The Virgin Birth: Foundation of Our Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: The Virgin Birth as the Foundation of Salvation

The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is not merely a miraculous event but a foundational truth of the Christian faith. It signifies Jesus' divine nature and His unique ability to save humanity from sin. Without the virgin birth, the entire narrative of salvation would unravel, as it is through this miraculous birth that Jesus was able to be both fully human and fully divine. This dual nature allowed Him to live a sinless life and offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins. The virgin birth is central to the gospel message, underscoring the supernatural intervention of God in human history to bring about redemption. [06:36]

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Reflection: How does understanding the virgin birth as a cornerstone of your faith impact your view of Jesus' role in your life today?

Day 2: Jesus as the New Adam

Humanity's inherited sin from Adam necessitates a savior who is born without this corruption. Jesus, as the new Adam, was born of a virgin, free from original sin, enabling Him to perfectly fulfill God's covenant. Unlike the first Adam, who failed to keep God's covenant, Jesus succeeded, living a life of perfect obedience. This unique birth allowed Jesus to be the sinless sacrifice required to redeem humanity. The virgin birth signifies a new beginning for humanity, offering hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. [11:27]

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (ESV): "For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace the new life offered through Jesus, the new Adam, in your daily walk with God?

Day 3: Joseph's Faith and Trust in God's Plan

Joseph's reaction to Mary's pregnancy highlights the miraculous nature of the virgin birth. Initially, Joseph, a just man, considered divorcing Mary quietly, as he knew he was not the father. However, an angelic revelation assured him that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy of a virgin birth. Joseph's willingness to trust God's word over his own understanding exemplifies the faith required to accept the virgin birth. His decision to marry Mary despite the circumstances underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception and the importance of trusting in God's plan. [30:25]

Matthew 1:24-25 (ESV): "When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus."

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust God's plan over your own understanding? How can you take a step of faith today?

Day 4: The Virgin Birth and the Perfect Sacrifice

The virgin birth is vital for salvation, as it allowed Jesus to be the perfect, sinless sacrifice for humanity's sins. Without it, Jesus would have inherited original sin, rendering Him unable to save us. This miraculous birth ensured that Jesus was free from the corruption and curse of Adam, enabling Him to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice. The virgin birth is not just a theological concept but the foundation of salvation, highlighting the divine intervention that made redemption possible. [33:25]

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus was the perfect, sinless sacrifice influence your understanding of His love and sacrifice for you?

Day 5: Celebrating the Miracle of Christmas

The Christmas story is not just about a baby in a manger but the divine intervention that made salvation possible. The virgin birth is the foundation of our faith, reminding us of God's miraculous plan to rescue humanity. This Christmas season, we celebrate not only the birth of Jesus but the miraculous way in which He was born, marking the greatest rescue mission in history. The virgin birth is a reminder of God's love and the lengths He went to bring about redemption for humanity. [35:07]

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Reflection: As you celebrate Christmas, how can you focus on the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth and its significance for your faith journey?

Sermon Summary

The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is not just a fascinating narrative but a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is a supernatural event that underscores the very essence of the gospel. Without the virgin birth, the death and resurrection of Jesus would not suffice to save humanity from sin. This doctrine, historically affirmed by early Christian creeds, is crucial because it addresses the problem of original sin. Original sin, as taught in the Bible, is not merely an act but a condition inherited from Adam, leading to both physical and spiritual death. All humans, born of Adam, inherit this separation from God, necessitating a spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ.

The virgin birth is essential because it signifies Jesus as the new Adam, born without the sinful nature inherited from Adam. Unlike the first Adam, who failed to keep God's covenant, Jesus perfectly fulfilled it. He was born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, and thus did not inherit the corruption and curse of Adam. This unique birth allowed Jesus to be fully human and fully divine, enabling Him to save humanity from sin.

