This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Praise The Lord With Joy And Thanksgiving", 1/1/2017

                        PRAISE THE LORD WITH JOY AND THANKSGIVING


                                                           Psalms 33:1-9

PRAISE THE LORD
V:1. "Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. "
A. God gave us an example of how to praise Jesus when He sent the angels to
    announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
    1. One angel preached His birth.
    2. A heavenly host of angels  praise  Jesus in song.
B. In the Church to day, we have a preacher to preach Jesus.
    1. We have a choir to sing praises to the Lord.
    2.  Like the shepherds, the congregation participate in the praise and worship.
C. We praise and worship the Lord because He worthy of our praise.
    1. God does not expect the world to praise Jesus.
    2. God does expect those who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior to praise Him.
D. It is the Lord who is the source of our joy.
   1. When we consider His goodness we ought to be joyful.
   2. When we consider His grace and mercy toward us, we ought to be joyful.
   3. When we consider what God didn't allow to happen to us, we ought to
       be joyful.
   4. When we consider that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins,
       we ought to be joyful.

PRAISE THE LORD WITH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
V:2. " Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. "
A. God commands us to praise Him with all types of musical instruments.
    1. God has gifted some with the ability to play musical instruments.
    2. God has gifted some with beautiful voices.
    3. Together, we lift up the Lord in praise and worship.
B. Every Christian has been gifted and commanded to give God praise.
   1. No one has an excuse not to give God  praise.
   2. God inhabits the praise of His people.  Psalms 22:3

WRITE NEW SONGS OF PRAISE
V:3. " Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. "
  A. God expects us to write new songs of praise to Him.
      1. Hymn  books are full of songs of praise.
      2. But He expects us  to find new ways to praise Him.
          a. Our praise ought to be spontaneous and fresh.
          b. We receive new grace  new mercies from the Lord daily.
      3. Every believers has experiences with God that requires new and
          different praises.
 B. God expect us to develop our skills playing instruments.
     1. Practice make perfect.
     2. Choir rehearsal is necessary to perfect our songs of praise.
     3. We should give God our very best in praise and worship.
     4. Every Church member ought to be involved in Praise and worship.
     5. We ought to come into the Church with praise in our hearts.
C. Praise and worship promotes shouts of  Joy.
    1. One way to experience the joy of the Lord is perfecting
        our praise.
    2. Praise and worship is contagious.

THE WORD IS OUR AUTHORITY
V:4. " For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. "
 A. The Bible is the only source of truth.
     1.  The Bible is the sole authority of our lives.
     2. Our lives should be guided by the Word of God.
B. The Bible,  God's  Word, is complete with commands and promises.
    1. Blessings follow obedience to God's commands.
    2. Curses follows disobedience to God's commands.
    3. God will keep all His promises to us.
    4. Many of God's promises are conditional on our obedience
        to His commands.
    5. Obedience to God's commands is the evidence of our love for God.

GOD IS LOVE
V:5. " The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. "
A. The opposite of love is hate.
     1. God hates unrighteousness and injustice.
     2. We must be careful how we treat others.
     3. What we measure out will be measured back to us.
     4. Since God loves righteousness and justice, we ought to have the
         same attitude.
 B. God does not need the universe for Himself.
    1. He created the universe for man.
    2. He created man because of His love.
    3. He created an environment suitable for man to exist because of His love.
    4. Everything we see and that which is yet to be discovered was created by
        God because of His love for man.
C. God's creation is maintained by Him and cannot fail.
    1. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness there of.
    2. All we have to do is consider how the universe operates without
        failure to know that God's love does not fail.
    3. God maintains the perfection of His universe because of His
        love for man.


       

GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND EARTH WITH LOVE
V:6. " By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of
        his mouth."
 A. There is power in the Word of God.
      1. According to Genesis chapter one, the world was originally formless and void.
      2. God spoke and everything came into being.
      3.  I have never been in a situation where every thing was formless and void.
          a. Everything I know has form, shape and takes up space.
          b. Man can change the form of what God has created, but he can not
              create anything new.
      4. God breathed and our environment came into being.
         a. God has power over everything living and non living.
         b. It is His breath that give life to every living thing.
   B. God has all power and nothing is too hard for God.
       1. God has all power and nothing became the everything we know.
       2. In the mist of "nothing" was all God needed to create every thing.
       3. We have access to God's power through faith in His Word.


