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The Coming Of The Messiah
– Matthew One –
The saddest chapter in the Bible is Genesis 3. It is sad because
it is the story of sin entering into the world. Satan used the sneaky snake to
deceive the woman. He asked her if there was any tree in the garden from which
they could not eat the fruit. She explained that God had said, "But of the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the
day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:17)
Eve explained to Satan that God had said, "Ye shall not eat
of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." Satan told her that she
would not die but God was just keeping wisdom from her. She was told that if
she ate the fruit she would "know the difference between right and wrong,
just as God does." "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for
food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make
one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her
husband with her; and he did eat." (Genesis 3:6)
Sin had now entered the world and man will quickly understand that sin always ends in misery. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and
thus
death spread to all men, because all sinned." (Romans 5:12) Because of sin
all men stand in need of the Savior.
The story of the Bible can be seen in three simple statements: (1)
The Savior is coming, (2) The Savior has come, and (3) The Savior is coming
again as judge.
Matthew chapter one provides inspired information about the
background and birth of the Messiah. Matthew gives the legal genealogy of
Jesus. He does not provide Jesus' blood lineage through Mary, but His legal
lineage through Joseph. In the gospel of Luke we are able to trace the blood
lineage of Jesus through Mary. Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy and the
realizing of the hope of
The
background of the Messiah – Matthew 1:1-11: The genealogy of Jesus connects him with God and man, Jew and Gentile,
rich and poor, and men and women. It is of interest that four women are named
in the lineage of Jesus, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba mentioned by
implication in Matthew 1:6. Jesus Christ is connected with everyone. "We
trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men." (I Timothy 4:10)
Jesus' coming fulfilled God's promises made to Abraham found in Genesis chapter
twelve. His coming to the earth is unique in that He is the only person ever
born having to do with forgiveness of man's sins. "But we see Jesus, who
was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned
with glory and honor: that he by the grace of God should taste death for every
man." (Hebrews 2:9.) The first seventeen verses of Matthew one are not just
dead and dry words. They provide a beautiful link to bring heaven and earth
together. Read the genealogy of Jesus and rejoice. "For unto you is born this day in the city of
More
about the ancestors of Jesus – Matthew 1:12-17: There were fourteen
generations from Abraham to David. There were also fourteen generations from
David to the exile in
The
birth of the Messiah – Matthew 1:18-21: "But when the fullness of
the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as
sons." (Galatians 4:4-5) Christ was born in fulfillment of prophecy.
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall
conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
Jesus was born to save us from our sins. "And she will bring forth a Son,
and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their
sins." (Matthew 1:21) The good news of Jesus is that he is "able to
save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to
make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25) Salvation is only in the name
of Jesus. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name
under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts
His name was called Jesus – Matthew 1:22-25: The conception of Jesus took place in an extraordinary manner. While Mary was a virgin, still untouched by any man, she conceived a child by the Holy Ghost. The prophet had predicted that a virgin would have a son and now the thing was done. The child of the virgin was "Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Jesus, who is the Word, was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) Immediately upon receiving this revelation from God about Mary and her child Joseph did as the angel said. He "did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, speedily, without delay, and cheerfully, without dispute." The message had been, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." Now Joseph publicly married to Mary! Joseph "knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS." Joseph was a just man, simple in heart and obedient to the Lord.
Jesus was the first born son of Mary and He was the first and only
begotten Son of God. His birth was a fulfillment of Psalm 2:7. "I will
declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have
I begotten thee." Mary brought forth the Savior of the world because God
wants all men to be saved. Luke
The birth of Jesus proves God's desire for your salvation. Because
Jesus came to earth we can go to heaven. However, man must understand that
without Jesus there is no hope. You can be saved through Jesus when you hear
the gospel (Romans
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Mary Alexander, Sue Barlow,
Linda Bender, Gary Bozeman, Emily Cain, Meryln Carter, Roy Goodwin, Ramona
Gravely, Tom Green (brother-in-law of Charles Box), Montine Hardin, Jean
Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Robert Homlberg, Frank Johnson, Darrell Jones, Mary
Lawrence, Joyce Massey, Romona Newton, Jim & Steve Osborne (son’s of
Catherine Osborne), Hunter & Hannah Owens, Jason Owens (surgery), Glen
Phillips, Margaret Pierce (accident), Mary Powell, Meg Sellers, Roger Strange,
Doris Taylor, Winston Temple, Brittany Till, Corrine Till, and Leroy Waller. Crowne
Health Care: Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou
Wright.
2. Please
Pray For: (a)
Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders is serving in the
3. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: November 26th Mary Arnold, November 28th Ann Jackson and Rebekah Stallings, November 30th Josh Till, and December 2nd BJ Alford.
4.
5. Thursday Night Theology: There will not be a Thursday Night Theology meeting for the teens on Thanksgiving Day, but there will be one on the 30th. Please mark this on your calendar and plan to attend.
6. Triplets
Update: The Herring triplets are doing well. Remember the food list and
also keep filling the box in the foyer with needed supplies. This week is
Diaper Wipes.
7. Ryan
& Melissa Bagents To Be Honored: There
will be a get together for all the church on December 10th after the
evening services for Ryan and Melissa Bagents. They were married November 2nd.
This will give us an opportunity to honor them with a shower and to meet
Melissa and welcome her. Please bring finger foods and enjoy this time of
fellowship.
8. Crowne
Health Care: (a) Our
Christmas party for the residents of Crowne Health Care will be December 21st.
Plan to do what you can to help. (b)
We will not have classes at Crowne Health Care on Saturday, December 30th.
Thanks to all of you that take a part in our classes each week!
9. Area
Event: December 1-3 – Salem Church of Christ – Gospel Meeting – See
bulletin board for Speakers – Friday & Saturday
10. Visitation
Program: Our visitation program meets on Tuesday nights at
11. Childhaven
Writes: Thank you so much for your gift of $100.00 which you gave to
Child-haven recently. Your help is always greatly appreciated as we provide
care for our children. Your support in the work here at Childhaven is such an
encouragement to us as we work together in the Lord’s Kingdom. May God richly
bless you!
12.
13.
Thank You,
Lord
Have you ever taken a step back and examined your prayer life? What is it that you pray about the most when you speak to God? Personally, I’ve found that if I’m not very careful, I will find myself spending my entire prayer time pleading for God’s help. It’s true that Christians are encouraged to ask God to help us (Matthew 7:7), and we are to ask enthusiastically. (James 5:16.) However, it would be a shame for a Christian today to neglect to say, “Thank you, Lord,” for all the things that He has done, and will continue to do.
We should thank Him for sending His son. (John 3:16.) John
We should thank Him for our earthly blessings. James said that every good gift and every perfect gift comes from the Father. (James 1:17.) Every good thing that we have ever possessed in this life has come from God. Each thing that brings a smile or lights up our eyes is a blessing from the Lord.
We should thank Him that we can have the hope of heaven. Peter expressed his thankfulness for that hope. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (I Peter 1:3.) It is beyond wonderful to imagine the joy of eternal life in heaven. A person who builds a biblical faith (Romans 10:17), who repents of sins, fleeing the devil while drawing near to God (James 4:7-8), confesses that Christ is God’s Son, and is buried with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:4), needs only to remain faithful until death to receive the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10.)
The avenue of prayer is a glorious blessing that accompanies countless other gifts from the Father. So pray often, but don’t forget to say, “Thank you, Lord.”
- - - - Darrell Powell
Whatever your income, always live below your means.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!