God’s Christmas Gift
By Evangelist Gary Huckaby D.D.
John 4:10; Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
As we approach the day in which we celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Saviour to this world as the perfect man, the Lord Jesus Christ, I would like to talk about the gifts God has given to us, just as we give gifts to others during this time of year. Someone once made the comment that they wished Christmas would last longer. That they wish it could be Christmas every day of the year. My dear friends, Everyday is Christ Day to those who know Him as their Lord and Saviour. Do you know Him?
God’s Christmas Gift to this world came in the person of Jesus Christ. The only virgin Born man. Thus, we take a look at the Virgin birth of Christ, God’s Gift at Christmas.
Matthew 1:1, and 17.
Verse 1, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
Verse 17, "So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations, and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations, and the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations."
In this new millennium, we Christians are going to see many radical changes within the so called Churches among us.
There is and will continue to be a "falling away" from the principles of the true faith. One of the doctrines which has, and will be attacked, is that of the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ.
My purpose of this messgae, is not to take up an argument against these who are trying to destroy this doctrine, but rather my purpose is to rehearse to you the truth concerning this great doctrine. Today we are going to look at many scriptures pertaining to the Virgin Birth of Jesus, the Christ.
The Prophecy
Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel."
We have here the great sign, given the house of David. It is the sign of the virgin birth of Immanuel. (Jesus Christ)
In Matthew’s Gospel we are given the genealogy of the kingly line of Jesus, and the right to David’s throne. This genealogy, is through his earthly stepfather, Joseph. Joseph had nothing to do with the conception of the body of Jesus, it was his taking him as a son, to raise, that gives him the earthly fathers guidance, in his young life. He is seen with the family party, as they go to the Temple to dedicate the young man Jesus. Jesus is at age twelve in this short scene, and it is the only glimpse we have of Jesus at this early age.
Luke 2:40-52; "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."
The Fulfillment
Matthew 1:18, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused (engaged) to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."
You will note please, that the couple were only espoused, meaning that they were engaged, or contemplating marriage at a future time. Then the Word proves that she was a virgin, by stating, "before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." To the natural man, this is impossible. For a Virgin to have a child without the companionship of a man. How can a child be conceived without both, the man and the woman? And looking at it in the natural realm, this would be true, but we are not looking at the natural in the virgin birth, we are looking at the supernatural. God is at work here. He can do anything. The scripture says, "For with God all things are possible." (Luke 1:37) The virgin birth was a miraculous event to be sure. To think that God was willing to condensed to a body like ours, is proof enough of His love for us. But He did much more than that, for we know the scriptures of his death on the Cross, and of His being buried for three days and nights. We know of His Resurrection from the dead, we who read and study, and Believe this Book,know about His ascension in to heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of GOD. He it is who is now praying for us, making intercession for us. We who have His Spirit within, know His great love. But this old world, with it’s natural man, the one borne of flesh, could not have possessed the ability of containing God in it, unless! Hear me now; Unless!
That body was created without sin first, and human mankind could not produce one, so God sends His Son through a pure Virgin maiden, to bear His child, who would one day with that body, sacrifice it for all mankind. OH! What great love that is! Do you have it? If not, Get it at all means before you die.
The Announcement
Matthew 1:20-21, "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
This is the announcement of the virgin Birth to Joseph, along with it’s explanation of how it was done. That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Spirit). He was not to be afraid to take her as his wife, because she is pregnant, she is going to give birth to a body wherein Immanuel will dwell.
Luke 1:25-27,"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgins name was Mary."
This was the announcement to Mary. Mary as probably many other virgin maidens, was praying that God would use her as He willed. Believers during this time were looking for the coming Savior, The Deliverer. They were on the look out for the coming Son of God. They as the scholars, knew that He was promised to come, and coming He was, and did.
Mary had a question for the angel in verse 34. Luke 1:34,"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know no man?" A baby when there has been no physical relationship with a man? This was her question and it was answered by the angel Gabriel, in verse 35. "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing (human body) which shall be borne of thee shall be called the Son of God."
Jesus is His earthly name, and Christ is His glorified name. His name was called JESUS.
The Preparation
Matthew 2:1-2, "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He That Is BORN King of The Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
In the verses before us we have the location of the birth, Bethlehem of Judea. The time it took place was in the days of Herod the king of Israel. The statement of the wise men was, He that is born King of the Jews." This so upset Herod and threatened his kingship, that he asked the wise men to bring word of the child, and where He was born. He did this because he wanted to stop this child. This is proven by his innocent slaughter of the babies of Bethlehem after he knew that the wise men were not coming to tell him about this new born King of the Jews.
Luke 2:6-7, "And so it was, that, while they (Joseph and Mary) were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
When Mary gave birth to Jesus the scripture says, he was her first born son. It doesn’t say their first born son. There was no earthly father in the birth of Jesus. Joseph was there, but he was a willing servant to the Great plan of redemption. He was there for back up only.
The Necessity of The Virgin Birth
Why was all this of such importance? What does it matter, what we believe about the virgin birth of Jesus?
It matters a lot, for upon this principle doctrine lay the building of the very Christ. His virgin birth provided God a pure, holy body in which to live. Sinful man could not accomplish this feat.
Hebrews 9:11-12,"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
It necessity is that of the perfect, virgin born body having sinless blood. The only blood acceptable for sins sacrifice. It was the only way to cleanse lost mankind from their iniquities. The precious blood of Jesus Christ!
The Reason For The Virgin Birth
Acts 4:10-12, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doeth this man stand here before you whole, This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.."
We are saved by Jesus Christ, and it is a gift given us freely. No cost, no work, nothing can attain to it but faith in believing upon His Name; His name is Jesus Christ, and His name is above every name. The Bible clearly proclaims;
Philippians 2:10-11, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Note the word, SHOULD. One day there will be a Shall, instead of should. Right now we have the opportunity to choose to bow to him on our own, but someday, some where, All will bow, like it or not.
You may be too proud to bow now, but someday you will have no other choice than to bow before Him. So why not do it now? Come to Him for complete salvation.
Pray with me this prayer.
Lord Jesus I ask you to come into my heart and save me. I repent of my sins, and believe you died on the cross for me. I believe you were buried and that you rose from the dead. This I ask you, In Jesus Name! Amen!
Huckaby’s Evangelism
P.O.Box 1011
Pine Mountain, Ga. 31822
glhuck@earthlink.net
glhuckaby@excite.com
