re given.
- Another critic said there is no DNA evidence. If you had DNA evidence, what would you compare it to to show it was God’s DNA? Again, while you’re in a lab coat with goggles staring down a microscope to disprove the Bible, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead (See Romans 1:4) proving His divine nature.
- God had already created people four different ways by the time you get to the virgin birth
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- Out of dust in Genesis 2:7
- Out of a rib in Genesis 2:21-22. God was dealing with DNA and genetics a long time ago.
- Out of husband and wife naturally in Genesis 4:1.
- Out of husband and wife beyond child bearing age in Genesis 17:21-22.
- A virgin birth is no problem.
- There had also been people created out of perversion when the angels – sons of God – had children with women in Genesis 6.
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- With that said, there are plenty of people who make more out of the virgin birth than is made in the Bible. There are Roman Catholics who are not saved that believe in the virgin birth. The birth is not what saves anyone, nor is anyone ever told to believe in the virgin birth for salvation. I’m going to play “devil’s advocate” here for a minute because I want you to think about what you believe and why. Galatians 4:4 simply says made of a woman.
Man God could use
- This family has to be a very special family. God the Father chose Joseph and Mary as the earthly parents of His only begotten son. Joseph and Mary weren’t picked because they were just any old man and woman.
- Purity qualified Joseph for God’s work
- …before they came together, she was found with child… (1:18)
- Genesis 7:2 Take more of the clean beasts.
- Leviticus 10:10 Entire book written to make a distinction for God’s nation of what is clean and what is unclean.
- Psalm 24:3-4 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
- Psalm 51:7, 10
- Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
- Isaiah 6
- God likes cleanliness. HOLY Spirit, HOLY Bible. HOLY One of Israel.
- Filth makes you unfit for God’s use.
- People that don’t know God think it is OK to take off their clothes and fool around with other people: friends, acquaintances, whoever.
- Sanctification means to set apart. When you wash dishes you clean them up so you can set them apart from the dirty ones so that you can use them. God is looking to clean his people up so He can use them. This culture is so engrossed in fornication, all you have to do to be set apart is to abstain from sexual activity until marriage.
- God has nothing good to say about people who would violate the foundational relationship of society. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
- Not girlfriend.
- Not room-mate. God made Adam a room-mate.
- Not boyfriend.
- Not friends with benefits.
- The devil believes marriage is a bondage, too legalistic, a burden, an inconvenience, and unnecessary. His people believe the same thing about marriage.
- Ephesians 5:2-3. Notice what everyone calls “love” these days. But they “love” each other. Now, here’s what God says, walk in love and don’t fornicate!
- Two consenting adults? Two consenting adults are irrelevant if God doesn’t consent, there is judgment.
- His purity also meant his wife’s purity.
- Compassionate
- …was minded to put her away privily. (1:19)
- Before Joseph understands what’s going on he chooses mercy.
- He is a just man.
- Joseph is an example of righteousness that exceeds the law.
- Deuteronomy 22:23-24 is the law that applies here.
- Closeness to the Lord
- …while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream… (1:20)
- Verses 20-23 all occur in Joseph’s dream
- Relationship with the Lord that guided his decisions. He’s given scripture and he accepts what’s happening. When the Lord wants to guide his people, He gives them His word.
- Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him… (1:24-25)
Naming the child
- …thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (1:21)
- Can you imagine what this would do to a father? The male side wants to see his son accomplish things with his life. And now he’s told God has chosen him to be the stepfather of the Savior.
- All this was done, that it might be fulfilled. Circumstances of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14
