Matthew 1:18-25 Abundant Life - Revision history

Wakefien: /* Introduction */

2020-01-11T19:25:50Z

‎Introduction

Wakefien: /* Introduction */

2020-01-11T19:25:35Z

‎Introduction

Wakefien at 17:25, 7 January 2020

2020-01-07T17:25:43Z

Wakefien at 03:19, 22 December 2019

2019-12-22T03:19:44Z

Wakefien at 02:50, 22 December 2019

2019-12-22T02:50:40Z

Wakefien at 16:35, 19 December 2019

2019-12-19T16:35:40Z

Wakefien at 16:06, 19 December 2019

2019-12-19T16:06:28Z

Wakefien: /* God with us (Matthew 1:22-25) */

2019-12-15T21:51:01Z

‎God with us (Matthew 1:22-25)

Wakefien: /* Saved by Christ(Matthew 1:20-21) */

2019-12-15T21:37:22Z

‎Saved by Christ(Matthew 1:20-21)

Wakefien: /* Saved by Christ(Matthew 1:20-21) */

2019-12-15T21:36:59Z

‎Saved by Christ(Matthew 1:20-21)

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−	I want you to take a moment to go back in time with me, well before time. We will try to avoid the deep theological discussion surrounding God's decrees (supralapsarian = Save, Create Authorize, Provide vs infralapsarian = Create, Authorize, Save, Provide), but consider what it must have looked like for God, the Trinity, to decree to create, authorize the fall of mankind, and provide salvation. In eternity past, God knew that Jesus would come as a baby to be born in a manger. When we remember that first Christmas nearly 2000 years ~~a go~~, there is a sense in which we are remembering something far older than that first Christmas, something from eternity past.	+	I want you to take a moment to go back in time with me, well before time. We will try to avoid the deep theological discussion surrounding God's decrees (supralapsarian = Save, Create Authorize, Provide vs infralapsarian = Create, Authorize, Save, Provide), but consider what it must have looked like for God, the Trinity, to decree to create, authorize the fall of mankind, and provide salvation. In eternity past, God knew that Jesus would come as a baby to be born in a manger. When we remember that first Christmas nearly 2000 years ago, there is a sense in which we are remembering something far older than that first Christmas, something from eternity past.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:50, 22 December 2019
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−	I want you to take a moment to go back in time with me, well before time. We will try to avoid the deep theological discussion surrounding God's decrees, but consider what it must have looked like for God, the ~~trinity~~, to decree to create, authorize the fall of mankind, and provide salvation. In eternity past, God knew that Jesus would come as a baby to be born in a manger. When we remember that first Christmas nearly 2000 years a go, there is a sense in which we are remembering something far older than that first Christmas, something from eternity past.	+	I want you to take a moment to go back in time with me, well before time. We will try to avoid the deep theological discussion surrounding God's decrees (supralapsarian = Save, Create Authorize, Provide vs infralapsarian = Create, Authorize, Save, Provide), but consider what it must have looked like for God, the Trinity, to decree to create, authorize the fall of mankind, and provide salvation. In eternity past, God knew that Jesus would come as a baby to be born in a manger. When we remember that first Christmas nearly 2000 years a go, there is a sense in which we are remembering something far older than that first Christmas, something from eternity past.

