Theme Pondering God’s promises prepares us for peace, joy and purpose.

Matt. 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”--which means, “God with us.”

Introduction The Angel Spoke and Explained to Joseph… Delighted to say the Name? “Christmas”?

1. The Messiah’s Promised Roots (20) “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” A. Benefits of a humble family B. Benefits of a tradesman C. Benefits of an older father D. Benefits of a royal stock E. Benefits of a supernatural gene F. Benefits of the genes of fallen man

2. The Messiah’s Promised Name (21a) “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus…” and they will call him Immanuel. There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.

1.The Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8) 2.The Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5) 3.The Anointed One (Ps. 2:2) 4.The Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16) 5.The Author of Life (Acts 3:15) 6.The Mighty God (Isa. 9:6) 7.The Branch (Zech. 6:12)

1.The Nazarene (Matt. 2:23) 2.The Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16) 3.The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6) 4.The Christ (Matt. 1:16) 5.Rabbi (John 1:38) 6.The Daystar (2 Pet. 1:19) 7.The Root of David (Rev. 5:5)

1.The Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6) 2.The Root of Jesse (Isa. 11:10) 3.The Gate (John 10:9) 4.The Son of David (Matt. 15:22) 5.The Good Shepherd (John 10:14) 6.The Son of God (Mark 1:1) 7.The Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14)

1.The Son of Man (Matt. 8:20) 2.The I Am (John 8:58) 3.The True Vine (John 15:1) 4.Immanuel (Isa. 7:14) 5.Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6) 6.The Word (John 1:1) 7.The Lamb (Rev. 5:6-13)

1.The Word of God (Rev. 19:13) 2.The Lamb of God (John 1:29) 3.The King of Kings (Rev. 19:16)

3. The Messiah’s Promised Purpose (21b) “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” A. The Overlooked Purpose: “save from sin” B. The Assumed Purpose – What was NOT promised Save from the Romans Save from the Scribes and the Pharisees Save from illness or problems or poverty Save from the Devil. C. The Most Meaningful Purpose: “save them from their (own) sins.” This is the life of Jesus. If you don’t think you are a sinner then you wont have Jesus as King because He is the King of sinners.

4. The Messiah’s Promised Arrival (22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet… Anticipation… What authenticated it? Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

5. The Messiah’s Promised Title (23) “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”, “God with us.” He is the King of the Jews, a king of a people He is King of Israel, a national/political king. He’s a King of Righteousness, spiritual/servant king He’s a King of the Ages, a king of time. He’s the King of Heaven, a king of eternity He is the King of Glory, the king of perfection He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords, the highest king in both position and authority.

John 20: Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Theme Pondering God’s promises prepares us for peace, joy and purpose.

Our Challenge Now he is My Lord and My God.