Mary Had The Most Favor Lesson 4 Series

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Favor is, Hebrew SA AH “to look intently, or to look with interest or regard.” Enoch was first. “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death … he (found favor) pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).

2. Greek: Dektos, “to be acceptable, to welcome.” “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the time of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV). God says I am offering you salvation because you have My favor.

3. Mary had more favor. “The angel Gabriel … to a virgin named Mary … ‘hail thou art highly favored’” (Luke 1:26-28). Gabriel repeats, “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God” (Luke 1:30).

B. HOW MARY FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD

1. What she did in past days:

a. She kept herself sexually pure (1:34).

b. She calls herself, the Lord’s servant.

c. She used God’s personal name Lord (1:38, 46-47).

d. She glorified and rejoiced in God (1: 46-47).

2. She was faithful after chosen:

a. She named the baby Jesus (1:31).

b. She had Him circumcised (Luke 2:21).

c. She purified herself by Old Testament law (1:22).

3. She was faithful in the unknown:

a. She may not understand, but obeyed.

b. She yielded, “Be it unto me according to thy word” (1:38).

c. She knew about angels and shepherds, and “Mary kept all these things … in her heart” (2:19).

d. Mary’s faith accepted all things.

4. Mary was faithful in spite of warnings:

a. Simon waiting for Messiah in temple. “A sword shall pierce through thy own soul” (2:33).

b. Anna, 84 years old. “The child … to rescue Jerusalem” (2:38).

5. Mary was highly favored, but that included suffering:

a. Simon said a sword would pierce.

b. Mystery at age 12. “Why have you done this to me?” (2:48).

c. Mother and brothers tried to see Jesus. Rebuffed. “Who is my mother?” (Matthew 13:48).

6. Mary was faithful at the cross. “Standing near the cross … Jesus’ mother” (John 19:25).

C. LESSONS TO TAKE AWAY

1. God sees our character long before we have an opportunity to be faithful. Mary was highly favored because she was highly faithful.

2. See God’s big picture for you. Paul admitted. “Hard-pressed on every side … perplexed … persecuted … struck down … always being given over to death … not lose heart … outwardly being wasted away … inwardly renewed ... day by day ... an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:8-16, ELT).

3. Counting your blessings leads to greater responsibility. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in big things” (Luke 16:10, NLT).

4. Surround yourself with people who live and have the character you plan to develop in your life. Mary went to see Elizabeth a godly cousin she told Mary, “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said” (Luke 1:45, NLT).

5. Be faithful in first steps and little things. “To grow a big tree of faithfulness, plant little seeds of faithfulness.”

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc

Television Airing Times for the PBC

Go to hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.