Jesus: Born to Die
Matthew 1:18-25; 2: 1-6
Luis Cruz
Jesus was born in a manger through a virgin called Mary and it was a unique event, never duplicated and only meant for Jesus. His purpose for coming was to fulfill God's salvation plan.
1. The Messiah was born to die for our deliverance from sin. Matt. 1:20-21.
“20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
“It’s appropriate to commemorate the birth of Christ. But don’t make the mistake of leaving Him as a baby in a manger. Keep in mind that His birth was just the first step in God’s glorious plan of redemption. Remember that it’s the triumph of Christ’s sacrificial death that gives meaning to His humble birth. You can’t truly celebrate one without the other.” (John MacArthur, Born to Die, www.gtycanada.org)
2. The Messiah was born to suffer and be with us in our sufferings. Matt. 1:22-23
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
3. The Messiah was born to give us true life in Him. Matt. 2:1-3; 13
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.” 2:1-3
“13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 2:13
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26
Application:
Use this season to share Jesus’ story
Devote yourself to Jesus in Christian service here in ACF. We are in need of singers, instrumentalists, youth leader, and children’s Sunday School teachers.
Take advantage of serving Christ in our community. We are rolling-out our Triple Five Community survey.