Sermon for December 17, 2017
Presented by Rev. Dr. Daniel Stegeman
Title: The Birth Of Jesus Foretold
Text: Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, Copyright © 2001 by Crossway
1. Mary was a virgin (v.27). This is a foundational statement for Christian faith, foretold in scripture. Isaiah 7:14
2. Mary was of the house of David (v.27). Ancestry was very important to Jewish people. The Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:11-16) was to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
3. Mary was highly favored by God; full of grace. (v.28) However, she was human and cannot dispense God’s grace so she is not to be worshiped.
4. Mary was troubled by encounter with Gabriel (v.29). When you are fearful, do not be afraid and trust in God.
5. His name will be called Jesus (v.31). Literal meaning of the name is “savior” (Matt. 1:21). He would be the king of the universe.
6. Mary asks Gabriel how will this be? (v.34) Jesus will be conceived in a supernatural way through the Holy Spirit (v.35).
7. Why was virgin birth necessary? Jesus was not be be of the seed of Adam, which makes him qualified to be the savior. The virgin birth makes possible the uniting of full deity and full humanity in one person.
8. Elizabeth has conceived a son (v.36). Confirmation for Mary that Gabriel’s visit was reality.
9. Nothing is impossible with God (v.37). God requires faith for us to achieve great things. (Mt. 19:26)
10. She believed (v.38). Stop listening to the world, go to God’s word and trust in His promises. Hebrews 11 speaks of many who had great faith.
Will you believe in Jesus today?
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