December 15, 2024

Mary

Preacher:
Passage: Luke 1:26-49, 2:1-7
Service Type:

Introduction

  • This evening – looking at Mary
    • So much bad news at present
    • The birth narratives – Luke 1-3, Matthew 1-2 bring praise, hope and joy
      • A Saviour has been born who is Christ the Lord
      • He has come to save His people from their sins
      • He has come to be a mediator between God and man
      • He has come to reconcile us to God
      • He has come to give us a place in heaven
      • He is the way, the truth and the life
      • New of great joy for all peoples
  • Overview:
    • The Angel’s Visit
    • The Shepherd’s Visit
    • A Temple Visit

The Angel’s Visit

  • Mary:
    • A young girl
    • Living in a back water place – Galilee (despised by many Jews)
    • Living under oppression – Roman occupation
  • At such a time God broke into history – God sent an angel
    • If an angel appeared to us – we would be great afraid
    • An angel is a holy being – a messenger of God
  • "Rejoice, highly favoured, the Lord is with you" (1:28)
    • She needed to know that the Lord was with her
    • Example of Daniel and Joseph in the Old Testament
    • The Jews were expecting a Messsiah
    • But she was not a rich or powerful person
  • His identity (1:32-33)
    • He will be great
    • He will be the Son of the Highest
    • He will sit on the throne of David
    • He will reign over Jacob
    • His kingdom would have no end
      • Kingdoms come and go – examples
      • It will be an invisible Kingdom reigning in people’s hearts
      • People of all nations
    • The very Son of God (1:35)
      • Perplexed but not unbelieving (unlike Zacharias)
      • Great is the mystery of Godliness
      • Stop and think about this
    • The Holy One
      • We are fallen sinners
  • The angel calms her fears – she is told about Elizabeth
    • Nothing is impossible with God
    • Do you believe in miracles?
    • The God who made the universe … can bring about a virgin birth
    • If not – this means you are an unbeliever
    • Let us have the response of Mary
    • Respond to the message
    • Without faith – it is impossible to please God
    • Believe in His Son Jesus Christ

The Shepherd’s Visit

  • Can you imagine the trauma of arriving in Bethlehem with no room at the inn?
    • Joseph is obeying God’s plan
    • Joseph is obeying the cenus
    • No room at the inn – maybe a stable, maybe a cave, a place with animals
    • Jesus born in such humble circumstances and laid in a manger
      • This shows the amazing condescenion of God
  • Mary and Joseph in a strange place, on their own
    • God sends the shepherds
    • God sends the angels to the shepherds
    • The baby Jesus had a radiant glory – the Son of God
    • The returned praised God and telling everyone what they had seen and heard
  • Mary was to rejoice
    • Elizabeth blessed her
    • Mary magnified the Lord (1:41-42)
    • The wise men rejoiced at the star
  • What is your understanding of God?
    • Do you realise that God desires to save people from their sin?
    • Do you realise that God wants people to know peace and joy in believing?
  • What is your understanding of Christianity?
    • Real Christianity is knowing God, loving Him, hearing Him speak to You, the fruit of the Holy Spirit
  • Christmas time is a time to reflect of the joy available through Jesus Christ

A Temple Visit

  • After the 40 days of Mary’s purification – they went up to the Temple
    • According to the law of God
  • Wonderful occurrences
    • Simeon – praises God, blesses Mary and Joseph, states that Jesus was destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel
  • Joy but seriousness
  • Have you thought about these things

Closing Remarks

  • We have seen:
    • Faith
    • Rejoicing
    • A reflective woman
  • May this be our response to the word of God
  • May this lead to worship of the living God