HOW GOD HOW GOD PRODUCES PRODUCES CHILDRENCHILDREN

Luke 1:26-29Luke 1:26-29

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. what kind of greeting this might be.

Luke 1:30-34Luke 1:30-34

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Luke 1:35Luke 1:35

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. born will be called the Son of God.

What the Bible saysWhat the Bible says

about our Lord’s birth &about our Lord’s birth &

the Christian New Birththe Christian New Birth

are similar.are similar.

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.Spirit.

A. The Holy Spirit came upon A. The Holy Spirit came upon MaryMary..

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” - v28with you.” - v28

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. -v30Mary, you have found favor with God. -v30

The angel answered, “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come The Holy Spirit will come upon youupon you, and the power of the Most High , and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. - v35born will be called the Son of God. - v35

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit. I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.

A. The Holy Spirit came upon A. The Holy Spirit came upon MaryMary..1. Described: the Lord with her.1. Described: the Lord with her.

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! you who are highly favored! The Lord is The Lord is with youwith you.” - v28.” - v28

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. -v30Mary, you have found favor with God. -v30

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. - v35born will be called the Son of God. - v35

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit. I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.

A. The Holy Spirit came upon A. The Holy Spirit came upon MaryMary..2. With whom He finds favor.2. With whom He finds favor.

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” - v28with you.” - v28

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, Mary, you have found favor with Godyou have found favor with God. -v30. -v30

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. - v35born will be called the Son of God. - v35

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit. I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.

B. The Holy Spirit is involved with B. The Holy Spirit is involved with the the NewNew BirthBirth..

John 3:3-5 - In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you John 3:3-5 - In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. “How can a God unless he is born again. “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.he is born of water and the Spirit.

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit. I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.

B. The Holy Spirit is involved with B. The Holy Spirit is involved with the the NewNew BirthBirth..

1. It’s necessary!1. It’s necessary!John 3:3 - In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you John 3:3 - In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you

the truth, the truth, no one can see the kingdom of no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born againGod unless he is born again..

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit. I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.

B. The Holy Spirit is involved with B. The Holy Spirit is involved with the the NewNew BirthBirth..

2. It involves water, a Jewish 2. It involves water, a Jewish emblem of purification.emblem of purification.

John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God no one can enter the kingdom of God unless unless he is born of waterhe is born of water and the Spirit. and the Spirit.

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit. I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.

B. The Holy Spirit is involved with B. The Holy Spirit is involved with the the NewNew BirthBirth..

3. It involves the 3. It involves the HolyHoly SpiritSpirit..

John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God no one can enter the kingdom of God unless unless he is bornhe is born of water and of water and the Spiritthe Spirit..

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit. I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.Spirit.

II. Both are Consummated through II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.the Living Word.

A. The Word of God was made A. The Word of God was made fleshflesh..John 1:1-3 & 14 - In the beginning was the John 1:1-3 & 14 - In the beginning was the

Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that made; without him nothing was made that has been made . . . The Word became flesh has been made . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.and made his dwelling among us.

II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.

A. The Word of God was made A. The Word of God was made fleshflesh..John 1:1-3 & 14 - In the beginning was the John 1:1-3 & 14 - In the beginning was the

Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. beginning. Through him all things were Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that made; without him nothing was made that has been madehas been made . . . The Word became flesh . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.and made his dwelling among us.

1. The Word was God’s agent 1. The Word was God’s agent for for creating everything.creating everything.

II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.

A. The Word of God was made A. The Word of God was made fleshflesh..John 1:1-3 & 14 - In the beginning was the John 1:1-3 & 14 - In the beginning was the

Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that made; without him nothing was made that has been made . . . has been made . . . The Word became flesh The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among usand made his dwelling among us..

2. The Word became flesh.2. The Word became flesh.

II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.

B. The Word of God has made flesh B. The Word of God has made flesh imperishableimperishable..

I Peter 1:22-25 - Now that you have purified I Peter 1:22-25 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God . . . And living and enduring word of God . . . And this is the word that was preached to you.this is the word that was preached to you.

II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.

1. This is the 1. This is the preachedpreached word, word, concerning the concerning the LivingLiving Word. Word.

I Peter 1:22-25 - Now that you have purified I Peter 1:22-25 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the seed, but of imperishable, through the livingliving and enduring and enduring wordword of God . . . And of God . . . And this is the word that was preached to youthis is the word that was preached to you..

