A Season to Worship
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Junior Church dismissed
Well that was an amazing first snow last week!
Hey I’m still on cloud 9 from that. We were sledding and throwing snow balls. It was great. I can’t wait for more.
I’m really praying for a white Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, how many have their Christmas shopping done?
Christmas has become one of the most if not the most commercialized holidays in the United States. During the Christmas season there are hundreds of billions of dollars spent on decorations, food, and of course, the perfect gifts for loves ones.
Last week was full of black Friday deals, small business Saturdays, and Cyber Monday sales. Millions of dollars were spent in just the last week. The weeks leading up to Christmas should be filled with peace and happiness. Too often though, we experience a holiday of worry and stress.
lf we want to avoid the stress associated with the material concerns of the Christmas season, we must turn our focus upward to the One whose birth we celebrate.
Isaiah describes Him in the following verse
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; And see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace and came to be the Prince of Peace for everyone.
The Bible has three promises of Peace in the New Testament
Scripture shows us the three promises
The first is a peace from God
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace with God
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
and then there is the Peace of God
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The peace that comes from, is with, and is of God is accessible to us through Jesus christ.
The announcement of his coming was intended to bring peace to troubled hearts, both in the days of Mary and Jospeh and in our day today.
Last week we looked at Joseph and how he received the news of the coming Messiah. This week I want us to take a look at Mary and how she responded to the birth announcement.
Follow along as I read this morning
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, 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.
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.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
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:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
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.
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.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
PRAY
Notice with me first the Message of Peace
I. The Message of Peace
I. The Message of Peace
The details of this message were not there out of happenstance. It wasn’t coincidental that Gabriel came at a specific time, the 6th month, to a specific place, Galilee named Nazereth, and to a specific person, a virgin espoused to Joseph.
See with me the message was given in a humble place
Let’s look first at the message
A. Given in a humble place
A. Given in a humble place
Here is the city that will be the birthplace of the Son of God. The Messiah that will save the world.
and it’s not a city that is well known, it doesn’t contain the riches of the nation or palaces.
It wasn’t busseling hub of trade along a popular route.
It was a small town of about 120-150 people. high on a High in the southern portion of Galilee.
Why not Jerusalem though? The city of David? the capital of Israel and the hub of Jewish culture.
I believe it shows us that God’s great work will often start in small places. We can also see that God isn’t interested in the same things mankind is. He isn’t looking for accomplishments, he’s looking for people with a heart for him.
Why though? Why wouldn’t God choose the great things of the world? The things that we look on and hold in high regard?
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
It was here in this small insignificant town that God would send His angel proclaim the message of the coming Messiah to a Holy Woman.
B. Given to a holy woman
B. Given to a holy woman
Last week I spent a little time discussing with you how Mary was a morally pure woman. Today we again see this emphasized in our text in the question Mary asked Gabriel.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
I don’t want to rehash points I made last week but let me spend a moment here and speak on the importance of purity.
Young people, older people, no matter your age, purity is exalted throughout scripture.
But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Living a life that is morally pure isn’t just about fornication.
It’s about fleeing lustful thoughts and ideas. It’s about keeping yourself from seeing things online. It’s about not texting inappropriate words or images.
Each of us should work at protecting our eyes and ears from things that can affect our hearts. Parents, put parental controls on your kids phones, tablets, computers, and any gaming system they have.
If they won’t let you…take the device. As parents it is our responsibility to raise our children in fear and admonition of the Lord. that means taken measures to protect them and to protect ourselves.
Mary was not rich, she wasn’t the most intelligent, but she was pure and favored by God.
Gabriel said “Hail, thou that art highly favored.” That meant she was full of grace. What a great testimony.
Gabriel delivered this message of peace that then gave Mary a reason to worship.
II. The Reason for Worship
II. The Reason for Worship
As we imagined Joseph when he heard the news last week, imagine Mary in this moment.
An Angel from heaven is telling you that you will give birth to the Messiah of your people.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
This was the greatest news the world would ever receive. Fox and CNN would be broadcasting this. It would trend on twitter #messiahcoming
Mary’s response to this news was a response that I believe could be taken as a little bit of fear
verse 34 “how shall this be?”
When God is working and preparing to do something awesome in our lives, we might not understand how. Sometimes that could seem troubling. Just as Joseph had a choice, so did Mary. She could either trust herself or trust God?
I know from my own life that trusting God is always the better option. There has never been a time I’ve done it and regretted. Although on the other side of that, there have been times I’ve trusted myself and greatly wished I hadn’t.
Mary listened to the angel and was given context the message which calmed her fear and gave her reason to worship.
She could worship because of Christ’s presence.
A. Because of Christ’s Presence
A. Because of Christ’s Presence
Remember the meaning of the name Jesus? Jehovah saves.
What a great meaning to a name. The meaning is only one of the characteristics that we can get excited about.
Another one is how easy it is.
His name is easy
His name is easy
Imagine if God had decided to give Jesus the name of some of the men of the Old testament?
Tilgathpilneser or Maher Shalal Hash baz....
Nope, God made it simple. easy to recognize and remember.
Even people who don’t like or hate the name of Jesus know it.
His name is esteemed
His name is esteemed
We hold the name of Christ in high regard. One day the entire world will bend the knee and worship Jesus.
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
His name is enduring
His name is enduring
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
The name of Jesus is one we should love, protect, and exalt.
It serves as a reminder of all that Jesus is to us. When we keep Christ at the forefront of our thoughts and the name of Jesus on our lips often, we will be reminded of His presense ready to worship.
