Mary: a picture of : Luke 1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee… John 1:46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Luke 1:28 “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Application: God works powerfully through the . James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” God’s plan: Luke 1:30-33 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:36 “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age… For no word from God will ever fail.” For Mary, belief was an . Trusting Faith: Obedience to an God: Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Matthew 26:39 “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Application: Trusting an Extraordinary God with Ordinary Lives Lord, start with my inner life—my thoughts, desires, and words… In my relationships, with those closest to me and those most difficult for me… With those who are hurting, overlooked, or in need—and even with those who may reject me if I speak the truth… With those who need to hear about your good news… With what I own and what I’ve been entrusted with—this is not mine… ...I AM YOUR SERVANT Extraordinary : Luke 1:39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. Two Supernatural things happened here: First) God gives a miraculous through His unborn prophet. Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, Luke 1:15 “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.” Second) God assures Mary of the truth of His through Elizabeth. …and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” The Joy of Being by an Extraordinary God: Luke 1:46–47 (ESV) And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, Luke 1:48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, The same Spirit who overshadowed Mary now comes to in the hearts of those who trust in Christ.