Birth of Jesus Foretold
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.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on 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 for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
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 offspring forever.” (ESV)
The faith of Joseph and Mary shines through in this history of the events leading to Christ ‘becoming flesh.’ As Pastor Bobby spoke about last night there was immense pressure, both on Mary and Joseph, NOT to respond to God’s direction. But they chose to be obedient regardless of the earthly consequences, lovingly fearing God rather than man. And what specifically is God calling each of us to do today that puts us in conflict with our society but in God’s will? And will we respond the same way?
I thought it was so cool that Mary sings a psalm for God when she was with Elizabeth. Is that our response when a difficult time comes our way? Not for me, I just complian, but Mary has “set the tone” for righteousenss by praising God for the hardship she must go through as the mother of Jesus. Next time we are facing a challenge, we need to think about how we could glorify God with our actions and with our attitude, because God looks at the heart.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
It is great how Jesus lifts up those who are humble and brings down those who the world holds in high regard, exactly the opposite of what the world teaches. In this fallen world the philosophy is “Step on whoever you need to on your way to the top.” Jesus does not esteem the rich, powerful, or prideful, but those who recognize that they are lowly sinners in need of a Savior. Praise God that He sent His Son into the world to save the lost…like me!
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
God can do anything, He is omnipotent or all powerful. He has the power to create matter out of nothing and give life where there was none before. He made and sustains everything in the universe. Wow, what a privledge it is to be known by and serve our awesome God! When I pray I need to remember that God can do anything.
Wow a sermon review! Good comment Old man, new heart, who are you it’s making people curious at True North including myself?
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
God can doing anything he wants, God has all power! God created us and this place we live in. It just so amazing looking at the things around us and thinking that God made all of this. Nothing is impossible with God, so that should encourage our faith because we know that God is on our side and I can accomplish anything that is Lord willing! The two disciples walked on water just like Christ did, but were going down into the water because of their little faith they had. I also remember this verse in the Old Testment too, where it talked about nothing is impossible with God.
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Wow! immediate obedience. Can we say the same for ourselves? I know sometimes I’ll read something in the Bible like “Honor your father and mother” and then turn around and talk back to my mom. We shouldn’t just be readers of the Word but also doers of the Word. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).
37For nothing is impossible with God.
Like Bobby was talking about in his sermon last night, even though Mary was a virgin, God could make it possible to have give birth to a son. He made it so that two normal teens, even two teens from the run-down town of Nazareth, be the earthly parents to His son. But He didn’t chose them at random. He chose them for theeir character. “1Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Likewise, Mary was willing to take all the false accusations and the threat of death because of her pregnancy. But they both chose the right thing. They obeyed God and are still remembered today and are an example for us to follow.
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Matthew 1
The sermon this weekend was amazing. Mary is such a good example for us girls, she had such a servants heart and knew who she was in comparison to God. We need to make sure that we have these characteristics in our lives.
Marys song also convicted me. It is absolutly amazing that Mary only thirteen or fourteen knew that much scripture by heart and was able to express her joy through scripture. This was a girl who was all about God, His glory was her number one priority. This was a perfect example of how someone who trembles at Gods word would be. I need to have this attitude!
30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
i think what that angle is saying is that God has picked her because she does serve him and that she didnt argue with the angle but she simply obyed. And that she was willing serve the Lord by giving birth to your son.
^^The above last name is supposed to be spelled A-N-T-O-U-N….. just to clarify^^
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet
One of the coolest things about the birth of Christ, is that i was prophesied in the scriptures thousands of years before it would take place! When Isaiah wrote of these events, there probably wasn’t even a city named bethlehem at the time! But just as God’s word says, it came to pass with every detail perfectly fulfilled! This should gives us so much confidence in the inerrancy on the Bible.
37 For nothing is impossible with God.”
Although this verse is extremely amazing, people use it the wrong way. Yah, God can do anything but ehat are you asking Him to do? Well, think about it. Is it glorifying to God, is it unselfish, is it in His will? Don’t ask God to win the lottoor similar things; although He can do it, its probably not what He wants to do.
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
What a great example Mary is for us! To proclaim she is God’s servant in an immediate response in such an awkward situation. We need to want to be so much like the perfect and merciful God, the God of this universe that we can make such an immediate response to Gods will like Mary. We need to train ourselves to be righteous so that we won’t even question obeying and just do it. We need to serve whole heartedly and use all that God gave us to serve Him. We didn’t save ourselves, God saved us. Through His mercy and grace and the faith that He gave us to have in Him.
Thanks for the message Pastor Bobby!!!
the sermon was very convicting last night! it was really thought provoking and helped me to reflect on some things i need to improve on. Mary’s faith was so great, she had a servants heart and truly loved the Lord. When asked to carry Jesus she didnt complain ( when this would clearly be difficult) but she gave thanks and was happy to serve her Lord in whatever way. I hope that whenever i am faced with a decision i act in a way to serve the Lord, not in a way that puts me first.
