Latest revision as of 19:25, 11 January 2020

Objectives

• Congregants will boldly declare their position through Christ in a way that invites other to share in this blessing.
• Congregants will determine to live life abundantly.
• Congregants will live life with a hope toward eternity.

Introduction

Media:Abundant_Life.mp3

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.

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."^[1]

• 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.”^[2] 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?
• Will your declaration of gratitude show the love of Christ to others?

Main Body

Setting the Stage

Main Proposition

 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.

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.

A future seemingly destroyed (V. 18)

• 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?
    • Imagine young Mary, "If typical Jewish custom were followed, she may well have been still a young teenager. Joseph may have been considerably older. Engagement in ancient Judaism was legally binding and required divorce if it were to be broken, but sexual relations and living together under one roof were not permitted until after the marriage ceremony. Joseph could therefore be spoken of already as Mary’s husband, but Matthew emphasizes this was “before they came together.”"^[3]
    • 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."^[4]
  • What did people think?

A history ready to be discarded (V. 19)

• 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.
  • 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."^[5]
  • 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." ^[6]
• 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)

Do not be afraid (V. 20)

• A few things make it hard for us to submit to God's direction. Pride, arrogance, and self-exaltation are all big reasons we fail to submit, but another warrents discussion, fear. Simply put, we are often afraid to submit to God because we don't understand what he is doing. We want to be in control.
• In verse 20, the angel makes a profound statement. Do not be afraid.
• 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.

Jesus, Yehoshua, Jehova Saves (V. 21)

• 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."^[7]
• The biggest problem with this world is sin. sin has corrupted everything:
  • Violence
  • Greed
  • Pride
  • Anger
• 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.
• Christ came to save you from your sins.
• 2 Corinthians 9:8 states "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."^[8]
• Did you catch that God is able to make all grace abound! When I think of grace abounding I am reminded of John 10:10.
• 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."^[9]
  • What is abundant life? The Greek word for abundant here is περισσὸν. BDAG defines the word as "to that which is not ordinarily encountered, extraordinary, remarkable." ^[10]
  • Borchert states, "The Greek perisson means “that which goes way beyond necessity.” John wanted all his readers to know that the gift of Jesus is life beyond our wildest dreams."^[11]
  • How do we have such an abundant life? Kruse states that "To have it to the full could refer either to enjoying the richness of life in relationship with God in the here and now or to resurrection to eternal life at the end of the age (5:24–29), or both."^[12] The emphasis is that we are under the care, protection, and provision of Jesus and that care, protection, and provision provides us with abundant life. If you want to have abundant life, then you need to "go in an out and find pasture in Christ."
• 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 followers of Christ we should live abundant life, recognizing that Jehovah saves.

God with us (Matthew 1:22-25)

The Promised Blessing

• 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."^[13]

The Complete Fulfillment (V. 24-25)

The Blessing Realized

• 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.

• Hebrews 4:15 teaches us that "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin"^[14]

• Hebrews 4:16 calls on us to "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."^[15]
• In Jesus we have God with us!

• Heaven is going to be spectacular, but as you look for heaven don't lose sight of the fact that Jesus has come. We have abundant life, abundant life through God with us!
• Do you long for the presence of God, to spend time with God, to study God? Well, guess what, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, prayer, and the Word of God.

As Christians we need to live a life that demonstrates God is with us.

Conclusion

Heirs through Christ (Matthew 2:1-2)

King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2)

• Probably the wise men did not show up right away, but in America, we often associate the wise-men with Christmas so let's continue forward with the wise men.
• These wise men ask Herod a very specific question, the emphasis is on "born." Herod The Great was a half-Jew, half-Idumean. Herod had been placed on the throne by Rome. From the perspective of blood, Herod was not the rightful ruler of Israel. Herod was known for his great evil. Caesar Augustus is said to have said that it would be better to be Herod's pig than his son. The magi's question would have been significant, where is the one who is the legitimate heir of the throne of Israel?
• The wise-men saw the star as proof that someone significant had been born.

A Future Kingdom (Revelation 21:1-7)

• In revelation 21 we have a picture of the eternal kingdom awaiting all those who have placed their faith in Christ.
• We could go through the grandeur and beauty of the new heaven, we could talk about streets of gold.
• All of that is great but I want you to notice what John notes as most significant, look at verse 3 "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God." ^[16]
• Our hope, our greatest expectation, the reason for our existence is God.

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?

1. ↑ 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.
2. ↑ NKJV
3. ↑ Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 57.
4. ↑ Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 58.
5. ↑ 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.
6. ↑ Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 58.
7. ↑ NKJV
8. ↑ NKJV
9. ↑ 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.
10. ↑ William Arndt, Frederick W. Danker, and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 805.
11. ↑ Gerald L. Borchert, John 1–11, vol. 25A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 333.
12. ↑ Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 232.
13. ↑ NKJV
14. ↑ NKJV
15. ↑ NKJV
16. ↑ NKJV