“Promise Made Promise Kept”
Luke 1:26-38
Matthew 1:18-25
Last we looked at Genesis 3:1-15 and found the First Promise of God for redemption.
This promise was not fulfilled overnight as far as mankind is concerned.
I am reminded that the Lord made time when he made man and this earth so for HIM it is as if no time has passed.
That is the wonder of God.
Everywhere present is just that. Even in time.
Last we saw Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
There was a promise of a seed that would be bruised but would bring the death blow to the consequences of sin.
Today I would like to look and a very familiar text.
There are 2 of them that complete the promise and prophecy.
I. Let’s Start With Mary Luke 1:26
1. Vs. 26 we begin with “in the sixth month”
This is in reference to the verses prior to this. Vs. 5-25
Zacharias was making preparation to fulfill his portion of his duties in the temple.
Elisabeth, his wife, is without child.
While he was in the Temple he was confronted by vs. 11 “an angel of the Lord”
Who is this Angel?
Vs. 19 “I am Gabriel”
Now we are on VS. 26 and Gabriel shows up once again.
Who is Gabriel?
The word “angel” = a messenger, envoy, one who is sent from God.
Despite what man may think they know about angels I have found that we have so misrepresented this servant to the point that there are those who would worship such a being.
There are mentioned in the Bible many times about angels and what we see them doing but there are only a few we know by name.
"What are the names of angels in the Bible?"
The Bible describes angels as powerful spiritual beings whom God created to perform specific jobs both in heaven and on earth. And although the Bible often mentions a “host” of angels, it only names a few.
Gabriel is the most well-known named angel to appear in Scripture.
Each time he is mentioned, we see him act as a messenger to announce something special from God.
In the book of Daniel, Gabriel appeared to the prophet Daniel in order to explain some visions God gave Daniel about the end times (Daniel 8:15–27; 9:20–27).
Gabriel also appears in the New Testament.
He appears to Zacharias in the temple to herald the news that Zacharias’s wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to John.
Gabriel is found with Mary and announces the birth of Christ. Later, Joseph receives guidance in a couple visits from “the angel of the Lord” which many believe is Gabriel.
It seems likely that Gabriel is one of God’s chief messengers.
The second angel the Bible calls by name is Michael, who functions very differently from the angel Gabriel.
Michael is an archangel, which means “chief angel”; this title indicates that Michael holds a high rank in heaven.
When Michael appears in the Bible, it is usually in a battle of some type.
He wars with the fallen angels (those who sinned against God and became demons) and Satan.
Michael appears several times in the book of Daniel as a warrior (see Daniel 10:21 and 12:1).
In one instance, the angel Gabriel describes Michael as fighting against the demonic “prince of the Persian kingdom,” enabling Gabriel to reach Daniel and explain the visions to him (Daniel 10:13).
Michael is also seen in the book of Revelation, when he battles the great dragon—Satan—during the end times (Revelation 12:7–9).
If fallen angels are included in the list of angels who are named in the Bible, two more names should be mentioned: Lucifer/Satan and Apollyon/Abaddon.
Lucifer rebelled against God and was thrown down from heaven along with the angels who followed him.
Before his rebellion, Lucifer was a beautiful and powerful being; but he coveted equality with the Most High God and therefore became unholy and cursed.
He is now known as Satan and is God’s chief enemy who seeks to deceive and destroy all of mankind.
Apollyon/Abaddon is another fallen angel, mentioned in Revelation 9:11, and he leads an end-times demonic army.
2. Vs. 27-33 Gabriel announces to Mary God’s intention with her.
I find it interesting that Gabriel did not announce that she was pregnant but that Vs. 28 “…thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
Mary still had a choice to make.
That is still true today with us.
We are called into God’s family to serve, but the Lord does not force anyone to serve.
Vs. 34 “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”
3. Notice the submission of Mary. Vs. 38
My personal thought is that it is here that conception was made.
II. Joseph Is Involved
Matthew 1:18-25
Vs. 18 “…Mary was espoused to Joseph,” = to be promised in marriage, be betrothed
They are not yet man and wife yet in this day they were looked at as an exclusive couple and if they were to break up it would take a letter of divorcement.
1. Vs. 19 I see Joseph who is hurt, yet seemed to care deeply for Mary.
This little thought of “Publick Example” was not a good thing.
Seems to me that sin was looked at as bad and the people of God did not tolerate it.
I am not against Grace.
I believe there is room for Grace in all our lives concerning the sin of others.
But make no mistake about it; God will judge sin and those who endorse such behavior will give an account to the Lord.
Yes I believe that we ought to love the sinner and hate the sin, but that does not include playing in the mud with them.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”
2. Vs. 20 “…the angel of the Lord appeared”
Just when you think that there is no hope, God shows up.
“Joseph, Mary is telling you the truth. God did this.”
3. Vs. 21 We see the “Promise made, and Promise Kept”.
“…for he shall save his people from their sins.”
The announcement to Joseph the long time ago promise was about to be fulfilled.
Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
4. Notice the name given. Vs.21 “Jesus” = "Jehovah is salvation"
Old Testament name was Joshua or Y?howshu‘a (yeh-ho-shoo’-ah)
5. Vs. 24-25 Peace with service.
Notice a little phrase in Vs. 25 “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
Not their first born son.
Conclusion:
This is not the beginning of Jesus for He is God now brought forth in the flesh.
“This is the beginning of the end”
Because a promise is a promise
And once God made it; it was in His perfect time He fulfilled it.”
“Jesus” = "Jehovah is salvation"
Do you know Him?
