Series: Christmas 2018
Sermon: God’s Plan and the Believers’ Role
Bible Passage: Matthew 1:18-25

I. God’s plan for Jesus is that “He [Jesus] will save His people from their sins” (verse 21)

1. The word “save” presupposes “someone in danger or in helpless situation”
2. The act of “saving” is not political but spiritual— “He will save His people from their sins”
3. Sin(s) refers to:

a. “Serious offense against deity”
b. “Rift between God and people”
c. “Distance between God and His people” —total depravity
d. “Man’s failure to adhere to the stipulations of God’s instructions”

4. Jesus’ coming to this world is to “put an end to the rift between God and man”— “Immanuel”
5. Jesus is the ONLY means by whom God forgives His people from their sins

II. God the Father works His plan of restoring man’s status with His Son and the Holy Spirit—reflects God’s creation activity of Genesis 1

1. The Father wills
2. The Son fulfils the Father’s will
3. The Holy Spirit makes the Son be born in Mary’s womb

III. Jesus was going to be born (incarnated) in a home that was full of problems and apparently dysfunctional

1. Fear of infidelity (breaking of trust)
2. Potential divorce
3. Public shame

IV. God works His plans through people, who are willing to be receptive to His ways and plans

1. Joseph was willing to be obedient to God’s plan of brining Jesus to this world despite all difficulties (1:24)
2. Joseph and Mary sacrificially refrain from their personal needs for the sake of honouring God’s plan (1:24)
3. Joseph and Mary faced all the odds in Judea, Egypt, and Nazareth for the sake of fulfilling God’s plan (cf. Matt 2:1-23)

Take Away

Be available for God to use you to make His Son Jesus be born in the hearts of many friends and families