The Preparation of the Lamb

Luke 1: 26-38

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, 27 named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail! thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women! 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The Grass Withers & The Flower Fades, but the Word of God Shall Stand Forever.

For a foundation of this message you can go with me to the book of Genesis chapter 3:8-13

8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

The Gospel according to Luke (Introduction)

It is my understanding that Luke understands Jesus of Nazareth to be the incarnation of the eternal God within human history, who was sent “in the fullness of time” in fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, and that his death as the righteous Servant of God effects the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles, to which the church—which Luke treats in his sequel in Acts—bears saving witness.

The Gospel according to Luke (3.2. Comparison of External Testimony of the Early Church to Internal Evidence in Luke-Acts)

The foregoing details generally correlate positively with the Third Gospel. The Lukan prologue declares what is echoed throughout the patristic testimony, that Luke was not an apostle nor personally present during the ministry of Jesus, but dependent for his information in the Gospel on others who were “eye-witnesses and servants of the word” (1:2). Luke’s association with Paul can be similarly fact filled. By Pauline testimony, Luke is thrice identified in his entourage (Col 4:14; Phlm 24; 2 Tim 4:11), and the “we”-passages in Acts are still best explained as personal testimony of Luke, perhaps even from his travel diary.

(4. Date of Composition)

The date of composition is neither given nor suggested in the Third Gospel.

The Gospel according to Luke (5. Place of Composition)

There is report that the Third Gospel was produced in Achaia.

“THE PREPARATION OF THE LAMB”

In the Gospel of Luke it is referred the coming of the Messiah. His coming was prophesied A thousand years before Christs birth. His coming was announced by the angel Gabriel who was the highest ranking of angels. Christ’s conception was created by the power of the Divine Spirit. He will be uniquely powerful to the fulfillment of God’s plan for Israel’s and the world’s Salvation. Luke intends for Jesus and John the Baptist to be compared to the reader that JESUS IS GREATER than John the Baptist. John’s conception is remarkable in that Elizabeth is barren and she is pregnant with a son in her old age. That is a remarkable thing that was sanctioned by the Holy Ghost, but that has happened before. Serah was an old woman and gave birth to a child. Hannah was barren and gave birth to a child. John the Baptist being born from an old woman is remarkable, but Jesus conception is NOT REMARKABLE but MIRACULOUS. Zachariah belong to the priestly line. Mary has no inherited status,

Zachariah is righteous and blameless in the law. Nothing is said of Mary’s obedience or her righteousness. Being in tune with God caused the angel. Gabriel to appear before Zachariah. The visit to Mary comes completely at the Divine Initiative.

Zachariah is in Jerusalem in the city of David. Mary is a young woman in an obscure village called Nazareth. Zachariah’s wife Elizabeth will BARE A SON!! Mary will Bring Forth a Son........ that her Betrothed Joseph has nothing to do with.

This morning I would like for us to look at “THE PREPARATION OF THE LAMB. The birth of Jesus was an act of God for our Poor Humanity. Look with me in verse 26-28 for our First Point The PLACE RESERVED for this Lamb.

And it Reads

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Liberal Theologians my Brothers and Sisters of whom I Am NOT. But liberal

Theologians have sought to reduce the virginity of Mary mentioned twice inverse 27. They tried to reduce her virginity by saying Mary was just a young Woman, but the Vessel God chose to use to bring his Son into the world was not just a young woman, she was a VIRGIN YOUNG WOMAN Perfectly Pure. Now brothers and sisters hear me that it is important Christa logically because God promised that the Savior of Humanity would be born the SEED of the woman. By sending Jesus through the womb of a virgin. God gave him a human body, a human nature, without his inheriting a FALLEN NATURE. He is born of a Virgin Woman because He has a human body, and a human nature but not a FALLEN NATURE rendering him in the language of the la-tins, He is NON-POSEA PICARRE/ He is Unable, Incapable of Sinning. If we look at 2 Corinthians 5:21

