Services | Announcements that a Virgin Will Give Birth

Bulletin

January 6, 2019

First Baptist Church of Westminster
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth.”

SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 92:1 - 4
“Shout to the Lord”
“Day One”


PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
MESSAGE Pastor Joe
“THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS THE MESSIAH”
“Announcements that a Virgin Will Give Birth”

Time of Reflection
PRAYER TIME
“God with Us”

GIVING OF SELVES AND OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER

SPECIAL MUSIC – By Pru Hungate

PRAISE AND WORSHIP
“Forgiveness”
“Your Grace is Enough”
One Thing”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Benediction “Only Jesus”

SERMON NOTES
Luke 1:26 – 38 Mary told of conception by Holy Spirit
Luke 1:39 – 46 Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth
Matthew 1:18 – 25 Joseph told of conception by Holy Spirit

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Scritpures

Luke 1:26 – 38 | Mary told of conception by Holy Spirit

Luke 1:26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,

Luke 1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Luke 1:28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

Luke 1:29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.

Luke 1:30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.

Luke 1:32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;

Luke 1:33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

Luke 1:34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

Luke 1:35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:36 "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.

Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God."

Luke 1:38 And Mary said, "Behold, the 4bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39 – 46 | Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth

Luke 1:39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,

Luke 1:40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

Luke 1:43 "And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?

Luke 1:44 "For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.

Luke 1:45 "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." The Magnificat

Luke 1:46 And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,

Matthew 1:18 – 25 Joseph told of conception by Holy Spirit

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned 3to send her away secretly.

Matthew 1:20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been 4conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 1:21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

Matthew 1:22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

Matthew 1:23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Matthew 1:24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,

Matthew 1:25 5but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. 1. Gr Judas; names of people in the Old Testament are given in their Old Testament form 2. Lit her of Uriah 3. Or to divorce her 4. Lit begotten 5. Lit and was not knowing her

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Transcript of Service

Alright this morning I have a rhetorical question for you in case you don't know what a rhetorical question is, it is a question. I ask out loud. I don't expect an answer out loud, but I like you to lease contemplate. It consider what your answer would be so the first question I have is what, if God ask you to do something.
Will cost you, your reputation you're standing in the community?
And your name.
Second, question what, if God sent a messenger in told you that something that something had taken place. That was either impossible or at least improbable? What would your response be to that message, we're going to take a look.
People who have a response to those.
Requests and message and to see their response and so we find the first person is Mary and we're going to find that and Luke and it says this.
Here now in the 6 month. The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth to a Virgin engaged in that word for us is a little misleading because when we think of engaged. We think somebody gets down on their knee says will you marry me and she says yes and we?
A ring on the finger and we say, I'm engaged and we set a wedding for some date, which depending upon how eager and anxious to couple is can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few years and we have that kind of engagement and the more the couple.
Like commitment a longer that engagement, oftentimes is but in this time that this was in the King James version. It calls patrol even that doesn't give in the true sense. It was like there was a marriage contract you were.
Married but you didn't come together to live as a couple yet. That was the final step in the marriage. But in order to separate and no longer be.
Be trolled engage you had to file for divorce. So is much different than it is so there was this legal process that this woman, Mary, who have been engaged as it says to a man whose name was Joseph of the descendants of David and the Virgin's name was marrying and coming in, he said to her greeting.
The Lord is with you, but she was very perplexed at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation. This was now. I love this statement. We're going to see that Mary's kind of response later bye? What Gabriel says she kind of has the standard kind of.
She's at least intimidated fearful of this angelic messenger, but even in that.
She considers things, she's a thinker she's just not someone who is like I understand that this is an angelic messenger, but that's he didn't just didn't say Hi Mary. It was what is the meaning of it, and so all automatically we see that.
Thinks about what is being told her and will see later when other people say things to her about her child and whatever that she continues to ponder them. So Mary has always been throughout the scriptures a thinker and so right away. She's thinking? What does he mean by this greeting?
And the Angel said to her do not be afraid Mary for you have found favor with God, you have found Special Grace. You have found an appreciation by God in our study of Daniel. We saw that every time the den a Angel came to Daniel he would say you're a favored one and so.
Call the son of the most high and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the House of Jacob Forever and his Kingdom will have no end now. The Angel is announcing in essence. The Messiah is coming? What every Hebrew woman has wanted to party.
All the way back before they were Hebrews, all way back when.
Cain and Abel and Cain killed Abel and Seth was born.
Eve said perhaps this is the man that God has given thinking of the redemption to be coming and so when God made the promise to David that on the throne of David there will never cease to be an occupant that they were always looking forward.
Promise coming to path and Mary being from the lineages of David would qualify legally.
But Mary understand there is one obvious problem with this announcement.
And Mary said to the Angel? How can this be since I'm a Virgin?
Now notice that this is a different question, then what Zachariah see when Zacharias was told by the Angel Gabriel that his wife was going to bear at son and they're going to name him. John he said. How can I know this for certain he had doubt and that was a question the question was can.
For me of what you're saying is true Mary is simply saying I don't understand the process because the process is. Your not to be a Virgin to have a child in most of you have gone to the appropriate classes to understand what I'm talking about so she understands that she.
Able to produce a child because she's a Virgin so she wants know I don't understand this. It's not that I doubt what you're saying.
The Angel answered and said to her. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will over shadow. You and for that reason, the holy shall shall be called the son of God.
He saying this child is going to be different. This child will be wholly. This child will not be subject to the sin of Adam that his birth is unique to all birth in order to do that. It requires a Virgin, but the Holy Spirit will a comp?
And then in order to reassure he says, and behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son. In her old age and she who is called Baron is now in her 6 month for nothing will be impossible with God.
So the Angel says.
Your cousin Elizabeth who was in advance of age, she was bearing and she's now 6 months pregnant.
If God can do that. Nothing is impossible for God and he will accomplish this now for her.
To say yes during this time and their culture?
Well damage her reputation her position in the community and even potentially her potential relationship with her espoused husband.
For you see back then. In that culture, it was considered immoral to have relate sexual relations outside of marriage.
And for her since she was.
Married in that sense.
Any activity that would be outside of that would be considered adultery and the punishment potentially for adultery was at minimum divorce in maximum the death penalty.
So God is asking a lot of Mary.
To be used in this way.
Notice what Mary says.
And Mary said Behold the bond slave of the Lord. She first acknowledges I'm the vessel of God. I am his slave, whatever he wants I'll do.
It's not about me its about him, I am his bond slave.
Maybe done to me, according to.

