Blessed Among Women

BLESSED AMONG WOMEN

Preaching Goals:

To know: I will preach this so that people will know who the Biblical Mother Mary is?

To do: After the preaching, people will desire to imitate the example of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Introduction:

Why Mary was called Blessed among women? The answer is simple. She was chosen by God to bear the savior of the world. (Luke 1:30 NIV) "But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God."(Luke 1:31 NIV) "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." (Luke 1:32 NIV) "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…

Mary was chosen by God. I believe that God has chosen Mary because of her godly character. If Mary did not possess godly characters, I believe she will not be chosen. I would like to share few of the things the Bible revealed about Mary’s characters as a person and as a MOTHER. I believe that these characters are essential to be blessed by God like Mary. We will study or talk about Mary the mother of Jesus but there are people in the Bible where God have found favor. Please see the list below:

1. Abram became Abraham. also called the friend of God

2. David called the apple of God’s eye

3. Jacob was called Israel

4. Simon was called Peter

5. Saul was called Paul

6. Mary called blessed among women

7. You and Me…

BLESSED AMONG WOMEN

The Story of Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Luke 1:26-55

1. HUMILITY AND SUBMISSION

(Luke 1:38 KJV) "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."

ILLUSTRATION: Do you know that the name Mary means Rebellious?

2. OBEDIENCE

(Luke 1:38 NLT) "Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." And then the angel left."

Illustration:

(Mark 3:31-35 NIV) "Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him." "A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you."""Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked." "Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!" “Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.""

3. COURAGE

(Mat 1:18 NIV) "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."

MARY WAS COURAGEOUS AND BOLD TO OBEY BECAUSE SHE KNEW GOD WAS THE ONE WHO CALLED HER. SHE KNOWS THAT HER LIFE IS IN DANGER UPON DOING SO, BUT SHE STILL DID IT. MANY ARE AFRAID TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT BECAUSE OF FEAR OF RIDICULE. MANY MOTHERS TODAY ARE WORKING TO HELP THEIR HUSBAND RAISE A FAMILY. MANY MOTHERS TODAY ARE WILLING TO GIVE EVERYTHING FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THAT IS COURAGE.

4. GODLINESS

(Luke 1:45 NIV) "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!""

(Luke 1:46 NIV) "And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord"

(Luke 1:47 NIV) "and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,"

(Luke 1:48 NIV) "for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,"

(Luke 1:49 NIV) "for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name."

(Luke 1:50 NIV) "His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation."

(Luke 1:51 NIV) "He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts."

(Luke 1:52 NIV) "He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble."

(Luke 1:53 NIV) "He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty."

(Luke 1:54 NIV) "He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful"

(Luke 1:55 NIV) "to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.""

Illustration: No man is poor who has had a godly mother. MARY AND JOSEPH LIVED A GODLY LIFE IN RAISING JESUS. JESUS WAS CIRCUMCISED ON THE 8TH DAY IN OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW. Luke 2:23. THEY HAD DONE EVERYTHING REQUIRED BY THE LAW OF THE LORD…(LUKE 2.39), EVERY YEAR THEY WENT TO JERUSALEM TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF PASSOVER

5. FAITH-MARY EXPECTED A MIRACLE

(Luke 2:19 NIV) "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."