A Radical Christmas: A Radical Choice
A Radical Christmas • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro:
30 Then 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 bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
Today, we will begin a series entitled, [A Radical Christmas], the subject of today’s message is, [A Radical Choice].
Radical is defined, a person who advocates fundamental reforms by uncompromising methods, an extremist.
Whether we like it or not, 2020 has been a year of radical change.
Plexiglass divider separate customers from employees at stores and banks.
Schools have gone back and forth from virtual to in person classes.
Families have had to adjust the way they celebrate birthdays and holidays.
We have also had to make radical decisions for our church. Had I stood in this pulpit year ago and declared, 2020 will be a year of radical choices.
As a church we will have to choose between worshipping in the building or on the parking lot.
We will have to postpone many of our scheduled services and regular ministries.
AND, we will not have a dinner or a party for over six months.
Everyone would have shaken their heads and thought, our pastor has turned into a radical. Now, nearly nine months into a pandemic, our “radical” choices are becoming commonplace.
A few weeks ago, I read through 2 Thessalonians. One of my bibles has articles in them and I read them as I go along. A word stuck out to me in the commentary, RADICAL.
As followers of Christ, we make decisions that might seem radical or extreme to those outside of our faith. The world often paints Christians as radical people.
And I am not speaking of the nominal Christian. People who affiliate as Christian but do not actively pursue a relationship with Christ are not considered radical.
It is those who take their faith seriously enough to go to church when they doors are open, to pray daily, to pay their tithes, to give to missions, and to determine to go deeper in God. Those are the ones the world considers radical.
In the 1980s, my parents made a choice that was considered radical to many in their families.
My dad was the first to get saved before he and my mom married. His family didn’t go to church and when dad got saved, he went all in with God. Many considered him radical.
My mom was the first to get saved in her family. There were others who went to church, but mom made a radical choice. She didn’t join the Catholic of Methodist church, she became a PENTECOSTAL.
One of the great aunts commented at a family gathering, “you should see Becki, she grew out her hair, and she only wears flannels and long skirts now that she is Pentecostal.
What many of them didn’t realize was the radical change Jesus made in their lives. Furthermore, God is not uncomfortable when we make spiritual choices that seem radical to the outsider.
As we look at the story of Christmas, I want us to notice how God made choices that seemed radical to those alive in the first century.
We will look at Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, and the Shepherds. To the outsider, their actions and decisions were radical. But God used their story to bring about radical change in the earth.
For a world gripped by sin, God wanted to make fundamental changes to society. He was uncompromising in His determination to bring about salvation to humanity.
Today, I want to look at the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Through her story, we will see three radical aspects, [A Radical Choice], [A Radical Chance], and [A Radical Change].
Let’s begin
1. A Radical Choice
1. A Radical Choice
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by 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. The virgin’s name was Mary.
The moment humanity sinned, God had a choice to make. He could annihilate everyone because of their wickedness or He could begin the process of redeeming and forgiving us.
Thankfully He chose to save us. Therefore He was very selective in when, who, and where He would choose to redeem humanity.
Verse twenty-six provides a few specific details that we could easily overlook, but they are important to the story.
The sixth month. What happened in the sixth month? If we were to read the previous few verses we would read of a couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth.
Both of them were older in age and unable to have children. However, God supernaturally intervened and gave them the ability to conceive a child.
Elizabeth went into seclusion for five months. When she arrived at the six month mark of her pregnancy, God sent a messenger to Mary.
Gabriel, one of the Archangels came with a message. I’d like to know how Gabriel felt when God sent him to earth to share the message.
He, like the other angels, longed for God to fulfill His will on earth and heaven. So God summons Gabriel and to inform him, now is the time, I want you to give a message about the coming Messiah.
Where did God choose to send him? Nazareth!
We know all about Nazareth now, because we know it was the hometown of Jesus. But in those days, Nazareth was a spot in the road.
It was out of town, perched on a hill, and no more than 200 people lived there. Their main source of income and livelihood was farming their land and tending to their animals.
Finally, God instructed him, go to Nazareth and speak to a virgin named Mary, for she is the one I will use to give birth to the Savior of the world.
In these two verses, we see three RADICAL choices by God.
First, it would make much more sense to allow Zacharias and Elizabeth to give birth to the Messiah. They were married and it would not be the first time the Lord allowed a barren couple to conceive an important person.
Second, Nazareth. Why on earth did God choose Nazareth? Most thought the Savior would come from an important city, like Jerusalem.
People were not proud of Nazareth. Nathaniel, a disciples once remarked,
46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Finally, why did God choose MARY. She was a teenager, who was engaged, but unmarried. Nevertheless, God knew what He was doing.
He made a radical choice and He gave Mary...
2. A Radical Chance
2. A Radical Chance
28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Though God knew the reasons He selected Mary, the day Gabriel entered her house was a surprise. She was not awaiting an angelic visitor, she merely went about her business.
Then, out of nowhere, Gabriel comes in with a message, REJOICE, GREETINGS, you are highly favored by God and His anointing is upon you.
Let’s separate the spiritual from the natural. We know the spiritual significance, but imagine being Mary. An unexpected visitor barges into the house and shouts, REJOICE, BE HAPPY, HEY HOW ARE YOU?
How would we feel?
Probably similar to Mary, she was troubled, confused, and disturbed wondering what could the angel want?
She might have thought, is he at the wrong house? Is he mistaken?
But the angel assured Mary, do not be afraid. Do not look down on yourself because of our age or social status. God went through great lengths to send me to you.