She submits to the will of God, even though it may anh will cost her, her reputation.
Her standing in the community.
And put at risk her marriage to the one she with patrol 2.
Now.
God is not going to ask you.
Display this whole event over again.
But God does ask us to do things that may cause us to lose our reputation or standing in the community just being a believer. Many people say, Well, you know science says there is no God in all that in belief in God is just a crutch or you're too ignorant to know.
Just whatever you're a simple sent you need God to explain things that you just don't understand.
Or.
He asked us.
To forgive
But I have a right to be angry. I have a right to hold a grudge.
He tells us to forgive he tells us to love our enemies.
He tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, he tells us he commands us to love one another as he is loved us and given himself for us.
Each of those things people will wonder why would you do that because that's not the way of the world yet that's what God has commanded of us?
And our response should be the same as Marys. I am the bond slave of the Lord may be done, according to his word.
Bursary now now at this time area. Rosa win in a hurry to the Hill Country to the city of Judah and enter the house is Zacarias and greeted Elizabeth now remember Elizabeth is her cousin. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting and the baby leap in her room and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
I was a loud voice and said Blessid are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb and how is it that has happened to me that the mother of my Lord would come to me notice the response is not how you doing, Mary good to see you.
It.
The response the Holy Spirit filled her and feel John and he leap for joy and acknowledge that the baby that Mary was carrying in her womb.
Was the Messiah her Lord? She was carrying a baby? Mary was carrying the Messiah and Elizabeth response to that is not old Mary here. This is going to be difficult. Ho merry people are going to think it's Terry.
That you are immoral her response is pleasant be. You and pleasant be the fruit of your womb and bless it be me that you've come.
That I might be participate.
And blessed is he who believe that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord, she saying Mary you are favored.
But you are favored because you believed.
And you are favored because you believe, and you submit it.
The third person.
Is Joseph?
And in Matthew chapter, one verse starting with verse 18 he says. Now, the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows. When his mother, Mary had been patrol to Joseph before they came together. She was found to be with a child by the Holy Spirit and Joseph. Her husband being a righteous man and not wanting.
Planned to send her away secretly now this tells me a couple things about Joseph, which is different than the typical thing that people think that specially the world about Righteous people. Usually they think Righteous people or holier than now in judgmental.
And can't wait for you to screw up there, so you they can say you're a terrible center how dare you.
Joseph.
Being a righteous man.
Instead of taking his legal right to say she committed adultery stone her or I want to public divorce to shame. Her says how can we do this that doesn't disgrace her?
Kind of a different response.
Then when we think we've been wrong.
And let's face it.
He's reasonable and his conclusion that she was unfaithful.
She been gone awhile.
Actually, she been gone about 3 months. Luke tells us. She spent about 3 months with Elizabeth and then went home just before John was born.
So during this period of time.
Joseph decides that he needs to.
Secretly, divorcer, but when he had considered this beholden Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream sing. Joseph son of David do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife for the child, who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit, she will bear.
Call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins. Now, this took place of her fill what was spoken of by the Lord through the prophet that profit denies Isaiah Behold, a Virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son and they shall call his name Immanuel, which translated me.
With us so the Angel appears that Joseph in a dream and says Mary, has been faithful. The child that has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. It is a fulfillment of scripture remember how Isaiah says that as Virgin to have a child and they shall call him.
