Mary Was A Vessel

Matthew 1:18-25

(18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

(19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

(20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

(22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

(23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

(24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

(25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

I The Vessel Sought (vs. 18)

She Was An Available Vessel!

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

What she was:

Luke 1:27-28

(27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

(28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Prvb. 3:3-4 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee…So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God…

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 53:1-2

(1) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

(2) For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

What she wasn’t:

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

II. The Vision Seen vs.20

Luke 1:26-27

(26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

(27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Notice the angel came to both of them!

God will lead us to do his will

Acts 9:3-6

(3) And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

(4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

(5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

(6) And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Proverbs 3:5-7

(5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

(6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

(7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Psalms 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

III. The Valued Son vs.21

It was an honor for a woman to be blessed with a son!

Genesis 30:1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

Psalms 127:1-5

(1) Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

(2) It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

(3) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.