Fulfilled: Manner of Jesus' Birth

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He.org join us for this week's message by Pastor Albert on shop every Christmas time the major news magazines carry some article or some cover story about Christianity is all about selling copies and this year the December edition of the National Geographic has on its cover page. The real Jesus what archaeology reveals about his life not in take the time to read it, but I will maybe later today or tomorrow, but I kinda glanced at it and kinda caught the gist of what they were talking about in one statement in a box that got my attention was this minded be possible that Jesus Christ never even existed. Nothing new there. People have been doing this for centuries. They have tried to deny the existence of Jesus Christ and even more they try to deny the deity of Christ our series which is called fulfill. This is the third message in the series were bringing it out in the hopes that it will strengthen your faith, it will ground you into the truth of the word of God in the series were only looking at the first two chapters of the gospel of Matthew. Now Matthew chapter 1 verse 18's. Let's all stand as we read God's word. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows after his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was move was minded to put her away secretly but while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appear to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, there is the title again son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit and she will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be what's the word fulfill which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which is translated God with us.

People asked me in the past does a person have to believe in the virgin birth first in order to be saved and I answer them. No case in point is the thief on the cross. When he looked to Jesus and said remember me in your kingdom. Jesus did not say and 11 talked about the virgin birth. It was today.

Now you will be with me in paradise.

But I suppose for a moment at that very instant before he died to pardon him took him off the cross bandaged him up and someone came to him and said you know the person who died next to you. You know he saved you. Yes I believe he was God's son you he was born of a virgin. Do you believe that how do you think that thief should respond. Judy say well I don't know me come out on Norman. I will give the salvation stuff.

Not quite sure about the virgin birth, of course not. So the question is do you have to know this truth before you get save of course not. But if you do believe that Jesus Christ died for you soon and that he rose again than any other miracle can go through the mouth of the open to specially the virgin birth.

Denying it is denying the deity of Christ in the passage we just read Matthew gives us the very unusual circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. He tells us that Mary became pregnant without having any physical interaction with Joseph. He attributes Jesus's birth to the Holy Spirit. Of course Joseph is a human being, he is suspicious. He is doubtful and people talk to him and they mined him to put her away secretly just divorce her and move on with your life. Mary messed up people mess up all the time she messed up just let her go. Don't publicly shame her.

Don't try to stone her just let her go. While he was thinking about these things. The Bible tells us the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and warned him that the child is indeed of the Holy Spirit.

In other words, Mary is pregnant but she is still a virgin. By the way, I need to clarify something. There, that term virgin birth is actually a misnomer misnomer means is not proper definition for what were talking about the better word would been over at title would've been virginal conception PC virgin birth implies that Mary was still a virgin when she had Jesus. I agree with that but the real implication of what Matthew is talking about and what Luke talks about is not that Mary was still a virgin when she had Jesus, what they're saying is that Jesus was conceived without Mary and Joseph coming together the better title is virginal conception that Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb without any interaction of Joseph, but through the Holy Spirit of God. Let me also clarify the virginal conception is not some of these other titles that have been given to Mary for example, the immaculate conception. Contrary to what you may think it teaches that Mary herself was conceived in her mother's womb as a sinless being.

Think about that for a moment, is not a Jesus being conceived is about Mary herself was can see where this comes from the idea was an invention of the medieval church and even the Catholic Church did not recognize it until 1854, when Pope Pius IX declared, but folks, it is not in the Bible, something else is not biblical is the perpetual virginity of Mary, using words that mean Mary was a virgin before I agree, during I also agree and after giving birth to Jesus for the rest of her life should be agree.

No is a why well read the Bible. Mary and Jesus's brothers came and try to stop him from ministering which means what Jesus had brothers half brothers. I guess you can say what did this idea come from this idea has been held by the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church since the seventh century. It is not a biblical doctrine and if you don't believe that read the book of James is Jesus's brother read the book of Jude again. Jesus's brother.

