The Birth of Jesus Christ
The sermon emphasizes the importance of faith in God and the new birth, which occurs through the direct action of the Holy Spirit, resulting in union with God and salvation.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ, illustrating how Mary's faith in God sustained her amidst Joseph's fears of withdrawing from their marriage. He encourages believers to yield themselves to God for His purposes, trusting Him to handle the outcomes. Meyer explains that just as Jesus was born historically, He must also be born in each believer through the Holy Spirit, leading to a transformative new birth. This experience allows Jesus to save us not only from sin's penalty but also from its power and love. Ultimately, he calls for a deep union with God, highlighting the blessedness of having Emmanuel, God with us, as our companion in life.
Text
Matthew 1:18-25
The fear that Joseph, being a just man, might withdraw from their contemplated wedlock, would have filled Mary’s heart with untold anguish had she not been upheld by her faith in God. She felt that He was pledged to vindicate her character. Yield yourself to Him for His purposes and leave Him to deal with any contingent results! He becomes responsible!
That which happened historically must take place experimentally. In each of us Jesus Christ must be born through the direct action of the Holy Spirit. See Galatians 4:1-5. This is what we mean by the new birth; and when He has so entered our hearts, our Lord will become our Savior, not merely from the penalty but from the love and the power of our sins.
Claim that this shall be your experience!
Let us seek after that union with God which is the height of blessedness, both in this life and the next, and in virtue of which God becomes the companion of the soul in its earthly pilgrimage. This is the Name of names-Emmanuel. See Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:1-7.
Sermon Outline
- The Birth of Jesus Christ
- Historical Birth
- Mary's Faith in God
- Joseph's Role
Key Quotes
“Yield yourself to Him for His purposes and leave Him to deal with any contingent results!” — F.B. Meyer
“This is what we mean by the new birth; and when He has so entered our hearts, our Lord will become our Savior, not merely from the penalty but from the love and the power of our sins.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We must yield ourselves to God for His purposes and trust Him to deal with any challenges that come our way.
- The new birth is a direct result of the Holy Spirit's action in our hearts, and it brings us into union with God and salvation.
- Union with God is the height of blessedness, both in this life and the next, and it makes God our companion in our earthly pilgrimage.