Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Temple Baptist Church - 12-28-2022

John 6:14-21

 

Introduction:

 

A. This coming Sunday, we will begin the New Year. 2023! I find that amazing that we are still here; I find that amazing that I am still here!

 

B. Last Wednesday, we read these verses and I preached on “The Storms of Life”. Tonight, I want to make another application that will be of help as we approach another year.

 

C. I do not know what this new year holds for us and am glad that I don’t as we are to walk by faith, not by sight.

 

D. I do know for certain that things will progressively get worse. Paul, when writing to young Timothy in 2 Timothy, one of the Pastoral Epistles, referenced this fact 2,000 years ago.

 

2 Timothy 3:10-13 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

E. Do not be discouraged or disappointed as we know what time it is spiritually, and God’s “clock” is still “ticking”. In these verses we find:

 

1. The Absence of the Lord. His physical presence was not to be seen though we know that He is always present.

 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

2. The Darkness of the Hour. Atheistic Humanism has replaced Biblical Christianity. Our world is permeated with sodomy, the murder of children from conception to birth, lawlessness on every hand, morality gone, government corrupt, churches apostatized, good has become evil and evil has become good. Dark enough for you? It will get worse and worse.

 

3. The Winds of Change. Not just changes in morality but “every wind of doctrine”. Over the past 100+ years, they have attacked the very foundation of our faith: the Bible. It has led to doctrinal change and heresy.

 

3. The Resistance of Liberalism. We who continue to stand where our fathers stood, but where they stood has become the wrong and liberalism has become the right. Pogo’s quip was a pun based on the famous quotation “We have met the enemy and they are ours”!

 

4. The Fearfulness of Many. People today live in fear! Financial fear, fear of the “virus”, fear of the unknown, fear of death.

 

F. Tonight, I want you to grab an oar and get into the boat with me. Pastors, like all of you, suffer the same ups and downs in life thus we have the great numbers of those who are no longer in the ministry. Like it or not, you and I are in the same boat so just grab an oar and let’s go. THINGS WERE LOOKING BAD THAT PARTICULAR NIGHT AND THEIR FAITH BEING TESTED.

 

1. THEY WERE AT THE POINT OF NO RETURN. There was no going back because the distance was the same either way. Might as well just keep on rowing. John 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. (The Sea of Galilee is 7 ½ miles wide at its widest point where the disciples rowed that night. They had rowed app. 25-30 furlongs or 3 ½ miles.)

 

2. They were Toiling: tortured, pained, vexed. They were rowing hard with little results. Stuck in the middle of the sea. Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing …

 

3. Everything seemed to be working against them. They had a “head wind” instead of a “tail wind”. Nothing was going right for them. Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them …

 

4. It was the darkest time of the night. The weariness of the Fourth Watch. Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night

 

5. The Lord had been physically absent from them but He came in the Fourth Watch, walking upon the sea. Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

 

G. YOU JUST STAY IN THE BOAT AND KEEP ON ROWING! “Row, row, row your boat.”

 

1. Just Keep Rowing in Faithfulness. Psalms 12:1 To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

 

2. Just Keep Rowing in Prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

 

3. Just Keep Rowing in Service. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

4. Just Keep Rowing in Thanksgiving. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

5. Just Keep Rowing in Witnessing. Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

 

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

 

6. Just Keep Rowing in the Old Paths. Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

 

2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 

7. Just Keep Rowing in Holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 

8. Just Keep Rowing in Fellowship. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (So many have found an excuse to stop.)

 

Conclusion:

 

a. You see, it is going to get darker outside, the winds of change are going to blow harder, the things contrary will continue to resist the truth more and more, the “rowers” are going to get fewer. It will get lonely out there on the sea of life.

 

b. But the Saviour is still watching over us, the Saviour is still praying for us, the Saviour can still walk upon the seas of life and come to us, the Saviour will still get into the ship with us, and the Saviour will take us to the other side, either through the Rapture of the Church or through the vail of death.

 

c. We are a winner either way. It will be worth it all when we see Christ.

