Christmas: The Big Announcement

Notes: Christmas: The Big Announcement

December 1, 2013 

Pastor Greg Sunday service

God came near - Luke 1

1. Mary lived a Godly life in an ungodly place.

Mary was a nobody in a nothing town

Lot in Genesis 19

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us').

Luke 1:29 (NKJV)

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

2. She was honestly surprised that God selected her and not someone else.

Don't boast about what you have given up to follow Jesus.

Luke 1:47 (NKJV)

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Luke 1:31-32 (NKJV)

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

Luke 1:34 (NKJV)

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"

3. Mary was completely obedient.

Luke 1:38 (NKJV)

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Present yourself to God. Then don't be conformed to this world.

Matthew 1:19 (NKJV)

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas story according to Pastor Greg.

God chose Joseph as surely as He chose Mary.

If you take away the virgin birth then you lose everything.

Even Mary had to ask to be forgiven of her sins.