1 The Virgin Birth Two Parallel Accounts Call Him “Jesus” God Is With Us! Matthew 1:18-25

2 The Virgin Birth   This is an essential doctrine of our faith   It makes Jesus God via the Holy Spirit   Isaiah 7:14   It makes Jesus’ sacrifice effective   Joseph is witness to this in obedience   He weds Mary but keeps her a virgin God Is With Us! Matthew 1:18-25

3 Two Parallel Accounts   Matthew and Luke have similarities   Both are very Jewish accounts   Both use Old Testament references   Matthew and Luke have differences   Luke’s account is pre-Christian   Matthew’s account is post-Christian   There are seeming contradictions God Is With Us! Matthew 1:18-25

4 Two Parallel Accounts   Seeming Contradictions   Luke has an angel appear to Mary while Matthew has an angel appear to Joseph   Luke has shepherds worshipping Jesus while Matthew has wise men   Luke takes Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem while Matthew starts in Bethlehem   Luke has them return to Nazareth while Matthew has them go to Egypt first God Is With Us! Matthew 1:18-25

5 Call Him “Jesus”   Jesus – the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua which means Jehovah is Salvation from Psalm 130:7,8   Immanuel – God is with us from Isaiah 7:14   Isaiah 9:6,7   Matthew begins (1:23) and ends (28:20) his Gospel stating “God is with us” God Is With Us! Matthew 1:18-25

6 Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. God Is With Us! Matthew 1:18-25

7 Application Do you believe that God is with us? Do you behave as if God is with us? Do you celebrate that God is with us? God Is With Us! Matthew 1:18-25