GOD'S GLORY IN CREATION
V:7. " He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses."
 A. Genesis 1:1 state that God created the heavens and the earth.
     1. It is the earth that God spends two chapters laying out His creative
         process.
     2. Throughout the Bible, God does not tell us very much about heaven.
     3. God's focus in the 1st two chapter of Genesis appears to me to be the environment
         that He created for man's   habitation.
B. In this verse the focus is on God's power over man's habitation.
     1. Originally, according to Genesis 1:2, water, land and the heavens were
         intermingled.
     2. According to Genesis 1:9, God separated the waters and formed dry land.
     3. God ordered the waters to be contained in oceans, rivers, seas and streams.
C. God set man on dry land to praise and worship Him.
    1. Man is the only creative being on earth, given the ability to voluntarily give
        God praise.
    2. Man was given the authority to rule over earth.
    3. God is love and He commands us to treat everyone with love.


 REVERENCE THE LORD WITH LOVE
V:8. " Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him."
 A. Man was given the awesome responsibility of being the overseer of all
      God's creation on earth.
    1. The only way we know how to be the caretakers of the earth's inhabitants
        is through God's Word.
    2. God gave us His commandments for successful living.
    3. Obedient to God's commands ensures our success.  1 John 3:22
B. How should we fear the Lord?
    1. We fear the Lord by our obedience to His Word.
    2. Every thought and action we have should be guided by the Word of
        God.
 C. We have a duty and an obligation to worship and praise the Lord.
      1. We are commanded to worship no other gods.
      2. Idol gods are nothing and have no power.
      3. Idol gods are the imagination of evil minds.
      4. Our focus should be on the one who created us in love.

GOD IS IN CONTROL OF HIS CREATION
V:9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
 A. Nothing made with human hands has power and authority over God's
      creation.
      1. The essence of God's creative powers is in His Word.
      2. We have knowledge of God through His Word and through His
           creation.
 B. Not only has God created everything but He maintains His creation.
     1. God is actively involved in His creation.
     2. He is the sole authority.
     3. What God began in creation in us , He will complete in the full redemption
         of us after the second coming of Jesus.
     4. It is God's love that redeems us from our sinful state.

PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART

Rev. M. Mitchell
Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church
5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way
Houston, Texas 77040

For more lesson follow me on facebook and visit
my blogs. "www.revmmitchell.com", "goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com"

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Lord Is My Shepherd", 12/25/2016

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

Luke 2:8-20

A MESSAGE FROM THE LORD

V:8-9. " And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. "

A. Shepherds

    1. The Lord is my Shepherd.   23 Psalms

    2. It is fitting that the Lord revealed His birth to shepherds first.

        a. Jesus came in a low estate.

        b. He came in a humble spirit.

        c. Jesus is our shepherd and we are His sheep.

    1. They were on the job.

    2. They were busy.

    3. It was night time.

       a. It was a quite time. God often reveals His Word to us in our

          quite time.

       b. He has our attention when there are no distractions.

    4. God is pleased when we are where we are suppose to be,

        doing what we are suppose to be doing.

B. The shepherds were first to hear of the birth of Jesus.

   1. When God shows up in your life, you will know it is Him.

   2. It was the middle of the night in the mist of what would appear to be a flood

       light, that an Angel showed up.

C. God will comfort you in your fears.

    1. God may show up in an unexpected time and in an unexpected place.

    2. God may show up in an unexpected way.

    3. To receive a message from God, your mind has to be open to God.

JESUS IS THE CENTER OF MY JOY

V:10. " But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. "

 A.  Some times when you are not expecting anything, God will

       give you good news.

    1. God can give you joy in the mist of your work day.

    2. The Word of God is not just for you, but for everyone.

B. Sometimes the Word of God will not change your situation.

    1. But it will change the  way you see your situation.

    2. The Word can change how you deal with your situation.

    2. The joy I have, the world didn't give it and world can't take it a way.

THE GREATEST GIFT TO MAN

 V:11. "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the           

          Lord. "

 A.   The Good News

     1. The birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord.

     2. The fulfillment of a promise.

     3. The blessing of hope

     3. This is personal, because Jesus is your Savior.

B. The location of the birth was Bethlehem

     1. Bethlehem means "house of bread".

     2. The Lord, the owner was born in the house of bread.

     3. When we hunger for Jesus, our appetite will be  satisfied.

C. The City of David is the home town of a king.

     1. Jesus is identified as Savior, King and Lord.

GOD DIRECT US TO HIMSELF

V:12. " This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

 A. The Lord's instructions are complete.

    1. You don't have to do any guessing, the Word is plain.

    2. The Shepherds knew how to identify the right baby.

         a. He would be wrapped in swaddling clothes.

         b. He would be lying in a feeding crib for animals. 

