The Characters of Christmas - Mary

When the massive Hurricane Charley slammed into Florida in 2004 with 145 mile per hour winds, it destroyed more than 12,000 homes. But a later study by a group of insurance companies found that almost all of those homes had something in common—they had been built prior to 2001. That year, a strict new building code was adopted, requiring homes to be strengthened to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Jeff Burton, building code manager for the Institute for Business and Home Safety said, “There is very, very strong evidence that buildings built under the 2001 code that were built properly and inspected…fared much, much better than buildings that were built prior. The building code, as it exists today did its job.” There is a reason for the building code, and those who follow it find that it works. The same is true for God. When we do what God says, our lives are improved.

Conversely, living in disobedience to God negatively affects your life. When we view God’s commands and callings as a set of restrictions that limit what we can do, we are tempted to resent them. Many people completely abandon any pretense of holiness or godly living because they don’t want to be tied down by rules. Yet when the storm winds blow, those who have not built their lives according to God’s code find themselves facing destruction and ruin.

Falling through the school ceiling story.

I generally see myself as an obedient person: If the elders came to me and told me that I needed to start wearing a suit and tie every Sunday, after some pushback and debate with them, do you know what I would do? I would wear a suit and tie every week. Because as the Lead Pastor here, I have placed myself under their authority. And I thank the good Lord above that our Elders are godly people who love the Lord and would never ask me to wear a suit and tie every week.

But there are still areas of my life where I disobey God. And God has been speaking to me about those areas, reminding me that it’s in MY best interest to get those areas in alignment with his principles.

For this advent season, we have been going through a series on the Characters of Christmas. We started with the character of John the Baptist, and last week we looked at Joseph. This week, we are looking at Mary. And when I reflect on the character of Mary in the Christmas story, I realize that the source of her obedience was her experience of God’s grace and when she said yes to God, it changed the world.

So let’s work through the passage that ___________ read earlier:

Luke 1:27–28 NLT

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!”

This idea that Mary is favoured has led to a lot written about her. In the Catholic Church, there are the 4 Marian Dogmas

1. Perpetual Virginity - she is always a virgin - Jesus’ siblings that are mentioned in the Bible are Joseph’s. This comes from a document called the “Gospel of James” that states that Mary herself was immaculately conceived. As proof of her virginity, the Gospel of James says that Salome tried to do a gynecological exam and her hand caught fire as punishment for touching Mary.

2. Divine Motherhood - Mary holds the title “Theotokos” - or God-bearer” or “mother of God” which was granted at the council of Ephesus in 431 AD. And I don’t disagree with this doctrine because it’s just a belief that Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man.

3. Immaculate Conception - As evangelical Christians, we hold to Jesus’ immaculate conception - that He was born without a sinful nature. He was like Adam in that way - able to sin but not predisposed to it like we are. But the Catholic Church also believes Mary was immaculately conceived. Because she is perfectly holy, so then, Jesus can be perfectly holy is the logic behind the doctrine.

4. Assumption - This doctrine states, "Mary, Immaculate Mother of God ever Virgin, after finishing the course of her life on earth, was taken up in body and soul to heavenly glory” In this way, Mary is more like Elijah, who was just taken up to heaven, bypassing the normal means. It’s a way to show how special she is. In fact, according to Catholic doctrine, she is still working. The doctrine continues and says, ”Taken up to heaven, she did not lay aside her salvific duty... By her maternal love she cares for the brothers and sisters of her Son who still journey on earth"

And while I don’t agree with my Catholic brothers and sisters about the sinlessness, purity or even her assumption into heaven, I am struck by the angel’s declaration to here, “Greetings, favoured woman! The Lord is with you!” What does it mean to be favoured?

Define “grace”

As the story in Luke’s gospel moves from the Temple in Jerusalem to an insignificant home in the insignificant town of Nazareth and from a righteous priest in Zechariah to an insignificant teenage girl, we see that anyone could have been Mary. God chose Mary not because of her righteousness but simply because. And this means that if Mary can be used by God to do something amazing, anyone can be used by God. Even you, and even me.

Luke 1:29–34 NLT

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.”