Something else doesn't belong in this is the assumption of Mary has nothing do with the virgin birth or the virginal conception, but the assumption of Mary teaches that Mary was taken up into heaven before she died, and I don't know which part of the Bible. They find this baby in the concordance. I guess, but is not in the Gospels is not in the rest of the New Testament is the assumption when she was assumed and taken up before she died. But there's something even crazier than that is known as the door mission of Mary, that teaches that Mary died and after three days she rose again is only one person who did that and who is that Jesus Christ so let's return to verse 22. Listen to was Matthew says he says all this was done, the virginal conception, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us. Verse 23 Matthew is actually quoting Isaiah the prophet who wrote those words almost 800 years before the coming of Christ. In fact, listen to what it says in Isaiah 714 therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin, not a virgin but the virgin is a definite there shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel know that verse that I just read to you. Isaiah 714 is the most debated messianic prophecy in the Bible. Why is this one passage Isaiah 714 so complicated so debated, so full of controversy when a look at this carefully because understanding this helps you understand why we believe and folks believe matters why is there so much debate about Isaiah 714, number one.

The first reason to reason is basically the first reason is the historical context of the prophecy is complicated to say the least. The prophecy was given by the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz, who was the king of the southern kingdom of Judah. So if you know your history of the Bible after Solomon the kingdom of Israel was split into the northern kingdom that The name Israel and the southern kingdom that took the name Judah from the largest tribe.

The dominant tribe was happening at the time when Isaiah gave this prophecy.

The southern kingdom of Judah was facing an attack or attacks from every side from the South.

The kingdom of Edom was attacking them from the west. Phyllis steel was attacking them in from the north and the northeast Israel, their own brothers and sisters were attacking them, not think about it, just like our Civil War over hundred years ago. The North was fighting the South.

I read a lot on the Civil War and it was amazing how many times families were split. There were people living north to have families in the south people in the South and families in the North there was brother against brother.

Same thing was happening there.

The northern kingdom of Israel was the aggressor against the southern kingdom of Judah and what the northern kingdom did was this the tried to build an alliance with another kingdom to the north of them, the kingdom of Syria asked why RIA so what happens, God sends Isaiah the prophet to Ahaz.

Ahaz was the king of the southern kingdom. He says Ahaz don't worry I'll take care of you. These people cannot hurt you. They cannot destroy Judah. It will not happen.

Trust me, it cannot happen. Why did God do that. We also with me. Why did God give them the promise because as far back as a book of Genesis, God had said that is to the tribe of Judah, the Messiah would come and David belong to the tribe of Judah and David's son was going to be the Messiah. So God was sending Isaiah the prophet to Ahaz to tell him don't worry will be okay. Trust me. Isaiah came to Ahaz and said hey I'm just here to tell you, God can be taken care of. You don't worry about the northern kingdom. Don't worry about the people in the North your brothers who are trying to attack you. You will be safe and God's gonna take care of few. Your kingdom will not and ask God for a sign so that you can hang on to the sign in the midst of your most difficult hour.

At that point Ahaz did what many people do all thank you I appreciate you coming by telling me all that. Thank you so much. But hey, what were okay, good, good. How does God respond to him listen to Isaiah 713.

The verse before this prophecy, God says here now house of David. Isaiah is speaking to Ahaz, but he doesn't address him as okay. King Ahaz listen to me. He says you know what Ahaz you not even worth addressing, you unfortunately happen to be in the line of David. So listen amazing God has a has a temper all house of David is in a small thing for you to weary man in what we remains annoy, but will you weary my God also listened don't play super spiritual with God. Humble yourself before God, so God says what I'm gonna do to you, Ahaz, house of David. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign means you don't want to sign. I want to give you one anyways. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. By the way.

One thing Ahaz did that. You see, Ahaz and had already made a plan what Ahaz did was he knew that the northern kingdom of Israel had made alliance with Syria and they were coming against him.

