Matthew 1:18-23
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Jesus birth had been prophesied for over 700 before He came. You can see woven throughout the Old Testament foreshadowing of the Redeemer. If we were to read Genesis through Revelations, you’d see His sovereign reign throughout history! In fact you can’t have history without His Story!
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God Makes the Impossible Possible v.18
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Luke 18:27 “But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” The odds of a virgin birth are impossible. Something supernatural had to occur. The purpose of Christ was to come in the form of a man to fulfill more than 300 prophecies made about Him and so He would experience all the hurts, pains, and temptations that a human would experience. Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
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God Designs Us for a Particular Purpose v.20
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According to prophecy, Jesus had to be of the lineage of David. Look at Matthew 1:16 and 1:5-6.
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Mt. 1:16
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Jesus needed an earthly father to be obedient! Someone to take him to the temple. In your home you may have a future Billy Graham or Lottie Moon that you are raising! God has designed you for a particular purpose.
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Mt. 1:5-6
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I point out here Rahab, yes the “lady of the night” mentioned in Joshua chapter 2. I’m thankful Matthew mentions her. Why? It doesn’t matter your past, it is never beyond the power of God! It doesn’t matter how much of your life has been wasted, it is never beyond God’s purpose! It doesn’t matter how people see you, it is never beyond how precious our Lord, Jesus Christ sees you!
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God Allows Us to Experience Him Personally v.23
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v.23 is a rephrase of Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This prophecy by Isaiah would have been 700 years before the birth of Christ. It would have comforted the people of Judah who were under attack and facing sure exile.
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Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
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Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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You know how many verses share that God will not leave us? There are more than 100 verses that state this fact in either the same way or by using other words.