Bible Readings:
Matthew 1:1 – 25
Isaiah 7:1 – 17
Sermon Outline:
Matthew 1:18–21 (NKJV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
I Joseph’s surprising sorrow
II Joseph’s surprising relief
III Joseph’s obedience and integrity
Augustine does not regard sin as something positive, but as a negation or privation. It is not a substantial evil added to man, but a privatio boni, a privation of good. He finds the root principle of sin in that self-love which is substituted for the love of God. The general result of man’s defection is seen in concupiscence, in the inordinate power of sensuous desires, as opposed to the law of reason, in the soul. From sin and the disturbance it introduced death resulted. Man was created immortal, which does not mean that he was impervious to death, but that he had the capacity of bodily immortality. Had he proved obedient, he would have been confirmed in holiness. From the state of the posse non peccare et mori (the ability not to sin and die) he would have passed to the state of the non posse peccare et mori (the inability to sin and die). But he sinned, and consequently entered the state of the non posse non peccare et mori (the inability not to sin and die).
Berkhof, L. (1949). The history of Christian doctrines (p. 138). Grand Rapids, MI: WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.