Sermon by Samaroo Sookraj
SUB: THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS' BIRTH
TEXT: Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 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.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mat 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
INTRODUCTION:
1. The very foundation of Christianity depends on belief in Jesus Christ
2. Other religions would have us believe Christ just a man, or a fraud
3. For us, Christ is the focal point of salvation
4. Christ is unique among all men--let's notice how his birth was unique
I. CHRIST EXISTED BEFORE HE WAS BORN.
A. Jesus Christ had no beginning--He is eternal without beginning or end
B. Jn 1:1-5: 14--Jesus existed before he was conceived in Mary's womb. Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
C. Jesus' birth merely served as a means of entry into the world
D Before Abraham was born, I AM." (YHWH "timeless existence") Joh 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
Joh 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Joh 8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
Joh 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
Joh 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
Joh 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
E. Jesus requests the glory that was his before the world was. Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
II. CHRIST'S BIRTH WAS PROPHECIED
A. Jesus not completely unique in this--others' births prophesied
B. Still miraculous
C. Note some of the prophecies concerning His birth:
1. Betrayed by a disciple (Psa 41:9--Mt 26:14-15)
2. Betrayal price stated (Zech 11:12--Mt 27:3-7)
3. Numbered with Criminals (Isa 53:12--Mk 15:27)
4. No bones broken (Psa 34:20--Jn 19:33-36)
5. Darkness signals crucifixion (Amos 8:9--Mt 27:45)
6. To ascend (Psa 68:18--Acts 1:9)
III. CHRIST'S WAS A VIRGIN BIRTH
A. Unlike any birth recorded in history (Isa 7:14 Isa 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 Immanuel.
-- Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
B. Something changed Joseph's mind--put her away, then keep her
C. Many deny the virgin birth, they claim: -"virgin" means "young woman" parthenos
par-then'-os
Of unknown origin; a maiden; by implication an unmarried daughter: - virgin.
-they intend to help God out of this dilemma
-if "virgin" means "young woman," than:
--it isn't much of a sign (Isa 7:14)
--Joseph found the fountain of youth ("he kept her a 'young woman'" Mt 1:25) Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
IV. CHRIST'S WAS A DOOMED BIRTH
A. Jesus, unlike any other human being entered the world so He could die!!!
B. Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
;Isaiah 53:1-12
On that fateful morning in Palestine, having been sentenced to an unjust punishment…
CONCLUSION:
1. These four unique qualities of Jesus' birth are lost on you if you are not a Christian.
2. If you aren't a Christian, it doesn't matter that Christ:
a. existed before He was born (we too are now eternal....)
b. was prophesied (your destruction without Christ is prophesied: 2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
c. was born of a virgin as a sign (a sign disbelieved or believed?)
d. died for His people, you might be one.
3. We too can have a unique birth--we can be born again...
