Sermon Central
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The Drama Unfolds
Contributed by William Matthews on Nov 20, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: The Christmas Story told in the form of a drama.
The Drama Unfolds
INTRODUCTION.
The importance of the virgin birth cannot be overstated.
Many of the prophecies of the Old Testament depend for their
fulfillment upon the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
The plan of redemption,
the New Testament church,
and many other doctrines hinge upon Jesus’ coming in the flesh.
Most all know story of Christ’s birth.
-Review-
It was a great drama with many lessons for us
As with any drama, their are characters & scenes
Want to focus on just a few of these & see
the lessons they have for us today
I. Scene One - Gabriel, Mary, & Joseph
Wonder what Gabriel’s reaction was. Never one to question.
This time had to wonder
God will become...a baby?!
OK for humans, but heavens can’t contain God. How can a
body?
In for another shock.
Mother-to-be of God wasn’t regal - a jewish peasant
barely outgrown her acne
Maybe wanted to turn back?
A. THE ANNOUNCEMENT (Luke 1:26-40).
1. The Giving of the Message (Luke 1:26—33).
Gabriel went to the country of Galilee, to the city of
Nazareth, to appear unto a virgin named Mary.
Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph,
a direct descendant of David.
The angel’s opening words to Mary were:
“Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with
thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28).
The angel’s words disturbed Mary - she became afraid;
Gabriel calmed her fears by reassuring her that she
was in the center of God’s favor.
Gabriel made several startling announcements:
1) she would conceive and give birth to a son;
2) she should call His name Jesus;
3) He would be great;
4) He would be called the Son of the Highest;
5) the Lord would give Him the throne of His father
David;
6) He would reign over the house of Jacob forever;
7) His kingdom would have no end.
2. The Importance of the Message (Luke 1:32,33).
The importance of the message of Gabriel to Mary cannot
be overlooked,
gives us a vital link between the yet unborn child and the
promised Saviour of the Old Testament prophecies.
He would be virgin born.
His very name would mean “Jehovah saves.”
He would be great, the Son of the Highest, and heir
to the throne of David.
He would rule the house of Jacob forever,
His kingdom would never end.
Compare this angelic description with the prophetic
description.
In 2 Sam. 7:13—16 God promised David that his house,
kingdom, and throne would be established forever.
Who would fulfill this promise?
Isaiah 9:6,7 - “For unto us a child is born, unto us
a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his
government and peace there shall be no end, upon
the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order
it, and to establish it with judgment and with
justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of
the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
The Messiah, the promised one of Israel,
would be born among men,
establish His kingdom upon the throne of David,
and rule forever and ever.
Scripture proclaimed it!
The angel of God had declared it!
The child to be born of Mary would be the Messiah,
the hope of Israel, the Son of God!
3. The Explanation of the Message (Luke 1:34—37).
Mary seemed to accept the message of the angel.
passage gives us no indication that she doubted the
words of God’s message,
but she did have a legitimate question:
“How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
(Luke 1:34).
A logical response.
It does not question the message itself, but
seeks a further explanation.
The Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God Himself, would
come upon her.
The power of God would overshadow her so
that she would conceive and give birth to a
holy child who could with complete accuracy
be called the Son of God.
4. The Response to the Message (Luke 1:38).
Mary’s response is a model of submissiveness to the
word and will of God in her life.
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unto me
according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).
If her statement in this instance is any indication of the
true attitude of Mary’s heart toward the will of God, it is
little wonder that He chose her to bear the Saviour of
mankind. Her willingness to be used of God should be an
example to every Christian.
She could have refused
What will Joseph think?
My parents?
His parents?
The town?
(Nazareth directly on trade route - Many
“working women.”)
B. THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE TO JOSEPH (Matt. 1:18—25).