The previous story in Luke’s gospel is the story of the angel’s announcement about John the Baptist to Zechariah. In that story, Zechariah, like Mary here, questions the angel. And while the questions look similar on the surface, Mary and Zechariah are searching for two very different things.

When Gabriel announces John’s conception to Zechariah, Zechariah responds with “How can I be SURE of this? He’s looking for proof, which is a sign of his disbelief.

When Gabriel announces Jesus’ conception to Mary, She asks “HOW will this be?” She’s looking for clarification.

Doubt that is rooted in learning is a good and holy thing. “I don’t understand” is a great place to be spiritually. But doubt rooted in disbelief isn’t a question; it’s simply a rejection - your mind is made up, and you aren’t interested in honestly looking at something. That kind of doubt shuts down the opportunity to grow. I hope that all of you have some doubts that are rooted in a lack of understanding - I have them. And that in those doubts, you will press in to see what God wants to teach you.

Luke 1:35–37 NLT

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.”

The angel not only explains what’s going to happen (answers her question of How), he reassures her with a sign.

This response is a grace upon grace from God - Not only does God choose Mary for this amazing honour and responsibility, he even gives her details about how it’s going to work. God doesn’t owe us explanations or reasons, and we don’t always get them so when he does give them to us, it’s an act of grace toward us. And then, in order to reassure her and fuel her obedience, he gives her a sign (that she didn’t ask for) - Elizabeth’s pregnancy, which is a miracle in itself. Our God just pours out grace upon grace, doesn’t he?

Luke 1:38 NLT

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Mary obeys the will of God. She said yes. And it changes her life. It doesn’t make it easier - in fact, it gets harder. An unmarried young woman is now pregnant with “God’s son?” This could get her killed both for immorality and for heresy. At the minimum, it would turn her into a social pariah and ruin any chance for a respectable life in that time.

But on the other hand, she now gets to be a mother, which is always a beautiful thing. But not just any mother - mother to Jesus. What must that have been like? Her story is now read every year, all over the world until the end of time. Her life is forever changed by saying yes to God.

It also changes the world. She said yes and Jesus was born. And through him, light entered into the darkness. Hope arrives for humanity that was lost in sin and death. One decision changed everything.

Mary experienced God’s grace (his choosing of her), and it led to her obedience to his calling and command, which changed the world.

Have you experienced the grace of God? Have you felt in the core of your being that God has chosen you to be his beloved daughter or son? Do you know in the depths of your heart that despite everything you have done, God unconditionally loves you and that he sent Jesus to redeem you and save you?

And those are some of the big moments of grace. What about the small ones: that time you were discouraged, and someone lifted your spirits or that time when you were sick and someone brought you food or watched your kids or that time when money was super tight, and then God provided for you what you needed or that time your favourite pastor currently employed at Brentwood Park Alliance Church blessed you with that sermon that helped you connect to God? These are all displays of God’s grace to you because our God loves to show us grace upon grace.

And when you look and see all the ways that God has shown you grace and allow them to penetrate into your heart, it makes you want to respond to God with obedience.

But if we are real and authentic with each other, like me, there are probably areas in your life that, despite God’s grace, you are still walking in disobedience to him. Have you ever asked why?

For most things in our lives, our disobedience comes from our disbelief. We don’t believe that God wants to provide for us in that area. We don’t believe that his grace is greater than our sin.

And if you hold that view, you are not alone. But you are wrong. God’s grace is greater than your sin. He does want to provide for you and see you spiritually, mentally, and physically healthy and thriving.

So, how do we overcome our habits of disobedience?

1. Bring up all your disobedience and, in prayer, confess it to God.

Psalm 32:5 NLT

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

2. Believe that God has forgiven you of all of it. Receive his forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 NIV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

3. Allow His grace to fuel your devotion to Him. Remember that God has chosen you not only to be his beloved child but also his empowered ambassador in this world, testifying to our God's love, grace and power.

Acts 4:33 NIV

33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all

Every day, pray that God gives you the grace you need to overcome your disobedience and walk in obedience.

Experiencing God's Grace leads to obeying God's Will, which will change your life. We see it in Mary’s life. I’ve seen it in my life. And I believe that as you lean into God’s grace, you will see it in your life as well.