2010 Advent Series - Part 3 Series

2010 Christmas Series

Sermon 3 – Jesus’ Birth Foretold

Luke 1:26-38

Introduction

- Obvious question: “What is Advent?”

- The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.

- Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.

- Over the past few weeks we have examined two very important topics:

- The joy of Mary’s heart and soul as she worshipped what God was doing in her

- The prophecy surrounding John the Baptist’s birth; focus on Zechariah

- This morning, we continue our Advent series with the Prophecy of Christ’s birth

- Stand and read Luke 1:26-38 / Pray

Point 1 – The Prophecy (v26-28)

- Verse 26-28 is extremely important in this story and we must grasp them fully

- Isa 9:7, “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

- The only way to reign on a throne is to be of that same lineage (VERY IMP)

- Importance of Jesus’ Genealogy:

- Joseph was in the line of King David and therefore held a legal right to the throne. However, because he descended from Jechonias (Matt. 1:11-12) he would have been disqualified by God from taking the throne.

- Mary however, was of the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David (Psalm 132:11 “The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.” and Luke 1:32 “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”)

- The same angel that appeared to Zechariah also appeared to Mary

-- Remember Zechariah’s response (in church – doing church things – denies)

-- Mary however was a woman who also found favor, but didn’t doubt God

- APP: There is an application here about approaching God with the right heart

-- Zechariah pretty much scoffed at Gabriel … Mary was more reserved about it

- TRANS: When you are right with God, it is THEN that you can find favor

Point 2 – Finding Favor with God (v29-33)

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

- The response from God’s angel is one of comfort: Do not be afraid

- APP: 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.”

- In the face of fear:

1 John 4:18, “The one who fears is not made perfect in love”

- 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 immediately grab it

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

- Here we see that the greatest revelation to mankind is about to be made

- And the response is the same … “DO NOT BE AFRAID”

- The promise is that this child will reign over the house of Jacob

- The Jews today hail from the House of Jacob, also called the House of Israel

- The promise of this child to be born, is that He will reign over Israel