Sermon Cloud

Intro/Opening: 

As Christians we can sometimes  become so used the great doctrines of the faith that we lose a sense of the wonder and amazement of them. And this is probably most apparent with the reality of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Think about this for a moment - 

Mary had never had sexual relations and yet by a supernatural work of the God the Holy Spirit, she was impregnated with a baby boy who was nothing less that God Himself - eternal, infinite, holy, omnipotent, omniscient became took on the flesh of humanity, was born to an insignificant young Jewish couple in a small town in Judah, was delivered and laid in a dirty stable. 

So that the song is true that says, “Mary did you know that when you kissed your baby boy, you kissed the face of God.”

The Virgin birth is an essential Christian doctrine. Apart from the virgin birth there is no Savior. A sinner can only beget a sinner. Only God can beget God. There is no other way. And if Jesus is not fully God and fully humanity then He cannot be the satisfaction of God’s wrath for man, or of the righteousness needed to be in God’s presence. 

If Christ is not God then we do not have a Savior. And moreover God would be found to be a liar. But Rom. 3:4 “Let God be found true though every man be found a liar.” 

This is, in the end, a matter of faith - but not a blind faith. We have the character of the witnesses; the testimony of the life of Jesus Christ, the affirmation of the Holy Spirit, and the reality of the resurrection. 

Matthew’s purpose: To establish Jesus Christ as the God-Man who came to Save (His people from their sins), Fulfill (OT prophecy), and Reveal (God to men). 

This morning we will first note: 

The Unique Circumstance: 

Virgin conception by God the Holy Spirit. 

Joseph’s Righteous Dilemma

Angelic Affirmation of Christ’s Deity

Next, we will cover the first of the Three purposes of the appearances of the God-Man, Jesus Christ.

The purposes

Save - His people from their sins

Fulfill - the OT promises of God

Reveal - God to man

Read: Matthew 1:18-25.

The Unique Circumstances of Christ Birth. 

The Virgin conception. 

“Now, the birth of Jesus Christ was thus”  

This plays off the introductory phrase, “The record of the genealogy …” - one author suggested that the first genealogy shows the lineage of His legal father, now Matthew shows the lineage of His true Father.  

“Mary, His mother” 

It is significant to note that Joseph is never referred to as “his father,” only “husband of Mary” (Matt. 1:16, 19), “supposedly the son of ….” (Luke 3:23), and two instances when others assumed (John 1:45 [Philip]; 6:42 [the crowds following]). Interestingly, these last two are found in the gospel that most clearly establishes His Deity. 

 Here, with little introduction, Matthew brings us into the present historical setting and immediately transports us into the lives of Mary and Joseph, two common Jews living in the 1^st AD. 

“Mary … was betrothed to Joseph” While similar to our “engagement” period it was culturally a more serious and legally binding relationship.

 It was not uncommon for girls to be betrothed around the age of 12-13, and for the men anywhere from their late teens to early twenties (in order to have learned a trade and be able to support a family). 

The betrothal period usually lasted around 12 months and was publicly announced, often a dowry was paid, and the event was celebrated over a meal with witnesses. And it was very much a public affair and carried with it the same legal and social status of marriage. (cf. 1:19, “Joseph her husband”)

After the betrothal ceremony the woman was commonly referred to as the wife; would be considered a widow if her “husband” died ; could be put away by divorce; and stoned if she committed adultery. (cf. Deut. 22:23-30). Though this was little practices during the 1^st century.  

While betrothed they did no live together in the same house, and their virginity was assumed. Therefore Matthew adds - “before they came together” (I.e. Before they had sexual relations). 

Matthew’s language is clear and unmistakable. Mary had never known a man sexually. 

And yet, “she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit”

Now here in Matthew we get the account from the Joseph’s side; 

Luke records the event from the circumstances of Mary and therefore fills the account out a bit more: (Lk. 1:26-38)

What happened? It is a mystery. It humbles us and reminds us how profoundly limited we are in our ability to understand. It magnifies the greatness and the glory of God. 

What is fascinating is the simplicity with which Matthew records such momentous events - certainly a testimony to the divine origin of Scripture - if from men there would have been all kinds of embellishments. 

One can only imagine the different emotions and concerns that ran through the mind of Mary. 

As already mentioned, the betrothal was a very public affair, so none of these events - like a pregnant bride - would escape the notice of the people. And since they both had a reputation for being righteous, surely the people would have been doubly shocked. Surely, the rumors and gossip would have been rampant (cf. John 8:41 “We were not born of fornication”).  

Transition: Next then we come to … 

(b) Joseph’s Righteous Dilemma. 

