There is no other miracle like the virgin birth and there will never be another like it. It was significant for Jesus to be a man but not be born of a man to the sinless Savior. When Jesus returns again it will not be a baby but in glory as the resurrected Lord. It is to the true Jesus, the Messiah, to which we must believe and follow. Any other understanding of Jesus is false and unable to save. Many people wish Jesus was a different sort of Messiah. Many Jews expected an earthly King who would rid them of Rome’s rule. Even currently, many people wish Jesus to be different, to be a friend, to be like them. Maybe people think they find Jesus in their own way, but Jesus is the one who seeks us. We are the sinners, and He is the Savior. When we surrender to the true Jesus, then we can truly be saved.

The real Jesus lives up to His name

The angel Gabriel tells Mary that she ‘would call His name Jesus’. The name Jesus was actually very popular in the first century. It has led to some misunderstandings, even finding a box of bones with Jesus name. Josephus, the historian, mentions a few people named Jesus during this time. The name Jesus stems from Joshua (Jeshua) which means `Savior`. Out of all the men named Jesus, only Jesus was born of a virgin and fulfills that role.

Christianity is unique in its view of sin and the Savior (Mt. 1:21). All other religions either claim man is essentially good and able to work towards salvation, or that sin is not evil and deserving condemnation. The Bible says all men are sinners in nature and that death and hell are the consequence (Zeph 1:17, Rom 6:23). It is not merely the action of sin that man is guilty of but our attitude of sin. We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners.

According to His namesake, Jesus comes to save us from sin, to remove the power, the presence and penalty of sin. Just as sin and its consequence is real, so is the the redemption and atonement of sin. By dying on the cross, Jesus appeased God’s judgement and become propitiation for us (2 Cor 5:21). It was a heavy price, but through His death and resurrection, our sin is forgiven and we are saved (Heb 9:18-22).

By the substitutionary work of Jesus, God is appeased and no longer angry at us. It is only by the interceding of Jesus are we saved from fiery judgement, but instead beloved by God, adopted as sons and daughters and promised eternal life. Our righteousness and blameless legal standing before the Holy God is accomplished by Jesus, the true Messiah. Only the Jesus of the Bible has done this and one day will return.

Conclusion

Who do you say Jesus is (Mt 16:13-16)? Is Jesus just another man or is He the Son of the living God, the Messiah? Do you live according to your own desires or do you follow and obey Jesus? By answering according to the truth of Scripture, you will be saved by the real Jesus who lives up to His name.

In Revelation 1, the Apostle John falls like a dead man when the resurrected Lord Jesus appears in all His glory. Jesus is glorious and to be worshipped. A very different attitude then our current culture, where the name Jesus is most commonly used as a swear word. For true salvation, life and joy, Jesus is not a swear, he is not just a friend, he is not just a good man, but He is the Messiah, the Savior of sinners. Do you believe and follow Him? (Mt 17:5, Acts 4:12)

Jesus is the Messiah

• Descendant of David and the true King (2 Sa 7:12-16)

• Born of the Virgin and without sin unlike all other men. (Mt 1:20, Rom 3:23)

Jesus is fully man and fully God

There is a danger in dismissing the humanity of Jesus Christ. The suffering and atoning work on the cross is possible because Jesus was a sinless man as an appeasing sacrifice. Without the shedding of His blood, we would not be forgiven for our sins (Heb 2:12, 14-17)

Jesus did not stop being God while He was a man. Jesus was not in the form of God but was still divine in nature and essence (Phil 2:5-6, John 1:1, 14, Heb 1:3). Jesus is equal to God but humbled himself to fulfill the role as the Savior of men (Phil 2:7). His deity was never lost, he never ceased to be God. In hypostatic union, Jesus was fully God and fully man.

Jesus the Messiah is the one who has opened the way to heaven through his death and resurrection (Heb 4:13). He is a man without sin, He is almighty God. Through faith in Jesus, we can fearlessly ask God in prayer and approach the throne of grace with confidence (Jn 14:13, Heb 4:16) Because He is man, He knows our needs and cares. Because Jesus is God, He can handle any situation. Jesus knows everything and is able to accomplish His good and perfect will. Is Jesus the Messiah your Lord and Savior?

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thess. 2:13

Giving thanks is an essential and important response to the gift of salvation from God. A grateful heart is the first response to such a wonderful and undeserved love from God who is holy. We who were once wretched and vile are now meant for glory in Christ Jesus.

