Savior and Teacher: A Study of Matthew - Part 1
Rev. John Lin
12 February 2012
Matthew 1:18-25
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him ImmanueL"--which means, "God with us."
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
God becomes flesh through Jesus Christ
Christianity begins with a Savior that teaches us how to live our lives...whereas most other religions begin with teachings and works that eventually lead to salvation.
FEAR OF INCARNATION
--Believing in it is a radically life changing event
--Joseph radically altered his life because he was told Mary carried the son of God
MEANING OF INCARNATION
--If Jesus is God, then he is to be worshipped.
--Jesus is not just a consultant
--We can't be indifferent to Him
GRACE OF INCARNATION - GOD IS WITH US
--It's like having an intimate relationship with greatness.
--Because he experienced life as one of us, our material existence matters--our work matters
--Since he experienced our lives, he can be our source of comfort
--He came off his throne to comfort the outcasts, as should we.
--Both God and man were born, died, and were resurrected.
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him ImmanueL"--which means, "God with us."
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
God becomes flesh through Jesus Christ
Christianity begins with a Savior that teaches us how to live our lives...whereas most other religions begin with teachings and works that eventually lead to salvation.
FEAR OF INCARNATION
--Believing in it is a radically life changing event
--Joseph radically altered his life because he was told Mary carried the son of God
MEANING OF INCARNATION
--If Jesus is God, then he is to be worshipped.
--Jesus is not just a consultant
--We can't be indifferent to Him
GRACE OF INCARNATION - GOD IS WITH US
--It's like having an intimate relationship with greatness.
--Because he experienced life as one of us, our material existence matters--our work matters
--Since he experienced our lives, he can be our source of comfort
--He came off his throne to comfort the outcasts, as should we.
--Both God and man were born, died, and were resurrected.
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