When we observe our world today, however, things are not so good. There are famines, droughts, war, etc. In the physical world, everything tends to wear down, wear out and breaks down becoming less and less complex. In the living world, every animal is continually in a struggle against other animals and against disease, aging, and death. In the cultural world, one civilization rises and declines, and then, over and over again another civilization takes its place for a while. In the spiritual and moral world, people find it easier to do wrong instead of right – It is easier to ‘go with the flow’ drifting downward, then to struggle upward. Our world is full of hatred, crime, war, pollution, selfishness, corruption, and all forms of evil. Did something go wrong with God’s good creation?
Many just do not understand what really happened to the good creation, and tend to ask philosophically: “How could a good and loving God allow such evil things to happen? In fact, Atheism is founded on the premise that God is not good or not omnipotent. (Either He is condoning evil, or powerless to stop it.) Dualism, such as the Greeks believed, tries to solve this problem by coming up with an eternal principle of evil in the universe as well as one of good. They believed that the heavens were eternally good, and the closer you get to earth the more and more evil it gets. For this reason, the Greeks had a problem with a good being coming down to earth and taking on an evil, corrupt body.
Neither of these philosophies is logical, Scriptural, nor do they satisfy the craving of humans for the Truth. The only way that man can find the Truth of why there is evil in the world, like in the events of creation, is by God’s revelation.
We find the answer in the book of Romans, with Paul referring to Genesis One:
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
And later on, Paul says: (“creature” actually means “creation”)
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
A. Both Testaments Teach The Virgin Birth
B. The Virgin Birth Is A Non-Negotiable Part Of God’s Word
1. A non-negotiable teaching demonstrating God’s love for His people
2. A non-negotiable teaching producing salvation for His people
C. Two Main Reasons the Virgin Birth Is Attacked -
1. The Virgin Birth would take a biological miracle
2. The Virgin Birth makes Jesus Christ the “Only Begotten of the Father”
A. God Placed A Curse On Man
B. God Placed A Curse On The Earth In Which Man Lived
C. God Gave The First Prophecy Of The Coming Redeemer
07779 Pwv shuwph shoof - a primitive root; TWOT-2349; v
bruise 2, break 1, cover 1; 4
1) to bruise, crush, gape upon, desire?, seize?, strike out?
1a) (Qal) to fall upon, bruise
07218 var ro’sh roshe- from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; n m
head 349, chief 91, top 73, beginning 14, company 12, captain 10, sum 9, first 6, principal 5, chapiters 4, rulers 2, misc 23; 598
1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning
1a) head (of man, animals) - 1b) top, tip (of mountain) - 1c) height (of stars)
1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) - 1e) head, front, beginning
1f) chief, choicest, best - 1g) head, division, company, band - 1h) sum
D. God Is Telling The Snake Two Very Important Aspects Of The Result Of Sin:
a. seed of the serpent
b. Seed of the Woman
a. seed of the serpent will bruise the Seed of the woman’s heel.
b. The triumphant Seed of the Woman will crush (literally) the head of the seed of the serpent.