(19) “Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man and not wishing to expose her, desired to put her away secretly”  

One can only imagine the struggle that would have been taking place in the heart of Joseph.  Certainly he was hurt by a sense of betrayal at the thought that Mary, the one he so dearly loved, had given something so precious and intimate as her physical body, to another man. 

 Joseph a “righteous man” - 

Some say it was his righteousness that moved him to hate the sin and want to divorce her; others, that his righteousness is shown in his mercy. But there is no need to make such a sharp distinction; both are encompassed in this description. 

 In one sense, he was a righteous man committed to the law of God and surely would have felt the pull of conscience to obey Deut. 22:23 -24) and have Mary publicly tried with the potential to being stoned for breaking God’s Law (although this was rarely practiced in the 1^st century AD).  

On the other hand, his righteousness also produced a tenderness, and this coupled with his great love for Mary caused him to want to protect her from the shame and ridicule that would surely come.In contrast to the false righteousness of the Pharisees that was harsh and ready to expose and punish every infraction of the law (cf. (John 8:3-5; Matt. 23:23). Joseph displayed genuine righteousness, righteousness marked by both a commitment to holiness, but also mercy and compassion  

He could have acted rashly in anger and jealousy, but he did not. He did not immediately give into his emotions, but waited and considered the best course of action. It is certainly fair to assume he committed the matter to prayer 

Amazingly, the only record of Joseph’s actions are of his desire to protect her, and not expose her to the judgment of the people.  

What a beautiful portrait of his sincere and genuine love for Mary - instead of expose her, out of love, he desired to “secretly put her away” - apart from the scrutiny, scorn, and harsh opinions of others.

The Holy Spirit does not move upon Matthew to record anymore than what we have here in one simple verse. And the reason for this is that the emotional state of Joseph is not the point. But is simply to show the character of the man whom God the Father entrusted the early care of the incarnate Son of God. And to underscore the reality of the testimony of her virginity. 

Transition: But at the right time God sent a messenger to Joseph … 

(c) Angelic Affirmation of Christ’s Deity. 

(20) “as he considered this” 

We may also wonder why God had him wait (God could have dispatched two angels at the same time). However, on these questions we can only guess. Surely it is reasonable to assume that in part it was a trial and testing for the purpose of proving his faith. 

But as the Lord brings the trial, He knows also the right time to bring it to an end, and so He sends His messenger to deliver Joseph from the struggle. 

“Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream”

This is now the third angelic appearance (1. Zacharais; 2. Mary, 3. Joseph). Not exactly sure what this was like. God often communicated through dreams and visions (Zacharias) and it is clear that Joseph recognized this dream as a message from God by a real angel. 

“Joseph, son of David”

Certainly Joseph, upon hearing these words, would have been alerted to something very significant, and being a devout OT saint familiar with the Scriptures would have had thoughts of OT promises concerning the throne of David suddenly drifting through his mind. 

The angel immediately tells him: “do not be afraid” - 

Why would he have been afraid? Because of the ramifications of peoples opinions. 

It is interesting to note that God is completely unconcerned with human opinion. He knows what this is going to look like to the unbelieving, yet it had to happen this way. 

The angelic messenger assures him that the child is not from another man but is, in fact, “from the Holy Spirit” - The bookend to the setting. The God reveals to Joseph that the Child in Mary’s womb was in fact the Second member of the Trinity - God the Son -supernaturally placed in the womb of Mary by the Third member of the Trinity - God the Holy Spirit by the decree of the First member - God the Father. 

The child she would bear is Divinity Himself. The eternal and preexistent One, who at the proper time was manifested (Gal. 4:4 “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman”). 

Matthew & Luke record the story, as it were, “from below.” However, that Jesus Christ was preexistent is made clear throughout Scripture: 

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, 14). 

“He existed before me” (John 1:15)

“Before Abraham was I am” (John 8:48)

“He existed in the form of God … but humbled Himself”  (Phil. 2:6-8)

God was in the womb of Mary. Him whom heaven and the highest heaven could not contain, for whom earth is but a footstool for His feet, Him from whom galaxies and universes without measure came to be by His mere speaking them into existence by eternal, infinite, and omnipotent power, now rest concealed in the hidden darkness of the womb of a a young Jewish virgin girl named Mary, awaiting His entrance into the world He created. 

Eternal light born into darkness. Perfect Holiness born into a world of sin. Perfect love born to feel the hatred and scorn of those He came to save. 

The Sinless One coming into the sin cursed, sin infested world to redeem her and call His own to Him and thus to eternal fellowship with God.  

This is the One, God has come, Messiah has come. God is here and He has come to save you from your sin. Rejoice, Repent, believe.

