Message Notes

1. The Idea Of Fulfilment

a. Two parts

i. The prophetic Word given Isaiah 7:14

ii. The fulfilment of the prophetic Word Matthew 1:22–23

b. God’s purpose in giving a prophetic Word Isaiah 41:20

i. That they may see and know

ii. And consider and understand together

iii. That the hand of the LORD has done this

2. Joseph did not consider the prophetic Word sufficiently

a. Joseph’s character

i. He was a just man

ii. He thought things through carefully

iii. He did not act rashly

b. But He did not consider the prophetic Word of God

i. He did not see

ii. He did not know

iii. He did not consider

iv. He did not understand…the hand of the LORD

3. Understanding the fulfilment of the prophetic Word

a. God graciously sent an angel to explain the prophetic Word to Joseph

i. Joseph was a “son of David”

➢ The Messiah would come from the line of David

➢ He was part of the Messianic lineage

ii. Mary was a virgin

➢ Yet she had conceived

➢ She was the virgin spoken of in Isaiah 7:14

iii. Mary will bring forth a Son

➢ He shall be called “Jesus”

➢ He will save His people from their sins

➢ They shall call His name “Immanuel”

b. God’s prophetic Word was already being fulfilled!

c. Joseph finally understood the prophetic Word

i. He saw the hand of the Lord

ii. He responded well

➢ With obedience

➢ With faith

➢ With courage

4. The Challenge

a. To celebrate Christmas with knowledge

b. Pay closer attention to God’s Word

i. To see

ii. To know

iii. To consider

iv. To understand

c. To believe in God when He gives a Word of promise

d. To appreciate God afresh

i. His faithfulness

ii. His power

iii. His grace and mercy