Mary, the Unexpected Mother | Gospel of Luke | Conception | Birth - Audio

City Light Church Sermons

Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38 Sermon Date: 9/22/2024 Speaker: Brian Crawford . Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/ Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg . Sermon Notes - Sept 22 Mary is one of the most fiercely debated characters in the Bible. So, who is Mary and what is her story? This is the second conception story in Luke. The first is John the Baptist. So, we can see the importance of Mary by comparing both Johns birth, and Jesus' birth. We will analyze them through Comparison, Condition and Calling. Comparison - Elizabeth and Zachariah are old and without children. Mary and Joseph are young. Elizabeth and Zachariah lived in the city, Mary and Joseph live in the middle of nowhere. Yet, both are visited by Gabriel. In the face of the impossible, they will both conceive. One child will prepare the way for the savior, the other is the savior! Our backgrounds are not a prerequisite for our use by God. We often think - Do I have the minimum prerequisite to be used by God? The only requisite is God Himself. Conditions - Mary is a virgin (betrothed to Joseph), Elizabeth is barren. Betrothal in this time is very different than what we expect. It was legally binding, and any sexual conduct would be considered cheating. And for all intents and purposes they are considered husband and wife. The accusations of adultly could bring extreme problems in Mary's life. But God provides the protection for her. We also see the trinity in this work! God the father, and the Holy Spirit bringing about the Son in Mary. “Greetings oh favored one” is a statement of grace from Gabriel to Mary. Mary is the recipient of God’s unexpected and overwhelming grace. Mary’s not the mother of Grace, but the Daughter of Grace. Not because she is perfect, but because God is! When angels show up, they often elicit a response of fear - but take notice of her response. It’s not Gabriel’s presence that troubles Mary. But Gabriel’s words. What’s so special about me? But, she is favored - not because she’s great, but because God is! Calling - the angel gives Elizabeth and Zachariah a name for their son, and Gabriel gives Mary and Joseph a name as well. These names mean things. In Jesus' name, we hear his eternal purpose. “Yahweh saves.” God sent his Son, so that we would have access to adoption by the Father for all eternity. The angel also declares his future - “he will be great… and he will reign forever… and of his kingdom there will be no end!" The mentioning of David is important in this text, because He is fulfilling promises made during David’s time. God raised up David’s line, and birthed a kingdom that lasts forever. And all of that is wrapped up in Gabriel’s promise to Mary. Fear not, in Christ, there is being established a forever kingdom. In Christ, we will know eternal joy, eternal peace, eternal gladness, and eternal presence, with the Lord. A kingdom with no end. And why are these two wombs are sprouting forth life when they ought not to - because nothing is impossible with God. Barren wombs and virgin wombs will give birth, and those who were abandoned and left for dead, will be adopted into our family: because nothing is impossible for God! How should we respond? Like Mary. This is what set her apart and makes her special - “Behold, I am the servant to the Lord.” Her Obedience as a Daughter of Grace.