"A Willing Servant"

Call to Worship (Genesis 12, Psalm 121, John 3)

Come, all who need help! Our help comes from God, the one who made heaven and earth. Come, all who desire blessing! Our blessing comes from God, the God of Abraham, the God of the ages. Come, all who long for salvation! Our salvation comes from Jesus Christ, the one sent by God to save the world.

Opening Prayer (Genesis 12, Psalm 121, John 3)

Open our eyes to see the blessing of your creation in the beauty all around us. Open our ears to hear the blessing of your word as it is proclaimed in story and song this day. Open our hearts to experience the blessing of faith through the gentle touch of a friend or the supportive smile of a stranger. And open our doors, that we may become vessels of your blessing to a world still in need of salvation. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

Invitation to the Offering

Through this invitation to share our gifts, we acknowledge that God has blessed us abundantly, and that we are to be a blessing to the world. In the very act of giving, in every act of bestowing blessings on another, we find that we are blessed yet again. I encourage you now to enter fully into this amazing cycle of blessing.

Prayer

Gracious and glorious Lord, we come, as did Nicodemus, with questions on our hearts and in our lives. We come hoping someone can help us find answers and healing. But we are also hardened with doubts about self, others, and even you. Grant us healing and openness to your spirit that we may be better servants of your Word, your Will, and your Way. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.

Luke 1:26-38 New International Version The Birth of Jesus Foretold 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, 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 favored! 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 favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him 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 Jacob’s descendants forever; 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 on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] 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 unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Introduction (Luke 1:26) “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,”

The angel Gabriel is sent to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to visit Mary.

Luke 1:26 sets the stage for the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary by stating that he was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth. This small town was located in the northern region of Israel, and it was not known for being a significant cultural or religious center. However, it was in this humble setting that God chose to reveal His plan for the salvation of humanity through the birth of His Son. The fact that Gabriel was sent to a young woman in Nazareth emphasizes the unexpected and humble nature of Jesus' birth, which was not in line with the expectations of the Jewish people for a powerful and politically influential Messiah. Overall, Luke 1:26 establishes the setting for this miraculous encounter between the divine and the human, highlighting the humility and unexpectedness of God's plan for salvation.

A person receiving unexpected news that changes the course of their life. For example, imagine a young woman who is working as a cashier at a grocery store, living an ordinary life, when suddenly a well-dressed executive walks in and asks to speak with her. The executive then proceeds to tell her that she has been chosen for a high-paying job in a prestigious company, and that her skills and talents have been recognized as exceptional. The woman is taken aback by this sudden news, but she is also filled with a sense of wonder and awe at the opportunity that has been presented to her. Similarly, Mary's encounter with Gabriel was unexpected and life-changing, as she was suddenly called to be the mother of the Messiah. Just as the woman in the illustration must grapple with the implications of her new role, Mary must also come to terms with God's plan for her life and the responsibility that comes with it. This illustration highlights the power of unexpected opportunities and the importance of faith in accepting and embracing God's plan for our lives.

Be open to unexpected opportunities: Just as Mary was visited by an angel and presented with an unexpected opportunity to be the mother of Jesus, we too may encounter unexpected opportunities in our lives. It is important to be open to these opportunities and to have faith that God can work in and through us in unexpected ways.

Humility before God: Mary's humility before God is a model for us to follow. She did not seek recognition or glory, but simply submitted herself to God's will. We too must approach God with humility, recognizing that He is the one in control and that our role is to serve Him.

Body

I. Gabriel's greeting and Mary's response (Luke 1:27-29) “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 favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”

Gabriel greets Mary and tells her she is highly favored by God. Mary is troubled by the greeting and wonders what it means.

In Luke 1:27-29, the angel Gabriel greets Mary by saying, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." This greeting is significant because it suggests that Mary has been chosen by God for a special purpose. The phrase "highly favored" could also be translated as "full of grace," indicating that Mary has been blessed with God's favor and that she is a recipient of His grace.

However, Mary is troubled by this greeting and wonders what it means. This is a natural response, as the sudden appearance of an angel and the message he brings would be a surprising and unsettling experience. Mary's response suggests that she is humble and cautious, and she is not quick to assume the meaning of Gabriel's words. This interaction between Mary and the angel underscores the significance of this moment and highlights Mary's faith and trust in God as she seeks to understand His plan for her life.

