Favor From the Lord

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Call to worship

John 8:12 NKJV

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Giving

Luke 21:1–4 NKJV

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Today’s Text:

Luke 1:26–38 (NKJV)

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. 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. 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.” 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.” 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.

1. Jesus Christ son of God, born of a virgin.

Isaiah 7:14 NKJV

14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Luke 1:34 NKJV

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

there is a dispute among biblical scholars about the use of the word “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14. There is no doubt about Mary’s testimony in Luke 1: 34.

it is the third article in the Apostles creed:

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth

And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary

Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell

The third day he rose again from the dead

He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty

From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead

I believe in the Holy Ghost

I believe a holy catholic church; the communion of saints

The forgiveness of sins

The resurrection of the body

And the life everlasting. Amen.

Historic Creeds and Confessions. (1997). (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Lexham Press.

2) Fearfully Favored

Gabriel was sent Just like he was sent to Zachariah was sent to Mary six months later.

Zacharias was out of faith, He did not believe the Lord could do it even though he had the Old Testament example of Abraham and Sarah.

Luke 1:28 NKJV

28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

Mary was confused by the manner of greetings because she had no understanding of how to respond.

3. The mission and it’s sacrifice.

Luke 1:31–38 NKJV

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.” 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.” 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.

Mary fully understood the danger of accepting the will of God for her life. what is the danger of the will of God in her life? I am so glad you asked! it is a danger of reputation.

she was engaged to Joseph.

Luke 1:27 NKJV

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

she knew that Joseph would not likely believe that she was still a virgin because he knew where he had not been, and Mary knew that he had mot been there as already quoted in (Luke 1:34).

she knew this would bring shame on her, on her husband to be, on her family (her mother and father) she would be loosing everyone she cared about.

the christian walk calls for this kind of dying to self for the purpose and glory of God. it is a simple equation for the christian life. Simple is not the same as easy. we are called to die to self in this way often.

This young woman said yes to God and no to everything else.

sacrifice seems to fly in the face of the modern charismatic Church. The contemporary Charismatic Church says that God heals because He doesent want us to suffer… God heals to bring glory to His name. when God blesses it’s not for earthly comfort it is for His glory.

this has been a hard thing foe me: illustrate the coming and going of people.

4. God’s overshadowing makes me fruitful.

Luke 1:30–33 NKJV

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. 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.”

the Lord overshadows her and she will make new life.

I am charismatic and I believe in the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. I believe in the fruit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. the Holy spirit when He moves bears fruit NOT simply experience.

the closer you get to God, the more fruit.

Gabriel tells Mary that He is the Messiah.

5. The Miracle before the Miracle.

Luke 1:36–37 NKJV

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.”

Elizabeth and Zachariah are an encourage Mary, it was not impossible for them; it wont be for you!

The response:

Luke 1:38 NKJV

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.