    3. Jesus took on human flesh in body of Mary.

    4. He was man and God.

THE PRAISE OF JESUS

V:13-14. " Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

  A. If we don't praise God, He has a host of Angels that can do the job.

      1. God sets the example of praise for Jesus.

      2. We should praise Him because He is God.

      3. We should praise Him because He is the supreme authority.

      4. We should praise Him because He came for our good.

          a. Our peace.

          b. Our good will.

          c. Our eternal life.

 B. Jesus is due our highest praise.

    1. The Lord has favored us with a knowledge of Jesus.

    2. The Lord has given us an example praise in the assemble of the saints.

 THE CONVICTION OF THE WORD

V:15. " When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

A. It is  good to study the Word of God with other believers.

    1. When others are involved, you can discuss your proper response to the Word,

    2. What should we do after having heard the Word?

    3. In what way was our heart convicted?

 B. You should check the Word out for yourself.

     1. You can't always rely on others to give you the complete truth.

     2. When you search the Word for yourself, you get a better understanding.

C. When you hear the Word of God you first response should be to believe the

     the Word.

    1. You second response should be to act on the Word.

    2. Faith grows when you act on the Word of God.

    3. Faith without works is dead.

THE WORD IS A JOURNEY TO CHRIST

Verse 16. "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger."

A. There are times when Word requires an immediate response.

     1. The baby would not be in that location long.

     2. The baby would not be wearing those cloths described by the Angel long.

     3. Sometimes when we don't act immediately, we lose opportunities.

 B. The shepherds dropped what they were doing and went to see Jesus for themselves.

     1. They saw the baby, His mother and His father.

     2. They found that the Word was true.

     3. Our confidence grows when we experience the truth of the Word for ourselves.

CHRISTIAN DUTY: TELL SOMEONE ABOUT JESUS

Verse 17. " When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child."

A. Once you know Jesus, your next job is to spread the Word.

    1. We are all God's disciples.

    2. We have been commissioned by Jesus to spread the Word.   Matt 28:19

    3. People are drawn to Jesus because of what we say about Him.

B. The shepherds were armed with Word of God and their personal experience.

    1. They heard the Word form the Angel.

    2. They witness the praise of Jesus from  a host of Angels.

    3. They acted on the Word and were drawn in faith to Jesus.

    4. They experienced the truth of the Word for themselves.

C. The Shepherds became the first evangelists of the Word.

    1. Instead of returning immediately to their flock, they made

        it their business to spread the Word.

    2. When spend time serving Jesus, He make sure your other responsibilities

        are protected.

    3. God protected the shepherd's sheep while they followed His call.

THE EFFECT OF EVANGILISM

V:18. " And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. "

 A. The Good News is amazing.

     1. Your excitement about the Good News can excite others.

     2. Believers can't be ashamed of the Gospel.

     3. God will prepare hearts of those you come in contact with to accept the Word.

 B. Our job as believers  is to tell others who Jesus is to us.

     1. What experience have you had with Jesus?

     2.  He is Christ, the Messiah, Anointed by the Father.

     3. He is our Savior. He came to save us from our sins.

     4. He come down from heaven to bring us joy.

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS IS A TREASURE IN THE HEART

V:19. " But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. "

 A. One of the characteristics the Word keep reminding us about Mary

      is her meditation.

     1. All the experiences she had with Jesus were stored in her heart.

     2. She meditated on the Word.

     3. She was putting a picture of the Savior together in her mind.

     4. Her experiences was completing the picture.

B.  The Word becomes real to us as meditate on what God has done for us.

     1. If we consider our lives from day to day we can see God at work.

     2. I can see His blessings in what he has done for me.

     3. I can see His blessings in what He didn't allow to happen.

OUR HEARTS SHOULD BE FILLED WITH THE GLORY AND PRAISE OF GOD

V:20. " The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

A. Each encounter we have with God is a reason to praise and

    glorify the Name of Jesus.