A young student who receives an unexpected invitation to a prestigious academic program. The student is taken aback by the invitation and wonders why they were chosen. They feel uncertain about whether they are qualified for the program and whether they can handle the demands that come with it. Similarly, when Mary is visited by Gabriel and told that she is highly favored by God, she is initially troubled and unsure of what it means. Like the student in the illustration, Mary's response highlights her humility and caution as she seeks to understand what God's plan for her life is. This illustration underscores the importance of trusting in God's plan, even when it may seem daunting or uncertain. It also emphasizes the significance of humility and recognizing that any opportunities or blessings we receive come from God's grace and favor, not our own merit. Ultimately, just as the student in the illustration must have faith in their abilities and trust in the value of the opportunity they have been given, Mary's response to Gabriel's greeting shows us the importance of having faith in God's plan for our lives and trusting in His guidance.

Seek to understand God's plan: Like Mary, we should seek to understand God's plan for our lives. This involves taking time to pray, study the Bible, and listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Trust in God's goodness: Ultimately, Mary's response to Gabriel's greeting shows us that we can trust in God's goodness and faithfulness. Even when we face uncertainty or difficulty, we can have confidence that God is with us and working all things together for our good.

I. Gabriel's greeting and Mary's response

II. Mary's question and Gabriel's response (Luke 1:34-37) 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] 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 unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

Mary questions how she can conceive a child, since she is a virgin. Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, and the power of the Most High will overshadow her. He also tells her about Elizabeth's pregnancy, which is a sign that nothing is impossible with God.

In Luke 1:34-37, Mary responds to Gabriel's announcement that she will conceive and bear a son by asking how this can be, since she is a virgin. Gabriel responds by explaining that the child will be conceived by the Holy Spirit and will be the Son of God. He also tells Mary about Elizabeth's pregnancy, which is a sign of God's power and faithfulness. Mary's question and Gabriel's response highlight several key theological themes. Mary's question and Gabriel's response illustrate the importance of faith and obedience in our relationship with God. Mary's initial response was one of confusion and uncertainty, but ultimately she submitted herself to God's will and accepted the role He had given her. Similarly, we must have faith in God's promises and be obedient to His will, even when it may be difficult or uncomfortable. Overall, Mary's question and Gabriel's response serve to highlight the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth, God's faithfulness to His promises, and the importance of faith and obedience in our relationship with Him.

A young couple who have been struggling to conceive a child. Despite their efforts, they have not been able to become pregnant, and they are beginning to lose hope. One day, the wife receives unexpected news that she is pregnant, despite having had no physical relationship with her husband. The couple is amazed and confused by the news, but they come to realize that it is a miracle from God. This illustration highlights the miraculous nature of Jesus' conception and birth, and the way that it defies human understanding and expectations. It also shows how God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible or unlikely. Like the couple in the illustration, Mary's question and Gabriel's response demonstrate the importance of having faith in God's power and trusting in His plans for our lives. Despite our doubts and uncertainties, we can trust that God is in control and that He is working all things together for our good. Ultimately, the miracle of Jesus' birth reminds us of the incredible love and grace of God, who sent His Son to save us and reconcile us to Himself.

Submit to God's will: Mary's submission to God's will, despite her confusion and uncertainty, is a powerful example for us to follow. We too must be willing to submit ourselves to God's plan, even when it may not make sense to us.

I. Gabriel's greeting and Mary's response

II. Mary's question and Gabriel's response

III. In Conclusion

Mary's willingness to serve God and trust in His plan for her life sets the stage for the miraculous birth of Jesus and underscores the importance of faith and obedience in the lives of God's people. In Luke 1:26-38 is a significant passage that highlights Mary's humility and faith in God's plan for her life. It reminds us that God's plan for salvation does not depend on human status or wealth, but rather on faith and obedience to His will. It also encourages us to trust in God's plan for our lives, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, and to seek to serve Him with all our heart and soul.

Benediction

Lord, as we go from this place, walk with us. Give us renewed confidence in your will and transform our lives that we may serve you better. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.