Christmas Focus In Matthew: Jesus Series

CHRISTMAS FOCUS

IN MATTHEW: JESUS

MATTHEW 1:18-25

INTRODUCTION… Most Important Ever Born (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2521212/Wikipedias-10-significant-people-EVER.html)

Who is the most important person ever born in all of history? Right away we all say Jesus Christ because we are in church and it is Sunday so we feel like we have to say that… plus it is Christmas time. Maybe we think it is actually true or maybe not. In 2013, two computer scientists created an algorithm which ranked historical people based on world impact, spread of ideas through time, and other factors. These two scientists came up with a “scientifical” study of wikipedia and other internet websites to “learn us some knowledge” which showed the top ten most significant people who were ever born. Who did they list?

#10 was Thomas Jefferson. He was a founding father of the United States who was the author of the Declaration of Independence, second Vice President of the US, and the third President of the US. I can see how the phrase “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” is a phrase that echoes throughout history.

#9 was Alexander the Great. During his life, Alexander conquered most of the known world and spread Greek culture far and wide so that Greek became a common language throughout the world. In addition, his military tactics are taught even today.

#8 was Aristotle. He was a Greek Philosopher, teacher of Alexander the Great, and is someone who influenced science to a large degree. From classifying living things to studying dreams, there is probably not a scientific area that is not touched by this man’s study or suggestion.

# 7 is Adolph Hitler. Adolph Hitler was a leader of Germany in WWII that saw to it that millions of Jews died. He sparked hatred that filled the hearts of many. In terms of influence, Adolph Hitler exterminated generations of people because of his hate-filled ideas. He did influence our world.

#6 is George Washington. Other than being the first President of the United States, I am not sure how his influence has spread throughout the world. Certainly as a President of the US his ideas and commitment to freedom have spread all around the world.

#5 is Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States and made Thanksgiving a national holiday. More than anything, Abraham Lincoln put forth the ideas and actions that put racial equality as a normal part of life in our country and in the world.

#4 is Muhammad. Muhammad is most definitely influential in his establishment of Islam which is a major religion in the world today. Islam dictates life, death, marriage, governments, money, and every aspect of life for those who follow the religion. Islam represents about one-fourth of the world’s population.

#3 is William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare was an English writer who changed literature for the whole world. People all over the world when studying how to write look at the stories of Shakespeare. Many stories we see today are merely adaptations of stories Shakespeare wrote in the late 1500s.

#2 Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon Bonaparte was a French leader and emperor that spread over Europe in the 1800s. His law codes are used all over the whole world. His tactics in fighting battles are also still used. He also furthered the metric system all over the world.

#1 is in fact Jesus Christ. The scientists’ algorithm noted that Jesus Christ is the most influential person in human history. I found that incredibly interesting.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and we are going to turn our thoughts and hearts towards the hope of Christmas. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the most important person ever born. This morning we are going to look at Matthew 1 and focus on one reason why Jesus Christ is the #1 person who has ever lived. We find the truth of it in Matthew 1 which is a description of the birth of Jesus.

READ Matthew 1:18-25

“This 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. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But 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. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22 All 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." 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”