    1. Praise and worship starts with you.

    2. We should continue without ceasing giving God praise and glory.

    3. He is worthy of our praise.

B. The shepherds went back to their job praising God.

    1. We ought start every day praising God.

    2. Jesus is the reason for our being.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way

Houston, Texas 77040

For more lessons, follow me on face book and visit my blogs

www.revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Faithfulness and Patience: Keys to Successful Living", 12/18/2016

FAITHFULNESS AND PATIENCE, KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL PRAYER

Luke 1:8-20

AN ASSIGNED DUTY OF THE FAITHFUL

V:8-9. " Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense."

A. The Levite priest were divided into 24 groups. Because of the large number,

     a priest would serve in the temple once in his life time.

     1. Zacharias was chosen by lot to burn incense in the evening.

     2. In the Temple were two rooms, the Holy room and the Holy of Holies

          separated by a Veil.

     3. Zacharias service was in the Holy room of the temple

B. Only the High Priest from line of Aaron could enter the Holy of Holies.

    1. This position was non functioning starting 175 years before the time of Jesus.

    2. Caiaphas was the Roman appointed High Priest from a wealthy Sadducees

        sect.

    3. The High priest office had degenerated to a political position.

C. The incense burning symbolize the offering of prayers for the Jewish people

      including the priest.

THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS

 V:10. " And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering."

A. When the shepherd of the church is in prayer, the church members should also be in

     prayer.

    1. The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous.     Proverbs 15:29

    2. Our prayers ought to consistent and continuous.

    3. Our prayers ought not be selfish.

    4. We should be in prayer for each other.

B. There are times when the Church should come together in prayer

    1. The place of prayer is the assemble of the saints.

    2. The entire Church body should be in prayer for the leaders of our nation

         who may not have God as the center of their activities.

A WORD FROM THE LORD

V: 11-12. : And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him."

A. Angels can bring good news or bad news from the Lord.

    1. When we are serving the Lord faithfully, the news will be favorable.

    2. The Angel position himself on the right side of the altar.

    3. The right side is a favorable side.

    4. Jesus sets at the right Hand of the Father.

B. Fear is a normal human emotion.

     1. From time to time we will be frighten by unusual and unexpected circumstances.

     2. But we must expect God to move in unexpected ways.

     3. We can expect God to do the unexpected.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE LORD

V:13-14" But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. "

A. God hears our prayers, but He answers them in His time.

     1. Because our prayers are not answered when we want, does not mean God

         has not heard them and want answer them.

     2. God has a purpose for delaying the answer to our prayers.

     3. God's purpose for the lives of our children may be different from ours.

     4. Zacharias and  his wife had been praying probably since their marriage ceremony

         for a child.

         a. God waited until they were past the child bearing age to give them an answer.

         b. God heard the prayer, but He waited until their prayer fit His agenda.

B. The Angel foretold the birth of son and provided his Holy name; John.

     1. The name "John" means the grace or mercy of the Lord.

     2. To John and to Elizabeth their son  was a favor from God.

     3. A blessing to others is a blessing to us.

     4. Our blessings are blessings to others.

C. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy given in Malachi 3 some 400 years earlier.

    1. In Malachi the mission of this Zacharias's son is given.

    2 John was born to prepare the way for the Messiah.

THE LIFESTYLE OF A GOOD SON

V:15-16. "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb. 16 "And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God."

A. Can you imagine the years of frustration of a woman wanting a child and watching

     all her friends have children.

    1. Can you imagine praying, watching and waiting for a child  with no answer from

        God for many years.

    2. In his old age, Zacharias learns the mission and the purpose of his long awaited

        son.

    3. While other men had children in their young age, his son would turn many sons

        toward God.

    4. It should be a comfort to know in advance that your child is destined to be

        obedient and a servant of the Lord.

         a. His son would be filled with the Holy Spirit and therefore a wise servant of the

             Lord.

B. God rewards us for the obedient lifestyle that we lead.

    1. Zacharias reward was the promise of a godly child that would make a positive

        difference  in lives of others.

    2. Zacharias's reward was the promise of a child that he would not have to worry about.

POWERFUL PREACHING

V: 17 "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

A. The revelation from the Angel to Zacharias was his son would be the lead to the

     Messiah with the preaching power of Elijah.

     1. It is good to know that your children are destined for greatness.

     2. It good to know that your children will have a positive influence on their peers.

B.  How do you prepare your children for greatness?

     1. The first thing you do is start with yourself.

     2. Are you a positive influence for those around you?

     3. Do you set a godly examples for others to follow?

     4. Are you committed to following God's commands?

     5. Are you committed to training up your children in the ways of the Lord?

    

DOUBT IN THE PRESENT OF THE LORD

V:18. " Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years."

