Luke 1:26-38
Angel Gabriel appears to Mary—
Highly favored—found favor from
God—a blessing to be chosen by God—though at times, fearful—may wonder “How can
you use me?”
Reminder in every appearance of
angel to person—“The Lord is with you or will be with you.” God can do whatever He wishes. His presence is the determiner of success or
failure.
Message to Mary:
- You will have a son
- He will be great
- Name will be Jesus—which means “God is salvation”—sounds like
Messiah
- Son of the Most High God
- Throne of David—a king
- Will rule forever—Promise of God to David—you will have a kingdom that will never end—will not fail to have a descendant on the throne—suspended during captivities in OT. Now to be restored.
“How can this be?” Seems she understood would have a baby
without the intervention of a man. So
how could it be?
Baby will be of the Holy
Spirit—overshadow you—not in the usual way—a special birth—amazing
conception—godly conception—totally different.
Angel said—“this will
happen”—even Elizabeth is amazed at God giving her a son at her advanced
age. Miracle baby but not in the way
this one will be.
“Nothing is impossible with
God.”
Do you believe that?
What right do you think can not
happen? What do you think can’t be
overcome?
Nothing is impossible with God.
You may say, "God could not use me"—who was
Mary—a teenager—poor girl. God used her.
She was chosen because she was
living faithfully to God—so she was highly favored—to be the mother of God’s
Son, Jesus.
Do you have to understand all
the details to obey God? No. Mary did not understand. Abram told to go and God would tell him when
he was there.
Many others didn’t understand
the why or how, but God worked through them anyway. That’s what faith is—following even when you don’t understand.
Do any of us totally understand
God?
How did Mary respond?
- I am the Lord’s servant
- May it be as you have said
Obedience even in the midst of
the unknown—faith—willingness to believe God—that nothing was impossible with
God.
But after making this
commitment, the road got easier for her, right? Wrong.
Joseph would not
understand. All the people in Nazareth
would talk badly about her. Could be
killed for adultery. Hard trip to
Bethlehem when fully pregnant.
Later—not understanding her
son. Son then was beaten,
crucified. Later resurrected. Then left earth.
Mary had a hard life—even after
obeying God. No guarantees that when we
follow God, life will be great.
Promise her of God’s presence in
the midst of it all—in doing God’s will—slowly revealed the next step of
following Him.
Is His presence enough for
you? Even when circumstances seem
insurmountable?
“Nothing is impossible with
God.” “I am with you.”
What in your life do these
messages apply to right now?
Christmas is about:
- the presence of God
- the promises of God
- the hope through God
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