Preached on 12.07.08 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes
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. Luke 1:26-38 ESV
“sixth month” Sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Exact detail.
“Nazareth” Obscure “nowhere” town of purposeful significance.
“the angel Gabriel” Messenger from God carrying an important message.
P: God is sovereign over all creation and can intervene whenever, wherever, however He chooses.
How is God intervening in my life? Am I cooperating with Him?
“a virgin” A young woman who had never been with a man.
“Joseph, of the house of David” To fulfill the promises of the Old Testament.
P: God uses unlikely people from unlikely places to do impossible things.
How do I need to respond to this truth?
“O favored one” Recipient of a bestowal of God’s grace.
“Do not be afraid” The angel speaks to her fears.
P: The same God who leads us into the impossible also comforts our fears.
Where do I need God to bring comfort and address the fear in my life?
“Jesus” The Lord is salvation. Savior, Deliverer.
“the Son of the Most High.” All the qualities of His Father, He would be God.
“the throne of his father David…reign…of his kingdom there will be no end.” Fulfillment.
“How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Notice her attitude.
P: Mary provides us with a great example of humility.
Is this how we respond when God intervenes in our lives? If not why not?
“overshadow you” Strong word indicating the nearness of the glory of God.
“therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” Notice the therefore.
“your relative Elizabeth…old age… conceived a son…barren” Evidence close enough to see.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Declaration of faith.
“I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
P: Mary provides a great example of obedience and submission.
Is this how we respond when God intervenes in our lives? If not why not?
We can have hope in this season because our God did and still does the impossible.
Works Cited: The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, The John MacArthur Study Bible, Messages by John Piper, Matt Chandler