A. When God reveals His plan for your life to you, don't question it with doubt.

    1. Zacharias looked at the physical limitations of his situation.

       a. He and his wife were old and beyond the children age.

       b. He probably didn't know any couples around him that had children

           in their old age.

        c. In his brief encounter with the Angel, he probably didn't remember

            that Abraham and Sarah had a son in their old age.

        d. Whatever God did for someone, He can do for you.

    2. Zacharias did not consider that there is nothing impossible for God.

    3. If God can create, then He can revive that which He created.

B. The job of  a Christian is to act on the Word of God in faith.

    1. We don't have to know how God is going to do something.

    2. We must believe that He can make it happen.

CONFORMATION OF GOD'S WORD

V:19. " The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news."

A. Gabriel spoke with the authority of God.

      1. Conformation of the Word is found in the Word.

      2. The Word of God is full of good news for us.

      3. The Word of God is our authority.

      4. God has no physical limitations.

B. Since we are God's Children, we have no limitations that God cannot overcome.

     1.There is nothing that we can't accomplish under the power of God.

     2. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

     3. Each believer plays a part in God's plan of redemption.

     4. Each believer has been equipped for success in God's plan.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF

V:20. "And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."

A. Unbelief is an enemy to God's children.

    1. Unbelief is the work of the devil in our minds.

    2. Unbelief can cause us not to the seek the blessings God has promised.

    3. Unbelief can cause us to deny the truth of God's Word.

B. What God has for us is for us.

   1. Zacharias didn't lose his promised son, but his unbelief did cost him.

   2. He lost his voice for nine months.

   3. He lost the praise of his lips for nine months.

   4. Notice, we don't hear from Zacharias again until the naming of his son.

C. Even though Zacharias couldn't talk, he acted on the promise of the Angel

     and had sex with his wife.

    1. Even though Zacharias couldn't talk, he communicated with wife the

        promised blessing of a son.

    2. Whatever was dormant in their bodies, God regenerated, revived or made alive.

    3. What they couldn't accomplish on their own was accomplished under God's

         control.

    4. We must learn from our mistakes.

    5. If unbelief in the Word cost you once, don't let it happen again.

THANK GOD THAT ALL OUR BLESSINGS ARE NOT DEPENDANT ON US

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, visit me on facebook and my blogs

www.revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Two Ladies, Two Miracles Births", 12/11/2016

TWO LADIES, TWO MIRACLE BIRTHS

Luke 1:39-56

WALK BY FAITH

V:39-40. " At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,

40 where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth."

A. Mary traveled 75- 90 miles going up hill from Nazareth to Elizabeth's home.

    1. We are not told how she traveled.

    2. Did she walk?

    3. Did she ride on a donkey or in a carriage?

    4. We are not told if she made trip with someone or by herself.

 B. Mary was informed by the Angel Gabriel that Elizabeth in her old

     age was pregnant with a baby.

    1. Did Mary travel to Elizabeth's house to see the miracle that the

         angel described?

     2. Did Mary go to comfort Elizabeth?

     3. What we do know is that Mary was guided and protected by the

           Holy Spirit.

     4. Life for a believer is a journey guided and protected by the Holy

          Spirit.

     5. Life for a believer is an up hill walk toward Christ.

 

COMFORT EACH OTHER WITH SPIRIT OF GOD

V:41-42. "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! "

A. Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit from conception of Jesus in her body.

    1.Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit when she was greeted by Mary.

    2. How you greet a person can effect their mood and well being.

    3. If we are excited about the Lord, others will get excited.

B. While Elizabeth's pregnancy was a miracle because of her age, it was

      by human means directed by the power of God.

    1. Mary's pregnancy was without human hands and totally the work of the

        Holy Spirit.

    2. Both pregnancies was the fulfillment of prophecy and part of God's

         plan of redemption.  Malachi 3:1. Isa 7:14

C. Each believer play a part in God's plan of redemption.

    1. Each of us are blessed and highly favored.

    2. Every Christian ought to allow themselves to be used by the Holy

          Spirit.

    3. Our relationship with God affects the well being of our children.    

    4. The training of a child begins in the womb.

     5. In the womb. the unborn baby is nourished by what ever the mother

          puts into her mouth and mind.

     6. The nourishing of an unborn child effect not only it physical

           well being, but also it mental well being.

FAVORED BY GOD TO SERVE

V:43-44. " But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy."