So he sent off his ambassadors to King Cole who was further north of Syria. King pulled was the kingdom of us Syria's other name was piglet philosopher God says really Ahaz you really think that us.

Syria can help you. I tell you what I'm about to give you a sign.

Anyways, here's assigned to you, behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Now, when God said that it had immediate significance and it also had a distant significance immediately. This is what God meant Ahaz good for nothing. I'm talking to the house of David. Right now here's the point you will have a son there is someone pregnant in your house.

Maybe it's Ahaz's wife. Maybe it's one of Ahaz's harem. We don't know for sure. I think it was Ahaz's wife and she was pregnant with King Hezekiah member Hezekiah was a has a son, the next in line what God is telling Ahaz. Is this not because of you, Ahaz, because the Messiah is coming through the line of Judah through the house of David, guess what Ahaz you're going to have a child who will sit on your throne. Your kingdom will not and Israel and Syria will not win against you. I will make sure that your son continues the line of David to just understand them. God says because of who I am because the promise one has to come. Your son is going to come.

You know you you know your wife is pregnant she would have a child and I will prove to you that I'm with you, but when God said those words. There was also a distant and much more important significance. What was that the point was this God was speaking to the house of David God was saying to them this one day, another virgin will be with a child and unlike Ahaz's wife, who is with the child because of Ahaz. This one will conceive but of the Holy Spirit.

Both are virgins. At the time of conception. Except this distant version will still be a virgin after conception. She will still be a virgin. Even though she has a child you.

Unlike Ahaz is one.

She got pregnant. And, of course, is not a virgin anymore, but this one will be and she will bear a son, and shall call his name. What Immanuel was at mean Isaiah even tells that in chapter 8 and verse 10 for God is with us know why was this important. Please don't lose me, and I'm getting somewhere with this. Ahaz did not realize when he called us Syria to come down what you think of Syria would do. Do you think it would come all the way down to the borders of the southern kingdom and say okay. That said, were going back is that this is ours now it's your turn. Read Isaiah chapter 7, eight and nine God says Assyria remember you called them up. Guess what they're coming and they're coming for you to once they're done with the northern kingdom they're coming after you. But guess what I Ahaz I will be faithful to you and here's assigned one day a virgin will bear a son called his name Immanuel. He will be unlike any because he will be the true son of David, whose kingdom shall never never end. Let me make some applications very quickly here it is so much easier to do things God's way is so much better when you've humble yourself before God and say God I don't know enough.

I'm in a mess but instead of running to this person and that person and that person Laura humble used my cell before he is a God that you will be done this so much easier to say God let your will be done and not mine, but something else that helps us here in this passage that even though Ahaz was faithless, God is still faithful him in something else. Why is this passage so complicated because the prophecy in that context is complicated by something else. Liberal scholars have claimed that what this passage is talking about virginal conception and how Matthew has used. It is nothing more than a pagan myth if you grew up in charge. A good Bible believing church.

You may not believe this way and you may have never heard these things, but if you have been out and about or have watched some television programs or seen some documentaries are been to certain colleges you have seen and heard some of these things were people claim that the virginal conception is nothing more than some of these pagan myths and mythologies.

For example, among the Greeks. They had this God's impregnating mortal women and Babylonians, Isis and Osiris and Egyptians. You know when I hear people say that I realize that I'm looking at someone who has plagiarized in about 100 hundred 50 years 200 years ago people would say that some scholars said that that the Bible but it talks about the virgin birth is nothing more than the other pagan myths and mythologies in the list certain names. What I have found is Lotta. Scholars have simply copied and pasted those lists just almost verbatim.

They never took the time to actually read those mythologies and say, do they really match with the virgin birth of Christ. You know what you'll find that pretty yucky. There is no comparison when you begin to put these myths and mythologies side-by-side. There is nothing parallel when it comes to the virgin birth. It's about eight young girl who is overshadowed by the power of the most high and she conceives in her womb. There is no sexuality. There is nothing erotic in it, as these pagan minutes there something else. Some people claim that the word for virgin in the Hebrew text in Isaiah is the word Alma, which doesn't have to mean a virgin and of the true word for virgin if Isaiah so intended is actually the word Petula to start with their five words, three of them are Hebrew and two of them are Greek.

