Sermon Central
-
Mary Did Know
Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Dec 6, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Gabriel appears to Mary with news about the birth of Christ
Mary Did Know
Good morning.
Think about the song we just sang, “Mary, did you know?”.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb. Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great, I Am.
Please open your Bibles to the Gospel of Luke 1, as we continue in a Christmas mini-series.
Last week we looked at the Christmas perspective of the shepherds, as the angel brought good tidings of great joy.
It is good news that Jesus Christ came to the earth He created in order to save us from our sin and sin’s penalty.
Once the shepherds receive good tidings of great joy, the shepherds spread the Gospel.
We are all in need of a Savior. I need a Savior, my neighbors need a Savior, my family needs a Savior.
Today we are going to look at the account of the angel visiting Mary with the news that she would give birth to the Messiah, as we look at some fulfilled prophecies as well.
I. The message was delivered.
Read Luke 1:26-30
Just before this account in Luke, we have the account where an angel appeared to the priest Zacharias and informed him of the birth of John the Baptist to him and his aged wife.
Six months after the announcement, the angel Gabriel was sent to a virgin girl, Mary, with some unbelievable news, that she would become pregnant with a special son, but not by Joseph.
Mary was pledged, or betrothed, to Joseph.
Often times in their culture, young children were pledged to another in a pre-arranged marriage by their parents.
During the time of betrothal, the couple was known as husband and wife, and a betrothal could only be broken by divorce.
Mary was betrothed and pregnant prior to the marriage, even though she did not have any physical relations with Joseph.
How would their society expect Joseph to respond to this news?
According to their laws, Mary could have been stoned to death and her family would lose all the rights of her dowry.
Mary had to live with this innuendo and shameful rendition of her pregnancy with Jesus for most of her life.
In our passage, Gabriel said three things to Mary, which we also receive once we are in Christ. Mary was highly favored, the Lord was with her, and she was blessed.
I often joke around and say that I am the Lord’s favorite and although that sounds conceited, it is correct. If you have Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you also are His favorite or favored one.
Ephesians 1 very clearly tells us that as true believers in Jesus, we are highly favored, and we are blessed. The Lord also promises to never leave us nor forsake us.
God’s favor is synonymous with God’s grace or kindness. We know it is only by God’s undeserved favor and grace that we can experience eternal life.
It is also God’s grace that gives us the ability to live for the Lord with the abundant life He gives.
God shows each of us favor and blessings in many ways, but we become favored the moment we accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation by faith! (Grace = God’s riches at Christ’s expense)
Notice when Mary saw the angel, she was troubled. Mary was troubled at the angels saying, shows humility because she did not expect the extravagant promise that was said of her.
II. Who is this baby?
Read Luke 1:31-33
Notice, “You shall call his name JESUS.”
The name Jesus means "Yahweh is salvation" and “Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning Anointed One.
The Jewish people were expecting a Messiah to give them physical victory over their different captors throughout history.
Notice the passage says, “He will be great”.
C. H. Spurgeon said, “Is it not proven that He is great? Conquerors are great, and He is the greatest of them. Deliverers are great, and He is the greatest of them.
