This week We continue our new sermon series ‘Preparing Advent’. Preaching from Alan Cole with our worship service led by Brian Dickson.

Watch the virtual service on the church’s Facebook page, Sunday 10.20am.

Mary and the virgin birth

The virgin Mary had perhaps the most vital part to play in the Christmas story, but in our protestant churches her role has often been rather neglected. Nevertheless, she was chosen by God to be the mother of His Son and there are many of her characteristics that we would do well to imitate.

What sort of a girl was Mary?

1. Mary was an ordinary girl with no special qualifications to be Jesus’ mother. God often uses ordinary people to fulfil His purposes and there are tasks that He has set aside for us to fulfil. The church could not function without its ordinary people.  1 Corinthians 1:26/27.

2. Mary rejoiced in the task God had given her to do. Luke 1:47. How often do we praise the Lord for the work that He has given us? Philippians 4:4, 10-13.

3. Mary was humble. Luke 1:48-9. She realised that she could not fulfil God’s purposes in her own strength and that she was not worthy of the task that God had given her. Do we rely on God’s power for the tasks that He gives us to do? Philippians 2:5.

4. Mary acknowledged the power of an almighty God. Luke 1: 49-56. She testified not only of the great things God had done historically, but also acknowledged the way in which God had worked in her life. Because she trusted in God she could look forward to the future with confidence. So can we. Ephesians 3:20-21.

5. Mary trusted God for the future. Luke 1:38. Mary did not know what the future held for her, but she trusted that God would provide for her and look after her.

Why do we have to have the virgin birth?

1. The Bible teaches that all men are sinners. If Jesus had had a human father then He would not have been sinless and so could not have been the Saviour of the world. Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; Romans 5:18; 1 Corinthians 15:22.

2. Jesus was both God and man. If He had human parents, He could not have been God. If He had just descended from heaven, He would not have been human. John 1:14.

3. Isaiah 7:14 said 600 years before the birth of Jesus that a virgin would conceive and give birth to the Son of God (Emmanuel means “God with us”). Bible prophecy always comes true.

Housegroup questions.

1. Read Luke 1: 26-38. What was Mary’s reaction to the coming of the angel? How did the angel seek to reassure her?

2. Why is the virgin birth so important to the gospel message?   See Isaiah 7:14;  Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; Romans 5:18; 1 Corinthians 15:22; John 1:14;

3. What do you understand by the doctrine of original sin?

4. Why is humility important if we are to accomplish the tasks that God has for our lives? What is the difference between meekness and weakness?  See Matthew 5: 5 within the context of verses 3-10.

5. Can you think of any times in your own life when you have had to trust in God because you could not do anything in your own strength? Can you think of any Biblical examples?