MARY

The Woman God Chose to be the Mother of His Son
Luke 1:1-38

There is a tendency among Baptists and Protestants to down play the role of Mary. But, let’s face it: The Bible tells us she was highly favored (v. 28). I’m talking about the Mary of the Bible—Not the Mary of Roman Catholicism. The Mary of the Bible was blessed among women, not above women (v. 42). She is not lifted above women, but she did lift up motherhood. This is the role she played. Mary is not a mediator between God and man. We don’t make her a goddess nor pray to her.

It was her glorious privilege to be the mother of Jesus Christ.
When Gabriel appears to Mary, she is probably about 16 years old. She was already espoused / engaged to Joseph.

I. Mary’s CHARACTER (vs. 26-34).

A. Piety— She was a godly young lady. Mary was attentive to the message of God (vs. 26-30). She listened to God’s messenger. She was familiar with God’s prophecies.
B. Purity (Luke 1:34). Nazareth was known for it's moral corruption. "Can any good thing come from Nazareth?" You can live a pure life in today’s society. She lived a chaste life in the midst of a corrupt city. God would have never chosen an promiscuous woman to raise His Son. God is seeking clean vessels to use in His service.

II. Mary’s CRISIS— Her life is immediately turned upside down.

A. Her favor. Mary was to be given the greatest honor ever afforded to a woman,
B. Her fear. With the honor came a tremendous social stigma—That of being an unwed mother. Mary is called upon to bear shame, reproach and humiliation for the glory of God. How would she break the news to Joseph?

III. Mary’s CHOICE (v. 38). She submitted to God’s will for her life.

A. It was immediate. She didn’t ask for more time to think about it. She didn’t try to negotiate the timing. There in no advantage to delaying submission to God’s will.
B. It was inclusive – She was completely given over to God. “handmaid” = bond slave—One swallowed up in the will of another. Lord=Master/Boss. She was at the Lord's disposal no matter what shame was sure to come her way. Despite the humiliation she would bear, she offered her body to be used of the Lord for His purposes. She yielded the rights of her life to the Lord.
• Willing to lose her reputation.
• Willing to suffer misunderstanding.
• Willing to jeopardize her marriage to Joseph.
• All for the joy of knowing she was being used of God.

IV. Mary’s CELEBRATION (vs. 46-55).

The months between the announcement of Christ's birth and the actual moment of His arrival were months of hard decisions and anxious waiting on the part of Mary and Joseph. Mary, even though she is young, unmarried and pregnant, begins to lift her voice in praise to the Lord. She reveals a heart that is in love with the Lord and also a mind that has been saturated with the Old Testament Scriptures.
Mary teaches us that we can praise the Lord in spite of our circumstances or apprehensions concerning the future.
A. Mary’s subject—God was the subject of Mary’s praise. Mary was not singing about herself; she was not praising herself. She was not thinking about things which she might accomplish. She said very definitely, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.”
1. The Grace of God (v. 48).
2. The Power of God (v. 49, 51).
3. The Holiness of God (v. 49).
4. The Mercy of God (vs. 50, 54).
5. The Justice of God (vs. 51-53
6. The Faithfulness of God (vs. 54-55).
B. Mary’s salvation (vs. 47). Mary was a sinner. Mary needed a Savior.

SUMMATION:
1. Are you saved?
2. Are you a woman of purity? Teenager, will you be a pure bride at the marriage altar? Mom, do your children know you are a woman of moral purity?
3. Have you placed yourself at the Lord's disposal to be used in service for Him? Have you yielded the rights of your life to God?
4. Are you willing to suffer reproach in order to follow God’s will?
5. Is praise to God a regular part of your life?
6. Is your home the kind that God would pick for His Son to grow up in?