Mary’s Response
This sermon by Pastor Tim during the Advent season focuses on Mary's response to the angel Gabriel's announcement of Jesus's birth. Using Luke 1 as his primary text, Pastor Tim explores Mary's humility, fear, and ultimate submission to God's will. He emphasizes Mary's low status, which contrasts with the importance of her kingdom, and encourages listeners to emulate her faith and trust in God's word. The sermon connects Mary's experience to modern life, urging humility and submission in the face of God's plans.
Deep Dive Podcast
Mary's Response: A Study Guide
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
What is the meaning of the word "Advent" and its significance in the Christian calendar?
Who was Theophilus, and why did Luke write his Gospel?
According to Pastor Tim, why is the virgin birth of Jesus an important element of the Christian faith?
What is the difference between being "engaged" and being "betrothed" in the context of Mary and Joseph's relationship?
How does Mary initially respond to the angel Gabriel's greeting?
What is the significance of the phrase "highly favored" in relation to Mary's social standing?
How does Pastor Tim connect Mary's humility with God's sovereign choice?
What does the angel tell Mary about the destiny of her son, Jesus?
What does the phrase "overshadow you" signify in relation to the conception of Jesus?
According to Pastor Tim, how does Mary's final response to the angel exemplify a key element of the Lord's Prayer?
Answer Key
The word "Advent" means arrival. In the Christian calendar, it marks the season of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Theophilus was a friend of Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke. Luke wrote his Gospel to provide Theophilus with an orderly and accurate account of the life and teachings of Jesus.
Pastor Tim emphasizes that the virgin birth of Jesus, prophesied in Isaiah, is a crucial element of faith as it demonstrates the supernatural power of God and fulfills the promise of a Messiah born of a virgin.
Unlike a modern engagement that can be easily broken, betrothal in Mary and Joseph's time was a binding agreement, essentially a legal commitment to marriage, making divorce a serious matter.
Mary is initially "greatly troubled" by Gabriel's greeting, filled with agitation and uncertainty, highlighting her humble nature and questioning why she is chosen for this divine encounter.
"Highly favored" contrasts Mary's low social standing as a young woman from an insignificant town with the immense favor God bestows upon her, emphasizing that God's value system transcends earthly hierarchies.
Pastor Tim suggests that Mary's humility, evident in her bewildered response, likely made her receptive to God's call. He argues that God often chooses those who acknowledge their unworthiness to fulfill His grand purposes.
The angel tells Mary that her son will be named Jesus, meaning "God saves," and that he will be great, called the Son of the Most High. He will inherit David's throne and reign over an eternal kingdom.
"Overshadow you" evokes the imagery of the cloud that represented God's presence in the Old Testament. It signifies that the Holy Spirit will cover Mary, supernaturally enabling the conception of Jesus, highlighting the divine nature of his birth.
Mary's final response, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled," echoes the phrase "your will be done" from the Lord's Prayer. Pastor Tim suggests this demonstrates Mary's complete submission to God's plan and her willingness to serve His purposes, even at personal cost.
Essay Questions
Analyze the character of Mary as presented in the sermon. How does her response to the angel Gabriel reveal her personality and her relationship with God?
Explain the importance of humility in the Christian faith, drawing from the example of Mary and the message of Pastor Tim's sermon.
Discuss the significance of the virgin birth in the context of both Old Testament prophecy and the broader Christian understanding of Jesus's identity.
Pastor Tim emphasizes that God often chooses the "lowly" to accomplish his purposes. Explore this concept using examples from both the Bible and your own observations.
Reflect on the concept of "kingdom value" as opposed to "earthly value." How does Mary's story challenge conventional ideas about power, influence, and success?
Glossary of Key Terms
Advent: The Christian season of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Betrothed: A formal and binding agreement to marry, akin to a legal commitment in the time of Mary and Joseph.
Gabriel: One of the archangels named in the Bible, known for delivering messages from God, including the announcement of Jesus's birth to Mary.
Galilee: A region in ancient Palestine, known for its diverse population and location on the edge of Jewish and Gentile territories.
Highly Favored: A phrase indicating God's special grace and blessing upon Mary, despite her ordinary social standing.
Humility: The quality of being modest and recognizing one's limitations before God, often seen as a key virtue in the Christian faith.
Kingdom Value: A concept emphasizing God's value system, which prioritizes spiritual qualities over earthly status, wealth, or power.
Messiah: The Hebrew term for "anointed one," referring to the promised deliverer of the Jewish people. Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah.
Nazareth: A small town in Galilee, where Jesus grew up. It was considered insignificant in terms of political or religious influence.
Overshadow: A term used to describe the Holy Spirit's divine intervention in the conception of Jesus, signifying God's presence and power.
Theophilus: The recipient of Luke's Gospel, described as someone who loved God.
Virgin Birth: The Christian doctrine that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit while Mary remained a virgin, emphasizing the miraculous nature of his birth.