Transition: The angel now explains the significance of all these events. They are not random, but the premeditated and decreed fulfillment of God’s promise to His people. (Notice: God is the active agent here; it is by His initiative. Salvation is always the result of God’s initiative toward sinners.)

II. The Purposes of the Incarnation. 

To SAVE His people from their sins. 

(21) “She will give birth … you will call …” 

“Jesus” - “YHWH saves” (or, YHWH is a Savior”). Luke 1:47; 2:11 “Savior.” The question, “Saved, or Savior from what?” 

If you were to have asked a Jew: “from Roman occupation”

If you were to say to most people today they need to be “saved” they would have no idea what your talking about. 

“for He will save His people from their sins” 

This the mission statement of the incarnation. This is why He came. 1 John 3:5 “You know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin.” 

The summary problem to which all of the OC was intended to expose is that man is separated from a holy God, excluded from His presence. 

Sin, it is the problem of all men. It is that principle within the heart of all men that incites us to rebellion, idolatry, false worship, willful rejection,  opposition, and neglect of and failure to submit to God’s commands. Sin that reality of mutiny against our Creator and provokes Him to anger and wrath. 

Sin separates men from God. This was the whole point of the OT and the Mosaic Law was to reveal that God is holy, unapproachable to sinful man apart from sacrifice. This was the essential picture the OC pointed to. God is holy. God hates sin. God’s wrath for sin will be fully satisfied; either on the unbelieving, unrepentant sinner for eternity in hell; or on an acceptable sacrifice. 

The OT saint understood this 

1 Kings 8:46 “there is no man who doesn’t sin”; 

Prov. 20:9 “Who can say, “I am pure, I am free from sin?” 

Ps. 130:3 “O Lord if you should mark iniquities who could stand?  [cf. 10]; 

Ps. 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” 

143:2 “For in Your sight no man living is righteous”  

The term here means “missing the mark,” that is of God’s holiness (Rom. 3:23).

1 John 3:4 “sin is lawlessness,” every infraction of the law of God is sin; any and every failure to perfectly conform to God’s law is sin- whether in thought, deed, motive, word -. 

James 2:10 “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”.

Now, think of your life. Think of your life from birth and try to count - just from a month ago - every sin you have committed. It is overwhelming. I venture to say that you could not even count a week or a day and not be overwhelmed with how often you fall short of God’s perfect standard of holiness. Every impure thought, every selfish attitude, every selfish act, every careless word, every motion of anger, irritation, every thought and word motivated by pride, every failure to love God will all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, every insincerity all multiplied times every day of your existence. 

Now, multiply that times every sinner who would ever believe since the time of Adam and it is more staggering than trying to count every star in every galaxy in the universe (Ps. 7:11 “He is a God who has indignation every day”). 

All men are under the same condemnation of sin. Every living person bears the verdict of “Guilty” in the court of God. 

Romans 3:10-25. 

And all are redeemed by the same sacrifice (3:24-25). 

To a Jew that daily saw the blood streaming from the altar of the temple, to the one who truly understood the meaning and implications of the Law and the overwhelming nature of their sin, who placed their hands on the head of the animal confessing their sin just before slitting its throat, at the same time knowing that ultimately this was not enough.

No sin ever committed by any person since Adam is simply overlooked or brushed off, but receives its just recompense. In other words, every sin demands punishment by a holy God and will be punished.

This is why Jesus Christ had to come.   

This is why Hebrews 10:3-5 “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. There, when He come in to the world, He says, ‘Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me … He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, ‘Sat down at the right hand of God.’”

The sacrifice had to be without blemish, one with a perfection, value, and righteousness that could satisfy the wrath of God for the sins of literally millions of people who would believe. If God’s wrath is to be satisfied, God would have to bear it Himself. For God to bear it Himself, He would have to become fully human. And this is what He did. 

It is complete. It is once for all. God’s wrath was completely and fully satisfied on the cross - no amount of penance, rosaries, purgatory or whatever can be added to the complete and full satisfaction of God’s wrath that was placed on Christ. Nothing can be added, nothing can be taken away. 

This is why “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Why? Because there is no one else that satisfies God’s wrath for sin - and this is the issue. 

All of man’s attempts at religion are futile, because they cannot deal with the issue of sin. 

Pagan religions reveal how opposite sinful man’s impressions of their own gods are, in relation to the true God. 

The children of Israel, though having the promises and presence of God in the temple, none the less forsook Him and sacrificed their children to appease the lustful appetite of Molech. (Lev. 20:1ff). 

