| As we have recently begun a prayer campaign for all the countries of the world, this coming Lord’s Day we will be praying for Russia. If you would like to preview some of the prayer needs of Russia then I invite you to visit http://www.operationworld.org/country/russ/owtext.html.
Our sermon text for October 13 will be Matthew 1:18-25. I will be using this passage to explain the portion of the Apostles’ Creed that affirms Jesus was “conceived by the Holy Spirit [and] born of the virgin Mary…”
The miracle of Jesus’ conception and birth, or the “virgin birth,” as it’s typically called, is an essential component of our faith. The historic church has always affirmed that belief in the virgin birth is required for an orthodox view of Christianity. That’s why we find it mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed (remember, the Apostles’ Creed is a compilation of essential doctrines of the faith).
In preparation for this coming sermon, I encourage you to consider what the implications of the virgin birth are. Why was it necessary for God to supernaturally impregnate Mary? What would have been different if Jesus was conceived in the natural way?
Why do you think that God performed this miracle upon Mary before she was officially married? After all, the timing of this miracle did create a scandal. We can only imagine that it caused Mary to suffer public shame and embarrassment that she did not deserve. Why didn’t God simply wait a little while longer and perform His miracle after she was married?
In what ways do we see Mary being an obedient and submissive servant of God? In what ways do we see Joseph being an obedient and submissive servant of God?
If God was willing to allow Joseph and Mary to suffer public shame and humility for something they were innocent of, what does this say about God’s perspective on suffering? In what ways have you suffered because of some misconception the public had of your life? In what ways are you preparing yourself to suffer shame, scorn, ridicule, abandonment, or even physical harm as a result of your obedience to God’s plans? |