The Eternality of Christ

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-25-2022

Luke 2:1-17; Micah 5:2

 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Today is Christmas, our thoughts turn to the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In the four gospels, we find the fullness of the God-Man, Jesus Christ.  The perfection of the Bible shows in these four gospels the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

a.  Matthew portrays Christ as the King of Israel, and its genealogy is reckoned from Abraham.

 

b.  Mark portrays Christ as the Servant of Man and has no recorded genealogy as servants birth was not recorded.

 

c.  Luke portrays Christ as the Son of Man, and its genealogy is reckoned from Joseph back to Adam who was the son of God.

 

d.  John portrays Christ as the Word and speaks of His divinity.  John has no genealogy because God has none.  It is in John that we see the Person and eternality of Christ.

 

B.  Heresy concerning the birth of Christ.  Some religions teach and many people believe that Christ Jesus began in a virgin’s womb some 2,000 years ago.  To these, Christ Jesus is simply the offspring of Mary and had His beginning there in a stable.

 

C.  The Bible refutes this heresy.  The Bible declares that Jesus Christ was and is eternal Jehovah God.  Micah 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.  (This reference can only be applied to the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ thus declaring that Christ is Jehovah God, and He is eternal.)

 

D.  Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.  (Here are a few profound verses dealing with the perpetually of Jesus Christ: Jehovah God.)

 

Psalms 90:1-2  Psalms 90:1  Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

 

Psalms 93:1-2  The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.  (2)  Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

 

Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

1.  Who Jesus Christ Was. 

 

a.  Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God!”  This is the most profound statement in theology. 

 

John 1:1-3  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 

1 John 1:1-2  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  (2)  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

 

1)  Jesus Christ, as Jehovah God, has always existed!  I cannot fathom His Wisdom, His Knowledge, His Power!  He is beyond human comprehension.  John 1:1 and 1 John 1:1 corresponds with Genesis 1:1. 

 

2)  Nowhere in the Bible is there an effort to prove the existence of God; Genesis 1:1 is a statement of fact.  God is infinite in His person! 

 

3)  Eternity or infinity is a concept impossible to grasp because, in our finite minds, everything that we see or how we perceive the things that see seemingly has both a beginning and an end. 

 

4)  God has always existed and will always exist: He is eternal.  In Isaiah 57:15, the Bible declares that God “inhabiteth eternity.”  (The word “inhabiteth” is in a continuing sense and means to perpetually reside or to abide.  To “inhabit” simply means to live.  I “inhabit” Laurens, SC, but I have not always lived here.  It is where I live now.  God does not live in time.  God exists outside of time.  In the midst of eternity, God created 7,000 years of time with eternity stretching both before and after.)

 

b.  John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word.” 

 

1)  Once again, this is a declaration of fact, not one for argument or discussion.  In this chapter, we find the Word was with God, the Word was God, the Word was Creator, and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.  (Verses 1-3)

 

2)  The Word was and is Jesus Christ.  Thus, eliminating the flawed theology of Christ deniers listed previously.  (Verse 14)

 

c.  John 8:57-58  Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?  (58)  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.  (Jesus used the words “I am”, in many instances, to reveal to Israel who He was.  He not only declared Himself to be the Son of God but also Jehovah God, the Eternal One.  The Jews fully understood the ramifications of this statement and took up stones to stone Him.)

 

2.  Who He Became.  Jehovah God became Jesus Christ.  I cannot fathom what great Compassion, what Great Love, what Great Condescension, what Great Sacrifice that Christ made. 

 

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

a.  The Sinner’s Sacrifice - John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

 

b.  The Saint’s Saviour - Philippians 2:9-11  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

c.  The Church’s Hope - John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

3.  Who He Is.  He is Lord of all!  He made it all, He owns it all, He sustains it all, it is all His. 

 

Revelation 19:13-16  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

a.  The Word of God - John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (Jesus Christ was, is, and always be the Word of God—forever settled in all of His wonderful perfection.)

 

b.  The Propitiation of the Sinner.  1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  (If you are lost this morning, the payment for your sin has been paid in full and salvation is free when you repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.)

 

b.  The Saviour of the Believer.  John 10:27-30  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  (28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  (29)  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  (30)  I and my Father are one.  (He is our life, and He is our eternal life.  Our Saviour and our Security!)