We can also worhsip because of his perfection.
B. Because of Christ’s perfection
B. Because of Christ’s perfection
Every thought you’ve bought someone the perfect gift only to find out it wasn’t what they wanted?
Let me start by saying I’m terrible at buying gifts. I have been since I was a kid.
One year I actually listened to my wife and something she said she had wanted. We were young and only been married a year or two.
Long story short we were exchanging 1 gift the night before Christmas and I handed here this small box. I was pretty excited about her getting it. I was hoping she would see that I had listened to her and got her something she wanted.
Between my excitement and her idea of what should come in a small box on Christmas the anticipation had built to the point to where now she had to open it.
So here she goes tearing the paper away and when she finally casts here gaze upon this gift I had listened to her about to by....she is utterly dissapointed.
It was a 3.5mm aux cord that she could use to plug her phone into the car so she could listen to her music...
I had listened to her complain and say “I wish I had a way to listen to my music in the car...”
You see while I thought I had found the perfect gift for my wife I was WAY OFF. But the gift of Jesus to Mary and the world is exactly what we all need.
God knew exactly what mankind needed and sent Jesus, His Son, to meet those needs.
He was perfect for us because He is perfect.
He was eternal God
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
He is fully God
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Many will acknowledge Christ as a good teacher or a good person but the virgin birth, and how Christ came into the world testifies of Him being so much more.
He is God
He did not establish his kingdom his first time here but he will the second time. And when he does…all will worship Him.
For those who are followers of Jesus, we are not waiting for Him to return to worship Him. Or maybe you are.
The Christmas season is a great time to focus on Jesus, to worship Him, and to thank Him for saving us. Then we can use it as a catalyst to carry that attitude throughout the year.
So here is Mary approached by an angel and given a message of peace that would change her life. She has many reasons to worship but is slightly afraid. Then we see the Consent of Mary.
III. The Consent of Mary
III. The Consent of Mary
Have you ever sat and thought on how amazing it is that God would send his son to live a perfectly sinless life and give himself for all of mankind just because he loves us?
Mary was troubled and had many questions however when she learned who Jesus was from the angel her heart and concerns were quitted.
She had heard all that the angel had said and determined to believe and submit herself to Him.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
A. She consented to God’s Will
A. She consented to God’s Will
There is no doubt God’s plan would have unfolded with or without Mary. God could have forced her God could have made her, God could make you but that’s not how God works.
He provides us the opportunity to to be a part of what He is doing by yielding our lives and wills to His.
William Barclay once said that the most popular prayer is “Thy will be changed” but the greatest prayer on earth is “Thy will be done”
That’s what Mary was saying. Whatever you need from me Lord, You can have it.
I don’t know how you can accomplish something great with just little old me but God, I’m ready for whatever it is. Guide me!
She consented to God’s Will and she consented to God’s Word.
B. She consented to God’s Word
B. She consented to God’s Word
A great example of this is when Jesus was raising Lazerus from the dead and he asked the disciples to move the stone.
If you don’t know the story let me explain. a friend of Jesus’ had died and he got news of it. he came a few days after his death and performed a miracle.
He
Before raising a man from the dead though, Jesus, the one who had calmed the winds and the seas, asked his disciples to move the stone from in front of the tomb.
Once it was removed he calls out “Lazerus, Come forth”
If Jesus could do this don’t you think he could have moved the stone by speaking to it?
He wants us to be a part of what’s going on by consenting to His Word just as Mary did.
Andrew Murray said “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.”
When we put ourselves, our lives, our will, our desires, our pursuits, in the hands of God, we will learn, like Mary did, that we are putting them into more capable hands than our own.
When Mary yielded to the lord she was able to see Him work in a great way. This caused her to Worship Him
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him From generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, And exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, In remembrance of his mercy;
As he spake to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Are you being like Mary this Christmas season? Are you setting yourself up for a season to worship or have you set yourself up for a season of worry?
Worship is made possible as we, like Mary, Believe the Word of God about who Jesus is and why He came.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Are you here this morning and have never decided to trust in Jesus? Do you not know Him or the peace that comes with knowing Him?
Is this time of year nothing more than busyness and money spending?
Life can feel empty sometimes. That emptiness can be filled when we believe in Jesus.
As we transition into a time of response this morning I’d like to ask everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes.
This morning we looked at Mary and how she responded in worship to the announcement of Jesus. She yielded her idea of what her life was going to look like to the Lord and He took it and made it so much mroe.
Christians, are you here this morning not surrendered to Christ? Are you too focused on whats going on around you and not remembering to worship your Savior?
Slow down, take a time out, and replace your worry this season with worship by yielding yourself to the will of Jesus and the word of God.
If you are here today and would like to know Jesus. You would like to know the peace that comes from knowing Him and being saved. I want to help you.
The Bible says in that God loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for your sins. In that same verse Jesus said that whosoever believes on him will not perish but have everlasting life.
It’s that simple. Believe on Jesus…have a relationship with Him.
Do you believe this morning? If you made the decision to trust in Jesus this morning I want to invite you to confirm that with prayer. The words of the prayer mean nothing if you don’t believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised from the dead.
If you want to make the decision to trust Jesus as your savior this morning please pray after me
“Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, I believe you came to die on the cross and rose from the dead. I put my faith right now in you and ask you to come into my life and change me from the inside out. Amen.”
Christians…what area have you not yielded to the Lord today? do that now.
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