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The Word Was Made Flesh |
Dear Brethren,
This world is in a state of confusion when it comes
to the birth of Jesus Christ. The confusion goes much deeper than the date of the birth of
Jesus, the number of wise men from the east, and the pagan christmas tree. Why did Jesus come
in the flesh? Matthew reveals that the angel of the Lord announced that His
name would be Emmanuel - which means God with us. What this world cannot
understand is that the Son of God came in the flesh so that we, in the flesh, might become Children
of God.
"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
Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not
willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away
privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of
the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call
his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their
sins."
"Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of
the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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. (Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel) Then
Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and
took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth
her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus." (Matthew
1:18-25)
Chapter two of Matthew goes into the story of
the wise men from the east, their gifts of gold, and frankincense, and
myrrh, and Herod's slaying the males up to two years old.
Actually the story of the wise men reveals fulfilled prophecy in that the wise
men knew when and where to expect the Messiah!
"The angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And,
behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called
the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his
father David: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the
Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father
David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of
his kingdom there shall be no end. And the angel answered and said
unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest
shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of
thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:30-35)
We do not have to shy away from the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus
Christ. Mary was a virgin, and the Scripture says that all
generations would call her blessed. "For He
hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all
generations shall call me blessed." (Luke 1:48)
"Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of
David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days
were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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." (Luke 2:4-7)
Brethren, while this dying world thinks that they know the "Reason for the Season," let's
remember the real reason that Jesus came in the flesh. He is not ashamed
to call us brothers and sisters. We are reconciled to our
Abba, Father. The world is missing so much of the truth of the Father
and why He sent His son to this earth. "Because you are sons, God hath sent forth the
Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a
son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians
4:6-7) "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." (John 1:14)
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Sermon: |
"The Word Was Made Flesh"
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This is #4 in the series: A Blending of the Gospel
Accounts
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