 

b.  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords - 1 Timothy 6:15-16  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.  (Today, every knee should bow but, in that day, every knee WILL bow to the Lord Jesus Christ.)

The Storms of Life

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-21-2022

John 6:15-21

 

Introduction:

 

A.  This story that we read tonight is found three times in the Gospels: Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 6.  The three together give the complete story of what happened during the storm that night on the sea.  Each account of this particular storm has a different part of the ending.

 

1.  In Matthew, which portrays Christ as the Lion, the King of Israel.  The disciples Worshipped. 

 

Matthew 14:22-23.  The Lord told them to get into the ship and go to the other side, not perish in the storm.  He stayed alone on the mountain and prayed for them.

 

Matthew 14:24-27.  The Lord came to them in the fourth watch, the last watch of the night, walking on the sea and comforted them.

 

Matthew 14:28-31.  Peter walked upon the water with the Lord, because Jesus owned the sea and stirred the storm.

 

Matthew 14:32-33.  The came into the ship, the wind ceased, and the disciples worshipped Him.

 

2.  In Mark, which portrays Christ as the Ox, the Servant of Man.  The disciples Wondered. 

 

Mark 6:45.  The Lord sent the disciples to the other side and went to the mountain alone.

 

Mark 6:46-47.  The Lord prayed for the disciples.

 

Mark 6:48.  The Lord watched over the disciples as they toiled in rowing.  He came to them and would have passed by.

 

Mark 6:49-50.  When the disciples saw the Lord, He comforted them.

 

Mark 6:51.  The disciples were sore amazed beyond measure for their hearts were hardened.

 

Mark 6:52.  They had already forgotten the miracle of the loaves! 

 

3.  In John, which portrays Christ as the Eagle, Almighty Jehovah God.  The disciples Went with Him! 

 

John 6:15.  The Lord went to the mountain alone.

 

John 6:16-17.  The disciples came to the sea, enter the ship, and rowed in the darkness.

 

John 6:18-19.  The Lord came to the disciples, walking on the sea.

 

John 6:20.  The Lord comforted the disciples.

 

John 6:21.  The disciples received the Lord into the ship and were immediately on the other side.

 

B.  Storms in the Bible give us the impression of difficult times in our lives.  These men, in this particular storm, rowed hard and were managing.  This was not the storm where the waves came into the boat and the Lord lay asleep.  Though the sea rose, and the wind was contrary to them, fishermen on the Sea of Galilee were used to such storms.

 

C.  Because of a sin cursed earth, storms are a part of nature.  Because of Adamic sin, “storms” are a natural part of our lives.  Though storms may come as chastisement at times, they are a part of our lives here on earth.  In the story, we find that there are three sides to storms.

 

1.  The Omnipotent Side of the Storm - Nahum 1:2-7  God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.  (3)  The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.  (4)  He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.  (5)  The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.  (6)  Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.  (7)  The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

 

a.  The Lord is The Administrator of the Storm – He either causes the storms of our lives or He must, because of His sovereignty, allow them.

 

b.  The Lord is The Accelerator of the Storm – He can make our storms large of small, powerful, or weak.

 

c.  The Lord is The Accommodator in the Storm – He has promised to never leave nor forsake us.

 

2.  The Occupant’s Side of the Storm.  1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

a.  It is our duty to Trust God in the Storm.  Do not worry about or during storms. 

 

b.  It is our duty to Obey God in the Storm.  To realize that God knows what He is doing or allowing in our lives.

 

c.  It is our duty to Glorify God in the Storm.  As people watch us go through our storms, they become times that we can bring glorify God.

 

 

3.  The Other Side of the Storm.  Psalms 30:4-5  Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.  (5)  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

          a.  God will Sustain us in the Storm – Nahum 1:7 “The Lord”

 

          b.  God will Supply us in the Storm – Nahum 1:7  “The Lord is good”

 

          c.  God will Secure us in the Storm – Nahum 1:7 “a stronghold...trouble”

 

          d.  God will Save us from the Storm – Nahum 1:7  “knoweth them that trust in him”

 

4.  The Lessons of the Storm.

 

          a.  Storms get our attention.

          b.  Storms interrupt our plans.

 

          c.  Storms show us our weakness.

