Don’t Dress It Up

 

2 Timothy 2:8 (NLT)
Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.

 

Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

 

HOW Did Jesus Come at Christmas?

  1. In GREATNESS
    – The Most High had the ability to become most low.

 

2. In LOVE
– Jesus came to relate to our weakness, pain, and suffering.

 

3. In TRUTH
 – The gift of salvation tells us the truth about what we need.

 

 

How Did Mary Respond?

  1. Mary WRESTLED with the Word.

 

Luke 1:29 (NLT)
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.

 

  • The word “think” in Luke 1:29 is the same as:
    When the Pharisees “argued” in Matthew 21:25.
    When the Scribes “questioned” Jesus in Luke 5:21.

 

2. Mary WONDERED how it would happen..

 

Luke 1:34 (NLT)
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

 

  • ABC’s for Wondering Well:
    Ask questions to
    Believers who are
    Credible sources.

3. Mary WILLINGLY obeyed God.

 

Luke 1:38 (NLT)
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

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