To not give proper thanks and acknowledgement to God is a condemning sin (Romans 1:21).

God’s salvation has three aspects:

1. A divine source (God has chosen you from the beginning)

2. An earthly process (through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth)

3. A heavenly result (that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A divine source
All men are sinners (Romans 3:10-16) deserving the wrath of God’s holy judgement. Man is also not capable of atoning for their own sin, nor do they want to. However God has chosen (elected) some men to be saved. Only God can choose and it is not based on any merit of man. God chose from the beginning when He alone existed. Without any external influence (because there was nothing but God), God chose to save.

Each and every genuine Christian is a part of the church by God’s loving choice. We must be thankful for every believer because all are undeserving.

An earthly process
Some may wish that God would skip the faith and sanctification process and go immediately to glorification. However, this is a blessing to us, that we might not only be redeemed but enjoy the blessings of our salvation here on earth by having faith and being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. All other religions spend their lives trying to earn salvation without knowing they are really saved, they only hope that when they die, they might be received. Christianity is not so, we have received full pardon and grace, and have the privilege to live by faith and serve our Lord in obedience while here on earth. What a joyful process we go through before glorification.

A heavenly result
The result of salvation is the most wonderful and glorious because it is for the glory of Christ Jesus. God’s salvation shares the glory of His Son to us through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:40-43) We will be with our Savior in heaven where there is no sin, only His light. (Revelation 21:23-27) God has given abundantly and graciously through His love.

The Response
We must respond with thanksgiving! How can we not? Our giving thanks is obligatory and constant because of the nature of our salvation. Our thanks must be only directed toward God. No one else should receive thanks for our salvation, especially not ourselves. We must be thankful always for others who have received such grace, not just for own. There is rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who repents, we also rejoice (Luke 15:5-7).

Thankfulness is not the final response but the initial. Giving thanks must lead to a love for God and a love to others (Matthew 22:37-40, 1 John 4:11). This love manifests itself as obedience to God and His word (John 14:16). It is not only proper but helpful to be thankful when obeying. Giving thanks allows service and love to be joyful and light. Brethren, if you wish to love and obey the Lord, start by giving thanks!

All Christians doubt at some point in their life. They might doubt that they are truly saved because of indwelling sin or they might doubt God’s word because what they read does not match what they perceive. When encountering a season of doubt, it is crucial that the believer rush quickly back to God’s Word and to the good news of the gospel, otherwise the doubt might grow into deadly unbelief.

“How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”

Zacharias was full of doubt upon receiving the news that he would have a son named John. He was old, and his wife was also beyond childbearing age. Even though the news was delivered by the angel Gabriel, Zacharias own understanding of his situation filled him with doubt. Instead of responding with joy at the good news, he responds with a question.

Even the faithful can have doubt

• Zacharias was a faithful priest who lived righteously in the sight of God (Luke 1:6) yet doubted God’s power.

• Abraham and Sarah also doubted they would have a child in their old age

• Job doubted God’s purpose in His suffering (Job 1:8)

• John the Baptist wondered whether Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 11:3)

• Thomas doubted the resurrection (John 20:24-25)

• Spurgeon was plagued by self-doubt of his genuine salvation.

Doubt is a question, while unbelief is a statement. There is a significant difference as well as a connection between the two. Doubt asks if God is able or if God is willing, while unbelief is a willful denial of the truth. If undealt with, questions of doubt can lead to unbelief and a complete rejection of Christ. For example, Charles Templeton started questioning the creation account in Genesis which lead to his denial of Christ’s deity.

Why do Christians doubt?

1. They do not apply their knowledge of God.

   1. Zacharias knew God had created the universe out of nothing and God had given Abraham and Sarah a child, yet this knowledge was applied to his own situation.

2. They look to lesser things then God

   1. Zacharias saw only his physical condition and his wife’s old age instead of looking to God

   2. At first, when Peter walks on the water, he sees Jesus but as soon as he saw the waves of the storm, he doubts and starts to sink. (Matthew 14: 29-30)

3. They distrust God’s word. Instead, their experience and worldly knowledge are their source of truth.

4. They experience disappointment

   1. All Christians have unanswered prayers which lead to questioning if God is listening or if He cares

   2. Disappointment leads to discontentment and doubting God’s salvation or love for you.

5. Comparisons to others can breed disappointment. A Christian must be careful to compare to others and define success in his own way. The parable of Lazarus and the rich man reminds us to not trust the exterior status of the current life.