 

          d.  Storms correct our sinfulness.

 

          e.  Storms prove our foundation.

          f.  Storms reintroduce us to our Saviour.

The Virgin Birth of Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 12-18-2022

Genesis 3:15; Matthew 1:18-25

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  It is the Christmas season, in which we normally celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God, the Seed of the Woman. 

 

B.  The Virgin Birth of Christ Prophesied – 6,000 years ago in the Garden of Eden.

 

Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

C.  The Seed of the Woman – The Virgin Birth of Christ.

 

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.

 

1.  One of the most precious of all doctrines is that of the Virgin Birth of Christ.  How important it is to the salvation of the child of God! The Virgin Birth of Christ is often referred to as “The Doctrine of Holy Ground!” 

 

2.  The wording in Matthew 1:18 differentiates the birth of Christ from the series of “begats” found in the preceding verses. 

 

a)  “Espoused wife” and “before they came together” declares a birth like none other that preceded it. 

 

b)  A birth like none that would come after it.

 

3.  No man or woman since Adam and Eve, except for Jesus Christ, came into the world through a virgin birth or without the seed of man involved.  As God created the world to bring forth after its own kind, so man brings forth after his own kind.  Adam and Eve had no predecessors, and the Father of Jesus Christ was God.

 

D.  In Biblical Theology, the Virgin Birth is referred to as the “kenosis of Christ”. 

 

1.  The word “kenosis” comes from an ancient Greek word that was Romanized and means “the act of emptying.” 

 

2.  Most theologians take this term far beyond biblical truth as they think that Jehovah God gave up all His attributes when “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us”, but this is false doctrine.

 

3.  The description of the kenosis of Christ is found in Philippians 2:6-8 which reads:  “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

 

4.  The truth of the kenosis of Christ is found in 1 Timothy 3:16:  “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

 

a) God was manifest in the flesh!  Christ Jesus was the “God-Man”!  100% God and 100% man. 

 

b)  No place in the Bible does it say that Jehovah God emptied Himself.  He was Jehovah God, the great “I AM THAT I AM”, the Word of God that created all things (John 1:1-3), the Voice of God that walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. 

 

c)  Jehovah God, walking in flesh, losing none of His attributes, but condescending to the form of sinful man (without sin) and dying for the sin of the world.

 

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

1 John 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

 

E.  The world worships a “babe in a manger” and celebrates a Christmas without God.  They worship Mary giving birth, while we worship God becoming flesh: Israel’s Messiah and our Saviour and Lord.

 

1.  The Virgin Birth Prophesied.  Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

 

Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

2.  The Virgin Birth Performed.  Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  (“On this wise” sets the birth of Christ apart from the “begats” of the first 17 verses!)

 

Matthew 1:21-23  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  (22)  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,  (23)  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

Luke 2:6-11  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  (7)  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  (8)  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  (9)  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  (10)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  (11)  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

3.  The Virgin Birth Purposed.  Matthew 1:21-23  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

 

a.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Sin.  Disobedience to God and God’s hatred for sin.

 

b.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Sinners.  God’s love for the sinner despite sinfulness.

 

c.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Separation.  Man hiding and God seeking.

 

d.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Substitution.  The innocent died for the guilty that the guilty could become innocent.

 

e.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about a Saviour.  The coming of Messiah, Christ Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

 

f.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Salvation.  Free to all who would repent and believe.

 

g.  The Virgin Birth of Christ was about Security.  Eternal restoration, eternal life, eternal joy.

 

Conclusion:  The Virgin Birth was a thing beyond human comprehension!  Dr. Herbert Lockyer said it this way,

 

“The incarnation is the most stupendous miracle comprehending and involving all other miracles, and because it is a theme both deep and delicate, infinite and incomprehensible, how about “finding out acceptable words”. 

 

The Virgin Birth:  It is a doctrine both Sweetly Adored and Severely Attacked.  It the mystery of mysteries, the jewel of all ages, the hope of mankind, and the love of God manifested. 

 

The Virgin Birth: The Doctrine of Holy Ground!  The immortal became mortal that the mortal may become immortal; The untouchable became touchable that the mortal may touch Him; God became a child that we may become His children.