A. Both Mary and Elizabeth were bonded together by the Holy Spirit.

    1. We should be careful who we associate with.

    2. The spirit of someone else can affect you.

    3. Stay away from negative and evil people.

    4. Their emotional state can affect your mental well being.

 B. When God favors us, we can pass on that favor to others with encouragement

      and support.

    1. When we are excited, we pass our excitement to others.

    2. When we are sad, we can pass on our sadness to others.

    3. What we hear can affect us eternally.

BLESSED WITH THE ABILITY TO BELIEVE

V:45. " Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

A. We must put our trust in the Word of God.

    1. God makes promises to us all throughout the Bible.

    2. We must study the Word to know God's promises

    3. Every stage of our lives is the fulfillment of the promises of God.

 B. The blessings of God are all around us.

     1. All we have to do is observe and see the glory of God in our lives.

     2. God gave us the ability to believe in Him.

        a. To each is given a measure of faith.

        b. We have to exercise our faith daily.

        c. Whatever we need, God will provide.

    3. We are blessed when we believe the Word of God.

        a. Many of God's blessings are realized when we act on the Word.

FROM THE HEART, GLORIFY GOD

V:46-48. " And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,"

A. The attitude of a Christian should be one of thankfulness.

    1. Love and joy comes from the heart.

    2. Deep inside of us are our true feelings.

    3. We can't hide  love or hate.  It will soon show itself.  

B. When we reflect on the goodness of the Lord, we should give Him glory.

    1. We can do nothing of ourselves.

    2. Any ability we have comes from the Lord.

C. God hates the proud.

    1. Those who humble themselves before the Lord will be lifted up.

    2. The love of the Lord never ends.

    3. Long after we have pass on, we will be remembered for what we did

        for the Lord.

    4. Only what we do for the Lord counts.

    5. Mary and Elizabeth are remembered for their sacrifice to the Lord.

    6. They both gave up their first born to the Lord.

GOD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US

V:49-51. " for the Mighty One has done great things for me —  holy is his name.

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. "

A. The love of the Lord for us is manifested in what He does for us.

    1. Whatever God does is holy.

    2. His grace and mercy never ends.

    3. Those who love the Lord and those who serve Him are blessed.

    4. What we do for God has an effect on our families and all who are associated

         with us.

B. The power of the Lord is manifested all around us.

    1. Everything that our eyes can see was spoken into existence.

    2. Faith in God has to start with the first Words that God recorded.

    3. The proof of the creation story is all around you.

    4. The proof of God's existence is in His creation.

C. When we consider our lives, we must come to the conclusion that

     all our good comes from the Lord.

   1. If the wages of sin is death, we should be dead.

   2. It is only by His grace and mercy that we still live.

OBSERVE THE WORD AND BELIEVE

V:52-53. " He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. "

A. Understanding the power of God comes by observation.

   1. History tells us that powerful armies have been destroyed by the Lord's work.

   2. Starting with the Pharaoh  of Egypt,  who was brought down before

       the Lord.

       a. The nation of Israel, untrained and unarmed was allowed to cross the

           red sea on dry land while Pharaoh's army drowned.

       b. The Bible is a history lesson on the greatness of God.

B. The Bible is also a history lesson on God's grace and mercy toward

     His chosen people.

    1. Our lives today is a record of God's mercy.

    2. Mary recounted the Word she heard doing Bible Study.

    3. It is very clear that Mary believed the Word of God.

    4. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

APPRECIATE WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU

V:54-55. " He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

A. Mary remembered the rich history that her nation had with the Lord.

    1. Mary gave God credit for what had been done for her nation

    2. Belief in our history with God is an important part of our faith.

B. We can't just focus on our present situation, we must focus on the

     big picture.

    1. We have to find the grace of God in our present trials and tribulations.

    2. We can only understand the magnitude of God's grace and mercy by

        reviewing our long term history with God.

THERE ARE SOMETHINGS WE WILL NOT UNDERSTAND

V:56. " Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. "

A. Mary came to Elizabeth when she was six months pregnant.

     1. So it appears that she stayed until John The Baptist was born.

     2. It is a good thing when we are there when people need us the most.

     3. I am sure that Mary was a great comfort and help to her old aged

         cousin.

     4. Both women being filled with the Holy Spirit may have comforted each other

         with the Word and praise and worship.

     5. That is what we should do for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

B. I am sure I am missing something here.

    1. We have no indication that Mary told anyone where she was going when

         she left Nazareth .

