The Unfolding Mystery: What is That? Really?
1. Mary’s : The Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:18)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:35 – 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God.
+ Click to add your own note
2. Joseph’s & (Matthew 1:19-20, 24-25)
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Luke 2:3-4 – 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
+ Click to add your own note
3. Immanuel, “ With Us”
21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
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.
+ Click to add your own note
God’s Promise Cloaked in the Mysteries of Jesus
God’s Presence
Isaiah 7:14 CSB 14 “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
God’s Promise
Genesis 3:15 CSB 15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
God’s Commitment
Luke 1:35-37 ESV 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
+ Click to add your own note
Community Life Group Questions
1.What are the most significant implications of the Virgin Birth for who Jesus is? (Matthew 1:20) (Isaiah 7:14)
2.When you hear the phrase “God with us,” what specific image or feeling comes to mind? (Matthew 1:23)
3.Have you ever had to choose between doing what seemed “just” or practical, and doing what you felt God was asking you to do? How did you navigate that choice? (Matthew 1:19-21, 24)
4.Why is saving people “from their sins” (a spiritual mission) more important and necessary than fulfilling the political expectations of a Messiah (a kingly mission)? (Matthew 1:21)
5.How can we pray for you?