King James Version (Chapter 5)

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The virgin birth of Jesus is the foundational doctrine of the Christian religion because without Jesus’s virgin birth there is no Savior, without a Savior there is no Hope, and with No Hope there is no foundation to Build our Faith.. Is there ANY BODY HERE WHO CAN HELP ME SAY!!! My hope is built on nothing lest than Jesus Blood and Righteousness. On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other Grounds are Sinking Sand. You see without that it would make Jesus... Just Another Man!!. And if Jesus is another man, we are still in our sins, our Preaching is in vain, our Teaching is in vain, Our Faith is in vain and we are all among men......... Miserable. JESUS IS JUST NOT ANOTHER MAN!!! He’s the Son of the True and Living God. He Is the Son of God Without sin and the Son of Man with POWER. Virgin born JESUS Christ CAME INTO THE WORLD PERFECTLY SINLESS............. SO THAT WE CAN SIN LESS!! There are some people who refer to God as a Higher Power. If you don’t know, they talk about a Higher Power in Alcoholics Anonymous. But here at the church we don’t serve a Higher Power!! WE SERVE THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD!! And that true and living God was Born in Bethlehem.... Reared in Nazareth, Baptized in the Jordan, Performed Miracles in the desert Place, Prayed in Gethsemane, Died One Friday, was laid in a tomb, got up early one Sunday morning with All Power in his hand!! Seated on the right hand of God right NOW, and He ever lives to make intercession for us…He’s not just another Man!! Jonnathan King is Just another man, Obama is just another Man

(Call a few People names)......

Jesus is just not another Man. He’s the ancient of Days, He’s the Lilly of the Valley, He’s the Bright and morning Star, He’s Not Just…I wouldn't be in church today if THERE WAS A MAN TO BE WORSHIPED!!! He’s Not Just another Man, He is the son of God born.. not remarkably, but miraculously. Mary had not known a man sexually and she was betrothed to Joseph. The betrothal process lasts an entire year. So Mary being engaged to Joseph is like she’s married because a man could divorce a woman because she was betrothed to him. That’s how seriously the Jews took the betrothal. For Mary to have been unfaithful to Joseph, The Bible says she could have been stoned. Matthews gospel said when Joseph heard about it, he put her away Privately because he did not want her to be stoned; but God said don’t be afraid to take her for your wife......Because what has been conceived of her is of the Holy Ghost!!! Jesus is just not another man because you and I are FOOLS for Just Serving Another Man!! I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today!!

Ok let’s keep it moving.......

Let’s look at verse 29-33 which is my second point...... THE PROMISE REVEALED

There was a place reserved and that place was in the womb of a young peasant girl who was favored by God!! Now I know that we all see things a different way. If you can look back over your life, don’t you know that you are here because of the Grace, Mercy, and Favor of God!!!! I wish that I had some folk in here who knew like Mary that you are Highly Favored. Not just favored but highly Favored. When you look back over your life and see where God has brought you FROM and where God has brought you TOO..... You're just not favored, but Highly Favored!! I must get on to my second point now but Stop letting people make you apologize for being Blessed. If God has birthed opportunity in you, Be All God made you to Be! If God is Birthing destiny and potential in your life. As a matter of fact, there is somebody or some people in here and online watching us is Pregnant with something. There are some people who will always be jealous of you because you are favored. They will always put you down when God shows you favor. I’m trying to leave it alone, but Favor is so unfair that God will skip over them and let the blessing fall on you, and you know that you deserve it the least, Do I have a witness? If I have a witness, somebody say Glory!! Don’t you believe that!! You are in church this morning, you are watching us online this morning. The hearse picked somebody up this morning…God skipped over you and took somebody…that’s Favor!!! Somebody Say Glory. If you have the activity of your limbs, you are highly favored!! If you are working, have food in the refrigerator , or retired getting a check you are Highly favored!!

THANK YOU...... FOR FAVOR!!!! but then again when I think about where I could have been, where I should have been, what could have happened to me.