How unlike the true and living God, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He too required death for His anger to be appeased, but unlike the false gods of the nations, He Himself would be the sacrifice; He Himself would bear the pain and searing loss; He Himself would be subject to the mocking of men, the scourging, the rejection, the nails, the wrath of the Father. This is, in substance, what separates Jesus Christ and the gospel from every false religion.    

Yet He does not simply free them from wrath and leave men to continue in a life of enslavement to the devil and to sin, but “from their sins,” from the power unto righteousness (Titus 2; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rom. 6:1ff). 

He is a whole Savior. That is, He saves not only from God’s wrath, He also saves us from the power of sin (Rom. 6), and when He returns, or our time on earth is finished, we who know Christ will forever be saved from even the very presence of sin (1 John 3:2). 

“He saves them from the guilt of sin, by washing them in His own atoning blood. He saves them from the dominion of sin, by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit. He saves them from the presence of sin, when He takes them out of this world to rest with Him. He will save them from all the consequences of sin, when He shall give them a glorious body at the last day. Blessed and holy are Christ’s people! From sorrow, cross, and conflict they are not saved. But they are saved from sin for evermore. They are cleansed from guilt by Christ's blood. They are made meet for heaven by Christ’s Spirit. This is salvation.” (J.C. Ryle).

Any view of Jesus that does not understand Him first as the One Savior from the penalty and power of their sin, does not understand the true nature of His coming.

Otherwise, Jesus is simply seen as another good man, important religious or moral teacher, and the distinction between other religious systems is blurred and them may even seem to have some validity if seen only from the standpoint of external, observable moral rightness. 

Jesus did not come to save the Jews from the Roman occupation of the land. Neither did He come to save us from bad marriages, drugs and alcohol, bad family lives, political or social oppression. He came to save His people from their sins - to be freed to live a life of faith and obedience. 

This is why, any gospel that does not first adequately deal with the reality of our sin presents a false Savior, and produces in people a false salvation, and a shallow repentance. Sin, we simply do not hear that word very often in churches. We here much about grace and how Jesus can make someone a better nicer person. One begins to wonder then what really is the difference between Jesus Christ and any of the other ways that make someone a better person. If I don’t have much sin, I don’t need much grace, which means I don’t really need Christ, and I don’t really need to repent. So, Jesus is just a good option among the many options to be a better human being. 

Grace only has any meaning when seen in the light of our sin. Luke 7:40-50; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:1ff. 

If you are not burdened by sin; if sin is to you a very small matter with which you can gladly live - then Christ has nothing for you; you have no part in Him and He has no part of you. *But if you refuse Him now as Savior then you will no Him as judge 

He appeared the first time to take away sin (Heb. 9:28); He will appear the second to expend His eternal omnipotent wrath on those who trampled under foot His sacrifice, and counted the blood of the covenant a very small thing. 

He appeared first as the meek and lowly lamb led to slaughter. He will appear the second time with all the saints and holy angels sitting on a white horse and be called “Faithful and true, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written … (Rev. 19:11-16).”

He came first to suffer the wrath of men and bear the wrath of God; as the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. He was, as the prophet Isaiah said, “oppressed and … afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open HIs mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away” (Is. 53:7-8). He will come the second as one from men flee crying, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:16-17). 

Men waited for the first advent that the Messiah would bear God’s judgment for our sin; now we wait for the second that God when He will deal out God’s judgment, not bear it. 

“His people”  - Joseph would have first thought of the Jews, but also have had the awareness that not all Jews truly knew YHWH. 

As the revelation unfolds, it is clear, however, that “His people” is not just the Jews - who would largely reject Him - but those who truly believed, repented, and followed Him in faith.

To those burdened with their sin - this would have been, and is, the most wonderful news they could ever hear. God came to save His people from their sin. 

Who is it for? Who are God’s people? All those who repent and believe. 

Matt. 3:3 (John the Baptist); 4:17 (The Lord Jesus); Acts 3:19 “Repent, therefore and return” Acts 17:30 “All men everywhere should repent”; 

 Those who are saved are those who believe the testimony about Jesus Christ; who are convinced and convicted of their true state as guilty sinner, convinced of the saving nature of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection, and want the salvation He offers enough to count the cost, deny self, and turn to follow Him. 

Are you a sinner? Do you feel the weight of your sin? Are you burdened with your failures to live up to the standard of God’s righteousness? Are you tired of the hopeless futility of good works and religious involvement to try and make yourself acceptable to God? Then Christ is here presented to you as the One who can will save you from your sin!

There is no doubt that He understood His mission, at least by the time of His public ministry (20:28; 26:28). And it is this truth that we remember and celebrate this morning.