A MARY CHRISTMAS
JESUS FROM MARY’S POINT OF VIEW
THE PROPHECY
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Ties in with Gen 3
HER GENEALOGY
From the line of David
Joseph father was Heli . Mary’s Father was Jacob. Mary was his only child
Heli and Jacob were brothers. Joseph and Mary were first cousins
There is a legal reason Joseph was betrothed to Mary found in Numbers 36:8. Joseph was the male heir to Jacob who had no son.
Numbers 36:8
8 Every daughter who inherits land in any Israelite tribe must marry someone in her father's tribal clan, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers.
THE COMMISSION FROM GABRIEL
Luke 1:26-33
In the sixth month, 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 be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name 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 the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
(The sixth month refers to Elizabeth's pregnancy)
HER ACCEPTANCE
Luke 1:34
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
This brings the question, Mary’s love for the Lord. According to scripture
It was the parents' responsibility to train the children in the Law.
Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
(also Prob 22:6)
HER INDEPENDENCE, VISIT TO ELISABETH
Mary confirmed Grabiel’s words by immediately going to
Visit her cousin Elizabeth who was beyond child barren age and
Six months pregnant (John the Baptist).
Luke 1:39-41
39 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. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
HER FAITHFULNESS
Accepted Gabriel's word as God’s truth for her.
Accepted the risk of the virgin birth being seen as adultery
Accepted the possibility of being stone to death
Accepted the possibility of being rejected by Joseph
Accepted the possibility of being rejected by society
KNOWN EVIDENCE OF JESUS BIRTH
Shepherds were notified of His birth by a host of Angels
Shepherds Withness the baby Jesus in the manger with Mary and Joseph As directed by the angel.
Shepherds spread the word to the Bethlehem community of their witness of Jesus's birth and their visit by the Angels
The testimony of Simeon and Anna the prophetess in the Temple
In Jerusalem at Jesus's dedication. Their faith in the promised Messiah and seeing and holding baby Jesus was their proof.
The testimony of Elizabeth and Mary at the Home of Zachariah
The Testimony of Joseph's decision to Marry Mary after the visit
Of Gabriel the Angel
The Testimony of the Scripture
HER SECRETS
What did Mary keep to herself and why?
Luke 2:19-20
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 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.
The Message from Angel by the shepherds was treasured
But what other things?
Let me suggest the following
She never told her other son and daughter about the virgin birth of Jesus
None were believers before Jesus's death on the cross
She never told her sons and daughters that Jesus was God’s Son
She never told her family about the visit from Gabriel
John 7:3-5
Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
HER SORROWS
Her Son’s rejection by the community
Her family unbelief in Jesus
His crucifixion
Her doubts about His ability to raise himself from the dead
HER BLESSESNESS
The Mother of The Savior
The Mother of The King Of Kings
God’s favor on her life
LESSONS WE LEARN FROM MARY
KNOW THE WORD OF GOD FOR YOURSELF
Mary knew the Word of God. She learn from her parents
And teachers in the Synagogues
No one can believe for you
Be obedient to the Word of God
What went through Mary’s mind when The Angel Gabriel
Showed up out of nowhere? How do a young girl have a
Conversation with a stranger? The words of the angel lined
Up with what knew about the promised Messiah.
When told by Gabriel that she would conceived and bare
The Messiah, she accepted the call, but wanted to know
How it could happen since she was a virgin. It had never
Happen before, but maybe she remembered Isaiah 7:14
Believe The Word Of God Applies To Your Life
We don’t have angel speaking to us. When we read
God’s Word, He is speaking to us. We must believe the
Bible was put in print for our directions
Luke 1:28
The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you
NIV
Luke 1:35
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.
Each believer is favored by the Lord. Every believer is called to
Serve the Lord. Each believer is in the presence of the Lord
Accept God’s call to serve, and act upon it
Luke 1:35
38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
We have been blessed by God. The correct response is to allow
God to use you as His vessel of service.
Submit yourself to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We can’t do God’s assignment alone. We can’t protect
Ourselves from the known and unknown dangers
Luke 1:35
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Mary faced being stone to death for adultey
She face the lost of Joseph
She faced the lost of respect of family
Yet Mary accepted the call to serve
Trust God with Your life
Luke 1:36-37
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. 37 For nothing is impossible with God."
What God does for others He will do for you. No matthew how
Difficult you situation is, God has a way through, in and out.
Seek comfort and advice from experience, season believers
You can’t share your situation with everyone. Most people
Will give worldly advice, selfish advice, and sometimes destructive advice Allow God to lead you to a place of comfort.
Luke 1:39-43
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. 41 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!
Mary left the community and visited for 3 month someone who
Knew and accepted her situation.
Share your testimony with people you can trust
In the midst of your troubles be selective who you
Confide in. God will lead you to the right person
Mary left her community and travel 80-90 miles to
The Home of Her Cousin in a village outside of Jerusalem
Mary travel up hill in rough rocky terrain, Nazareth is 950 feet
Above sea level. Jerusalem is 2500 feet above sea level.
It was a difficult trip, dangerous, trip that test her faith.
The story of Mary’s journey to visit Elizabeth teaches us several valuable lessons relevant today.
The importance of supportive relationships.
The power of faith in challenging times.
Strength in community and shared experiences.
a. Both women experienced child birth for the first time
b. Both women experienced miracle births
c. Both women shared in God’s plan of redemption
d. Both women needed each other
The significance of gratitude and joy.
The impact of perseverance in pursuing one’s purpose.
Mary’s travel to Elizabeth’s home was a dangerous trip. It took courage to pack her bags and go.
GLORIFY GOD IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLES
Luke 1:46-49
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,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me —
holy is his name.
The praise of God brings Him into you presence. Psalms 22:3
Some things are best kept to yourself
There are things that the Lord reveals to you that you may not
Be able to share with others. People don’t always share your joy
And are quick to judge.
Luke 2:17-19
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
ABOVE ALL, LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, SHARE THE GOSPEL
Have a Mary Christmas
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