December 23, 2007

The Birth of Salvation

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Matthew 1:18-25

Opening Illustration – N.D. bank gives employees $1000 to donate to charity.

How do you save the world? The world needs savin’!

Everyone’s opinion of the problem is different.

Everyone’s solution is different.

Common threads:

End to war.

Enough money to go around.

People respect one another.

Divine instituted rules.

God’s action.


Jewish people wanted salvation of Israel. The world needs savin’!

Romans should leave

Caste system should be reformed

Torah legislates respect. Should be followed.

God would save Israel someday - The world needs savin’!

Matthew’s gospel explains how God saved the world.

Matthew countering negative reports about Jesus

He was born out of wedlock

He was from Nazareth, not Bethlehem

He didn’t follow law of Moses

Jesus’ birth the result of divine action -

Jesus conceived by Holy Spirit

Birth by divine action not uncommon

Jesus’ life and mission enabled by human obedience

Joseph marries Mary despite shame

Joseph takes baby to Egypt and Nazareth

Joseph and Mary name him Jesus - The world needs savin’!


Situation looks immoral – not plausible as God’s plan.

Brittney Spears’ younger sister pregnant at 16 – Boy, the world needs savin’!

“Savin’” the world begun by Jesus, not finished.

World still needs “savin’”

Foreclosures up 68% in November

Recent shootings at Omaha mall

75 y/o pastor murdered in Milwaukee

God’s choice of Joseph and Mary reminds us of two things:

One – Salvation of the world hinges on human mercy.

Joseph didn’t have Mary shamed.

Reality was very different from appearance.

Think of situation in which you could have mercy.

Salvation of the world occurs in divine and human partnership.
Leaders unable to save Israel through their own efforts.

God saves world in cooperation with our own actions.

Wilson Goode: two term Mayor of Philadelphia

Father in jail while he grew up

Father worked in chain gang across from Goode’s house.

High school counselor told him college was out of the question.

Goode’s pastor, William Lemon of FBC Pascall insisted he was going to college.

Became mayor of Philadelphia

Began program to mentor children with parents in jail.

Visited pastors to solicit support

Visited inmates who gave him children’s’ names

Graduated from Eastern Baptist Seminary at 62.

Won Purpose prize

Dr. Goode realized The world needs savin’.

Story of Joseph and Mary resounds because God is still savin the world today.