How to Start a Fire (Luke 1:26-38) The Holy Spirit Gives us what we need for Obediance

Sixty-three million. Do you know what that number represents? Before I tell you, I want you to know I am not trying to be political or unkind. The American public has politicized this issue to death with very little fruit to show for it. So I’m not trying to be harsh or partisan. This issue should elicit the deepest wells of compassion because the number represents much pain and strife.

I give you the number in case you do not know.

I give you the number so the scope of the issue is clear.

I give you the number because I hope you will see its connection with God’s work in the world.

In 1973, Roe v. Wade made unrestricted abortion a right in the United States. Researchers classify approximately five of ten pregnancies in the United States as “unwanted pregnancies”—a hideous term. Of those, 40 percent end in abortion.

Those percentages yield the sixty-three million total.

And then, June 24, 2022, unprecedented - this generations “man walking on the moon” Roe v Wade was overturned. And for us as a church is not a political issue, it is a biblical issue.

Psalm 139:13–16 NLT

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

The main principle here is that God created life.

There’s never been an unplanned pregnancy from God’s perspective.

Every human life has purpose and the greatest gift that God has ever given us is life.

And so, as believers in Christ, we believe it is important for us to be a voice for those who do not have a voice. And this is found so often in scripture - and I would have to say that on June 24 of this year, God spoke up - we’ll soon be talking about how the Holy Spirit and God speaks - but many believe that was a moment that God spoke for life.

And when we began this series

We are going to be in Luke today turning the page from the OT to the N

Exalting Jesus in Luke (Jesus Was a Fetus (Luke 1:5–56))

Luke does not begin his Gospel with a full-grown Jesus or even with an infant Jesus. Luke begins his Gospel in the wombs of two women.

In doing so Luke tells us about the dignity and importance of pregnancy and children.

He illustrates how God in infinite wisdom placed the weight of his entire plan of redemption on the back of an unborn baby.

And, Mary was a receptive vessel through which the Holy Spirit could usher the Son of God into the world.

Luke 1:26–38 NIV

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Scripture doesn’t hide the reaction of people.

v.29 - she’s troubled / the reassuring word of the angel - the Lord is with you. (v.28) - and this leaves her wondering (

but her response - I am the Lord’s servant

two weeks ago - Moses’ response when God speaks to him from the flame of the burning bush - Here I am - I am the Lord’s servant.

What does it mean to be the Lord’s servant?

Paul describes in several of his letters

Romans 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

and he describes in

Colossians 4:12 NIV

12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

describing

Philippians 1:1 (NIV)

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

1 Timothy 4:6 NLT

6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.

Jude (the Lord’s half-brother) (Jude 1:1

Jude 1 NIV

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

servant, the greek word DUOLOS - meaning, someone who sets aside all rights to serve another

slave - but slave can have negative connotations -

slaves are purchased or born into a slave family until the master dies or the slaves are freed

some develop such a close bond (love like a son or daughter) that when offered freedom they stayed on with the family

“slave to Christ”

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Those who come to know Jesus Christ desire to abandon all rights and choose to serve Him and serve Him faithfully.

When the Holy Spirit comes, He gives us (1) an ENCOUNTER with Almighty God

One mentioned their encounter right here at an altar - she mentioned I have not experienced such and overwhelming moment as that since - but that has not stopped me serving the Lord because I linger in the memory of God’s love that made such an impact on my life.

The Holy Spirit coming on this person and coming on Mary reinforces the the taste of the Lord’s love and His loving presence - an encounter will strengthen her to raise Jesus, the Messiah, as her son over the decades to come.

My post this week - If Mary gave birth the baby Jesus and Jesus was the lamb of God, did Mary have a little lamb?

Exalting Jesus in Luke Gabriel’s Greeting (1:28–33)

Did you ever feel like your life is too small for God to notice, too insignificant for God to be aware of you? Perhaps that’s how Mary felt.

Mary will face harsh ridicule - what happened to her? people are looking and saying “this good little girl”.

We can imagine Mary returned frequently to this memory of the moment the Holy Spirit came on her to give her the courage to face the less than affirming public moments in her journey of faith

So, when the Holy Spirit comes, He gives her His Presence, His loving presence in this Encounter

Exalting Jesus in Luke (Introduction of Mary and Joseph (1:26–27))

What God does in the world has nothing do with our ages or our hometowns. God uses whomever he wills.

and it often begins with the Holy Spirit coming in an encounter

Second,

When the Holy Spirit comes, He gives us (2) an ENERGY.

Mary - tough as nails, a powerful mighty soul in a tender form - she doesn’t wander or cower in some corner.

she is the first to know who Jesus was

the first to face her fears head on with faith for the name of Jesus and

the first to give her life to seeing God’s will be done through her and through her son no matter the cost.

Exalting Jesus in Luke (Mary’s Response (1:34))

She’s not asking, “Can you do it?” She’s asking, “How will you do it?” Her question builds on faith, not unbelief....

Exalting Jesus in Luke (Gabriel’s Explanation (1:35–37))

To this young girl in a rural countryside, God through Gabriel reveals two of the greatest mysteries in the universe: the incarnation and the Trinity (v. 35):

Luke 1:35 NLT

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

He refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit each having a part. But it’s God the Son who will take on himself human flesh in the humility of a babe.

