Mary Is Invited To Trust Series

Mary is invited to trust

Luke 1:26-38

Introduction

- Today’s Message is titled, “Mary is invited to Trust”

- Advent is a wonderful time of year for all Christians to celebrate

-- However, there is something that gets lost in the hustle/bustle of the holiday

-- APP: It is what I want to focus these next few weeks on and learn from

- “advent” means: an appearance or an occurrence of something; a revealing

- “invitation” means: the action of inviting someone to go or to do something

- What’s critical for us to see in this study is simple (big idea up front)

-- Before someone can go see something … an invitation is always required

- Read Luke 1:26-38

∆ Point 1 – You are Highly Favored (v26-28)

- Mary receives the greatest news from one of God’s angels, Gabriel

-- Who is Gabriel? Gabriel is a messenger of the Lord (not an arch-angel)

-- He is not a warrior or one with supreme power/authority (myths/legends)

- Used in OT and NT to deliver news of an impending event/word from God

-- EX: He explained Daniel’s visions to Him; used here to foretell Jesus’ birth

- His words to Mary no doubt shocked her, but there is assurance given (v28)

-- God’s message to her is comfort; not shame/fear – but tenderness

-- Gabriel informs her that God has found favor with her … but why?

- IMP: Something to see here: God’s choices are ALWAYS deliberate

-- 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

-- APP: God is constantly looking to use those who are committed to Him

- And so, God did not choose Mary by picking a name out of a hat

-- His choice in using her was for His purpose; which Gabriel announces

-- (v28) “… YOU who are highly favored” is a decree and pronouncement

-- It is you, Mary, that I will use for my purpose … and in that there is comfort

- Challenge:

1. When God impresses on your heart to do something; how do you react?

2. Do you submit to Him because of all that He has done -- or do we shy away?

- TRANS: We see that initially, Mary was obviously very troubled but …

∆ Point 2 – Take comfort: God’s Promises are True (v29-33)

- IMP: God’s comfort and peace will ALWAYS accompany His promises

- Mary appeared troubled to the angel, perhaps it was on her face or in her heart

-- Again, the response from God is one of comfort: “Do not be afraid” (v29)

-- RE: How many times has God told persons in the Bible to not be afraid?

- Before battle:

-- Joshua 1:6-9, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

- When we are in doubt:

-- Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

- In matters of trust:

-- Psalm 56:11, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

- When God gives us a word to take comfort in, we should stand on it

-- No matter the situation, no matter the challenge, if He says it: it will be done

-- APP: Here we see that the greatest revelation to mankind has been made

-- And the response is the same from God: “DO NOT BE AFRAID”

- Most of us, if we were honest, think that God can never use you for anything

-- I’m certain that Mary had her own thoughts to this when Gabriel spoke

- What could Mary have feared from this announcement? Sound familiar?

• The fear of criticism – “What are people going to think.”

• The fear of uncertainty – “What are all the things that will happen to me?”

• The fear of inadequacy – “Can I handle all of this?”