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The Miracle & Meaning of the Virgin Birth

What do Christians really believe about the virgin birth—and why does it matter? In this message, we explore the powerful truth behind the phrase in the Apostles’ Creed: “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.” Some claim the virgin birth is just a misunderstanding of prophecy or a borrowed myth—but the Bible tells a different story. We’ll look at what Scripture teaches, why the virgin birth is essential to the gospel, and how it reveals both the sinlessness and humanity of Jesus. Most of all, we’ll see how this doctrine should shape how we follow Christ with surrendered hearts and incarnational love.

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Sarah Blount

What do I really know about what Christians believe?

Creeds are not replacements for Scripture—they’re faithful reflections of it. Creeds were created to help guard the gospel, articulate truth, and pass the faith from generation to generation.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary


ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE VIRGIN BIRTH


Argument One: The Isaiah Prophecy

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Almah: damsel, maid, virgin

Old Testament Usage of Almah

Almah (Hebrew) was translated as Parthenos (Greek) in the Septuagint.
Parthenos: a woman who has never had sexual relations


Argument Two: Christianity Copied Pagan Myths

If you remove the supernatural, you don’t get a more reasonable Christianity—you get no Christianity at all.


WHY THE DOCTRINE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH MATTERS:

1. The Gospels Clearly Teach It

Luke 1:26-35

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus….” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.

Luke 1:3

I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,


Why We Can Trust The Bible Message

2. The Virgin Birth Preserves The Sinlessness Of Christ

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.

Psalm 51:5

Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

All those born after Adam were born in sin and cannot escape the guilt and punishment that sin earns- apart from the freedom found in Christ.

By the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus entered the human race without inheriting its corruption.

3. The Virgin Birth Confirms Jesus’s True Identity: Fully God, Fully Man.

The virgin birth uniquely secures both truths:

Jesus was fully human, born of Mary, and fully divine, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

It is Biblically wrong to think of Jesus as merely God or merely man. It is wrong to think of Him as half God and half man (or any other percentage split). It is wrong to think of Him as “man on the outside” and “God on the inside.” The Bible teaches Jesus is fully God and fully man, that a human nature was added to His divine nature, and both natures existed in one Person, Jesus Christ. - Guzik

The gospel isn’t the gospel without God himself entering into our condition, becoming like us in every way (except sin), in order to save us. 

1 John 4:2-3

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist

 

Why Jesus’s Humanity Matters:

A. Jesus had to be fully human to redeem us.

B. We have a God who can relate to us.

Hebrews 2:17-18 

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus doesn’t just sympathize from afar—He empathizes from experience.

In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who is immune to it?  - Stott 

How the doctrine of the virgin birth goes from a truth we know to a truth we trust:

1. Pray for a heart like Mary’s - Surrendered.

Luke 1:38

Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.

2. Imitate the Incarnate Christ - Enter Someone’s World.

Philippians 2:4-8

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Sermon Series || Lifeblood - The Miracle & Meaning of the Virgin Birth || Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”


  1. Why do you think many people today struggle with the supernatural elements of the Christian faith, and what is lost if we try to explain away or remove miracles like the virgin birth?

    Follow-up: How does believing in a God who intervenes—who breaks into history—shape the way you view the gospel, the Bible, and your own story?

  2. Why is it so important that Jesus was born without a sin nature, and how does the virgin birth give us confidence in His ability to save us?

    Follow-up: How does the idea of being “born again” into the line of the second Adam (Jesus) change the way you see your identity and inheritance in Christ?

  3. Why is it important that Jesus is both fully God and fully human—and how does knowing He truly shared in our human experience change the way you relate to Him in your struggles, temptations, or suffering?

    Follow-up: Can you share a time when Christ’s humanity brought you comfort, strength, or hope?

  4. What would it look like in your life this week to imitate the humility of Christ and “enter someone’s world” as He entered ours? (Philippians 2:4-8 invites us into the practical application of this incarnation.)

The Trinity


Power Verse: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

May 11: God the Son (Jesus!)
How many persons are in the Trinity? 3
Are the 3 persons 3 different people? No! They’re all God
Who are the 3 persons in the Trinity? God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
Was Jesus a man or God? Both!
Why did Jesus have to be fully God? So He could be the atonement as a perfect sacrifice
Why did Jesus have to be fully man? So He could be the sacrifice on behalf of all humanity

The Trinity


Power Verse: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

May 11: God the Son (Jesus!)
How many persons are in the Trinity? 3
Are the 3 persons 3 different people? No! They’re all God
Who are the 3 persons in the Trinity? God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit
Was Jesus a man or God? Both!
Why did Jesus have to be fully God? So He could be the atonement as a perfect sacrifice
Why did Jesus have to be fully man? So He could be the sacrifice on behalf of all humanity

ROYALTY by saddleback kids



Power Verse: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true. 2 Tim 3:16a
Learn the power verse motions here!

Week 1: King David’s Prayers
Who loved God with his whole heart? King David
What special things did David write down?
His prayers! They are in the Bible.
What are some things you love? Do you love prayer?
Teach your kiddo how to pray!

ROYALTY by saddleback kids



Power Verse: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true. 2 Tim 3:16a
Learn the power verse motions here!

All Month: Queen Esther’s Request to the King
Who was a good queen who loved God?
Queen Esther
Did Esther make the right choice or the wrong choice?
The right choice! Can you make a right choice, too?
Yes! You can always choose to do what is right. You can pray and ask God to help you choose what is right and good.