Joseph's reaction to Mary's pregnancy highlights the miraculous nature of the virgin birth. Initially, Joseph, a just man, considered divorcing Mary quietly, as he knew he was not the father. However, an angelic revelation assured him that Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy of a virgin birth. Joseph's faith in God's word over his own understanding exemplifies the trust required to accept the virgin birth.

The virgin birth is not just a theological concept but the foundation of salvation. It is through this miraculous birth that Jesus, free from original sin, could offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins. This Christmas season, we celebrate not only the birth of Jesus but the miraculous way in which He was born, marking the greatest rescue mission in history.

Key Takeaways

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2. Original Sin and the Need for a New Adam: Humanity's inherited sin from Adam necessitates a savior born without this corruption. Jesus, as the new Adam, was born of a virgin, free from original sin, enabling Him to fulfill God's covenant perfectly.

3. Joseph's Faith and the Supernatural: Joseph's willingness to trust God's word over his own understanding exemplifies the faith required to accept the virgin birth. His decision to marry Mary despite the circumstances underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception.

4. The Virgin Birth and Salvation: The virgin birth is vital for salvation, as it allowed Jesus to be the perfect, sinless sacrifice for humanity's sins. Without it, Jesus would have inherited original sin, rendering Him unable to save us.

5. Celebrating the Miracle of Christmas: The Christmas story is not just about a baby in a manger but the divine intervention that made salvation possible. The virgin birth is the foundation of our faith, reminding us of God's miraculous plan to rescue humanity.

** [06:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction to the Virgin Birth
[06:36] - The Virgin Birth and the Gospel
[09:16] - Original Sin and Separation
[11:27] - From Adam to Christ
[16:00] - Genealogy of Jesus
[17:08] - The Unique Birth of Jesus
[18:24] - Joseph's Dilemma
[19:50] - Betrothal and Jewish Customs
[23:02] - Joseph's Discovery
[25:23] - Character and Decision
[27:46] - Joseph's Options
[30:25] - Angelic Revelation
[32:21] - Faith Over Logic
[33:25] - Purpose of the Virgin Birth
[35:07] - Conclusion and Prayer

Sermon Clips

"Original sin is the biblical teaching that sin is not just an act, but also a condition that has been handed down from Adam to all mankind. That is, when Adam sinned in the garden, his physical and spiritual nature was corrupted. His body was no longer eternal, but it would eventually die. And his soul no longer spiritually alive, but spiritually dead and separated from God." [00:08:03] (28 seconds)

"Adam was the representative of the human race before God in the covenant that was established between God and man in the Garden of Eden. That is, God established a law for man to follow that he should not eat from the forbidden tree, and Adam failed to keep his part of the agreement. Now, because all of humanity was genetically in Adam, when Adam sinned and broke the covenant, we all sinned with him or in him." [00:11:27] (29 seconds)

"Jesus Christ is now the representation of man. Man. Sinful man can only produce sinful men. Sinful man can only produce people that are born with a sinful nature. And that's why there needed to be a man that was born without the sinful nature of Adam. A man that was not born by another man, but rather by God." [00:13:26] (25 seconds)

"Joseph received the information about Mary's strange pregnancy from two different sources. Let's consider these two sources of information and what Joseph learned from each and consider why Joseph's reaction. It should help us to believe in the virgin birth. The first source that Joseph had was his own eyes." [00:19:35] (23 seconds)

"Joseph was worried about compromising his righteousness and his character. But the angel let him know that this was not a problem. But how? She was pregnant. And Joseph knew that he was not the father. To help Joseph understand, the angel told him that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The baby that Mary was now carrying did not belong to another man, but to God." [00:30:28] (24 seconds)

"The virgin birth is the foundation of our faith and our hope. Yes, the virgin birth is illogical. But we must be like Joseph and believe the word of God, even over our own rationale. The virgin birth could only have happened through a miraculous intervention of God. And that is what Joseph believed had happened. And we should as well." [00:36:53] (27 seconds)

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