The Mother God Chose for His Son

Introduction

Happy Mothers’ Day. Thank you for moms—who have worked especially hard during this season (dads—I will honor you in a few weeks).

Moms need margin, a break, rest, and affirmation.

A Mothers’ Day message for you.

Message Title: The Mother God Chose for His Son

Secondary Title: A Survivals Guide to Adversity

Passage setting: An angel of the Lord appears before Mary—and gives her a message that will change everything.

Text

Luke 1:28–33 ESV

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.”

Big Idea: Go you want the favor of God? Do you want to experience everything God has for you? Mary’s character gives us insight into a live that pleases God.

Discerning

Mary did not take things at face value. She was a thinking person. She asked questions.

“[She] tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.” (Luke 1:18)

She asked “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34)

Discernment involves faith, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and wisdom—to identify the truthfulness and validity of a claim.

Key Point: We need discernment to protect from deception and misinterpretation.

Virtuous

Mary was a woman of integrity—wholeness—holiness.

Virtue is rooted in faith in God—possessing a motivation based on love for God—rather than attempting to earn ones way to God’s favor.

Key Point: We need to live honorably before God and others (Virtue impacts our witness).

Obedient

Luke 1:38 ESV

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.

Mary did what God told her to do.

Obedience to God (motivated by love for God) demonstrates respect, honor, and worship toward God,

Key Point: Obedience is an acid test toward the genuineness of your relationship with God.

1 John 5:2 ESV

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

Worshipful

Mary was compelled by all she experienced to worship God.

Luke 1:46–47 ESV

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Mary experienced hardship in her life: the death of her husband; the gruesome torture and crucifixion of her first-born son—and yet she lived to worship and glorify God.

Key Point: Our life as believers must encompass the attitude and practice of worship.

Faithful

Mary believed, trusted, and followed Jesus—and so should we.

Faithfulness in love for God and love for people must be our theme.

Conclusion

Mary found favor with God:

Discerning

Virtuous

Obedient

Worship

Faithful