God with us and therefore Joseph you can continue your life with Mary without any fear.
Really highly improbable story.
Yet it comes from the messenger of God.
So Joseph could say I don't care what the scripture says.
Other people might think.
Badly.
Or I'm going to do what I want to do anyway.
Unfortunately, that's a response many of us today do.
I don't know how many times, I've heard people say, I don't care what the scripture says or they don't say they just don't care what the scripture says they just do what they're going to do.
But Joseph does this and Josefa walk from his sleep and did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife.
He responded to the message of God in faith.
I mean from the beginning of Adam and Eve.
Until today.
There's only been one Virgin birth.
But nothing is impossible with God.
And Joseph no matter what it might cost his reputation or that have his bride or that of his family.
Believed the messenger of God.
The message of God today is that Jesus this one will save his people from their sins is the one who has saved his people from their sins.
And all the required of us.
Is faith?
To accept the grace that has been offered to us.
Have a pass you don't know how bad. I've been or how bad. I plan to be.
Grace.
Yeah, but those church people know better than me. You're right there probably worth not talking about the standard of of.
Actions were talking Grace and belief.
God is said that if I put my trust in his son. I will have eternal life.
Help the world says all that there is to this life is this life and if you don't do all the things in reach for all the gusto you're going to lose out.
I trust the word of God.
Is he said it?
And there's 1 thing that's impossible for God and that's the lie.
And so if he says something I can trust him and believe him.
So Mary.
Didn't need to have faith?
Be pregnant.
By the Holy Spirit, she submitted.
Joseph needed to have faith that his bride was faithful and it was a child of the Holy Spirit and that this child would save.
His people from their sense.
Mary frequently is is talked about being blessed and she is Unfortunately there are.
Denominations that place Mary on an inappropriate pedestal because she is not the mother of God, Jesus existed before Mary did.
She was simply a vessel blessed and favored by God.
Joseph gets not so much credit.
But I see a man who has a scripture says who is Righteous.
Who is forgiving and merciful and loving?
Who accepted in faith the word of God and then acted appropriately? Can you imagine being the parents of the son of God?
I mean, it is an awesome responsibility to just care for a regular child.
You know how awesome I know the responsibility is because parents usually don't think grandparents know what to do with children. The actions if they grandparents had no children to survive to adulthood because they tell you all the things you need to do and not do whatever you go OK.
I get it.
And so I understand it's it's an awesome responsibility.
Is a care for?
Saw God.
Both Mary and Joseph must have been pretty awesome people.
And no wonder they were favored by God.
But we can be awesome people too.
By submitting to the will of God.
And by having faith.
And rejoicing when God does something.
You see Elizabeth didn't have the Messiah. She had the forerunner to the Messiah. We don't say raunchy if I could only been like Mary.
But isn't that the response of most of it if we can have the main role.
Instead of rejoicing what God is doing in our lives to advance the Kingdom. We say how come I don't have a different role.
Elizabeth rejoice is and where God is doing wherever God is doing it.
And so if God is doing something in a different church in different community. Plus it being the name of the Lord God. Does something in our church blessid be the name of the Lord's there should be no jealousy. There should be no wishing different.
Just simply say Lord whatever it is that you have us do.
I'm your servant.
Do.
As you place.
And if his people in his church is did that could you imagine?
How our community would be different?
Could you imagine? How our churches would be different?
And could you imagine how we individually would be different?
So this Christmas story isn't about Christmas.
It's about what God does in the lives of individuals.
2000 years ago and today because this one.
With known as the son of a God is still while we called him Jesus. Still, Emmanuel God with us because the word of God says for those who believe he dwells in US?
He is with us and the word of God says that he will never leave us nor forsake us.
And with that, we should be strengthened and comforted and involved in an all god's People said.