Christmas Questions

I. Introduction

II. Can I Believe God’s promises? (26-27)

A. Explanation

1. The four-hundred-year blackout

2. Prophecies

3. Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:1-5;

4. Genesis 3:15 - Curse

5. Deuteronomy 18:15 – Prophet like Moses

6. Yet at this moment Gabriel has been sent to break the silence and make good on the promise

B. Application

1. Many people would have begun to question God’s promises of sending the savior and saving the people of Israel

a. Things had gotten so bad

b. So much time had passed

2. Yet, God never wavered on His promise. The time would come and was now there to send the Messiah

3. We may ask the same questions. Often it surrounds the evil and suffering in the world and we begin to doubt God’s promises of hope and joy

4. Nevertheless, God is always faithful. If we will trust and follow Him, He will provide our salvations

III. Can I believe God knows me? (28-29)

A. Explanation

1. Mary is not anyone special. She is a common Jewish girl from Galilee. She is betrothed to a carpenter.

2. Many women would have hoped to be the mother of Messiah, but when God sends Gabriel to her, she finds that God has chosen her

a. A virgin – to have a son

b. She is of humble estate

c. Yet of the house of David

3. Still the Lord’s presence is with her (28) – She is favored by God

B. Application

1. Surely Mary did not foresee this experience or the favor of God that was upon here

2. She would have known God as a personal and loving God, but still would not have known just how deeply He loved her and how He had chosen her

3. I think many people today struggle with the question, “does God know me and does He care about me?” The answer is an absolute yes. He does know you and care about you

4. Much like Mary, God has a plan for your life

5. Our relationship with God is a personal one. He knows your name. He created you. He has your eternity sealed. You can trust Him

IV. Can I believe that God will save me? (29-33)

A. Explanation

1. Christmas is about hope. Hope in something better than what our brokenness has given us

2. Jesus is that hope

3. Mary begins with being troubled by the angel – She is fearful of what he is there for

4. But the angel calms her fears and impresses upon her that she has found favor with the Lord –

5. But this means that she is going to have a child – outside of marriage in a time when that was a humiliation and a scandal

6. But she should call his name Jesus. – Because he will save the people from their sin

a. He will be great – the Son of the most high

b. God will give Him the throne of David

c. He will reign over the house of Jacob – Forever

d. And of His Kingdom there will be no end

B. Application

1. God has sent a Savior, not just for Israel but for al of us

2. His kingdom shall never end – He will not be defeated

3. His name means God Saves

4. The fact that God came into our world means He has come to save us

V. Can I trust God’s plan?

A. Explanation

1. Mary asks the obvious question – How can this be Since I am a virgin

2. His answer – The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most-high will overshadow you – This is the plan of God

3. His proof – Elizabeth

4. Nothing is impossible with God – He can do anything!

5. Mary’s response – Faith – Let it be to me according to your word

B. Application

1. Could you do it? Could you trust in God’s plan?

2. God is worthy of our faith. There is nothing that he can’t do. If He calls Mary to have a baby in this way, she can walk through it knowing that God will see her through it. She need not worry about the issues

3. We should be the same. We should follow God faithfully knowing that we can trust His plan

VI. Conclusion