TITLE: The Importance of the Virgin Birth
TEXT: Luke 1:26-35
INTRO: In the twentieth century theological institutions began to drift left and they cast doubt on a literal virgin birth. Historical criticism began to undermine biblical authority.
Modern heretics like retired Episcopal bishop John Spong argue that the doctrine was just evidence of the early church’s over-claiming of Christ’s deity. The Virgin Birth, Spong says, is the “entrance myth” to go with the "exit myth." the Resurrection.
According to Spong: There are no absolutes, Miracles don’t happen, and Science is superior to the Bible because it is objective and neutral, and is therefore the more qualified to make pronouncements on morality.
Why is the Virgin Birth so important?
Does it matter whether or not Jesus was born of a virgin?
(John MacArthur) "To throw out the virgin birth is to reject Christ's deity, the accuracy and authority of Scripture. If we deny Jesus is God, we have denied the very essence of Christianity."
I. JESUS HAD A HEAVENLY ORIGIN (Luk.1:35)
A. Jesus Existed Throughout Eternity
1. He was with God and He was God
(Joh. 1:1-2 ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
2. He is the Second Person of the Trinity
(Luk 10:22 ESV) "All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
B. He Was Conceived of the Holy Spirit
(Mat.1:20-23 ESV) 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. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
(Billy Graham) Jesus was born of a virgin: to show that He was sent into the world by God. His was no ordinary birth – because He was no ordinary human being. He wasn’t just another man - not even a great one. He was God in human flesh, sent from heaven to save us from our sins.
C. Promised in the Old Testament
1. God told the serpent: (Gen. 3:15 ESV) I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
2. Isaiah prophesied: (Isa 7:14 ESV) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (which means, God with us.)
D. Fulfilled in the New Testament (Luk.1:26-27)
1. Jesus was fully human, with a physical body like ours. This He received from Mary. At the same time, Jesus was fully God
II. JESUS HAD A SINLESS NATURE
A. If Jesus Had a Human Father
1. Then He would have inherited a sinful nature, like us.
(Rom 5:12 ESV) "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned..."
B. But, God Was His Father
(Joh 10:30 ESV) "I and the Father are one."
(Joh 1:14 ESV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt
among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
B. He Was Without Sin
1. (1Pe 2:22 ESV) He committed no sin, neither was
deceit found in his mouth.
2. He had to be sinless to take away our sin
(1Jn 3:5 ESV) You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
III. JESUS WAS THE PERFECT SACRIFICE
A. God Required a Perfect Sacrifice
(Heb 4:15 ESV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
B. Beyond Human Comprehension
(1Ti 3:16 ESV) Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
CONCL: (Christian Smith of Notre Dame) “If God is not capable of a miracle like the Virgin Birth, then what kind of God is that?” he said. “If you abandon the doctrine of Jesus being fully God and fully human, then he becomes just a great teacher. But then what is the point of the death on the cross if it doesn’t tie back to God incarnate, God with us?”
Amen
