The Coming of Christ, Part 2 - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) series overview (2) placing ourselves in the story (3) read entire passage

Mary: (1) v.18 → “betrothed” → pledged to marriage, broken only by divorce (2) discovered to be pregnant → imagine that conversation (3) supernatural conception → more on HS later (4) v.23 → virgin birth an OT prophecy of Messiah (cf. Isaiah 7:14) (5) originally given to Ahaz after he chooses human deliverance over God’s → future deliverance to come from God through ruler born of a virgin (6) Mary not in control, yet must learn to trust in God’s control → Elizabeth (cf. community)

Joseph: (1) v.19 → completely caught off guard → character seen in tri-fold way (3) v.20 → supernatural intervention (4) v.24 → responds in complete obedience (5) takeaway #1 → God chooses for Joseph to squirm → dependence learned in struggle (6) takeaway #2 → Mary had no choice, but Joseph did → genealogy only works with adoption (cf. communion) (7) takeaway #3 → Joseph accepts lifetime of shame, but also front-row seat to Jesus → external pain creates opp for greater intimacy with Christ

Holy Spirit: (1) v.18 → “birth” = origin (cf. John 1) (2) one role of HS is to help God be tangible in everyday life → requires trust in face of unknown (3) sometimes faithfulness in familiar (cf. deadbeat job), other times stepping into unknown (Norris) (4) v.20-22 → HS connected to Father’s work through Son, verified by Scripture (5) cultivate Spirit-living by being open to God in everyday spaces → wherever you are struggling to be faithful may be where the Lord is inviting you into Spirit-living (cf. Zech. 4:6)

Jesus: (1) v.21 → primary mission (2) v.22 → all of this pre-planned by God (3) v.23 → “born of virgin” first part of prophecy, “Immanuel” second part (4) another title for Jesus meaning “God with us” → one of the great realities for those who are followers in Christ (5) experience of being alone extremely dangerous (Redbird Christmas) (6) Jesus’ earthly life, promise to send HS (7) verses → Psalm 139:7-9, Mt. 28:19-20, Heb. 13:5, Rom. 8:38-39, Rev. 21:3-4 (8) importance of community

Conclusion: which lesson from which person fits where you are the most right now?