"Not For Women Only"
There are some who would argue that it is only Mary
who could truly understand what it was to comprehend what the birth of Jesus
really meant. They will contend that it was only Mary who carried Jesus for a
period of 9 months within her; and so, it was only Mary who could understand
what it meant to have Christ living inside of her. Is that a true statement?
In the letter to the Galatians St. Paul writes "My little children, with whom I am again in
travail until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) What Paul is
getting at is that every Christian has the same privilege as Mary to possess
Christ. Each of us has the opportunity to claim, "Christ lives in me!" This is the ultimate purpose of Christmas
– to have Christ born in each believing heart. This morning, let’s consider the
example of Mary as we are to carry Christ within us:
1 Like Mary
we need a sense of unworthiness to possess Christ. Listen to verse 28 of our text for today: "Mary was greatly troubled at his words and
wondered what kind of greeting this might be". What would your
reaction be if an angel appeared to you? And what would your reaction be after
receiving such a salutation as the one that she received? Certainly she was
neither sinless nor perfect. Her favor with God was in her willingness to be
used for the LORD’s purposes and to use her life in spite of what it may cost.
This is exactly what we are asked of God today; to be
used for His purposes. He asks us to give LORD our life and say to the Lord
"use me as your instrument".
2 Like Mary
we need a healthy reverence for God.
Listen to verse 30 of our text for today: "But the angel said, fear not Mary for you have found favor with God." What does the angel say to her? He calls her
favored by God. Mary was a favored girl. She found favor with God. To be
favored meant to be approved of God and capable of carrying out God’s plan for
the world.
What had she done to deserve this favor? Or wasn’t it
deserved? She was a simple, poor, and humble woman. He character was expressed
however in her acceptance of the position, which fell upon her. She said and
responded in faith, "Let it be to me
according to your word."
3 Like Mary
we need to be open to the Spirit.
Listen to verse 35 of our text for today; "The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon 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." Notice that when Mary received the news of her coming
motherhood of the Messiah, she asked a sensible and normal question, "How?
How will this happen?"
Since she was unmarried, how could she become a
mother? Not every young girl would need to ask that question. Mary serves as a
role model for our young both male and female alike. Virginity is the greatest
gift you can give to your spouse. No, we do not venerate the saint…that is
true. But we should follow their example. Virginity before marriage is noble
and honorable before God.
The answer to Mary’s question is simple and yet so
profound. How is this miracle to be performed? The answer is that the Holy
Spirit would be the Father of God’s Son. The question "How?" was
vital to Mary. To the Christian there are more important questions about this
child. Who is He? And why is He coming? Who is He? He is the Son of God. Why is
He coming? To bear the sins of the world in His own body.
He comes for those who are broken by their sin. He
comes for those who are worried about their future. How will I stand before God when He returns?
He comes to bring salvation and life. He comes to bring us His mercy and grace.
4 Like Mary,
we need to be a submissive servant.
Listen to verse 38 of our text for today; "I am the Lord’s servant…may it be to me as you have said".
This is an impossible situation! A birth without a father. A peasant girl
becoming the mother of God. And God becomes a person!
Yet, NOTHING is impossible with God! Christmas is
God’s work and action! He comes in the person of Jesus Christ. He chooses Mary.
He chooses you. He produces a life by the Spirit. Because Christmas is of God.
The impossible becomes possible.
What is it that is impossible in your life today? NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! Do you believe it? Do you want to believe it but are afraid that it just won’t happen? If Jesus can be born of the Virgin Mary nothing, absolutely nothing is impossible with God. Trust in Him! Christmas is God’s guarantee that all things are possible. And nothing is impossible for God!
Passive Sentences –6%
Readability – 81.7%
Reading Level – 4.4
Advent image, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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