The Birth of Jesus

Matthew 1:18-25

Introduction

1.      The difference between legends and history – history is the story of what happened; legends are the later additions

2.      The story of Jesus’ birth is told by Matthew and by Luke

a.       Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah, the King of Israel

b.      Luke presents Jesus as the redeemer of the world, the one sent to save sinners  

Discussion

1.      The story of Jesus’ birth as told by Luke  

2.      The story of Jesus’ birth as told by Matthew  

3.      Jesus, the one who came at the “opportune” moment in history – Gal 4:4  

Conclusion

1.       God is concerned, not that we honor his birth, but that we honor his death

2.      Communion is for that purpose

3.      But we have not truly honored the death of Jesus until we obey the gospel by dying to sin and being raised to live a new life