INTRODUCTION

1. Mary also had an angelic visit from Gabriel

2. She was informed of an even greater miracle

a) She would fulfil the Virgin Birth Prophecy Isaiah 7:14

b) The Child she would bear would be none other than the Son of God!

 

DID MARY STRUGGLE WITH THIS MESSAGE?

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by 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. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give 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 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” Luke 1:26-34

1. Mary struggled with this message from the angel Gabriel initially

2. She could not comprehend, let alone accept, what the angel had declared

3. But Mary did not have the problem of deep unbelief that Zacharias had

4. She was not rebuked nor chastened by the angel Gabriel in any way

 

FURTHER INSTRUCTION FROM THE ANGEL GABRIEL

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.

36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age;

and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!

Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her Luke 1:35-38

1. The angel Gabriel knew what Mary needed:

a) Instruction

b) Inspiration

2. He explained what the Holy Spirit would do

a) He will overshadow her

b) He will protect her

c) He will do what is humanly impossible

3. He informed her

a) Her old relative, Elizabeth was now pregnant

b) Mary was inspired

 

THE MAGNIFICAT OF MARY

46 And Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name.

50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him

From generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

55 As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever.” Luke 1:46-55

1. This famous poem/hymn reflected the following:

a) Faith

b) Fervour

c) Fulness of joy

2. It further reflected:

a) Her knowledge of the Scriptures

b) Her spirit of humility

 

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To be inspired by Mary’s example of faith

2. To know that this kind of faith is possible even to a younger person

3. To emulate her example of fervent devotion to serve God