ASSEMBLIES OF GOD ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR December 17, 2023.

 JESUS’ BIRTH ANNOUNCED AND ANTICIPATED

Lesson Bible Text:

Luke 1:26-55

Lesson Central Truth:

Christians rejoice in the birth of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

Today’s lesson examines an important time in the life of a major figure in the New Testament and the story of Jesus: Mary. Some Christians, often out of theological concerns, deny Mary the respect that is due to her. We note that Mary was selected from among all women who have ever lived to give birth to and raise God’s Son. Christians can learn a great deal from her example.

This lesson examines Mary’s response to the invitation from God to be the earthly mother of Jesus and reminds us that we are to praise God for the gift of His Son, Jesus.

A. Gabriel’s Appearance – Luke 1:26-27

B. Gabriel’s Message – Luke 1:28-33.

A. The Son Of The Most High – Luke 1:34-38

B. Elizabeth Blesses Mary – Luke 1:39-45.

A. Mary Praise God For Her Privilege – Luke 1:46-49

B. Mary Prophesies God’s Blessings To His People – Luke 1:50-55.

Luke 1:26-33

Six months before He appeared to Mary, the angel Gabriel announced that Elizabeth would bear a son whose name would be John (Luke 1:11-17, 36). It is interesting that the angel visited a young maiden in the city of Nazareth–one of the most unpretentious cities of Palestine. Nazareth was considered a lowly city, and its citizens were usually scorned and despised to such extent that a proverb of that day was, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

Mary was betrothed or engaged to Joseph as at the time of angel’s visit. When God was ready for His Son to be born into the world, He exercised great care in selecting those who would be His earthly parents. Joseph was a godly and pious man, a descendant of King David, and Mary was as pure and chaste as Joseph was prudent and wise. She also was a descendant of David.

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” (NLT). Being highly favoured means she was blessed with the favor, or attention, of God. From among the women of the earth, God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son.

Mary was greatly troubled by Gabriel’s greeting and could not comprehend what his appearance might mean. Zechariah also experienced considerable doubt when he received the announcement regarding John six months earlier, but Mary seems simply to have wondered, not to have doubted. Devout and spiritually sensitive as she was, she was hardly prepared for such an experience. Mary had found favour with God by her deep piety, her sense of responsibility, her mature and intelligence.

The angel of God went on to declare unto her that she will conceive, and give birth to a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. The name Jesus, however, was a common name. It was a Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning “deliverer.” This was an appropriate name for Him who would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). That name was not chosen by Joseph or by Mary–it was chosen by the Father in heaven and revealed to them by the angel Gabriel.

Gabriel called Jesus the “Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32), and in Mark 5:7 an unclean spirit called Him the “Son of the most high God.” Angels and demons alike view Him by this distinctive name; it seems the whole supernatural realm knew of His particular relationship with God the Father. Gabriel’s announcement that Jesus would occupy the throne of David has yet to be fulfilled. While Jesus lived on earth, He never occupied the throne of David in any sense, and He suffered abuse such as no king ever suffered. In all Scriptural statements concerning the coming of Jesus, there is a mixture of reference to His first coming and His second coming. He has come as Savior, but is yet to come as King and His Kingship will be from everlasting to everlasting.

Luke 1:34-45

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” Mary’s question was logical. She asked the same question Zacharias asked (Luke 1:18), but his question was asked in skeptical unbelief, and her question was asked in wonder-filled faith. Gabriel’s response to Mary’s question was not so much an explanation as it was an affirmation. He affirmed to her that the Son she would bear would be divine, not of human origin. The Holy Spirit was the agency by which her conception would occur.

By the Holy Spirit there would be a new generation, a new source of life, and a new power of life on the earth. Her conception would be mystical and spiritual, without human or material involvement or association. To assure Mary of the miraculous nature of her conception, Gabriel said Elizabeth had conceived in a miraculous manner also (Luke 1:36). Gabriel told Mary, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Jesus stated the same truth when He talked with His disciples (Matthew 19:26). Our God is a specialist in dealing with impossibilities. Mary did not question the matter further. She listened to God’s messenger angel with complete faith and obedience (Luke 1:38). Mary then responded with an affirmation of faith. “Let it be to me according to Your word” is the proper response of every believer to every promise of God.

Mary heard from Gabriel that her relative Elizabeth was pregnant (Luke 1:36). So she went the considerable distance (somewhere between 80 and 100 miles) from the region of Galilee to the hill country of Judea for a visit. Mary probably understood that not many people could understand her experience with Gabriel and miraculous conception. If anyone could understand, it might be Elizabeth. When Elizabeth saw Mary, her unborn child–John the Baptist–leaped, because he was filled with joy. Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This does not mean she received a fullness of the Spirit such as the disciples received on the Day of Pentecost.

It means, rather, that the spirit of prophecy came upon her, and she spoke as a Spirit-filled prophet of God. Elizabeth gave ecstatic praise to Mary and called her highly “blessed” of God. Some use her words to substantiate their belief that Mary was exalted to near divinity. This was by no means the case. Elizabeth simply stated that the mother of Jesus had been more highly blessed than other women. She lived in a state of blessedness because of the favor of God upon her.

Luke 1:46-55

After Elizabeth’s ecstatic prophecy, Mary herself spoke in beautiful praise to God. This is known in literature as “the Magnificat.” Mary’s devotion to God was primary, and it was because of this devotion that she was chosen to bear the infant Christ. Her reference to a Savior is noteworthy. She was to be mother to One who was to be her Savior. Motivating her ecstacy and adoration of God was Mary’s awareness of how greatly she had been blessed by Him.

She recognized He had lifted her, an obscure Galilean maiden, into exalted and sublime service. She speaks of God’s might and power and holiness. The young woman’s comprehension of these divine attributes of God reveals her as a person of extraordinary spiritual insight. Mary was able to envision something of the redemptive plan of God. She could see His mercy extended perpetually to those who fear Him. Her words do not restrict the blessings of God to Israel, but she saw mercy extended to all who fear Him.

Mary proceeded from personal adoration to an expression of God’s sovereign power. God’s mercy is from generation to generation unto the humble ones. The birth of Jesus will scatter the imagination of the proude hearts. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. Jesus, the Messiah, has elevated all of us, giving those who believe in His name the right to be called children of God. It is literally our God-given right, if you believe in Jesus, to be called a child of God. And when He comes again, we will see the full revelation of this glory and what it means to be a child of God.

Mary’s song of praise ends with a review of God’s blessings on His chosen people. As believers, we must note that in Christ, God’s promises are true. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. May the promises and blessings of God enable us to sing with Mary, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Glory Be To God In The Highest. Amen!

Today, if we will serve God in humble, loving obedience, we too can walk in His favor. When He blesses us in whatever way He chooses, we must then testify to others and praise God with all our being.

Father, we ask for your help as you use in this Christmas season to show Christ to unsaved family and friends in Jesus Name. Amen!

Remain blessed as you join us in our Sunday school both online and at any Assemblies Of God Church close to you as we study together under the Feet of the Master.

Share your contribution and as well ask your question from the lesson.

Shalom!