​Trust the Story of the Virgin Birth
Luke 1:26-38
Every Bible story is important
2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is inspired, profitable
 
The Bible is one story
-How God has redeemed us from our sins through Christ
-There are many stories, but they all point to this Main story
-Each smaller story is meant to increase our faith in God
 
The Virgin Birth story is a small but significant story!
-Recorded in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38
-Matthew 1:23 says this fulfills the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy
-The early church continued to declare their belief in it
-Textual evidence suggests it was NOT inserted later
 
Why would someone reject the Virgin Birth story?
-Attempt to discredit the unique nature of Jesus Christ
    -they would have to reject multiple other verses
-Disbelief that God performs miracles in our world
    -multiple other Bible stories would  have to be rejected
-Rejection of the Bible as a historically accurate record
    -Many have tried and failed to disprove this idea
    -We don’t have to check our brains at the door to believe
       in the Bible
-Belief that it is unimportant to our faith
    -Emphasis on his sayings, example, not his historicity
    -This would mean God’s word is untrustworthy
    -We have to accept all or none of the story of Jesus
-I welcome a personal conversation with anyone who is honestly
   and intellectually struggling with the Virgin Birth.  Let’s sit
   down sometime and examine the evidence together! 
 
I desire for us to trust the Story of the Virgin Birth
-Read Luke 1:26-38
 
 
 
 
Observations from Luke 1:26-38
adapted from Christian Theology by Millard Eerickson, 1985
1.  Salvation is supernatural
-John 3:5b-6  We must be born again, of spirit and water
-John 1:13  we are spiritually born of God, not by our will or by
   nature
-No one can save themselves- we needed God to intervene
-Our Savior Jesus came from outside of humanity!
-Stop trying to earn or keep your salvation by human effort!
 
2.  Salvation is a gift of grace
-Mary did nothing to earn God’s favor, many virgins available
-vs 34  “How can this be?”  Only God can do what we cannot do
-No one is deserving of God’s grace! 
-God offers
 
 
3.  God can do anything
-God is all powerful and has all authority to act
-The birth of Jesus is the most unique birth of all time
-Gen 18:14  “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
-When we believe in the virgin birth, we can believe that God can and will work in our lives, to free us from the humanly impossible task of resisting temptation and living a pure and holy life
-God can save everyone, no matter how far they are from God, no matter how dark their lives
 
Trust the story of the Virgin Birth
1.  Admit that you cannot save yourself
 
2.  Accept God’s love and forgiveness as a free gift
 
3.  Let Jesus be the Lord/boss of your life
-Luke 1:38  “I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary.  “May it be done to me according to your word.” 
-Romans 10:13  “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”
 

​How to Grow Hopeful During Affliction
Romans 5:1-5
Intro
The righteous will live by faith!
-Affliction is the real world moment to see if we really trust God
 
-Many people like the idea of being a Christian
   -Fewer people want to live for Christ when times get tough
 
Affliction tempts us to give up
-Think that God has abandoned us
 
-Think that we are all alone- no one else knows how bad it is
 
-Think that there is no point living for God
   -The lie from Satan:  Christians will never suffer
      -Popular false teachers are claiming health and wealth
 
 
 
How to grow hopeful when afflicted
Trust God’s promise
-We become righteous through faith in Christ
 
-We are at peace with God
 
-Affliction does not mean God has abandoned you!
  -God isn’t being cruel because of your sinful nature
  -Affliction due to sin brings discipline, not condemnation
    -Romans 8:1
    -Hebrews 12:5-11
 
 
Keep worshipping God
-Rejoice in affliction- keep your focus on God!
-This does not mean we are happy about affliction
  -bad things are bad:  cancer, COVID-19, job loss, strife
-Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always. 
                           I will say it again: rejoice!
Hebrews 12:2  keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and
                        perfector of our faith.
 
 
Don’t give up
-Galatians 6:9  we will reap a blessing if we do not give up
-Affliction proves God’s faithfulness
  -God empowers us to endure
  -Our proven character leads to greater hope in God
     -we see Him changing us into the likeness of Christ
 
     -God will not put us to shame for our faith in Him!
        Romans 10:11
 
 
 
What is affliction revealing in you?
Place your hope in Jesus Christ alone!
 
 
Return to Jesus Christ as your only hope!