View source for Matthew 1:18-25 Abundant Life

=Objectives=
=Introduction=
=Main Body=
==Setting the Stage==
===Main Proposition===
 Through Christ we have life, abundant life from the comment of salvation, now and in eternity.
==Blessed through Christ (Matthew 1:1)==
*Genealogies provided a means for rulers to establish their status and relationship between others.  Matthew 1 provides a genealogical prologue to the Gospel that Matthew chose to write.  Genesis 1 provides a hook into the Gospel of Jesus.
*In verse 1 we see the phrase βιβλος γενέσεως, that is a record of the origin of Jesus.
*In verse 1 we see Jesus introduced as Jesus Christ, or Jesus Messiah. For Matthew's audience, people of Jewish origins, the concept of Messiah carried a common idea, someone who would liberate Israel.  Matthew further elucidates this point by calling attention to Christ's position as the Son of David.  In fact, Matthew calls Jesus the son of David no fewer than six times in his Gospel.  Matthew is placing emphasis on Christ's position as the one who fulfills prophecy.  However, Matthew is doing more, from the title of Son of David, Matthew moves into a non-messianic title, Son of Abraham.  Rather, as son of Abraham Jesus fulfills more than just the deliverance of Israel, Jesus is the one through whom all nations on earth are blessed.
===The Blessing Promised (Genesis 12:1-3)===
*Genesis 12:1-3 presents Abraham as the one through whom God would move to bless the entire earth.  In the statement "and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" God provides Abraham with a messianic prophecy.
===The Blessing Realized (Galatians 3:7-9)===
*By Christ, through faith, we have been blessed. "The apostle concluded this phase of his argument by stating that though provision was made for “all nations” (v. 8), only those who have faith receive the blessing of justification."<ref>Donald K. Campbell, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 597.</ref>

*The story of the Bible is one of failure, hope, and joy. 
*From Genesis 3 the Bible presents Man's complete inability to satisfy God's expectation. Each and every person in this room has failed God. We are all sinners in need of something beyond ourselves, something only God can provide. Starting with Adam and Eve our genealogy is one of sin. If any one of us were to trace our genealogy back to Adam what we would find is not a line of kings, a history of wealth, or positions of power. We would find sinners. But just calling ourselves sinners doesn't even feel like enough. You see, in out sin, we put ourselves at enmity with God. We are in open rebellion with the one who created us.
*Yet even in Genesis 3 we see hope. Genesis 3:15 states "he will crush  your head, and you will strike his heel.”<ref>NKJV</ref> This hope as presented in the unfolding story of Scripture is in one who would come.  At first we know very little, by Genesis 12 we see that the one who would come would come from the line of Abraham. As Scripture unfolds we see more and more of this promised one. And then, in Matthew 1:1 we are given a name. This promised hope is realized in the God-Man Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the good news of God sending Jesus Christ, his death in my place, resurrection, and God's acceptance of that payment on my behalf. This is the story of Christmas, this is why we celebrate.
*If you have never admited that you are a sinner in need of a savior, placed your complete trust in Christ, will you do that today?

 As followers of Christ we have been placed in the position of blessing and our life should declare this position of blessing, not in arrogant pride but humbly recognition of God's grace.

*As you celebrate Christmas this year will you take time to declare your gratitude for God's provision of joy in through Jesus Christ?

==Saved through Christ (Matthew 1:18-25)==
*Following the genealogy we have some of the most profound theology present. What began with Abraham has reached its eschatological climax.  Jesus, heir of David, heir of Abraham but most importantly Son of God will save his people.
===Bad Timing? No! God's Timing (Matthew 1:18-19)===
*The genealogy of the first 17 verses leaves a lingering question.  Why did Matthew write "And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ?" Why include Mary in this way. Matthew takes the opportunity to answer this question and present some important information. Matthew is making sure that his readers understand that Jesus is special, unique, the son of a virgin. The son of God. Don't let that fact breeze by. This is something extraordinary, something special.
*If you were a Jew reading the Gospel of Matthew for the first time you would likely have lots of questions.
**Was Mary really a virgin?
**What did people think?
**Surly Mary had been betrothed, what did her future husband think?

===Save His People From Their Sins (Matthew 1:20-21)===
*The name Jesus reflects the Hebrew word "Yehoshua" which means Jehovah saves.
*John 1:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

===God with us (Matthew 1:23-25)===
 As follows of Christ we should live abundant life, recognizing that Jehovah saves.

==Heirs through Christ (Matthew 2:1-2)==
===King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2)===
===A Future Kingdom (Revelation 21:1-7)===
 As followers of Christ we must live with the hope of eternity in mind.

=Conclusion=
===Are you living you life as someone who has been placed in a position of blessing? Not because of anything you have done but because of everything that Jesus has done.===
===Are you living abundant life today?===
===Do you live a life that recognizes the coming kingdom?===
 Through Christ we have life, abundant life from the comment of salvation, now and in eternity.