Exalting Jesus in Luke (Gabriel’s Explanation (1:35–37))

Because Christ is fully God and fully man, he is perfect Savior.

He needed to be God to supply the righteousness humans could not achieve.

He needed to be man to supply to God the sacrifice we owe.

So he became the only mediator between God and man—the God-man, Christ Jesus. He is the only way for men to come to God.

Exalting Jesus in Luke Gabriel’s Explanation (1:35–37)

The angel assures Mary and assures us, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (v. 37). The moment you admit the existence of God, you must deny the impossible.

The Holy Spirit helped her with a deposit of SPIRITUAL ENERGY to keep her going - a spiritual POWER

when the Holy Spirit comes, he gives His Presence in an ENCOUNTER and

His POWER with ENERGY

and,

When the Holy Spirit comes, He gives us (3) INFLUENCE.

definition of INFLUENCE - a personal / unofficial power derived from what others see of ones character, ability or station - it may be exerted unconsciously or operate through persuasion - one may have influence over one’s friends.

OBEDIENCE - is a glorious first fragrance of the SPIRIT’S work within us

REMAINING OBEDIENT - takes EMOTIONAL, MENTAL and, PHYSICAL RESILIENCE.

Exalting Jesus in Luke (Mary’s Faith (1:38))

Doesn’t she sound a lot like Isaiah saying, “Here I am. Send me” (Isa 6:8)?

Doesn’t she sound a lot like Esther saying, “If I perish, I perish” (Esth 4:16)?

Doesn’t she sound a lot like Ruth saying to Naomi, “Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16)?

It brings to mind Job’s, “Even if he kills me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15).

It reminds us of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, “Father, … not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

This is how faithful people respond to God’s plan, even when they do not understand it.

Exalting Jesus in Luke (Mary’s Faith (1:38))

She concluded, “Whatever your will is for me, let it be.”

Like Mary, we can’t truly be servants of Christ unless we accept his plan for our lives. He cannot be our Lord if we insist on ruling ourselves. If he is Lord, then we are servants—glad servants of God. This is how faith replies to grace.

When God promises you a Savior, say, “Let me have him!”

When God announces his plan for your life, say, “Amen!

Let it be so!

Not my will, but your will be done, God!”

God never asks anything of anyone that doesn’t cost us something.

Mentor pastor - served 51 years preaching and his first sermon was his senior year in high school - now retired - it has cost him

even if in the end he replenishes any losses we experience with greater blessings,

to do the will of God, the Holy Spirit INFLUENCES Mary beyond the moment of Jesus’s conception

the SPIRIT that once overshadowed the waters at creation is overshadowing her life AND

HE IS OVERSHADOWING YOURS TODAY

The End Result:

She is a NEW CREATION - and she doesn’t look back

You are a NEW CREATION - don’t look back

Windshield and rear view mirror

Application:

DO NOTHING - I don’t mean simply do nothing to deter you - but if you have been constantly moving, do nothing for the sake of learning something from the Holy Spirit. We can find value in completing a task, in recognition we receive for a job well done that we forget that life - simply breathing - life has value - you have value in your very existence.

This week, take ten minutes to do nothing - don’t pray, don’t read a book, don’t meditate on a scripture from this message - but take a moment to say, HERE I AM LORD, I AM YOUR SERVANT, SPEAK TO ME. Take 10 minutes to peer out a window or sitting from a back porch a deck and just sit down and take the moments to take note what a feels like just to be alive. Somehow, almost by some sort of miracle, you are here. And take note of it. What is He saying to you? And, if you feel so inclined share it someone, share it with me.

ask the Holy Spirit to show you one thing you can regularly do to reinforce your union with Christ.

write down what he shows you and commit to it for at least one week.

after that one week, ask yourself, “How did it go?” Am I being shaped to be look more like Jesus in the world he has given me to live?

Questions on our daily journey -

Have you ever had an experience where you felt the Holy Spirit prepared you for a ministry of great importance?

How were you prepared, and how did you experience the Spirit working through you?

PRAYER -

Jesus, I receive the Holy Spirit, I know you may never ask of me the same kind of life-quaking obedience as you did of Mary, but I welcome you to prepare my heart to say yes to anything you desire. Come, Holy Spirit, just as you encountered, energized and influenced Mary, do the same with me. I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

SINNERS PRAYER

If you don’t know Jesus, you are struggling to know peace, bring peace and reflect peace - to ultimately do this, you have to know the Prince of Peace and you can with this simple prayer, repeat it after me.

Jesus paid the price and he wishes to give you the free gift of salvation. He is a gentleman - he won’t force it on you. He will go all the way to reach taking every step to reach you except the last. That last step is yours.

Today, take the step to say, I open my heart to you Jesus. If you need to ask him for forgiveness he is ready to offer to help you die to old and and live in the new.

Pray with me.

Heavenly Father

thank you for Jesus

thank you that you came

you died for my sins

that I might have

life everlasting

change me

please make me

the person you want me to be

I turn from my sins

and I turn to you

now I say this

so everyone can hear

so you can hear me

so I can hear myself

and so the devil can hear

Jesus Christ is my Lord

He is my Savior

I belong to Him

in Jesus name I pray

AMEN!!

If you have prayed this prayer - from the heart and not just repeating something I suggested you say -

I declare your sins are forgiven.

What’s the Holy Spirit saying to you?

What are you going to do about it?

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