Sunday, Morning Worship
December 25, 2011
Series: “Embrace CHRISTmas”
Today: “Embrace the Virgin Birth”
Scripture: Luke 1:26-35 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Intro: Very few dispute the existence of a man named Jesus.
A. When a “pursuer” is considering embracing Jesus, He must embrace the virgin birth .
B. Jesus’ own words reject anyone trying to embrace Him yet reject His virgin birth.
I. IF THERE WAS A VIRGIN BIRTH, THEN GOD REALLY DOES CARE FOR YOU AND ME.
Luke 1:19 The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
II. THE VIRGIN BIRTH PUTS AUTHORITY AND POWER IN THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS.
A. Does our world really believe 
that a man was planted inside the womb of a virgin, but wouldn’t listen to His teaching?
B. Embracing the virgin birth means Jesus is right and worthy to be followed!
III. THE VIRGIN BIRTH MEANS HUMAN LIMITATIONS ARE A MOOT POINT.
A. Luke 1:37 – “Nothing is impossible with God.”
B. When you face a problem or struggle, your faith or lack of faith in the virgin birth makes all the difference.
Conclusion: Mary’s song:
Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me– holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”