Who’s the Baby?
Matthew 1:18-23
Intro:
1. ILL: Little girl admiring the manger scene baby instead of the full size Christmas tree.
2. The baby is what Christmas is all about!
I. Who’s the Baby?
A. He was God in flesh.
1. Phil 2:5-11 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2. Heb 1:6-12 - And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.” But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”
3. This is why the virgin birth is so important! (Matt 1:22-23)
B. He was a man.
1. I Jn 4:2 - This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God . . .
2. He was recognized as a human: the Samaritan woman recognized Him as Jewish (Jn 4:9) & the people of Nazareth recognized Him as the carpenter who had brothers & sisters. (Matt 13:55)
3. He had a human body, soul & spirit (Jn 11:33; 12:27).
4. He had human attributes.
a. He was hungry (Matt 4:2).
b. He was tired & thirsty (Jn 4:6-7).
c. He wept for Lazarus (Jn 11:33-35)
d. He experienced grief over Jerusalem (Matt 23:37)
e. He was angry about making the Temple a marketplace (Matt 21:12-13)
II. What Did He Do?
A. He taught us how to live.
1. The Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7): witnessing - the place of the Law - attitudes - adultery - divorce - making oaths - taking revenge - loving your enemies - benevolence - prayer & fasting - worry - passing judgment - seeking eternal life.
2. The parables taught us about: stewardship - the kingdom of God - self righteousness - being prepared for His 2nd coming - forgiveness - God’s patience & love for us - the nature of & the importance of spreading the gospel message.
B. He showed us how to live.
1. He demonstrated compassion for people by loving, healing, forgiving & raising the dead.
a. ILL: Healing the Nobleman’s son at Cana (Jn 4:46-53).
b. ILL: Woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:1-11).
c. ILL: Raising of Lazarus (Jn 11:17-44).
d. ILL: Feeding the 5000 (Jn 6:5-15).
2. He was an example of a prayer warrior by holding all night prayer sessions (Lk 6:12).
3. Then - in Mk 8:34 He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
C. He died on the cross.
1. That’s why we celebrate Good Friday.
2. Lord Jesus showed His love for you by dying so that you could live with Him forever in heaven.
(Rom 5:6-9).
3. Why did Jesus die for you?
a. Rom 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
b. The Lord had no sin so he didn’t have to pay those wages (Heb 4:15).
c. But - He volunteered to die anyhow!
d. He gave the benefits of His death to whoever wanted them & would choose Him (Jn 5:24).
D. He was resurrected from the grave.
1. That’s why we celebrate Easter Sunday.
2. This was to prove that Lord Jesus was who He claimed to be - Almighty God Himself!
3. He became the “first fruits” - paving the way to heaven for the rest of us (I Cor 15:20).
E. He ascended to heaven & now indwells you as the Holy Spirit.
1. He ascended into heaven so the Comforter could come (Jn 16:7).
2. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, now dwells within you & gives you the power to live victoriously
(Act 2:38-39).
Today - be sure to include the guest of honor in your birthday celebration. He is the Lord of lords & the King of kings & He loves you very much & wants your companionship!
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