Also, Joseph’s example of not acting out of anger and not seeking revenge helped me to realize i need to be more patient.
Pastor Bobby-
Thank you very much for the eye opening sermon last night!
Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord.
28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Just by reading this verse, we automatically know that God was pleased with Mary. People may look like this and say that Mary was different than us, but we still can be just as faithful and just as favored as Mary was. We all need to work to strengthen our faith so that one day we will be known as “highly favored by God.”
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Look how quickly Joseph responded to the Yahweh’s command. This shows his obedience for God and that he decided that God’s work is more important than his own. I look and this and I ask myself, “Am I like Joseph? Am I willing to subordinate my own wants for the work of God?” God wants us all to be like Joseph and to have his obedience for God.
God is Good.
I was not able to get on for a little while :( I was on vacation.
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
These verses mean a lot to me. Wow, verse 37 is intense and soooo true. Nothing is impossible with God. God performs miricles left and right that would be impossible without him. God is Great!!!!!!!! Another verse that hit me was verse 38. Mary had just been told that she was going to bear the son of God and she did not freak out. She says, ” I am the Lord’s servant”. Wow, she is a great example here. We need to be as ready and willing to drop everything in order to serve the lord, no matter how hard it is. Just like in pastor bobbies message, we need to be ready to serve God at all times, no matter how awkward or hard it is. I’m praying to be as willing and ready as mary was to serve God!!!!!! :)
37For nothing is impossible with God.
Not to copy the other 5 people that picked this verse but I like knowing that the God I serve can do anything and is in control.
19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly
Im excited to be a future Joseph in Orange County!!! Lets be righteous guys!!
(AND CAN SOMONE PLEASE TELL ME WHO OLD MAN NEW HEART IS!!!)
Wow, I never really put the thought into how hard it must have been for Mary and Joseph. Just like Bobby said this weekend, the faith and humility these two had is amazing! Such a great example to each of us.
Todays sermon was a great perspective on the birth of Jesus Christ. Rather than just looking at the story itself, it was interesting to dive into what the word has to say about the character of the people.
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
This was a great verse for guys and I aspire to live a Christian life like Joseph where I have a tremendous faith in God. He trusted God’s plan for him and Mary and even though he would go through embarrassing times, he had faith. Plus, I could not imagine the thrill of being able to raise and live with God’s son (once Jesus was born). Nonetheless, Joseph was very humble through it all.
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
It can be easy to forget the power that God has and the things he can accomplish through us if we can have faith like Mary and Joseph had. Aside from their strong faith, they were just like anyone else, and this shows us that we too can look forward to being tools for God.
31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32He 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,
33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
It’s VERY unlikely that God will come to us telling us that we’re going to give birth to His son…actually, impossible since God didn’t tell us that He was sending another one! So we’re not going to get magically pregnant with God’s son…but God still has a purpose for us. He has great things that he wants to do through us. Every person has a calling and some task that God has given them. Whether it be becoming a life-saving doctor, an evangelist, or a missionary, or just bringing one more person into His kingdom, fostering a child, or reaching out to a homeless person in your city, God has a plan for your life. We’re not all called to be the Mary and Joseph that God used those years ago, but we still have just as important of a calling that’s still from God! And obeying God should be the most important thing in your life, so make sure you listen and obey His commands.
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Wow an amazing awakening on Luke 1, and today the sermon. It is hard sometimes to believe that everything is going to be okay. But, after my illness and days at the doctors I realized everything is possible with God. I prayed everyday and trusted that He will handle everything and protect me and heal me. Everything is possible with God without Him its hard to live your life.
Mary and Josephs act of faithfulness really inspired me. With such a tremendous account of having a baby and still being a virgin is a major act of trust with the Lord. But, them obeying the Holy Spirit and ready to serve the Lord was a wonderful act of how we should give up eveyurthing to serve for the Lord. My mentality now is do everything to be serving to Him.
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
These verses and Bobby’s sermon today really hit me. We need to be living as the Lord’s servant every single day of our lives. We need to be serving and memorizing and evangelizing! Each of us has our own gifts, and we need to be using these gifts to serve the body of christ! Mary was willing to do absolutely anything for the Lord. She had the most tremendous faith. Mary sets such a good example for us. Nothing is impossible with God, if we give it all up to him, and put our faith in him, he can do anything.
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
this verse of Mary’s song stood out to me in particular because it really shows how dedicated Mary was to God. she accepts the huge task that the Lord has given her, and instead of complaining and whining how hard it will be and how it will effect her life, she acknowledges the great things God has done for her. when we face trials and suffer in His name, we need to have the dedication and love for God that Mary had, and follow whatever He commands out of faith
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
Like Cameron said, this song stood out to me, especially because Bobby said she was about 13. I didn’t know she was that young. Mary shows a lot of faith here, because she could have easily been upset or afraid of social disgrace. But instead she praises God for blessing her. When we face trials we need to remember how great God is and how merciful He is to us, even in those trials, and obey whatever He asks of us in faith that He is working everything out according to His perfect will.
