What Made Mary Remarkable?
Luke 1:26-38
Intro:
1. Mary seemed to be a very ordinary person.
a. Age: she was between 14 & 17; Joseph could have been in his 20's or 30's.
b. Location: she was either from Nazareth or Cana Uust a few miles away).
c. Her marriage was arranged between her dad & Joseph.
d. Matt 13:55-56 - she had at least 6 other children after Jesus.
e. Jn 2:1-5 - the Lord's first miracle was at her request.
f. Mk 3:31-35 - she & some of her children tried to see Jesus.
g. Jn 19:25.27 - at the crucifixion, Jesus provided for her care.
h. Act 1:14 - she is with the other disciples in prayer.
2. But God chose her to be the mother of our Lord Jesus. Why?
3. Because Mary was a very remarkable person!
4. So - what made her remarkable?
I. v28-35 - Her Recommendation
A. She was qualified for the task. What was her qualification?
1. The angel could have said, "Your heritage has made you worthy".
a. She was born into the right family - a descendant of David - but not through the royal line. Lk 3:23-38.
b. But she was to marry Joseph who was of the royal line - Matt 1:2-17.
2. But - the angel said, You have found favor with God - v30.
a. Found (cupicric(0) = active voice, so "you gained God's favor".
b. Implication: she caused God to look at her favorably because of the type of person she was!
B. How do you prepare yourself to be a God approved servant?
a. 11 Tim 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
b. The only way to really be prepared for service is to get into the Bible regularly, get really familiar with it - not just on Sundays.
II. v36-37 - Her Referral
A. v32,- She questioned, but she didn't doubt! Her faith simply needed to be strengthened.
Zechariah questioned, but he doubted. So he had to pay a consequence for his doubt - (Lk 1:5-20).
How about you? Do you really trust God with your life; to answer your prayers?
B. v35 - The angel's answer: 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.
1. God strengthened her faith the same way He strengthens yours - He gives you more evidence to base your faith on! What evidence?
a. v36 - Elizabeth was an old woman, long past child bearing age - but she was 6 months pregnant.
b. God made the same promise to Sarah & she bore Isaac - (Gen 21:1-7).
2. When God makes promises, things happen because all things are possible with God (v37).

III. v38 - Her Response
A. "I am the Lord's servant, " Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."
1. God's will was her command - regardless of the possible repercussions! What repercussions?
a. She was betrothed (engaged), yet pregnant.
b. She could be divorced or, worse yet, even stoned to death.
c. She could be disowned by her family, thrown out & forced to roam the streets in disgrace.
d. She could be gossiped about as a harlot.
2. But even realizing what could have happened - she trusted God!
B. Do you trust God that much? Put yourself in her place.
1. Rom 6:16-18 - Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
2. God expects you, His servant, to trust Him.
3. If you are not obeying God in a faith relationship - you are obeying sin.
Decide to commit yourself to obeying everything God desires of you & trust Him with the consequences!
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