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 ==Under God's Control (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?
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 ***Blomberg states "But even the relatively primitive stage of first-century science was sufficiently advanced for people to know that in every other known instance it required a biological father as well as a biological mother to produce a human child. The Christian notion of a virginal conception was no more plausible in first-century Judaism than it is in the twentieth-century Western world."<ref>Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 58.</ref>
 **What did people think?
-**Surly Mary had been betrothed, what did her future husband think?
+===A history ready to be discarded (V. 19)===
-***We often think of Mary and Joseph as having been engaged.  However, the idea "indicates a firm commitment, normally undertaken a year before marriage. During that year the girl remained with her own family, but the tie established was a strong one and was really the first part of marriage. A betrothed woman could be punished as an adulteress (Deut. 22:23–24; the punishment of “a virgin who is not betrothed” was different, vv. 28–29). The second part took place when the man took the woman to his home (cf. v. 20; cf. also 25:1–13). That Mary became pregnant before they came together was thus very serious, as Joseph’s attitude makes clear."<ref>Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 26–27.</ref>
+*Can you imagine what Joseph must have gone through. My understanding of Jewish culture at the time was that it was considered highly desirable to find a wife and be married.  In fact, as I recall, the Sanhedrin were required to be married. The possibility of Mary's unfaithfulness may have been a significant hit to Joseph's standing. Beyond the societal pressure for marriage, the entire Christmas narrative carries imagery of a very loving husband caring for his wife. In my mind, the potential for unfaithfulness probably tore at Joseph's heart as well. I can't help but think that Joseph must have seen Mary's condition as a terrible loss.
-***Blomberg further elaborates "law-abiding, upright in character, and generally obedient and faithful to God’s commandments. Here Joseph’s righteousness leads him to want to spare Mary the disgrace of public divorce and censure and the legal proceedings for a suspected adulteress (m. Sota 1:1, 5). Jewish laws typically required a man to divorce an adulterous wife (m. Sota 5:1), but Joseph proposes to divorce her “quietly,” which is perhaps better translated “privately” (Goodspeed), in the sense of a settlement out of court." <ref>Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 58.</ref>
+**We often think of Mary and Joseph as having been engaged.  However, the idea "indicates a firm commitment, normally undertaken a year before marriage. During that year the girl remained with her own family, but the tie established was a strong one and was really the first part of marriage. A betrothed woman could be punished as an adulteress (Deut. 22:23–24; the punishment of “a virgin who is not betrothed” was different, vv. 28–29). The second part took place when the man took the woman to his home (cf. v. 20; cf. also 25:1–13). That Mary became pregnant before they came together was thus very serious, as Joseph’s attitude makes clear."<ref>Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 26–27.</ref>
 *All these questions draw out one of the most significant facts about Christmas. Mary and Joseph had their lives turned upside down for God.  We often think of the great honor that it would have been to be Mary and Joseph, but don't forget the shame they felt. The pressure and the work they had to do. The inconvenience. The questions, the love for a child that is not your own. The song "Mary did you know?" bring out some important aspects but don't forget the pain. Remember, Mary had to witness her son crucified on the cross, rejected, scorned. Mary and Joseph put themselves under God's control and the price was high, but the rewards were amazing.
   As Christians we must submit ourselves to God's direction regardless of the cost.
-==Saved by Christ(Matthew 1:20-21)==
+==Saved by Christ (Matthew 1:20-21)==
 *In perfect orchestration God provided a message for Joseph. The angel explained the situation to Joseph and uses the phrase Son of David to emphasize that Joseph is part of the royal line. The angel instructs Joseph to go forward with the marriage thus providing a legal claim to the throne of David to Jesus.
 *The name Jesus reflects the Hebrew word "Yehoshua" which means Jehovah saves.
 *From what do we need saved? Ephesians 2:1-3 states "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the [course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others."<ref>NKJV</ref>
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 *Yes, we live in a fallen world, but that does not mean that we cannot have abundant life. Jesus came to save us from our sins.
-  As follows of Christ we should live abundant life, recognizing that Jehovah saves.
+  As followers of Christ we should live abundant life, recognizing that Jehovah saves.
 ==God with us (Matthew 1:22-25)==
 *In verses 22 and 23 we see that God orchestrated all of these events in perfect fulfillment of his plan. Theologians have spent a lot of time focussing on the phrase "a virgin shall be with child." This is an important phrase but probably not the area of emphasis for Matthew.  Matthew is likely emphasizing the word Immanuel, God with us.
 **In Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah prophesied "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."<ref>NKJV</ref>
 *The gospel is the message of forgiveness of sin. Remember that sin separates us from God. Recall that the angel has just proclaimed the name of Jesus and emphasized the role he would play in saving people from their sins. Through Jesus we can enjoy God with us.
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-  As Christians we need to a life that demonstrates God is with us.
+  As Christians we need to live a life that demonstrates God is with us.
 =Conclusion=
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-===Are you living you life as someone who has been placed by God? Does your life reveal your complete faith in God's plan?.===
+===Are you living you life as someone who has been placed by God? Does your life reveal your complete faith in God's plan?===
 ===Are you living abundant life today?===
 ===Do you live a life that demonstrates God with us?===
   Through Christ we have life, abundant life from the comment of salvation, now and in eternity.

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 ==Setting the Stage==
 ===Main Proposition===
- This Christmas, take time to reflect on what Christ did for you, place your hope in the future, and live abundantly.
+  This Christmas, you need to take time to reflect on what Christ did for you, place your hope in the future Christ has secured, and live abundantly.
 *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.

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 **
 *Have you ever thought to yourself, I can't wait until I get to heaven and get to experience perfection? I have, but I want you to notice something. The passage says that Jesus will save his people from their sins. Jesus came to save us from our sins, and while we have a future expectation of perfection in heaven, I want to remind you that you also have abundant life today.
 *John 10:10 states, "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."
 **One theologian states "Within the metaphorical world, life … to the full suggests fat, contented, flourishing sheep, not terrorized by brigands; outside the narrative world, it means that the life Jesus’ true disciples enjoy is not to be construed as more time to fill (merely ‘everlasting’ life), but life at its scarcely imagined best, life to be lived."<ref>D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 385.</ref>