Text: Matthew 1:18-25, Title: The Virgin Birth, Date/Place: NRBC, 12/13/09, AM
A. Opening illustration: A group of Bible scholars have unanimously agreed that Jesus had a human father, but they are uncertain who it was. Thus, according to these scholars, Jesus was not born of a virgin, was not conceived by the Holy Spirit, was and is not literally the Son of God, but is in the same category with other great religious leaders who were conceived and born in the usual manner. The article states that the birth narratives found in Matthew and Luke are fictitious. The church fabricated the story about the virgin birth of Jesus in order to give Him more status, according to these scholars. The seminar admits there is some uncertainty concerning who the father of Jesus was. Some say Joseph, some say Mary was raped, but none are willing to accept the biblical narrative at face value. The biblical account of Mary’s miraculous conception by the power of the Holy Spirit is dismissed by these scholars as a theological statement having no historical validity. A poll of 7,441 Protestant clergy showed a wide variation in belief. The following ministers do NOT believe in the virgin birth: American Lutherans 19%, American Baptists 34%, Episcopalians 44%, Presbyterians 49%, Methodists 60%, Millard Erickson says, “Next to the resurrection, the most debated and controversial event of Jesus’ life is the virgin birth.”
B. Background to passage: Last week we saw the announcement of the highly favored status of Mary and Jesus, particularly from Mary’s perspective. This week we will see what immediately follows, as Mary is found pregnant by Joseph.
C. Main thought: These two texts are clear testimony to the biblical evidence of the virgin birth, and here’s why it is so important to our faith.
A. Textual Evidence
1. I am going to give you six reasons from this text that testify to the truth of the doctrine of the virgin birth. 1) Matthew corroborates, or I guess provides the basis for, Luke’s claim that Joseph and Mary were in a betrothal period. Explain Jewish marriages. 2) He specifically states that this text recounts a time “before” (and undisputed word in the Greek manuscripts) they had come together. This would have meant before they lived together and before they enjoyed any sexual relations. 3) Next the text says that she was found to be with child “of the Holy Spirit.” If fact it makes this declaration twice, as later God says to Joseph that the child “conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” So explicitly we are told that the Holy Spirit is the father of the child that Mary is carrying. 4) Joseph was going to divorce her privately, rather than have her stoned to death, because she was pregnant during the betrothal time, and he was not the father. 5) Matthew also reminds us that this virgin birth was prophesied long ago, and that Jews of his day were expecting a Messiah with a miraculous birth; and that His name would be called “Immanuel.” 6) And finally the last two verses in this text say explicitly that Joseph went through with the marriage ceremony, and yet did not consummate the marriage until after Jesus was born (which also assumes that normal marital relations began after that time). And note that Joseph named Him Jesus, as he was commanded.
2. Jer 31:22, Isa 7:14, Gen 3:15, Gal 4:4, Luke 1:34-35,
3. Illustration: tell of the JW who asked me about this verse,
4. So the obvious teaching of scripture is that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary. This is obviously supernatural. It obviously defies logical explanations that don’t involve supernatural occurrences. We must take this by faith. We must just choose to believe. Now you must decide if you will allow your mind to believe and trust in something that makes no sense. And if so, you must believe the rest of the scripture that says if you want to see heaven, you must be born again; and if you want to follow Jesus you must take up your cross and die; be willing to forsake your family, money, your own life also; you must believe that God made something from nothing; that the Red Sea parted; the Jordan River stopped; that ax heads floated, and donkeys talked, and fire fell, blind saw, dead rose, most importantly Jesus rose, and is alive today and forever more! The evidence is clear. The manuscripts are numerous, more than any ancient document. They are accurate beyond belief. Will you believe? Why is it that important?
