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Why Christmas Matters

Why Christmas Matters

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Presentation on the Necessity of the Virgin Birth of Christ, Todd Linn, First Baptist Church Henderson, KY

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Page 1: Why Christmas Matters

Why Christmas Matters

Page 2: Why Christmas Matters

Why Christmas Matters

. . . Christmas matters because the virgin birth of Jesus Christ matters . . .

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A 10-year-old boy was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible because of her grandmother’s teaching . . .

“Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? The Virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?”

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THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST

• Strictly speaking, the term “virgin birth” is a misnomer. The term should be “virginal conception.”

• The “Virgin Birth” affirms that Jesus was born as other men are, but denies that He was conceived as other men are.

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CHRISTIANITY TODAY (SEPT. 11, 1970)

• Who does NOT believe in the virgin birth?

• 60% of Methodists

• 49% of Presbyterians

• 44% of Episcopalians

• 34% of American Baptists

• 19% of American Lutherans

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AliAli: “You say : “You say Jesus is the Son Jesus is the Son of God because of God because He was born of a He was born of a virgin. Adam virgin. Adam had no mother. had no mother. Wouldn’t that Wouldn’t that make him more make him more a “son of God” a “son of God” than Jesus?than Jesus?

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RogersRogers: : “Champ, Jesus “Champ, Jesus is not the Son of is not the Son of God because He God because He was was bornborn of a of a virginvirgin. He was . He was born of a virgin born of a virgin because He is because He is the the SonSon of of GodGod.”.”

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Three (3) Key Biblical Texts that speak of the Virgin Birth:

1 Isaiah 7:14

2 Matthew 1:18-25

3 Luke 1:26-38

(Other texts allude to virgin birth; Gal.4:4)

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1 Isaiah 7:14:

• “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

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2 Matthew 1:18-25

3 Luke 1:26-38

(Other texts allude to virgin birth; Gal.4:4)

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Matthew Teaches UsMatthew Teaches Us::

1.1. Joseph was in no way involved in the Joseph was in no way involved in the conception of Jesus (18; 20; 25).conception of Jesus (18; 20; 25).

2.2. Joseph did have normal relations with Joseph did have normal relations with her afterwards (25).her afterwards (25).

3.3. He was responsible for naming the child He was responsible for naming the child (25).(25).

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Matthew Teaches UsMatthew Teaches Us::

4.4. All of this was a fulfillment of the Virgin All of this was a fulfillment of the Virgin Birth Birth prophecyprophecy of Isaiah 7:14 (vv.22-23). of Isaiah 7:14 (vv.22-23).

5.5. The name Immanuel (“God with us”) is The name Immanuel (“God with us”) is significant because it reminds us that significant because it reminds us that Jesus is Jesus is 100%100% God and God and 100%100% man. man.

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Luke EmphasizesLuke Emphasizes::

1.1. That Mary is a virgin. Matthew also That Mary is a virgin. Matthew also has this emphasis (26-27).has this emphasis (26-27).

2.2. That the entire complex of events was That the entire complex of events was a surprise (29-30).a surprise (29-30).

3.3. The divine agency of the The divine agency of the HolyHoly SpiritSpirit. . This point is again not ignored in This point is again not ignored in Matthew, but is given greater attention Matthew, but is given greater attention in verse 35.in verse 35.

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Luke EmphasizesLuke Emphasizes::

4.4. That the virgin birth is impossible That the virgin birth is impossible apart from a divine apart from a divine miraclemiracle (37). (37).

5.5. The miracle of recognition by The miracle of recognition by Elizabeth and John (39-44).Elizabeth and John (39-44).

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Why the Virgin Birth Matters(Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology)

• The virgin birth made possible the uniting of full deity and full humanity in one person.

• The virgin birth also makes possible Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin.

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Why the Virgin Birth Matters(Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology)

• Jesus did not descend from Adam in exactly the same way in which every other human being has descended. This helps to understand why the legal guilt and moral corruption that belongs to all other human beings did not belong to Christ.

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A Hymn by John Newton

1. O LORD, from Whom there’s nought concealed, Who sees my inward frame; to Thee I always stand revealed exactly as I am!

2. Since I, at times, can hardly bear what in myself I see; how vile and foul must I appear, most holy God to Thee!

3. But since my Saviour stands between, Who shed His precious blood, ‘tis He, instead of me is seen, when I approach to God.

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4. Thus, though a sinner, I am safe: He pleads before the throne His life and death on my behalf, and calls my sins His own.

5. What wondrous love, what mysteries, in this appointment shine! My breaches of the law are His, and His obedience mine.

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Joy to the WorldJoy to the world! The Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heav’n and nature sing,

And heav’n and nature sing,

And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

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No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make his blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as the curse is found.

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He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders of His love.

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