How? Now? Wow!
Luke 1:26, 34-35NKJV
One well-known Christian author, James Montgomery Boice, once documented some amazing things about Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life and sacrificial death accomplished for mankind as an amazing sign of His love:
Jesus endured a human birth to give us a new spiritual birth.
He occupied a stable that we might occupy a mansion.
He had an earthly mother so that we might have a heavenly Father.
He became subject so that we might be free.
He left his glory to give us glory.
He was poor that we might be rich.
He was welcomed by shepherds at His birth so we through our new birth can one day be welcomed by angels. He was hunted by Herod that we might be delivered from the grasp of Satan.
That is the great paradox of the Christmas story. It is that which makes it irresistibly attractive. It is the reversal of roles at God’s cost for our benefit.
(Source: James Montgomery Boice. "The Christ of Christmas" (Chicago: Moody, 1983) p. 59. From a sermon by Allen Calkins, Your Savior is Born: AS PROMISED, 12/13/2009)
Mary and this marvelous conception.
We are in wonder about Mary and rightfully so, however, we possess that same spirit that rouse Jesus Christ from the grave!
Romans 8:11NLT The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
I believe that the angel Gabriel left Mary thinking at least three different thoughts:
How? Now? Wow!
Luke 1:26, 34-35NKJV 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (To the majority of priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees that was blasphemy).
1. This marvelous conception left Mary asking angel Gabriel, How?
Again, Luke 1:34AMP Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?”
Have you ever said to God, “Lord, I don’t know how you will ever pull this off!”
“How can this be?” You might ask, “How can God help me now?”
When God is in the equation everything changes.
Psalm 18:29KJV For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.”
The angel goes on and states, “Look, your relative Elisabeth, the one they called ‘barren’ is with child!”
Again, Mary declares, “How can this be?” The Lord say’s, “Don’t get bothered by the, How, just go on to the wow!”
And then the angel declares in, Luke 1:37AMP “For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.””
2. This spiritual-conception/ miraculous virgin birth, left Mary asking angel Gabriel, Now?
Mary might have thought, “Now.”
“Right now?”
“Why now?”
Mary could have said, “Now Lord? Lord your timing isn’t the best right now, you see, well you see Lord, I’m engaged, and Lord, what will the people say?” “I’m not going to do it.”
Regardless, Mary received Gabriel’s message. Luke 1:38AMP Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.
What was Mary saying? “Lord, Not my will, but your will be done.”
Mary received.
She didn’t procrastinate or reason with Gabriel, -Mary believed.
Did you know that the Bible declares, “The just shall live by faith at least 38 times.”
Again, Luke 1:38TM And Mary said, “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” Then the angel left her.
What is 750,000 miles long, reaches around the earth 30 times, and grows 20 miles longer each day? Give up? Here’s the answer:
“It’s the line of people who are without Christ.”
Say, “Now.” Say, “Let it be.” Don’t say- Now? (Hand gesture) Say, Now!
3. This spiritual undertaking, or spiritual-conception, left Mary shouting and singing, Wow!
“I personally testify that Gods marvelous conception within leaves me saying, Wow!” P.H
2 Corinthians 4:7TPT We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours.
Paul is saying in, 2 Corinthians 4:7 “God meant for Him, and only Him, to be wowed!”
* What about Mary’s parents?
* What about her relatives?
* What about Mary’s friends and neighbors?
* How about Joseph, Mary’s fiancé?
Would you say aloud, “Wow!”
On this Christmas day we ought to be testifying, “Wow!”
Think for a moment, Up until John the Baptist- 400 years of spiritual silence.
400 years of nothingness.
400 years of blank.
And Mary shouts, “Wow!”
How do I know? God’s word tells me so. Just listen.
Isaiah 55:10-11NKJV “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Wow! The spiritual seed that God placed within you isn’t much different than Mary’s spiritual seed of Holy Ghost conception! P.H
Q&A: Did Mary have much to do with this conception?
Did you?
Jesus said in, John 15:16KJV Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Just like Mary, you believed, so like Mary you bear fruit. P.H
Look with me once more, Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth.
Remember John chapter 1, Philip runs to find Nathanael and he tells Nathanael, “We have found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about, He’s here in Nazareth.”
Nathanael replies, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
You might think, “Can anything good come from my life?”
You/me, are a whosoever, the Bible calls you/me, a ‘whosoever.’
Romans 10:13KJV For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
And when that ‘whosoever’ believes, that ‘whosoever’ receives spiritual conception, a seed, and that seed produces spiritual fruit of its kind, John 12:24.
Again hear, Luke 1:35AMP Then the angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God.
“Sounds a lot like the Holy Ghost to me!”
Listen, “Stop worrying about what it’s going to look like, let Jesus take full control.” P.H
This I know- If you sow worship, favor and blessings will come.
If you sow service, and do justice, favor and blessings will come.
If you sow good seed, good seed will be multiplied.
Paul writes in, Galatians 6:7-9TPT God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest. 8The harvest you reap reveals the seed that you planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit. 9And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!
Say with me, “Results speak for themselves?”
Like Mary, when you fully accept your faith assignment God gives you a song:
Luke 1:46-55TPT And Mary sang this song: “My soul is ecstatic, overflowing with praises to God! 47My spirit bursts with joy over my life-giving God! 48For he set his tender gaze upon me, his lowly servant girl. And from here on, everyone will know that I have been favored and blessed. 49The Mighty One has worked a mighty miracle for me; holy is his name 50 Mercy kisses all who fear him, from one generation to the next. 51Mighty power flows from him to scatter all those who walk in pride. 52Powerful princes he tears from their thrones
and he lifts up the lowly to take their place. 53 Those who hunger for him will always be filled, but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty. 54 Because he can never forget to show mercy, he has helped his chosen servant, Israel, 55 keeping his promises to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Notice, Mary’s How? Now? And Wow, have been answered. Mary’s soul is satisfied with God calling the shots/Being in control.
Prayer. This morning give God your how, now, and wow. Let God take control.
