The Prophecy Of Our Messiah Series

Introduction

- “What is Advent?”

-- The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival"

-- The focus of this season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ

-- His birth is his First Advent, his first coming, to a world in great need

-- It also reflects on the anticipation of the return of Christ (Second Advent)

- Advent, however, is more than marking a 2,000-year-old event

-- HUGE: Advent’s purpose: All of creation might be reconciled to God

- R.C. Sproul once said, “What we celebrate is not so much the birth of a baby, but the incarnation of God Himself.” (Critical concept to remember – not just a bday!)

-- Today, it is my prayer that we would be focused on this truth

-- And it is my desire that we’d see this story in a fresh light (need fresh look)

- Read Luke 1: 26-38 / Pray for revelation and peace in the truth of God

Point 1 – The revelation of the Messiah’s birth

- v26-28 are key to this passage … and we must grasp where it comes from

- Re: OT Prophecy: Isaiah 9:7, “His government (Whose gov’t? Messiah) and its peace will never end. He will rule (as a king) with fairness and justice from the throne (authority) of his ancestor David for (how long) all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! (promise)”

-- KEY: The only way to reign on a throne is to be of the same lineage! (Prince)

-- It is an inheritance that will be granted to this ruler – one of the same family

-- We know that Joseph descended from the lineage of King David (Matt 1:6-16)

- Marriage to Joseph would bring Mary into the lineage of heirs; her role is unique:

-- Mary births the Messiah, through the same lineage promised by God (Isaiah 9:7)

-- Isaiah 7:14, “All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin (Mary is) will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).”

- And we know the lineage’s importance: Psalm 132:11-12, “The Lord swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne (remember Isaiah 7). If your descendants (David’s) obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue forever and ever.” (Don’t miss the IF / THEN statement …)

-- APP: God proclaims, then challenges us to follow through and obey

- KEY: Angel gives us the revelation of “who”, to fulfill God’s sacred prophecy

-- Why is this important? With it, God proves He is faithful (promise kept)

- Re: Zechariah’s response (in church – doing church things) = disbelief (v18))

-- Result: Struck mute to show the importance of responding to God’s messenger

- And now, we see Mary’s response to God … with the right heart (found favor)

-- Zechariah scoffed at Gabriel … Mary was confused and disturbed; but accepted

-- Said another way, she was troubled that this could possibly happen (v29)

-- OK to let her off the hook: It’s ok to be troubled with news like this …

- Take away: When God speaks, how you respond does matter

-- This is a critical lesson that both got – and today we’d be wise to ALSO see …

Point 2 – God’s promises come with instructions to respond

- FACT: God’s comfort ALWAYS accompanies promises (even in uncertainty)

-- 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”

-- Love to see God’s tenderness towards her here … “Relax, it’s ok, He is good”

- Consider how God has promised comfort before:

- EX: Before a battle:

-- Joshua 1:6-7, “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.”

- EX: When we are in doubt:

-- Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

- EX: When we aren’t sure of what’s next:

-- Psalm 56:11, “I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (If God is for you, who can be against you (taken from: Rom 8:31))