THE CRADLE THAT ROCKS THE WORLD

I TIMOTHY 3:16

It's that time of year again.The time that the world's attention is refocused on the birth of Jesus Christ. Not everyone whose attention is drawn to it believe it. Some reject it as fantasy. Some accept it as fact. And still others don't know what to believe and often don't realize there is no way to be unaffected by it. Consider firstly,

I. THE REJECTION OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH [JOHN 8:41]

Many so-called religious leaders sneer at the idea of a virgin birth. Back in the 1990s Redbook surveyed Protestant seminaries and found out over 40% did not believe in the virgin birth. Who knows what the percentage would be today. There have always been doubters.

1. The cause of rejection [Heb. 3:7-12]

2. The character of rejection [Heb. 3:13]

It's an odd thing but those who reject the virgin birth have problem's with Mary's character. God says she was a virgin but they say she was immoral. They have a problem with Jesus' character because they make Him, who knew no sin, to be a sinful son of Adam rather than "that Holy thing... shall be called the Son of God." They have a problem with the Bible's character because in Genesis, Isaiah, Jeremiah and various New Testament books the virgin birth is declared as truth! When they reject God's truth they impugn their own character. "Let God be true and every man a liar!"

3. The consequence of rejection [Heb. 3:14-19]

Adrian Rogers was witnessing to Muhammed Ali. Ali asked, "You say that Jesus Christ is the Son of God because He was born of a virgin. Adam didn't have either a father or mother. Wouldn't that make Adam even more a Son of God than Jesus Christ?" Brother Rogers replied, "Champ, let me tell you something. Jesus Christ was not the Son of God because He was born of a virgin. He was born of a virgin because He was the Son of God! And we need to understand this!"

II. THE RECEPTION OF THE VIRGIN BORN SAVIOUR [JOHN 1:10-14]

1. The cause of reception [Mt. 16:15-17]

Do you have to fully understand it? No. Vance Havner said, "I do not understand electricity, but I do not intend to sit around in the dark until I do!" If you believe in the miracle working power of the God of the Bible it isn't a problem. Lk. 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible!"

2. The cost of reception [Mt. 10:40]

3. The consequence of reception [John 3:13-18, 26-36]

III. THE RECLAMATION OF THE VIRGIN BORN SAVIOUR

1. He came to save the lost [Lk. 19:10]

2. He came to save the life [John 10:10]

3. He came to save the love [I John 3:7-18]