A Christmas Interruption
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Luke 1:
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
How is your Christmas going on so far?
Still shopping?
Christmas is supposed to be a relaxing time for family but in many ways, the days leading up to it can be stressful. (overscheduled, hurried, financially draining, then the shopping)
To many, it can be an interruption or disruption..
Business slow down.. workers go on vacation..
The story of the first Christmas is also a story of interruption in the lives of two people, Mary and Joseph.. I believe we can learn a great lesson in studying these stories and how the main characters responded to it..
Big Idea: God performs the impossible through our interruptions in life and we should respond with courage, faith and obedience.
Talk of the seldom taught story of the announcement of the coming of Jesus to Mary..
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
Sixth month after the announcement to Zechariah.
The Great Angel, Gabriel came
Luke has to mention the town of Nazareth. Lowly obscure town, actually a despised town, known for the Roman garrison there.
Nathaniel in said: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth”?
There is discrimination of the place and by association of people who live in it.
God does not choose someone for their prominence in the eyes of men but even someone who people reject and despise.
You think you are insignificant, too humble, unqualified, young?
Be ready because God can use you for a great work..
Speaking of great work, we’ll focus on the magnificent work that God did in Mary.
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
Luke has to mention, that Mary was betrothed or engaged to Joseph, of the house of David ==> The Messiah has to come from the line of David.
But here is the major interruption, the engagement, lasts for a year.. Jewish maiden’s dream to be married.. it seemed the future has already been set then the angel announces:
28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
Luke 1:28-
Must be overwhelming for Mary.
the sight of a mighty angel
the engagement, is she going to break the engagement with Joseph?
How will her fiancee receive this news?
Not sure if Mary thought of this, but Joseph did.. what will happen when people find out? That she is pregnant before her marriage to Joseph.. the law, this is adultery.
Worth mentioning:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
Matthew 1:
Joseph had a plan..
You think you deal with stress this Christmas? Think of the stress, the responsibility and the risk that were placed on the shoulders of Mary and Joseph - just with the announcement!
How much more raising the perfect Son of God in your household!
How does Mary respond?
The key here is the word favored and favor.
Image of the word Favor here.
Image of the word favored - Charitoo here.
Same word for grace.
GRACE - unmerited favor
It is not because of Mary’s righteousness, or holiness that she was chosen, it is the favor of Almighty God.
If you receive Jesus in Your life you are already favored!
12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
2 Corinthians 2:21
The angel’s exhortation, “do not be afraid”..
The word “fear not” 365 times.. not sure if that is accurate..
When Jesus said:
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
That should be enough!
With these overwhelming circumstances, no worries, God has highly favored you..
I believe Mary heeded the angel Gabriel’s call and took courage! She took the promise of God and overcame her fears.
Overcome your fears by trusting God and His promise!
Luke 1:32-33
And you shall call His Name Jesus - Greek word for Joshua ==> God saves! We have two brothers here who have the same name as the Lord Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
There are additional data being downloaded to Mary right here!
And you shall call His Name Jesus - Greek word for Joshua ==> God saves! We have two brothers here who have the same name as the Lord Jesus.
She will be the mother of..
And you shall call His Name Jesus - Greek word for Joshua ==> God saves! We have two brothers here who have the same name as the Lord Jesus.
the Son of God
Rightful heir of the throne of David
The forever ruler of Israel
Mary’s response:
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Mary responded in faith.
How is it faith when she seemed to question the angel.
Mary’s response is not a matter of unbelief but rather questioning the process, how will this actually happen? An honest question..
MAry’s response is different from Zechariah’s earlier in the chapter which is totally of unbelief..
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:35-37
Just take it easy, God has it covered!
Just take it easy, God has it covered!
God is at work.
The example of Mary is a great picture of how faith works.
Faith is trusting that God will accomplish His Divine purpose.
The lesson of Mary’s faith is this,
We always tend to look at the dramatic and monumental acts of faith in the Bible:
challenges in life,
Moses parting the red sea.
David defeating a fully armed giant with a slingshot and a stone.
Elijah commanding fire to come down from heaven.
Mary’s seemed passive, just carry the baby for nine months.
the fear that she has to overcome
the unknowns of carrying a child without a father
the risk of public shame
Mary’s is still a great act of faith because it is based on the act of a Great God.
Same is true with your life.
Mary was looking forward to what God will do in her.
We are looking back at what Jesus has already done.
It takes a paradigm shift, that no matter what I face, how often I fail.. I will fearlessly march on in faith. Because of the finished work of Christ!
The angel’s announcement was a huge interuption to Mary..
Is there a major interruption in your life? Loss of a job. Change of fortunes. A bad report from your doctor.
You are favored, God is at work and He will accomplish His purpose in your life.
Because of the finished work of Jesus. Make the angel’s words personal and in the present tense:
“The Holy Spirit has come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, and the child that was born on the first CHristmas day Who lives and reigns in you is the SON of the MOST HIGH!”
There is power in the Name of Jesus!
There is healing for you who are sick in the Name of Jesus!
There is an overflow of provision for you in the Name of Jesus!
There is security and protection for you and your family only in the Name of Jesus!
You have a bright future in the Name of Jesus!
The angel caps our lesson today from verse 37
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
In face of uncertainty, Mary responded with obedience.
38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Obedience of our FO. Obedience of our church.
My own trip to Saudi Arabia.
I am never in harm’s way, when I follow God’s way!
Are we ready to say like Mary:
Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.
Merry Christmas!