Christmas 2019

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 ESV You shall call him Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins Introduction Cultural theme: who will rule us? Cf globalists, populists, secularism/autonomy (cf Jesus the true King, whose rule is freedom and flourishing), relativism (cf Jesus the true prophet, telling us the truth), Islam (cf Jesus the true priest, restoring us to God) Recap earlier section: the chosen one is finally here, and even in his lineage there are people covered with shame. 1. He will save his people from their sins Isn't this a myth, virgin conception? An angel appearing?! How can Joseph be just/righteous for wanting to divorce Mary and thus make her utterly wretched/desolate. That's why he wants to divorce her quietly, so as not to ruin her. Yet she must have told him she was pregnant by the Lord, but he didn't believe her. Until now. Conceived from the Holy Spirit; God himself coming and taking on human flesh (virgin conception) Jesus = the LORD saves Fulfilling the apparently impossible promise; how to save his people from their sins; he will save them himself, completely. Sins? Really? We need saving? Yes. The problem is 'in here' and so we need a saviour from 'out there'. 2. They shall call his name Immanuel, which means God with us Matthew politely translates the Hebrew for us to ensure we get it. Then, now, always. Yesterday, today, forever. The fulfilment of all of God's promises are in the giving of himself to be with us always. Glory of God : He is 'God with us', and 'the God who saves'. FCF: We need saving from our sins, from our selves. Since we want to rule ourselves and reject God. The problem is 'in here' and so we need a Saviour from 'out there'. By nature - e.g., a child wants to rule him or herself. We need saving! By choice - we create systems of thinking and feeling which do away with God. We need saving. Irreligious - idols - we build them, and then they rule us. 'Addictus'. We need saving. Religious - theological rules and regulations, religious idols - we feel to protect us, and then we do away with God as he really is. We need saving. Person of Jesus - God with us. Look at how he interacts with people. In his miracles, glimpses of the glorious restoration promised in his Kingdom; this is what 'saving' looks like. Work of Jesus - Jesus, God saves. A great swap. Since he is full man, he can represent us perfectly. Since he is fully God, he can pay for us all. God himself buys us back. 'Redemption'. Union with Jesus - God is with me, I am forgiven. I am with God, he accepts me. Wrap up and closing next steps: Welcome back on Christmas day for the next bit of Matthew Evangelistic Bible study next step: If you would be interested in reading the Bible, getting a tour of Christianity, please either message through site. Or fill in form and leave it with us. We will be in touch, and then delete your contact info Readings : Isaiah 9.2-7 Isaiah 44.21-24 Luke 2.1-20 John 1.1-14 Matthew 1.18-25 - sermon Revelation 21.1-6 - to close Music: - O Come All Ye Faithful - Hark the Herald - O Holy Night - Joy to the World - Silent Night - O Little Town of Bethlehem

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