The first Hebrew word I want children know is the word issue was awarded shall mean it simply means in Hebrew woman wife or a female.

11.God talks about in the book of Genesis, God made man, woman-ish and Nisha the second word is the word were talking about the word Alma was a word Alma mean in the Old Testament when it comes in Isaiah. It actually means virgin or a young woman. In fact, there are many examples of them. Throughout the Old Testament.

Not as many as you would think.

And every time that word is used, it's in the context that that young lady was a virgin. Then there is the word Petula which people same old note.

That's the true word for a virgin. Here's the problem, of course, that word Petula can mean a virgin when you compare Alma and Petula in different passages in the Old Testament.

What you find is this the word Alma is found in those passages where there is something other than a normal childbirth happening in both situations. The female is a virgin but in all mothers something distinct something exceptional. You can read the book of Genesis chapter 24 and read that chapter and do some study of it in the original.

You see both the words Petula and Alma in that chapter. You can see the distinction. Both are referring to Rebecca both have this virgin but on my is implying something more distinct about her virginity.

You know, in the second century before Christ, the Jewish people were still scattered all over the known territory. They were not in Palestine anymore. Remember that it was taken into exile. Many returned but most did not come back in. The problem was they could not read the Hebrew anymore. The language of the Jewish people was Hebrew until they were kicked out of the land. Those who came back could read Hebrew, but those who were scattered all over. Thanks to Alexander the great. They and their children and their grandchildren forgot Hebrew and the new Greek so in the second century, 200 years before Christ, the Jewish people came together and said we cannot lose the Scriptures. Our children should be able to read the Bible in their own language. We have to translate the Hebrew into Greek for them so the Septuagint was formed 70 translators came together and they translated the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek. Guess what, when they came to Isaiah 714, if that passage was not distinct. If it was just any young lady doesn't have to be a virgin. They could have used the word nearness which means a young woman may be a virgin. Guess what word they use use the word parts in us a virgin, a marriageable maiden then did not want their children and their children's children to ever be confused that that word meant anything other than a pure virgin so they use the word Parthenon's negative views nearness, but the use Parthenon is on purpose their churches and pastors who don't believe in the virgin birth, but he user or use the word virgin birth. I said yes it's called doublespeak and or doublespeak is that he will use the term they use the term but they don't mean what you and I mean if you ever push them in safe.

We think the virgin birth really mean they will talk about something very spiritual. Something just very figurative.

Why is the virgin birth so important. Listen carefully number one it proves that Jesus was sinless. Yes, he was born of a woman, but no, don't forget he was also fully God. Another reason why the virgin birth is important because it proves that Jesus did not come because of Joseph and Mary became through the Holy Spirit of God. The me ask you this morning are you saved me ask another question is the one who saved you just a human.

Just a man who lived a good life God had his hand upon him, and he died than you are still in your sins, you need a God coming down becoming fully man giving his life for you. While this why did God make it simpler and clearer than this violent God just say here's a virgin who has never been with a man and she will be conceived from the Holy Spirit and his name will be Jesus the Messiah Christ, son of God, son of meant give all the time why did God make it such that we have to discuss and we have to have a whole sermon on it. He wants us to discover he wants us to grow in our feet. He wants to see that joy in our hearts when we learn more about him him who rejoices. Let him who takes pride in this note, thank you so much for joining us for this message today what we believe matters if we trust in the Bible is God's word. We have to believe everything that it contains trust in the Lord today. Pick up your Bible and begin exploring the depth of truth on its pages for more information visit us online@clearviewb.org and for the sermons, notes, checkup Pastor Chasse blog that I would on Shaw.com