In this scripture lesson...
Illustration
Object:
In this scripture lesson Mary is startled by an angel, but more startling is the announcement the angelic being has come to give to Mary. He announces to her that she is to have a son, and in even more detail he says that she is to name him Jesus! This son will be 1) great, 2) will be the Son of the most high God, and 3) will establish an everlasting kingdom.
Understandably she questions the angel's announcement since she is a virgin and has never had sexual relationship with a man. The angel Gabriel (v. 26) gives her the answer. The pregnancy will not be of human origin, but the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and she will become impregnated with a male child. Mary says that she is the Lord's servant and will be a willing mother. It happened just as the angel told her and she became pregnant with a child that she would later name Jesus.
The following is a basic sermon outline that may help you during this Advent season.
Introduction: Edward Hays in A Pilgrim's Almanac, p. 196 writes, "Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ's birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, and be awake to the divine mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present."
I. This son of Mary and God would come to take away the sins of the world.
II. This son of Mary and God would bring hope to a world lost in its own selfishness and sin.
III. This son of Mary and God would come incarnate within our hearts as we invite him into our lives.
IV. This son of Mary and God would bring spiritual peace to any heart that is open to him.
Conclusion: We live life in a constant state of Advent, and hope, struggle, fear, expectation, and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience.
Someone wrote, "The world is not just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us -- as one of us -- give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned."
Allow this Advent season to be a time of hope, transformation, and fulfillment in your life.
Understandably she questions the angel's announcement since she is a virgin and has never had sexual relationship with a man. The angel Gabriel (v. 26) gives her the answer. The pregnancy will not be of human origin, but the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and she will become impregnated with a male child. Mary says that she is the Lord's servant and will be a willing mother. It happened just as the angel told her and she became pregnant with a child that she would later name Jesus.
The following is a basic sermon outline that may help you during this Advent season.
Introduction: Edward Hays in A Pilgrim's Almanac, p. 196 writes, "Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ's birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, and be awake to the divine mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present."
I. This son of Mary and God would come to take away the sins of the world.
II. This son of Mary and God would bring hope to a world lost in its own selfishness and sin.
III. This son of Mary and God would come incarnate within our hearts as we invite him into our lives.
IV. This son of Mary and God would bring spiritual peace to any heart that is open to him.
Conclusion: We live life in a constant state of Advent, and hope, struggle, fear, expectation, and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience.
Someone wrote, "The world is not just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us -- as one of us -- give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned."
Allow this Advent season to be a time of hope, transformation, and fulfillment in your life.
