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
- Church, the angel tells Mary (who is Jewish) that her child will be the Messiah
- TRANS: Notice what her question is: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
Point 3 – We Must Follow God Completely (v34-38)
DON’T MISS THIS:
- APP: Do you ever get caught up in the details of life that we miss the main thing?
-- Mary just got told who her son will be, and she’s worried about the mechanics
-- NOTE: Big flashing lights that Mary is just an average person, totally human
-- She was a righteous woman in God’s eyes; but still 100% human in her thinking
-- She is so caught up in the outcome, that she misses the main thing
-- MAIN THING: She is to give birth to the Messiah promised from the entire OT
- How about you and I? When God reveals something to you and I do we miss it?
- Are we too busy cutting God off and insert our own ideas when He’s talking?
- However, even in her current state God explains to her how this shall be
- Re-read Luke 1:35-38
- When God speaks to us and says that something is going to be done, the only response we should ever have as followers of Christ is: “Yes, Lord.”
- To add anything else or to take away from what God is saying is disobedience
- When God calls on us to move the Gospel (Matt 28), we must move promptly
- The angel even gives her bonus information that Elizabeth is pregnant (which ties into message #1 from this series showing why Mary went to see her) – and her confirmation of what God is doing is settled in her heart, forever.
Conclusion
- There is one other important thing I want us to see this morning
- Who did the angel tell her will come upon her? (The Holy Spirit)
- For any that doubt the power of the Holy Spirit, you can point right here and see
- The Holy Spirit is a separate entity, part of the triune Godhead, and pivotal to the worship and service of God that believers should follow
- We have an amazing opportunity this morning to give God the glory
- We have been given an opportunity today to hear that there is Good News
- The Good News is that Jesus has been born, so He could die for your sins
- But, don’t get caught up in the details to miss the main thing today
- The same Spirit that gave Mary this child is calling out to you for God’s glory
- As the Holy Spirit speaks to you today, would you be willing to answer His call?
- Pray
-- Salvation
-- Repentance
-- Church