    2. Her trip to Elizabeth's home may have been as much as ninety miles,

        which may have been a ten day trip.

    3. There is no indication that she traveled with anyone or what her mode

         of transportation was.

    4. There is no indication that her family looked for her or was alarmed

         that she was gone for three months.

     5. In the story of the prodigal son, God shows a father looking and waiting

         for his lost son to return home. 

         a. We don't get a sense of anyone waiting for Mary's return.

         b. We don't even get a sense of Joseph waiting for his chosen wife to return.

C. Since the births of Mary and Elizabeth's babies were God designed and

     God controlled, maybe Mary was  supernaturally transposed from Nazareth 

     to Elizabeth's home and back to Nazareth.

     1. We know God can do this.

     2. Elijah was transposed by a whirlwind out of earth into heaven.   2 Kings 2:1

     3. It certainly would be no problem for God to provide transportation for

         Mary by a whirlwind.

  D. In case of the concern for Mary's well being, maybe God shut up the minds of

       the family.

     1. We know He can do this.

     2. Jesus shut up the minds of His disciples so that they could not understand

         His death until after the resurrection.

     3. The birth, death and the resurrection of Jesus are supernatural events that cannot

         be understood by human reasoning.

     4. We can only believe by the faith that God has measured out to us.

     5. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

     6. The Just live by faith and not by sight.

THANK GOD FOR THE FAITH TO BELIEVE IN THE BIRTH OF JESUS

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This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Miracle Birth of Jesus", 12/4/2016

THE MIRACLE BIRTH OF JESUS

Luke 1:26-38

PROPHECIES FULFILLED

V:26-27. "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,

to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary

A. In these two verses, God announced the fulfillment of prophecies made hundreds

     of years earlier.

    1. God the Father spoke about Jesus as the promise seed in Genesis 3:15   4000 BC

    2.  The prophets spoke of Jesus being called a Nazarene.  Matt 2:23.

        a. The name Nazareth come from the root word netzer which means branch

             Isa 11:1 ,  700 BC

    3. Isaiah spoke of Jesus being born of a virgin.   Isa 7:14

    4. Jeremiah spoke of Jesus being a descendant from the house of David.  Jer 23:5,

         600 BC

    5. Micah 5:2 is the prophecy of  the city of Jesus birth; Bethlehem.   700 BC

    6. Daniel 9:6  gives the time frame of Jesus birth and death.    600 BC

    7. God is in no hurry to fulfill His prophecies, but they will be fulfilled.

    8. Whatever God says He will do for you, He will do, but in His time.    

B. God's plan for your life supercedes your plans.

    1. Mary and Joseph had a planned marriage.

    2. God changed their plan to fit His plan.

    3. God's plan for your life is better than any plan you can make.  

C.  The Lord uses those who are faithful and just to carry out His plans.

     1. Mary and Joseph came from the line of David and were both righteous in their lives.

     2. We can infer this by what is said about Jesus.

     3. We can also infer that God would not have chosen unfit parents for His Son.

THE FAVOR OF GOD

V:28-29. " The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be."

A. Our faithfulness gets God's attention.

    1. God rewards us on this earth for our love for Him

    2. God is on the side of the faithful

    3. There is no end to the favor of God for the righteous.

B. God's favor to us does not prevent us from facing the trouble of the world.

    1. God is with us through our trouble

    2. God comforts us in our trouble.

C. Like Mary, we ought to meditate on the Word of God.

    1. We ought to bless the Lord in our troubles and through our troubles.

    2. We ought to consider the favor of the Lord in our lives with thanksgiving.

    3. We ought to show our gratitude by our obedience to His commands.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE FATHER

V:30-32. " But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 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,"

A. God's favors include particular blessings.

    1. Not only will God bless us with children, but He has a plan for

        the future success of our children.

    2. God  named Jesus  according to the mission He had for Him.

        a. The name Jesus means savior or deliverer.

        b. Traditionally, Jewish male babies were named at the time they were circumcise .

        c. Traditionally, Jewish babies were name after a decease relative (grand parent).

    3. Jesus was not a traditional baby, therefore was not named according to tradition.

B. The birth of Jesus was not by human conception, but by the Holy Spirit.

    1. Normally for the ancient Jewish marriage there were two celebration, the betrothal

        and then wedding celebration.

