Have A Mary Christmas

Title- Have A Mary Christmas

Passage-

Attention-

One of the popular Christmas song we have been hearing for the past 50+ (56 years) years is “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”

And I do love Christmas

The music

The message

The family gatherings

The lights

The gifts

The smells of Christmas

But for some Christmas can be the most difficult time of the year

They may be experiencing any thing from the pain of the loss of a loved on to health issues to relational conflict

For many Christmas is a difficult time of the year

Introduction

Introduction

We find Mary in the midst of a difficult situation.

This situation is not of her doing but non the less this is the reality

She is engaged to a great guy

They are making preparations for marriage

Joseph is preparing a place for them to live

Mary is looking forward to being his wife

All of the plans are going great

They are both so excited

They cannot wait

It is like Christmas time with children…you can feel the excitement in the air

The hope and joy

But then one evening it all changes

We have read this account SO MANY times we read it like it’s normal for this to happen

We ought to read it like it was suppose to happen…because this was suppose to happen..God prophesied it years before

Isaiah 7:14 KJV 1900

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.

This was God’s plan but it was not the norm

The reality is that Mary found herself in a very dangerous place

And Joseph found himself with some difficult decisions.

What is the main driving point (CPS)?

Friends, Mary and Joseph were able to persevere through the difficulty by remembering who their God was.

They were able to endure difficult times because of their trust in GOd

Why does the CPS matter, what is the consequence?

When we keep our focus on God in the midst of difficult times we can have a M A R Y Christmas

Maybe not a picture perfect Facebook Christmas but a joyfilled Christmas

Transition

What are some areas that Mary kept her focus on...

I. She remembered that she was in God’s favor (Luke 1:28)

Explain

We have looked at what this word b\”blessed” means in some of our other services and have come to the understanding that it means a lot more than just happy.

It means, for Mary, that she is the recipient of divine favor.

Of all those that God could have chosen He chose her.

Of all the engagements that could have been stressed out

Of all the unwed pregnant mothers

Of all the women that God could have chosen…he chose Mary

Could you imagine the looks she got as she walked down the street…the whispers she hear...

Of all those who God could have chose to bear this burden He chose Mary

Have you ever wondered why?

Why Mary

Bridge to today

Similarly…have you ever wondered “why me”?

God, Why did you choose me to go through this particular trial

This health crisis

Relational issue

Financial difficulty

Stress…anxiety

Why me?

Have you ever looked back at God and told Him you couldn’t handle it?

I think that is exactly why he chose you for your trial

I think thats why you are dealing with exactly what you are dealing with

Relevance

1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV 1900

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;

If God sent these things to those who were strong enough they would never see Him working in their situation.

God chose you exactly because you can’t handle it yourself.

Ephesians 1:3–4 KJV 1900

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

God chose you…not just for salvation from your sins but for each trial and difficulty in your life

I know what you might be thinking...”Thanks a lot Pastor that makes me feel sooooo much better”

Quite honestly it should....

First of all it should be a constant reminder of who is in control...

Colossians 1:16–17 KJV 1900

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

It is by Jesus Christ that all things are in existence but it is also by him that they continue to exist.

He is in complete control

The problem with these crisis situations and major dilemmas in life is that we feel out of control

The reality is that when we are never in control and that Jesus is never without control over our situation

Why does this matter?

How else should this encourage us...

God is working everything for our good

Romans 8:28–29 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

These difficulties that we face in life are a momentary part of God’s plan for refining us into pure vessels for His glory

2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV 1900

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

2 Corinthians

In light of all eternity to serve and adore the creator the 70, 80, 90 difficult years will be but a vapor

Transition

II. She kept her faith in spite of the odds (Luke 1:37-38)

Explain

I was thinking about the situation that Mary is in here and it had to look pretty bleak...

Again, she’s about to get married

Start a life with Joseph…and THEN have children

We haven’t brought up yet that by Jewish law, and what is presented by Mary’s pregnancy, that Joseph seemed to have the right to have her put to death for adultery

But Gabriel brings he 7 words that will carry her through

“With God all things are possible”

When all faith in what she can see she hears Gabriel “With God all things are possible”

When they stare and whisper she hears Gabriel whispering back “With God all things are possible”

When her plans fail and look like they are going to collapse around her she hears Gabriel saying “With God all things are possible”

Bridge to today

We may be living in different circumstances but we live in the same reality.

God is whispering to us “Nothing is impossible with Me”

When you look around and the circumstances are crumbling around you…remember the God who loves you and is working all things for your good

Through it all Mary kept her faith in God’s plan not her own

When she didn’t know the next step she knew that God did

When Joseph told her they had to pack up and move to Egypt...

Could you imagine

She didn’t…she trusted God’s plan…she kept her faith in him

As long as she kept her faith in Him nothing could defeat her

Relevance

We face the same challenge

Not trusting in ourselves

For us it is all about keeping our faith in Jesus

As soon as we try to take His place in the drivers seat is when we are going to find the difficulties getting worse

Our lives are not ours… they were purchased by the shed blood and the resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is our reasonable service to use our lives to love, serve, and glorify Him

The challenges of this life are only amplified when we set aside Christ and take control

He is God…He is our redeemer…He is the one who can say “With Me all things are possible”

Why does this matter?

I remember years ago I owned a V8 Mustang and it was a beautiful car

I had friends that were so envious

I really liked that car

I ended up driving it into part of the winter once.

What a waste of a car to try driving that thing in even a dusting of snow (in reality it was difficult to drive in the rain)

The car was designed with a purpose…to go fast on dry roads

It was NOT designed to be driven in rain

And was especially NOT designed to be driven in snow

You and I were designed for a purpose

That purpose is to glorify Him

We do that by trusting Him, obey ing Him, loving Him

When we keep faith in Him even in the difficulties we most importantly fulfill our purpose…glorifying God and as a result He helps us carry that burden.

Like when Jesus was carrying the cross to Golgatha…He was tired, struggling, needing help and they grabbed a man from the crown to help carry His burden

He is here for us to help us carry the burden

You will carry it, but he will be there with you making the load lighter

Transition

III. She kept her faith in God’s plan, not her own (Luke 1:38)

Explain

Even in the holidys, which are often difficult times for people, we can look to Christ to help us through

Bridge to today

Relevance

As we remember that we are chosen by Him for the purpose of trusting Him and allowing Him to refine us and glorify Himself

Why does this matter?

Remember your purpose

Remember your redeemer

Remember that with God nothing is impossible

Conclusion

Review of the Principles and the Sermon Proposition

You may not be going through a trial like Mary but we all, at some level, are facing difficulties

There is one who wants to come along side and help bear that burden

Set aside yourself and trust Him

Look to Him

Glorify Him

Visualize Audience Implementation

Maybe you are here this morning and this is all new to you

Visualize Audience Implementation

Or maybe it’s not new but you have come to the realization that you need Jesus’ gift of salvation

We want you to respond in just a moment as we sin

Come forward, raise you hand, pull one of us aside afterward...

You could be here this morning as a Christian and need to once again place your faith in Jesus…not for salvation but for purification of yourself and glorification of Him

Please, allow the HS to work, come forward, sit down and commit once again to glorifying Christ

Go home and make that commitment with your spouse or an accountability partner.

Final Statement

Set aside yourself and trust Him

Look to Him

Glorify Him

Would you bow your heads and close your eyes with me?

Closing Hymn