II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.

2. This word will purify us when 2. This word will purify us when we obey it.we obey it.

I Peter 1:22-25 - Now that I Peter 1:22-25 - Now that you have purified you have purified yourselves by obeying the truthyourselves by obeying the truth so that you so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God . . . And living and enduring word of God . . . And this is the word that was preached to you.this is the word that was preached to you.

II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.

3. This word will bear 3. This word will bear fruitfruit in our in our lives.lives.

I Peter 1:22-25 - Now that you have purified I Peter 1:22-25 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth yourselves by obeying the truth so that you so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heartone another deeply, from the heart. For you . For you have been born again, not of perishable have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God . . . And living and enduring word of God . . . And this is the word that was preached to you.this is the word that was preached to you.

II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.

I. Both are Conceived by the Holy I. Both are Conceived by the Holy Spirit.Spirit.

II. Both are Consummated through II. Both are Consummated through the Living Word.the Living Word.

III. Both have a Confession of III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.Commitment.

A. What was Mary’s commitment?A. What was Mary’s commitment?Luke 1:38 - “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary Luke 1:38 - “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary

answered. “answered. “May it be to me as you have May it be to me as you have saidsaid.”.”

III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.

B. What kind of commitment must B. What kind of commitment must you make?you make?

John 1:12-13 - Yet to all John 1:12-13 - Yet to all who received himwho received him, to , to those those who believed in his namewho believed in his name, he gave , he gave the right to become children of God — the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.born of God.

III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.

B. What kind of commitment must B. What kind of commitment must you make?you make?

1. How should you express your 1. How should you express your trust?trust?

Romans 10:9-10 - That if you Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lordmouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your ,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, heart that God raised him from the dead, you you will be savedwill be saved. For it is with your heart that . For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and you believe and are justified, and it is with it is with your mouth that you confess and are savedyour mouth that you confess and are saved.

III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.

B. What kind of commitment must B. What kind of commitment must you make?you make?

2. What is your statement of 2. What is your statement of faith?faith?

It’s the Good Confession you make It’s the Good Confession you make before you are baptized!before you are baptized!

III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.

a. There are two Good Confes-a. There are two Good Confes-sions.sions.

Matthew 16:15-16 - “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15-16 - “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, You are the Christ, the Son of the living Godthe Son of the living God.”.”

Acts 8:37 – “I believe that Acts 8:37 – “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Jesus Christ is the Son of GodSon of God.”.”

III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.

a. There are two Good Confes-a. There are two Good Confes-sions.sions.

Matthew 16:15-16 - “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15-16 - “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, You are the Christ, the Son of the living Godthe Son of the living God.”.”

Acts 8:37 - I believe that Acts 8:37 - I believe that Jesus Christ is the Jesus Christ is the Son of GodSon of God.”.”

Romans 10: 9 - That if you confess with your Romans 10: 9 - That if you confess with your mouth, “mouth, “Jesus is LordJesus is Lord,” . . . you will be ,” . . . you will be saved.saved.

III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.

b. I combine them into “Jesus b. I combine them into “Jesus is is the Lord, the Son of God”.the Lord, the Son of God”.

Matthew 16:15-16 - “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:15-16 - “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, You are the Christ, the Son of the living Godthe Son of the living God.”.”

Acts 8:37 - I believe that Acts 8:37 - I believe that Jesus Christ is the Jesus Christ is the Son of GodSon of God.”.”

Romans 10: 9 - That if you confess with your Romans 10: 9 - That if you confess with your mouth, “mouth, “Jesus is LordJesus is Lord,” . . . you will be ,” . . . you will be saved.saved.

III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.

3. What is God’s promise when 3. What is God’s promise when you you commit yourself this way?commit yourself this way?

John 1:12 - Yet to all who received him, to John 1:12 - Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, those who believed in his name, he gave the he gave the right to become children of Godright to become children of God..

III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.III. Both have a Confession of Commitment.

What is the best possible gift you What is the best possible gift you can give this Christmas?can give this Christmas?

Yourself to the LordYourself to the Lordas His living sacrifice!as His living sacrifice!