B. Significance
1. The virgin birth is something that we sing about in every song, and we all believe it. Why is it important enough to preach a whole sermon about it? It is what one preacher called a domino doctrine, very much like the resurrection. It is attacked from lots for different angles, but if it falls, lots of doctrine falls. 1) Take for example the inerrancy of Scripture (explain). I have just made the case, clearly I think, that the scripture clearly teaches the virgin birth. If it is not true, then neither are the scriptures. 2) There are a number of things about Christ that are called to question if the virgin birth is not true: a) His deity, for one, b) His sinlessness, for another, c) His Sonship for another. 3) Also the preexistence of Christ would be ruled out without the virgin birth, for Jesus would had had an earthly father, and a time of beginning, which the doctrine of the eternality of Christ in scripture teaches that He did not have. 4) If he was only a created being, the gospel and atonement of Christ for our sins would have been called into question, for He would not be able to bear the sins of millions, nor pay the debt, nor live a sinless life. 5) If the virgin birth was not real, then you must ascribe promiscuity to Mary, and untruthfulness to God for indicating that it really was a virgin birth in so many places. 6) And finally if the virgin birth is not true, and Jesus was not really God, His name was not really Immanuel, and therefore was not God with us. And if this promise is not true, that famous closing line to the Great Commission that He will be with us always, is also not true, because He is not God, and He is dead!
2. Heb 7:26,
3. Illustration: Dr. James Orr quoting Gray’s Anatomy states that it is an established physiological fact that the mother’s blood is neither the source nor supply of the blood in the unborn infant’s veins. It is the contribution of the male, which leads to the development of the blood. Without that vital contribution no blood could be produced because the female of herself does not produce the elements essential for the production of this new blood. “Can a true Christian deny the virgin birth? The answer to that question must be a decisive "No." Those who deny the virgin birth reject the authority of Scripture, deny the supernatural birth of the Savior, undermine the very foundations of the Gospel, and have no way of explaining the deity of Christ. Anyone who claims that the virgin birth can be discarded even as the deity of Christ is affirmed is either intellectually dishonest or theologically incompetent. Christians must face the fact that a denial of the virgin birth is a denial of Jesus as the Christ. The Savior who died for our sins was none other than the baby who was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. The virgin birth does not stand alone as a biblical doctrine; it is an irreducible part of the biblical revelation about the person and work of Jesus Christ. With it, the Gospel stands or falls.” – R. Albert Mohler, The Blood of Jesus-ill file,
4. And it really opens a can of worms 1) if the scripture is not true. We cannot rely on the creation account, the prophecy, the ministry of Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, we are still lost in our sins, and of all men most miserable. Liberals would like us to be able to pick and choose (Jesus Seminar, marbles), but the Bible is not a salad bar. Believe it all, or not at all. 2) Without the deity, sinlessness, and sonship of Christ, out salvation would we in jeopardy for lack of a sufficient mediator and substitute. Only the God-man could die for us, only the perfect Son of God, Son of Man could die for us to pay the debt. 3) This would cut into our joy for knowing Christ as who He really is. And would reduce Him to a created being, instead of an uncreated One, a dependent being, rather than an independent one. 4) Undermining salvation at its core would not be a good thing, nor a God-glorifying thing. 5) Calling God a liar is assaulting His character, and is what you are doing if you say that the virgin birth is a hoax. 6) Nobody wants to go that far, everyone wants (and thinks that) God is on their side, but if he wasn’t born of a virgin, didn’t die for us, He will not be there for us when we go through struggles and trials.
5. So the doctrine of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ is a very important doctrine for lots of reasons. But just know that over the years, it will be assaulted, and we will be tempted to lay it aside as a non-essential doctrine. And when they happens it will be a slippery slope to hell.
A. Closing illustration: Dr. William Evans, who pastored College Church from 1906-1909, was an unusually accomplished man. He had the entire King James Version of the Bible memorized as well as the New Testament of the American Standard Version. Dr. Evans also authored over fifty books. His son, Louis, became one of the best-known preachers in America and for many years pastored the eminent First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. When Dr. William Evans retired, he moved to Hollywood to be near his son, and when Louis was away he would substitute for him. One unforgettable Sunday Dr. William, as he was affectionately called, spoke on the virgin birth. All were amazed when he raised his Bible and tore out the pages that narrate the birth of the Lord. As the tattered scraps floated down toward the congregation, he shouted, "If we can’t believe in the virgin birth, let’s tear it out of the Bible!" And then as he drove home his point, he tore out the resurrection chapters, then the miracle narratives, then anything conveying the supernatural. The floor was littered with mutilated pages. Finally, with immense drama he held up the only remaining portion and said, "And this is all we have left — the Sermon on the Mount. And that has no authority for me if a divine Christ didn’t preach it."
B. End of v. 21, “for He will save His people from their sins.”
C. Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
• Is Christ Exalted, Magnified, Honored, and Glorified?
