Character Studies

Power Point Show    MP3 audio

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:46-55

Mary, Did You Know?

 

Intro.

1.  Popular song: “Mary, Did You Know?”

2.  The song asks Mary if she knew who her child was and what he would do.

    a.  Scriptures give us some insight into this, Lk. 1:30-35.

    b.  Other things are left untold, Lk. 2:50-51.

3.  Many false doctrines swirl around Mary (Catholic Mariology).

4.  We are instructed and strengthened by a Biblical look of Mary.

 

-MARY, DID YOU KNOW...

  A.  ...The Faith You Would Need to be the Mother of Jesus? Lk. 1:38

    1.  Mary was a young woman of great faith, Lk. 1:28, 30, 46-55.   

      a.  Faith is the defining mark of Mary’s character.

      b.  cf. Young women today: Defining marks often very different.

    2.  Mary’s faith was tested and expressed:

      a.  By Gabriel’s message, Lk. 1:30-33.

      b.  It’s OK to ask questions! Lk. 1:34-35

      c.  To accept God’s answer, Lk. 1:36-38.

      d.  By being pregnant while betrothed, Matt. 1:18-20. (Appeared to have acted shamefully.)

        1)  Betrothed: Legally binding engagement (1:19). (Try explaining to your fiancé you are a virgin and pregnant!)        

        2)  Joseph contemplated putting her away privately, Matt. 1:19.     

           -Angel explained situation to Joseph, and this man of faith obeyed the Lord and completed the marriage, Matt. 1:20-25.

      e.  By the anticipation of future pain, Lk. 2:34-35.

      f.  Mary trusted the words of Jesus, Jno. 2:5.

    3.  Mary made herself available to God, Lk. 1:38.

      a.  Maidservant: Submissive attitude to the Lord’s will.  “Here is a teenager facing misunderstanding and rejection from her family, her betrothed, and her townspeople. And yet she agrees. Mary affirms the bedrock truth that undergirds our discipleship: ‘I am the Lord's servant.’” (Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, jesuswalk.com)

      b.  “According to Your word:” Trust and obey.

      c.  Available for worship and praise (Lk. 1:46-56).

      d.  How available are you to the Lord as His servant?

    4.  Christian: Do you know you need Mary’s kind of (genuine) faith?

      a.  Do we know the faith we will need to disciples of Jesus (Christians)? Mk. 1:16-20; 1 Pet. 1:6-9

      b.  Jesus has explained faith to us, Matt. 6:24 (30); Lk. 14:25-27.

    5.  Mothers; Do you know you need Mary’s kind of (genuine) faith?

      a.  Fear of being a new mother; Expectations and uncertainties.

      b.  Faith to be the Lord’s maidservant (Lk. 1:38).

      c.  Faith to love and nurture your child in God’s ways, Titus 2:4.

      d.  Faith to be patient and nurturing like Mary (who “kept all these things in her heart”), Lk. 2:51.

  B.  ...The Hardships and Sacrifices Having this Child Would Bring?

    1.  Great blessings and great trials, Lk. 1:27-30.

    2.  Trials and pain before birth. Already noted the betrothal shame.

    3.  Trials and pain during birth, Lk. 2:4-7.

    4.  Trials and pain after birth, cf. Matt. 2:13-15; Lk. 2:34-35.

  C.  ...The Responsibilities You Would have as a Mother?   

    1.  To teach her child, Lk. 2:40, 51-52.

    2.  To trust and obey her Son, Jno. 2:3-5; Acts 1:14.

    3.  Mothers: Your heart, words and actions train and shape your child for life and for eternity.

  D.  ...Your Blessings Would Come through Pain and Sorrow? Lk. 2:34-35

    1.  Every mother learns this at child-birth (Gen. 3:16).

    2.  Her pain would reach to the depths of her soul. Yet, her hope was fixed on God, Lk. 1:49-50.

    3.  Our blessings come with pain and sorrow, too, 1 Pet. 1:6-7.

 

Conclusion

1.  Mary was a great woman of faith, Lk. 11:27.

2.  Her faith is an example for us. As Jesus said, “More than that (indeed, yet rather), blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28

 

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: December 15, 2016