12-20-20 | 2020 Vision: A Clearer Vision of Christmas (Week 03): Mary's View

Plainfield Christian Church

Message by Steve White. Mary's View LUKE 1:26-38; 46-56 The Anxiety of the Unknown LUKE 1:26-29 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. She was greatly troubled. LUKE 1:30-33 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” The Acceptance of the Call LUKE 1:34-38 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. The Adoration of the Lord "Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the child you will bear!" LUKE 1:46-56 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” She sings of the nature of God -- That He is mighty -- That He is holy -- That He is merciful Because He is holy, He MUST do something about our condition; Because He is mighty, He CAN do something about our condition; Because He is merciful, He WANTS to do something about our condition. Are you willing to travel further? "My soul magnifies the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior."