Christmas Advent 2024: Mary & Gabriel

Christmas Advent: Mary & Gabriel

Illust: Last Anniversary

I’m not always the most thoughtful person when it comes to birthdays and anniversaries. Somehow they always seem to sneak up on me. That’s especially tough, because my wife’s love language is thoughtfulness. Last year though I made an intentional effort to not let that happen. (Show picture)

Every time I read the Christmas story, the story of Jesus being born, I am reminded of God’s love toward us and how it’s demonstrated in so many details. God wasn’t confused about our condition, time didn’t sneak up on Him, He’s been working since the foundation of the world to demonstrate His love toward us through His Son Jesus Christ.

I want us to look at the interaction between Mary and Gabriel in Luke 1:26-38.

Theme:

Passage: Luke 1:26-38 NLT

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Main Points:

1. 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,
   1. Last week we looked at the message Gabriel brought to Zechariah. 6 months later Gabriel brought another message to Mary. Gabriel is the angel mentioned throughout Scripture as a messenger from God.
   2. Nazareth was a small insignificant town. Estimated at a few hundred people.
2. 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.

   1. Mary was young (probably a young teenager), poor, from an insignificant town, and female. From the cultural standard, she was unusable by God for any major task. But how many of you know God doesn’t base His promises and purposes on cultural standards?! God gave Mary one of the most significant callings in human history, to carry the Son of God and to be the mother of the Messiah!

      1. You may feel insignificant. You may feel unusable. “I’ve made too many mistakes.”, “I’m too young.”, “I’m too uneducated.” Let me tell you today that God wants to use you for a great purpose! He loves you and has a magnificent plan for your life!

         2. Mary was engaged to Joseph. This engagement was as binding as marriage. Culturally they would have had to get a divorce in order to separate. He was a descendant of King David.

      2. This is significant because this fulfills the prophecy in 2 Samuel. “12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do.” - 2 Samuel 7:12-14

      3. Abraham - Gen 12:3, Judah - Gen 49:9-10.
      4. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
         1. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” - Matthew 1:23
         2. God is with you! He is Immanuel. Just as it brought comfort to Mary in Gabriel’s greeting it should bring us comfort today. We don’t serve a distant God, we serve an intimate God. Who is with us in every season!
      5. 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.
         1. Application: Have you ever heard a word from God and said “Ok God, how?” This is a legitimate question.
      6. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!
         1. You don’t find favor, favor finds you!
         2. You don’t achieve favor from God, you receive favor from God.
         3. Favor doesn’t fall on the fortunate. Favor is a gift, and faithfulness positions us to enjoy it!
         4. You are favored today! That word favor, it also means grace. Mary found great grace from God. If you are a child of God you have received that Great Grace that Great Favor from God!
         5. I want to encourage you today, follow favor! Follow God’s grace on your life! He loves you and has given favor over your life!
      7. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
         1. The prophet Isaiah, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
         2. Jesus’ name means “The Lord Saves” “Jehovah is Salvation”
      8. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
         1. This is no ordinary king. This is the king of kings and lord of lords. The King that reigns forever!
      9. 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.
         1. This truth is still true today. When God wants to do something in your life it will be through the power of the Holy Spirit!
         2. This word overshadow, is the same reference to the Holy of Holies. God was making Mary’s womb a holy place for the Son of God
      10. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”
          1. God is into the details. He says, I’m not only working in your life, but I’m working over here too.
          2. When God says it, He does it! He always fulfills His promises!
      11. 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
          1. Mary had a humble commitment and a willing obedience.
          2. Mary was risking so much, and yet she was obedient despite the consequences. She trusted God and submitted to His calling on her life! What an example for all of us here today!

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-18

Light Candles/Silent Night