( I wish that I had some real Folk in here, I don't know about you, but I've sinned enough that I ought to be in Hell Right Now!! But again…… He Skipped over. The death angel passed over my house last night and he flew over your house last night. And if that's for You not to give God Praise, somebody ought to shake You Cause you Dead!!! But let the redeemed of the Lord Say so!!!!! Blessed it Though among women and Blessed it the fruit of thy womb. Mary didn't deserve Anything!!!! God just chose her to make her womb, His House!!! I must ask a Question right now………..Is God in your house??? Mary came from Nothing and God chose her to be his dwelling place. You and I came from nothing, but God chose us to birth POSSIBILITY. I wish that I could stay right there, but " That's The Place Reserved" But in verses 29-33 which is our next point there is "THE PROMISE REVEALED"

29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

"THAT IS THE PROMISE REVEALED" Brothers & Sisters it is not Gabriel's appearance, but it's the words that he spoke that caused Mary to have unexpected feelings . Zachariah was disturbed by His appearance, Mary was disturbed by His words. ZACHARIAH SAID HOW CAN THIS BE!!! MARY SAID WHEN WILL THIS BE!!! All God is looking for this ( MORNING / AFTERNOON ) NOT HOW YOU CAN DO IT, BUT WHEN WILL YOU DO IT. Mary is told that she will become the mother of a son. But this son would be no ordinary child. God became Flesh, and dwelt among us. Family He's our only hope to a dying World. Brothers and sisters I wish that I could tell you something better than THAT, but I Can't. I will never be able to preach anything else more profound than that. That the only hope we have is Jesus Christ!!! In order to get to the Father, we must go through His Son!!! It doesn't matter what these other religions may say……..But the only way, is through his son. On a side bar sometimes in the morning I may go to The Raceway on Allison Bennett to get a cup of coffee on my way to work. Some of you would be amazed of the conversations that you could have over a cup of coffee. In this world there are people who go along to get along. So I have to make my position clear and set the tone. I'm a Christian, I know there is a whole lot going on cultural with the LGB COMMUNITY and THE TRANS COMMUNITY. Now let me tell you something!!! Yes I could Get with them, If God was with them, LIKEWISE…… I could get with getting drunk, if God was with it, I could get with Committing Adultery if God was with it, But I've got to preach against it because the Bible is against IT!!! And we love to name SINS THAT WE DON'T COMMIT!! BUT ALL UNRIGHTIOUSNESS IS SIN!!!!! Well the question may be asked…….What if they are born that way!!!! The answer to that question is they must be BORN AGAIN. Because I was born that way. I know that we may have some Super Saints in here who ain't never done anything wrong. I can only be real with myself. I haven't been quick to run to do the right thing. Is there a witness in here who knows what I'm talking about. Sometimes evil thoughts creep into my mind, wrong doing gets in my way!! I'm still a Christian!! If you say you have no sin YOU ARE A LIAR!! and the truth is not in you. John says that I have to go to God to confess my sins, because he is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness, but the only way that can happen is that you Must be a Christian and have the blood of Jesus in your heart. Jesus intercedes to God for us when we do wrong. Jesus says I know that my child tripped up and did wrong, BUT I PAID THE PRICE ON CALVARY !! WHAT CAN WASH!!!! I wish that I had some Real folk in here who have sinned and have skeletons in their closet, not hanging up, but on the floor, because there is no more room on the RACKS!! (Somebody Say Glory!!!!) I’m through but I want you to look through verses 34-48 which is my last point....THE POWER RELEASED.