And I have good news, God chose you and He is about to give you a chance to do something supernatural.
What was God’s plan for Mary?
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give 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.”
Gabriel gave five promises and each was better than the previous one.
First, she had the chance to conceive and give birth to a baby boy. In Hebrew culture having a child was a sign of God’s favor and blessing. Having a son meant that the family name and legacy would continue.
So far so good, she would have a boy and name Him Jesus.
Second, the baby will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. Not knowing the whole story, Mary probably took this to mean that her son would be special to God.
Third, and here is where things get better, He will have the throne of David.
God promised David in 2 Samuel 7:13, that He would make David’s throne last forever. That meant that someone from David’s family would always be the king.
Think of how Mary felt, this sounds like the chance of a lifetime.
Fourth, now only will He sit on the throne of David, He will reign over Israel forever. To Mary, this meant that Jesus would be the Messiah, the Savior of Israel.
Finally, His kingdom will last forever. Wow. Talk about a lot of hope in a short conversation.
Her Son would answer the prayers God people prayed for centuries.
Her Son would fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament.
Her Son would save humanity.
God chose her and she had the chance to be a part of history. Now we know the story and we believe it is true.
But for those alive when this happened, it might have sounded radical or extreme.
Why would God choose an unmarried girl from the sticks to do something so important? Surely that is too radical.
But for some reason, Mary believed, not arrogantly, but in faith and confidence in God’s word. She was God’s radical choice, she was given a radical chance, and soon she would experience...
3. A Radical Change
3. A Radical Change
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Though Mary believed, she had a question, how will this happen?
At first glance, it might sound like she doubted, many others have and would.
Remember, Sarah laughed when God promised she would have a son (Genesis 18:12).
Zacharias doubted he and Elizabeth could have a child because of their age (Luke 1:18).
But Mary clarified her statement, it is not that she doubted, but she needed help wrapping her mind around how it would happen because she was unmarried and lived a life of purity.
She would not have to sin by conceiving the baby before marriage. No God had a holy plan. He would send the Holy Spirit upon Mary and God’s power would overshadow her.
All three members of the Godhead were involved with this miracle. The Father would send the Spirit and she would carry the Son in her womb.
Notice the change in Mary. When Gabriel arrived, she was worried and confused. Now, she understand God’s plan for her life and does not even ask for a confirmation.
But Gabriel lets her know, and by the way, your relative Elizabeth, who was barren is six months pregnant. IF God can do that with her, trust me, He can do this in you, for NOTHING is impossible with Him!
Mary recognized this changed her life. Notice her response:
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Mary’s entire life changed because God chose her. To some, God made a radical choice by selecting her. But Mary made an equally radical choice by calling herself a maidservant or the Lord’s servant.
Some servants in the first century became servants by choice. They would voluntarily sell themselves into slavery.
Mary’s life changed because she determined to commit herself to unconditional service to the Lord.
She did not object, argue, or try to get away God’s hand on her life. No, she submitted totally to God.
I love the next part of the story. She had an amazing encounter with God. But what would others think of her radical change?
The bible does not tell us the conversation she had with her parents or neighbors, but she does go to the house of her relative Elizabeth.
41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
The moment Elizabeth heard the voice of Mary, something supernatural happened. The baby in her womb kicked and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She began to prophesy before Mary could tell her what happened.
She declared:
You are blessed and highly favored
Your child is destined to bring God great delight
The moment you came in the room my baby began to leap and dance with joy inside of me
God’s favor is on you because you BELIEVED what the Lord spoke to you!
After hearing Elizabeth’s; word from God, Mary broke forth singing and praising God for His:
Attention to her
His holiness
His mercy from generation generation
His mighty power
His sovereign power over the world
And His faithfulness to keep His promises
Talk about a quick change in Mary’s life.
Close:
On paper, the story of Christ’s birth is radical and extreme. God made a radical choice by going to an impoverished region to select a seemingly insignificant person.
He gave Mary a radical chance, to become the means whereby He would change the world.
And because of Mary’s belief and faith, God made a radical change in her life and she sold out to God!
In so many ways the Christmas story does not make sense, but God’s ways are higher than our ways. Paul explains it this way:
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
And today, our story is not that different than Mary. Though we live in different part of the world, complete with a different language and culture, we are similar.
When God chose us, to some He made a radical choice. When we think of our shortcomings, our mistakes, our temptations, and our past, we might think, God why did you choose me?
Remember:
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God chose us for such a time as this. He as a plan for us, and even when we were far from Him, He still chose us. And today.
We have the chance. We have the chance to make a radical decision.
2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
We have the chance to receive salvation. And let me explain, salvation is more than a one-time prayer. When we repent of our sins, we have the chance to see God do in us what is seeminly impossible.
And finally, God want to make a radical change in us!
Satan is NOT intimidated by nominal Christians, those who are Christian in name only. He is not threatened by people who go to church on Sunday.
No, He is threatened by those who get “radical.”
We become radical when we choose to take the chance and let God change our lives.
We become radical when we choose to pray EVERY day and not just in crisis.
We become radical when we get serious about reading our bibles.
We become radical when we allow God to fill us with His Spirit.
We become radical when we are not ashamed or afraid to give God undignified praise!
Do we become radical to God? No way. He wants us to sell out and give EVERYTHING to Him.
The world may call us radical, the enemy may call us radical, but when I think that God chose us, He has given us chance after chance, and He had made changes in us, it makes me feel like Mary.
It makes me want to do all I can to serve Him and please Him.
God chose us, will we choose Him?