How great is our God? Very!…
God can do anything and work through anyone. We need to be his servants, slaves even…praise the Lord for his goodness and Glory.
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Whatever God commands, I want to be able to answer how Mary did: I am the Lord’s servant! I know that my life is not my own but it belongs to God :]
Mary’s song also left a big impact on me. How incredible! It would be so easy in her position to want to retaliate against God- her life plans just got totally erased! But instead she responded by praising God. I have to remember that even when my life doesn’t go how I plan it, God has a PERFECT plan, and that’s the one I need to follow- with praise and thankfulness.
Dudes, I’m lov’n Bobby’s homework assignment! Did you know that Mary uses 20 different references from the Old Testament in her song?! 20! And she knew them all by heart. She is a great example, but lets remember that we should never idolize her. :D
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Even in the midst of this trial in her life, Mary is finding joy in the Lord! This is true joy, not being anxious about worldly circumstances or questioning God, but being able to trust in Him no matter what. If we have a servant’s heart like Mary did, we will find that this complete trust in God is much easier when we are focused not on ourselves but on Him and what we can do to bring Him glory.
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
This should be our answer to everything!! When we are asked by our parents to do something, we should do it with this kind of attitude or in doing school work or anything!! No matter how big the responsibility is!
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
I love Mary’s response. She was gonna be pregnant, most people would be so embarassed. But Mary was so passionite about God.She responsed, “I am the Lord’s servant.” In every situation we’re in we have to respond like Mary. We are here to serve the Lord. Like Bobby said today about how Mary always did her best because when she did things, she wasn’t doing them to get bye so she could move on to her own life ,instead she did everything for God to praise His name.
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
I really like to think about this verse’s meaning and all of the times that this has been shown to be true throughout history. Mary getting pregnant but being a virgin, the creation of the universe, that God is able to wash away our sins, and even more recent events like how sometimes cancer just vanishes from people. Our God is an awesome God.
33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
i liked this verse, it says that he will reign forever and his kingdon will never end….we will get to spend eternity in haeven with god forever…if we have repented of our sins, that is very comfortable to know
Man, I missed the sermon! :( But it sounds like you taught the word well Bobby!
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
I couldnt help but think about the many verses in teh Bible that talk about how with God all things and possible and we can do all things through Christ because He strengthens us. Yes, I agree with you Dan, it is such a privalege to have a personal relationship with such a wonderful God!
Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord.
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
i love how mary sees past any pride and straight up gives God the credit… she acknowledges that without God none of that would have been able to happen… what a great attitude to emulate whenever God blesses us with anything.
37For nothing is impossible with God.”
God has a plan for everything right down to the last details, and nothing is by accident in God’s mind.
If we are ever in doubt about anything, just call on the Lord and he’ll answer. It may not be an immediate or obvious; nonetheless, it will still be answered.
God answers a righteous man’s prayer so in trying to find out God’s plan’s for our lives we must obey Him in all things.
But it’s not trying, we’re trusting that He has a plan in our lives and we’ll be able to fulfill it.
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Matthew 1
This is awesome We should all be like Mary was. But, we need to be the Lord’s servant in the little things if we are ever to take on something as big as this!
I am always inspired by Mary’s prayer in Luke. She has such a clear perspective of God’s character. It is also amazing for me to think that she was a girl about my age!!!
God esteems the one who is: “humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” Isaiah 66:2. This should be our goal!
God chose Mary calling her “highly favored”…Why? Because she was HUMBLE and OBEDIANT. I love how Pastor Bobby points out that Mary was probably obedient to the small things so that she was ready to respond rightly to the big things. This is so important for us to remember as we live out our daily routines…
How AWESOME would it be if True North students were FAMOUS and well known as kids that have HUMBLE HEARTS AND ARE READY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT -NO MATTER WHAT!!!?
1 Peter 1:16
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Be set apart from the rest of the OC High School Students!! Turn heads!! Surprise people with your comitment righteousness and humble heart!!
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
This is such a cool verse! What a servants heart Mary had… We need to be just like her with whatever the Lord wants for us!
I was pretty baffled by the perspective of Mary that we got from this chapter in our True North sermon this weekend! I’ve never considered really all the details surrounding Mary’s situation and how incredibly awkward and costly it was for her to do what God had said. I am really challenged by not only her willingness to do it but also by how ready she is to have it happen, with worship of God overflowing from her heart.
What a heart check for me, to strive to have this attitude and identity of God’s servant. I will definitely be thinking differently of Joseph and Mary this Christmas!
38″I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
This weekends sermon was really good and showed me how much more stuff i can do or give up to serve the Lord like Mary. Mary in this verse jusr gives up her all and says to the Lord that she is his servantand that whatever the Lord says he wants her to do she will do it. Mary was going to face public humiliation and be looked down on as if she had had sex out of wedlock but she was willing to do that for God. That is a really good encouragment to stand up for and do whatever god wants no matter what people might say or think!!!!!
MARANATHA!!!!!!!!!!!