Lk. 1:26 ¶ In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you." 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end." 34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 38 "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants for ever, even as he said to our fathers."
THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE
They say that man is mighty
He governs land and sea;
He wields a mighty scepter
On lower powers than he.
But mightier power and stronger
Man from his throne has hurled,
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is that hand that rules the world.
This is certainly true of the woman we are going to talk about this morning.
1. Bless you this Mother’s Day. [My first since my mother went to be with Jesus - influence]
2. Catholic teachings about Mary scare Christians off. [Mariology. –Worship only God]. (Lk.11:27-28)
3. Let’s not forget the very special woman she was!!!
Mary is a wonderful example of the characteristics of godly womanhood… [All women]
1- Mary was a Good Woman. (moral sense) (v. 27) “virgin”
1.) She must have been blessed with the influence of a Godly mother.
2.) Holiness is always in with God!!!
3.) Her purity had a lot to do with her call!
4.) Young women – this is your hope of happiness!
2- Mary was a Forgiven Woman. (vv. 28-30, 47) “found grace”
1.) This was her greatest need! (v. 47) [ Immaculate conception? (NO!!!)]
2.) This is your greatest need too!!!
3.) God will forgive you too!!! (Isa. 1) Mary Magdalene
Isa. 1;18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (NIV)
3- Mary Understood Parenting as a Stewardship. (vv. 31-33)
1.) She was called to receive a child as stewardship from God.
2.) Your family is a stewardship from God!!! [Child dedication]
3.) She was called to raise a Son as a service to mankind.
4.) You too should train your children to serve rather than to be served!
4- Mary was Fully Surrendered to God’s will. (v. 38)
1.) Even though her mind could not understand. (v. 34)
2.) You may not always understand the work of God in your life but submission but it is always best.
5- Mary was a Worshiper. (vv. 46-55)
1.) A woman of true thanksgiving and praise. (The AMEN of her heart)
2.) God desires that you be a woman of worship as well. (Jn. 4:23-24)
3.) God deserves you worship!!!
What area of Mary’s life do you (men too) most need to emulate?
1- Her salvation?
2- Her moral attitude?
3- Her parental stewardship?
4- Her surrender?
5- Her worship?
