We recently spent five studies considering Matthew 1:21—“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”—and we saw that indeed this is a glorious promise to live by. As we dissected the meaning and implication of this verse we were blessed to see that this gospel promise is extensive, exhaustive, expansive, … [Read more...]
A Promise to Live By V (Matthew 1:21)
This study brings us to the end of what has turned into a series of sermons from Matthew 1:21, highlighting the glorious promise concerning Jesus that “he shall save his people from their sins.” Over the course of some four studies thus far we have been reminded that we are sinners in need of a Saviour. In fact, if you do not realise, seriously, that you are a sinner then there … [Read more...]
A Promise to Live By IV (Matthew 1:21)
Thus far in our studies of Matthew 1:21 we have been reminded that the gospel promise as recorded in this verse is glorious for several reasons. First, because it is extensive; that is, each and every one of His people will be saved from their sins. Second, it is exhaustive in that it covers every area of our lives. The salvation promised is holistic in that it is a salvation … [Read more...]
A Promise to Live By III (Matthew 1:21)
Scottish preacher and hymnist Horatius Bonar once wrote, “If we would be holy we must get to the cross and dwell there.” This is a profound truth that we would do well to live by. As we have seen in our preceding two studies in this text, as we apply our hearts and minds to the gospel we understand something of the magnitude of our salvation and are willing to work hard to … [Read more...]
A Promise to Live By II (Matthew 1:21)
Two of the most detrimental things to our spiritual life must surely be self-deception (i.e. we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are far healthier than we actually are) and morbid introspection (i.e. we spend so much time examining our navels that we take our eyes off of Christ, who delivers us from our sin). I am convinced that a biblical grasp of the promise in Matthew … [Read more...]