Bible Study

Don't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon:

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Sermon Notes:

1. A New Beginning That Looks Scandalous (v. 18)

• “Birth” = genesis → a new creation is beginning.

• Conceived by the Holy Spirit, not human effort.

• From God’s view: glorious.From human view: confusing and shameful.

2. Joseph: Righteous and Compassionate (vv. 18–19)

• Betrothal = legally binding marriage.

• Joseph assumes unfaithfulness, yet:

  • Chooses a quiet divorce

  • Willing to absorb personal cost to spare Mary shame.

• A just man who shows mercy.

• Foreshadows the grace and truth we later see in Jesus.

3. God Speaks Into Fear (v. 20)

• An angel appears while Joseph is considering his options.

• “Do not fear” — a repeated Christmas command.

• God’s saving work confronts and overturns human fear.

4. The Grand Miracle: God With Us (vv. 20–23)

• The child is conceived by the Holy Spirit.

• The Virgin Birth makes the Incarnation possible.

• Jesus is:

  • Fully God

  • Fully human

• Christmas is holy ground.

5. Faith That Obeys (vv. 24–25a)

• Joseph believes God’s word and acts.

• Takes Mary as his wife.

• Exercises sexual self-control until after Jesus’ birth.

• Honors the sacred work of the Holy Spirit.

• A model of obedience, reverence, and self-control.

6. The Name: Jesus — Yahweh Saves (v. 21)

• God chooses the name.

• Yeshua = “Yahweh saves.”

• His mission:

  • Not primarily political or social

  • To save his people from their sins

• Mary and Joseph were the first humans to speak his name.

7. The Name: Immanuel — God With Us (vv. 22–23)

• • Fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

  • Jesus is God with us:

    • In temptation

    • In suffering

    • In sin (as our substitute)

    • In prayer

    • In Scripture

    • In mission

    • By the Holy Spirit

  • Matthew begins and ends with this truth (1:23; 28:20).

Discussion Questions:

• What's your favorite part of the Christmas story?
• What are some qualities you admire in Joseph?
• Does Christianity still work without the Virgin Birth - why or why not?
• In what ways does a human being need to be saved? How did Jesus accomplish that salvation?
• Where do you need to be assured that God is with you right now?

Questions?

Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester (

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