E. This “Battle of the Seeds” Can Be Seen All through Scripture:
1. Cain killing Abel Matthew 13:37-40; I John 3:8-12
2. Moses saved out of the Nile, etc.
3. Continues to the end of the age – Revelation 12:17
3. None is as clear as when all Jewish boys were sentenced to die at Christ’s birth
F. What Is Meant By The Term “Seed”
1. The term “seed” has a biological connotation
2. Neither could strictly fit the term
a. Satan, a spirit, can not produce seed
b. The woman can not produce actual seed
c. Obviously this relates to spiritual progeny
1. Satan’s seed – Those who knowingly set up against the Woman’s Seed
2. Seed of the Woman – Those in relationship with God – Father’s Children
G. There Is Another Meaning of The Term “Seed” in Addition
1. One primary “seed of the serpent”
a. The Man of Perdition II Thessalonians 2:3 – The Antichrist
b. The Dragon gives his power, throne, and authority to him – Revelation 13:2
2. One Primary Seed of the Woman – The Lord Jesus Christ
H. This Verse Also Promises The Redeemer Would Come
1. He Would Be Of The Woman’s Seed
2. He Would Gain Victory Over Satan
3. All through history everybody else has been the seed of some man – not woman
4. He was God in a man’s body
a. Christ did not have a sinful father
b. Christ was born of a virgin
c. This prophecy is made crystal clear in the book of Isaiah:
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
I. The Virgin Obviously Points To The Woman of Genesis 3:15
a. It is a sign of the Lord Himself
b. This kind of sign would not be necessary in any ordinary birth
c. The virgin was to bring forth the One called Immanuel – Means “God with us”
d. The word “virgin” – Ta Almah is only used 6 other times – means virgin in the context – In other contexts can mean “young woman”
1. Matthew used a Greek word that can only mean virgin when quoting this verse:
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin<3933> shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
3933 paryenov parthenos par-then’-os - of unknown origin; TDNT-5:826,786; n f
virgin 14; 14
1) a virgin - 1a) a marriageable maiden - 1b) a woman who has never had sexual intercourse with a man
2. Isaiah gives one of His names as “The Mighty God”
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
3. Micah tells of the One born in Bethlehem as Everlasting
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. {everlasting: Heb. the days of eternity}
e. All of These Prophesies Point to a miraculous birth
1. He would be a descendant of Shem – Genesis 9:26
2. He would be of the line of Abraham – Genesis 22:18
3. Then Isaac – Genesis 26:4
5. Then Jacob – Genesis 28:14
4. Then Judah – Genesis 49:10
5. Then finally David – II Samuel 7:12-13
6. This line went from David to Coniah also called Jeconiah – But because of Coniah’s wickedness
Jeremiah 22:30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
7. Matthew 1:6-16 (The legal and royal lineage) –
a. From David through Solomon
b. From Solomon through Conias
c. From Conias (also Jeconias) through Joseph
d. Joseph was only the foster father of Christ
8. Luke gives the true biological line of Christ
a. David through Nathan
b. Nathan through Heli – Mary’s dad
9. To have the legal right to the throne – Jesus was the legal son of Joseph
10. Christ could not have the true son of Joseph because of God’s judgment of Coniah
11. Christ had to be the actual “seed of David” to occupy the throne
12. The only way this could be satisfied is the Virgin birth
13. This is the only way to satisfy God’s plan before the foundation of the world
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
14. To be our Savior, He had to be more than mere man
a. To die for sins, He had to be sinless
b. The “Seed of the Woman” was implanted into the Virgin’s womb:
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
III. Christmas Was Not The End Of God’s Plan
A. Christmas Actually Means “Christ Sent”
B. This Climaxed The Greatest Event In All Of History Since The Creation
C. But This Is Not The End Of God’s Plan – Look At Revelation 12
Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: {wonder: or, sign}
Revelation 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. {wonder: or, sign}
Revelation 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Revelation 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Revelation 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
1. We see another vision of a woman giving birth to a man child
2. We see war in heaven
3. This points to the end of the age
4. This points to the ending of the age long “Battle of the Seeds”
a. Satan looses this battle
b. Satan will ultimately be cast into the Lake of Fire
IV. The Kenosis of Christ
Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. {fashion: or habit}
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
A. This Same Jesus – The Creator –
B. Humbled Himself
C. Became A Man
D. Became An Innocent Substitute
E. Took The Death Penalty For You And Me
F. He Will Return Soon To Fulfill God’s Plan Of Eternal Marriage Bliss With His People
V. How Can We Accomplish “Putting On The Mind Of Christ”?
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {for sin: or, by a sacrifice for sin}
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. {to be carnally…: Gr. the minding of the flesh} {to be spiritually…: Gr. the minding of the Spirit}
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. {the carnal…: Gr. the minding of the flesh}
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. {by: or, because of}
Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.