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KEY VERSE:
Matthew 1:22-23
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
Introduction:
Through out the Old Testament, God foretold the prophecy that He Himself would come and be with us. This prophecy was fulfilled through Christ.
I. THE PROMISE
Matthew 1:22
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
A. When God makes a promise we can count on Him to fulfill it!
B. Throughout the Old Testament, a Messiah was promised. God Himself was the first to predict the birth of Christ.
Genesis 3:15
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
enmity;
the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
God hates Sin.
God hates Evil.
Hebrews 1:8-9
8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
C. God made a promise and He can’t break His Word.
Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
II. THE EVIDENCE.
Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
Parthenos means “virgin” and corresponds to the Hebrew term “almah”, which is used in the prophecy of Isa. 7:14. “Almah” means young maiden.
A. Matthew is quoting from Isaiah 7:14.
B. Matthew often uses Old Testament prophecy to prove Christ is the Messiah.
Over 300 OLD Testament prophecy concerning Jesus Christ have been fulfilled! The odds of just eight (8) prophecies coming true are 10 to the 157th power!
A few Examples:
1. Jesus will come from the line of Abraham. Prophecy: Genesis 12:3. Fulfilled in: Matthew 1:1.
2. Jesus’ mother will be a virgin. Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:18–23.
3. Jesus will be a descendent of Isaac and Jacob. Prophecy: Genesis 17:19 and Numbers 24:17. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:2.
4. Jesus will be born in the town Bethlehem. Prophecy: Micah 5:2. Fulfilled: Luke 2:1–7.
5. Jesus will be called out of Egypt. Prophecy: Hosea 11:1. Fulfilled: Matthew 2:13–15.
6. Jesus will be a member of the tribe of Judah. Prophecy: Genesis 49:10. Fulfilled: Luke 3:33.
7. Jesus will enter the temple. This is important because the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 and was never rebuilt.
Prophecy: Malachi 3:1. Fulfilled: Luke 2:25–27.
8. Jesus will be from the lineage of King David. Prophecy: Jeremiah 23:5. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:6.
9. Jesus’ birth will be accompanied with great suffering and sorrow. Prophecy: Jeremiah 31:15.
Fulfilled: Matthew 2:16.
10. Jesus will live a perfect life, die by crucifixion, resurrect from death, ascend into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God. Prophecies: Psalm 22:16; Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10–11; Psalm 68:18; Psalm 110:1.
Fulfilled: 1 Peter 2:21–22; Luke 23:33; Acts 2:25–32; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 1:3.
III. THE NAME.
Matthew 1:23
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
A. Immanuel is a Hebrew word meaning “God is with us.”
B. Not only is God with us when we accept Christ as our Savior, but He will never, ever leave us.
Conclusion:
God Himself came to our world as a little baby to deliver us from our Sin. He took the first step in bring us back to Himself. Will you take the next step and accept His free Gift of Salvation?