    2. Normally, the conception of a baby took place after the marriage celebration.

    3. Since Mary was espoused to Joseph, a dowry had been paid to her father.

         a. She was legally married to Joseph, but the wedding celebration

             had not taken place.

    4. God eliminated the marriage celebration so Joseph would not have any

        part in the birth of Jesus or could claim he had any part.

 C. Jesus is not the son of Joseph, but the Son of the Heavenly Father.

     1. Joseph was father in the care taker sense.

     2. Joseph had the role of taking care of Jesus during his childhood.   

 D. God's plan for Jesus was greater than any plan Mary and Joseph

      could develop.

    1. Jesus is the Son of God.

    2. Jesus is the king of mankind forever.

    3. As His name implies, He is the Savior of mankind.

THE MISSION OF JESUS

V:33. " And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

A. Jesus holds three eternal positions.

     1. He is King.

     2. He is our High Priest.

     3. He is our prophet.

B. Jesus is our Lord.

    1. He is our Shepherd.

    2. Jesus is our Savior.

    3. Jesus is our intercessor seated at the right hand of the Father.

WHEN GOD SPEAKS, IT'S OK TO ASK QUESTIONS

V:34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

A. This question from Mary seem strange to me.

    1. Since Mary was espoused to Joseph, why wouldn't she naturally

        think that her wedding to Joseph would take place and she would

        conceive a son?

   2. Why would Mary think that the angel was speaking of a birth that didn't include

        her husband?

   3. Why was Mary not alarmed that the Angel was speaking of something that

       would be considered adultery by her community, punishable by death?

   4. Why didn't God inform Joseph first of His plan for Mary?

   5. Why didn't Mary immediately inform Joseph?

   6. Is it possible that Mary had a conversation with the Angel that is not recorded?

   7. Don't worry, God told us all He wanted us to know.

B. Sometimes God's plan for our lives does not follow our normal thought

     process.

   1. Before we jump to conclusions, we have to listen to the Word of God.

   2. If we don't fully understand God's Word, we should ask questions.

   3. God's plan for our lives always follows His Word.  Isa 7:14.

THE ANSWER IS IN THE WORD

V:35. " The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon 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."

A. It take faith to act on God's Word.

    1. It takes faith to allow God to use you in a controversial way.

    2. It takes faith to believe that God can do something extraordinary with you.

    3. It takes faith to act on God's Word without consulting those you trust.

    4. It takes faith to act on God's Word when you have never witness what

        He commands you to do.

B. The body of Mary was used to house the Spirit of Jesus in human flesh.

   1. Jesus was God first, then God in human flesh.

   2. The Holy Spirit took charge of Mary's body to perform the Holy conception.

   3. The Holy Spirit was in charge of the growth and the development of the

        baby Jesus in Mary's body.

   4. The Holy Spirit claimed God as the Father of Jesus.

   5. Notice Joseph was left out of the process all together.

   6. God does not need your approval to do what He desires to those you love.

GOD CONFIRMS HIS AUTHORITY BY POINTING US TO HIS WORKS

V:36. " Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month."

A. To give Mary comfort that God performs miracles, The angel pointed Mary to

     her relative who was pregnant in her old age.

    1. Elizabeth was well past the child bearing age, yet she was 6 months pregnant.

    2. While Elizabeth's pregnancy was a miracle, in my mind it was not on the same

        level as Mary's.

B.  Everyday, life on this earth is God's miracle. We just don't see life as a miracle.

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR GOD

V"37. " For nothing is impossible with God."

 A. God created man out of the dust of the earth.

     1. God spoke the universe into being.

     2. If we can believe the creation story in Genesis, it should be

         easy to believe God can do anything He desires.

     3. Just because we can't understand something, does not mean it is

       impossible for God.

B. Our ways are not God's ways and our thoughts are not God's thoughts.

   1. We must leave room in our prayers for God to do unexpected miracles

       in our lives.

   2. I believe we need to expect God to do the unexpected.

  

OBEDIENCE, A PROPER RESPONSE

V:38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. "

A. Complete submission to God's Word takes complete faith in God.

   1. Mary set an example of what it takes to be faithful.

   2. We first have to see ourselves as servants of God.

   3. We have to allow God to take control of our lives.

   4. We have to be willing to suffer to follow God's Word.

B. We have to ignore the opinions of others when serving God.

   1. We have to put complete trust in God to carry us through

        any adversity we face while serving Him.

  2. We have to thank God for using us in His plan of redemption.

THANK GOD FOR JESUS

Rev M Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston Texas 77041

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