Mary said to the angel “How Can This Be” since I’m an virgin..The angel said to her the Holy Ghost will come upon you and the power of the Most High will Shadow You, therefore the child to be born will be Holy and he will be called ‘The Son of God” and now your relative Elizabeth in her old age will also conceive a son and this is the 6th month for her who was said to be barren. NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD. Her virginity is presented as an obstacle to conception, that can only be overcome by the miraculous creative power of the Holy Ghost. Just as God created the world out of NOTHING, so will he create this unique child out of Nothing. Mary is an unmarried virgin, conception for her without a husband is IMPOSSIBLE!! But not to God because with HIM ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. It’s time for me to close but as I look at some people in here, and to some of those who are online, you came to Jesus Barren. You came to Jesus with Nothing, knowing Nothing, but when you allow the Holy Ghost to Overshadow You!!! He starts to birth in you..... POSSIBILITY!! There is somebody this morning IS PREGNANT with Spirit Possibility. My God!!!!! But you may be just in an Unsterile environment. Around people who don’t believe you when you say what God wants you to BE !! I suggest that you find better company. When you were young parents told you or should have told you to hang around Positive People...........Well It’s the same thing with Christians!!! When we look at the world today, do you know how many people died of the FLU and Covid, that’s a Impossible Possibility that you are still Here. You know that when you got skipped over that promotion you thought it was the end of the world for you, but God made it so that you are doing better than what the promotion was. Is there Anybody Here Who Know what I’m talking about??? Is there anybody here who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, who grew up in the Projects, God made a Way for You!!! There are people who came from gated communitys who turn down their noses at you, (CHANT) Look as not what God not brought you from, but what God has brought you Too.... God has brought you to POSSIBILITY, God has brought you through new and different EXPERIENCES. GOD HAS OPENED DOORS THAT WAS CLOSED IN YOUR FACE, GOD HAS MADE YOUR ENEMIES LEAVE YOU ALONE, GOD HAS MADE THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE!!! THERE WAS AN IMPOSSIBILITY ONE DAY, OF A YOUNG GIRL NAMED MARY, WHO HAD NEVER HAD SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A MAN, BUT THE HOLY GHOST OVERSHADOWED HER AND SHE BECAME PREGNANT WITH THE MOST HIGH GOD, AND THE BIBLE SAY YOU WILL CALL HIS NAME JESUS, BECAUSE HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS, THAT’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE NAME JESUS, THAT’S DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER NAME THAT YOU WILL HEAR!!!, JESUS IN THE MORNING, JESUS IN THE NOON, JESUS IN THE EVENING, JESUS IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR!!!

PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIKE TO MOVE UNTIL THE HEAR THAT NAME!! PEOPLE DON’T SHOUT UNTIL THEY HEAR THAT NAME.

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE NAME JESUS!!!! PEOPLE WHOSE SICK, GET HEALED BY THE NAME OF JESUS, THERE IS DELIVERANCE....... IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THERE IS SALVATION IN THAT NAME, THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS. THERE IS NO OTHER NAME GIVEN BY MEN IN THAT WE MUST BE SAVED!!! SOMEBODY HELP ME CALL THAT NAME, IT’S A LIFE GIVING NAME, IT’S A LIFE CHANGING NAME, IT’S A SIN KILLING NAME, THERE’S SOMETHING WONDERFUL ABOUT THAT NAME...... I LOVE TO CALL THAT NAME, DO YOU LOVE TO CALL THAT NAME!!!!! I KNOW THAT IT’S TIME FOR ME TO GO, BUT DO YOU MIND IF I TALK TO YOU ABOUT HIM JUST FOR A MINUTE...... I KNOW THAT WE PRAISED HIM LAST SUNDAY, I KNOW THAT WE CLAPPED OUR HANDS GIVING GLORY TO HIM LAST SUNDAY, BUT HE DID SO MUCH MONDAY........... HE WAS MIGHTY KIND ON TUES, SET MY HEART ON FIRE WED, GRACED ME ON THURS, DID SO MUCH ON FRIDAY, FAVORED ME ON SAT!!! IS THERE ANYBODY HERE WHO NEEDS GRACE, WHO NEEDS NEW MERCY!!!!! HELP ME SAY HIS NAME!!!! JESUS, JESUS, JESUS...