Read Luke
1:26-38 - The Birth of Jesus Foretold
Scholars tell us that Mary was between 13 and 16… To be more
exact, most think she was about 15 when the angel Gabriel gave her this message. Is there any question why the angel told Mary
not to be afraid? She had plenty of
reason’s to be absolutely terrified. For
one thing, how many of you here have ever stood in the presence of an angel
from the Lord.? If you have, then you will
understand why they always In Scripture begin with “Be not afraid.” God’s angels are nothing like what is
portrayed by Hollywood. They are a
presence that commands extraordinary power and authority. When you have been in the presence of an
angel, There is no question what you have just witnessed. This alone is enough to be a terrifying
experience for a fifteen year old girl. Equally terrifying is the promise that
she is about to become Pregnant out of wedlock. You see, Mary was betrothed to Joseph. A betrothal in that day and age was much
more than a engagement. It indicated a
contract between families for a future marriage. The bride and groom often didn’t have much
say in the matter. The betrothal might
be sealed by the exchange of lavish gifts or a feast. All the family was involved. It was all nice
and legal. Mary breaking this contract
by becoming pregnant with another man’s child Was grounds for her to be stoned
on the spot. I want you to hear that…Joseph
could have killed her for what this angel
was proposing to her.She had every reason to be terrified by this news. Who
on earth was going to believe such ridiculous story? A virgin birth! Impossible!
You know, even in this day and age there continues to be
volatile disagreement in the Church over the literal account of the virgin
birth of Christ. There are all sorts of scholarly reasons not to believe it. Many believe this is an error that was
created between The Hebrew prophesy and the Greek interpretation. There are even seminary’s that do not teach
the virgin birth As a reality. Just exactly
whose child was he then? “Uhhh, I don’t
know. Joseph I suppose.” You see, things
like miracles are threatening to the academic mind. We, as people from the Western Culture
believe that everything Is capable of
being understood. Everything works within
a certain understandable and Reproducible framework that provides a balance to
the universe. Miracles do not exist
within that framework. In fact, they are
the very antithesis of reason, And a mind that holds reason as ultimate and
unbending will never Experience the miracle of Christ’s birth.
Now understand me, I am not saying that reason is bad, I am
just saying that even reason is not the ultimate value in the universe. Men, you in particular need to hear this… God
has chosen love to be the ultimate value in the universe. And love, in many, if not most cases has
nothing to do with reality or reason. Love
is about the most unreasonable expression of our humanity. And this is how God chose to reveal
himself. Folks, the Virgin Birth has
nothing to do with reason. That’s why it
is called a miracle. Quite frankly, it
comes down to a question of faith, A
question of faith first answered by a scared fifteen year old girl. Try having this
one put on your shoulders. 2000 years
later, scholars are still debating this…Try it as an uneducated 15 year old
girl betrothed to another man, Knowing full well that the consequences of
agreeing to this is Almost certain death.
Now there is a dose of reality.
There is no Santa Clause here. No
reindeer or eggnog at this Christmas.
This is life and death stuff. This
is anything but a happy holiday for Mary.
Now, I have been asking you to imagine yourself at fifteen. Who were you?
What were you doing? What did
your life look like? Can you remember? Now imagine this angel standing before you
asking you to bring the Hope of the
entire earth into the world. You know
that the consequences will certainly mean being ostracized from your
family, Perhaps even bring about your
death… How would you answer? Would you
find yourself questioning if this was possible?
Would you find yourself asking why God would choose you to be The
instrument of salvation for the world? If
God were to tell you that the eternity of others hung in the balance Of your
willingness to carry Jesus Christ, the Son of God, And share him with others,
how would you answer?
(pause)
Folks, this is the question that God is asking you. It was just asked of a fifteen year old
Hebrew girl first, And her task was much
more difficult than any of us are likely to Experience. But the question he asks remains the same.
Think about it. God has been asking
people to share his Son for 2000 years now.
It started with Mary. And yes,
the consequences for her were far more extreme Than anything you or I could
ever suffer. But the question is still
the same…Are you willing to share Jesus with the world? That hope rests today on us - will we be like
her? will we give birth to Christ in our
actions and thoughts, and deeds? Will we
obey the Lord, and walk in his
ways? Will we share Christ with the
world? A survey was taken that asked the
question, "What is your greatest hindrance
to sharing your faith?" The largest
group were the 51 percent whose biggest problem was the fear of how others
would react! Why? The answer is simple…Because no one likes to
be rejected, ridiculed, or regarded as an oddball. Sure there is some risk…But, the stakes we
gamble in sharing our faith, our hope, our
salvation is nothing compared to what God asked of Mary. In sharing Christ, Mary risked being shunned, beaten, and a
public stoning. In sharing Christ, We risk upsetting someone or being embarrassed. So what?
And thank God that there was someone willing to take this risk for my
sake. Thank God for my parents who set
and example for me…And for a few young men named Larry Bergstrom, Gary Spencer,
and David Rawls who were fearless in sharing The Gospel with me when I needed
it the most. Thank God there were people
who thought it was worth the risk Of being rejected for the sake of my salvation.I
would be dead or in jail by now on the course I was on.
Folks, I was no choir girl.
But somebody cared enough to share the Gospel with me anyway. And, it changed my life. How about you? Who was willing to take that risk for
you? Someone did, because you are here
today. There are people here who have been
Christians their whole lives…And there are people who are here still trying to
figure this whole thing out. And there
are folks here because your spouse drug you here this morning. There are all kinds of folks in different
places spiritually. I get that. But still, someone cared enough to invite
you. That is not an accident. For the last 2000 years, that is how the
Gospel has been shared. One person, to another, starting with a fifteen year
old girl on the other Side of the world
who spoke the words…I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have
said." People of God, God is
relying on you to continue the invitation to his table. It is up to you now to share with others the
Good News. You know, there are a 1001
reasons each and every one of us can come
Up with on how someone else is better qualified, and maybe that is
“reasonable, But look who God chose to be the example…And uneducated, 15 year
old, terrified little girl 2000 years ago.
Those are some pretty slim qualifications if you ask me. But look what God accomplished through her
just Because she was willing. I want you to hear that. She
was willing. You know, I think that
most folks are afraid that they will do or say something Wrong and therefore
don’t even try. Listen to me…It’s not
about you! It is about the Spirit
working through you. You just have to be willing. God needs you. And each and every one of us are without
excuse. Our call to share Christ is the
same. So let me ask you this morning…..Do
you care enough about the people around you to respond?
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