To overcome doubt, the Christian must turn to God’s word. Here are four reasons to trust God and His word.

1. God’s word is trustworthy: The angel Gabriel, whose name means God is strength, also had visited Daniel to deliver God’s message. God had proven numerous times that He accomplishes what He says.

2. God’s word is authoritative: The only reason why sanctification is possible is by the power and authority of God’s word. Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, is representing His authority. (Esther 1:13-14)

3. God’s word is for each individual: The news was for Zechariah and not for everyone. In the same way, God’s word is for you. The source of doubt can often be traced to the failure of personal devotion to the Word.

4. God’s word is the gospel: The gospel is the most important and joyful truth. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The hope to erase all doubts is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.

All believers face doubt and must be wary of falling into unbelief. The Lord has given us the perfect truth of His word and the gospel to take away all our doubt and strengthen our trust in Him.

Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Luke 1:18-19

All Christians doubt at some point in their life. They might doubt that they are truly saved because of indwelling sin or they might doubt God’s word because what they read does not match what they perceive. When encountering a season of doubt, it is crucial that the believer rush quickly back to God’s Word and to the good news of the gospel, otherwise the doubt might grow into deadly unbelief.

“How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”

Zacharias was full of doubt upon receiving the news that he would have a son named John. He was old, and his wife was also beyond childbearing age. Even though the news was delivered by the angel Gabriel, Zacharias’ own understanding of his situation filled him with doubt. Instead of responding with joy at the good news, he responds with a question.

Even the faithful can have doubts:

• Zacharias was a faithful priest who lived righteously in the sight of God (Luke 1:6) yet doubted God’s power

• Abraham and Sarah also doubted they would have a child in their old age

• Job doubted God’s purpose in His suffering (Job 1:8)

• John the Baptist wondered whether Jesus was the Christ (Matthew 11:3)

• Thomas doubted the resurrection (John 20:24-25)

• Spurgeon was plagued by self-doubt of his genuine salvation

Doubt is a question, while unbelief is a statement. There is a significant difference as well as a connection between the two. Doubt asks if God is able or if God is willing, while unbelief is a willful denial of the truth. If undealt with, questions of doubt can lead to unbelief and a complete rejection of Christ. For example, Charles Templeton started questioning the creation account in Genesis which lead to his denial of Christ’s deity.

Why do Christians doubt?

1. They do not apply their knowledge of God.

   1. Zacharias knew God had created the universe out of nothing and God had given Abraham and Sarah a child, yet this knowledge was applied to his own situation.

2. They look to lesser things then God

   1. Zacharias saw only his physical condition and his wife’s old age instead of looking to God

   2. At first when Peter walks on the water, he sees Jesus but as soon as he saw the waves of the storm, he doubts and starts to sink. (Matthew 14: 29-30)

3. They distrust God’s word. Instead, their experience and worldly knowledge are their source of truth.

4. They experience disappointment

   1. All Christians have unanswered prayers which lead to questioning if God is listening or if He cares

   2. Disappointment leads to discontentment and doubting God’s salvation or love for you.

   3. Comparisons to others can breed disappointment. A Christian must be careful to compare to others and define success in his own way. The parable of Lazarus and the rich man reminds us to not trust the exterior status of the current life.

To overcome doubt, the Christian must turn to God’s Word. Here are four reasons to trust God and His Word.

1. God’s Word is trustworthy: The angel Gabriel, whose name means God is strength, also had visited Daniel to deliver God’s message. God had proven numerous times that He accomplishes what He says.

2. God’s Word is authoritative: The only reason why sanctification is possible is by the power and authority of God’s Word. Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, is representing His authority. (Esther 1:13-14)

3. God’s Word is for each individual: The news was for Zechariah and not for everyone. In the same way, God’s Word is for you. The source of doubt can often be traced to the failure of personal devotion to the Word.

4. God’s Word is the gospel: The gospel is the most important and joyful truth. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) The hope to erase all doubts is found in gospel of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.

All believers face doubt and must be wary of falling into unbelief. The Lord has given us the perfect truth of His word and the gospel to take away all our doubt and strengthen our trust in Him.