Fourth Sunday Of Advent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
David tells his prophet, Nathan, that he wants to build a
temple for Yahweh. But this idea is rejected. Yahweh declares
instead that he will make a house out of David. He promises David
that he will make his name great, give him rest from his enemies
and will establish him in an everlasting kingdom. David was
promised that his descendants would rule God's people forever.
Each succeeding king as a son of David was considered a savior-
king, a son of God. Each was looked to as a messiah. At the exile
this belief was no longer held, for the messiah could be a priest
or prophet rather than a Davidic king. David's son was conceived
as an agent of God's salvation and his reign would usher in a
permanent age of righteousness and peace. Christians hold that
this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David.
Lesson 2: Romans 16:25-27 (C, E, L, RC)
This pericope constitutes the closing words of the book of
Romans. It is a doxology: "Now to him ... be glory ..." The
passage is appropriate for this day because of Paul's reference
to the disclosure of the mystery kept secret for ages. The
revelation is the coming of Christ. This was forecast and
promised by the prophets. This gospel of revelation is now shared
with all nations for the purpose of getting universal obedience
to God.
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 (C, E, L, RC)
The promise in Lesson 1 is fulfilled in today's Gospel. A
messenger from heaven comes to a young girl in Nazareth to tell
her that she is to be the mother of the Messiah. Joseph was a son
of David. By physical nature Jesus was a son of David. He was
also Son of God and his kingdom was to be eternal. This was all
God's work, for the child would be a product of the Holy Spirit.
Humbly and submissively, Mary consented to be God's instrument in
bringing his Son on earth as a human being.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 (C); Psalm 89:1-4, 14-18 (L) -- "I will
sing at your steadfast love, O Lord, forever." (v. 1)
Psalm 132 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
"Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance
of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth,
that we may receive you in joy and serve you always."
Hymn Of The Day
"Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel"
Theme Of The Day: The Time Has Come
Gospel -- For the birth of the Messiah.
Lesson 1 -- For the fulfillment of prophecy.
Lesson 2 -- For the disclosure of the mystery.
Advent 4 is on the threshold of Christmas. It can be the day
before Christmas. After weeks of preparation by prayer and
repentance, the time has come to receive the Christ. Gabriel
(Gospel) tells Mary that she is to be the mother of Christ. What
Gabriel says about the child fulfills the promises to David in
Lesson 1 -- a great name and an eternal kingdom. Paul in Lesson 2
declares that the mystery of God was revealed in Christ and in
the writing of the prophets. The Psalm of the Day refers to
Lesson 1 in speaking of the promise to David that he would have
an eternal kingdom of righteousness and justice. This promise
became a reality in Jesus, the son of David. The Hymn of the Day
is an outburst of joy over the coming of Emmanuel. The Prayer of
the Day asks the Lord to prepare us for the celebration of
Christmas to the end that we may receive Christ in joy and
forever serve him.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Angel (v. 26). The meaning of the word, "angel," is
"messenger." The angels are God's messengers. In this case, it
was no ordinary angel. His name is given -- Gabriel. He was an
archangel. Because this was a special occasion, a special
messenger was needed. It was a message that God had chosen Mary
to be the mother of the Savior. Not only was it an important
message, but consider the consequences if Mary and Joseph had not
been given the message. Joseph would probably have divorced Mary,
and Mary might have been stoned to death as an adulteress. God's
plan of incarnation would have collapsed. The importance of
communication is demonstrated. Similar dire consequences occur
today when people do not get the good news of the gospel through
God's angels -- preachers.
2. Favored (v. 28). Mary was a favored girl. She found favor
with God. To be favored meant to be approved of God and capable
of carrying out God's plan of incarnation. What had she done to
deserve this favor, or wasn't it deserved? She was a simple, poor
and humble woman. Her character was expressed in her acceptance
of the position, "Let it be to me according to your word."
Certainly she was not sinless nor perfect. Her favor with God was
in her willingness to cooperate with God's purpose and to use her
life in spite of what it may cost.
3. How (v. 34). When Mary received the news of her coming
motherhood of the Messiah, she asked a sensible and normal
question, "How?" Since she was unmarried, how could she become a
mother? In this latter part of the 20th century, not every girl
would need to ask that question. How is this miracle to be
performed? The answer is in the Holy Spirit who would be the
father of God's Son. The question, "How?" was vital to Mary, but
to Christians there are more important questions about the child:
Who is he and why is he coming?
4. Impossible (v. 37). This is an impossible situation: a
birth without a father, a peasant girl becoming the mother of
God, and God becoming a person. Nothing is impossible with God.
Christmas is God's work and action. He comes in Jesus. He chooses
Mary. He produces a life by the Spirit. Because Christmas is of
God, the impossible becomes possible.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
1. Took (v. 8). It is a strong word. It is almost as though it
were a "steal." God comes into a person's life and takes him/her
for his own purpose. David was a shepherd when Samuel, in behalf
of God, anointed him to be king of Israel. Being a Christian is
not so much one's choice as being a chosen one. God reaches down
to us through pastors, parents, church or friends to make us his
servants. This is far better than basing one's life and work on a
self-choice.
2. Plant (v. 10). Since the sojourn in Egypt, God's people
have been on the move. They were nomads and sojourners with no
abiding place. When they settled in Canaan, they were "put," but
not for always. There were the 10 lost tribes and then the 50
years in Babylon as exiles. Here God is promising his people a
place to live, planted like a stalk. In our times we are a mobile
people without roots, going from place to place like itinerants.
God is a rock, a resting place where we can in days of high
mobility be planted, secure and stationary.
3. House (vv. 11, 16). David had a heart to build a house for
God. This is rejected. God turns it down and makes a counter
proposal by saying he would make David a house. God does not
necessarily dwell in structures but in people. A home is more
than a house. A house to be a home requires loving people. The
church is not a building but a people in whom God dwells. He
dwells in people who possess the Spirit.
Lesson 2: Romans 16:25-27
1. My (v. 25). The gospel is more than an historical account
of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It becomes "my
gospel," a personal possession. The gospel is to be inwardly
digested, assimilated, and saturated to the point that the gospel
becomes identified with the believer. There is but one gospel
centered in Jesus, and each Christian by faith makes it his own.
2. Mystery (v. 25). God has been keeping a secret through the
ages. All was revealed in Christ. God himself is a mystery, for
who has seen the face of God? It is a mystery how God could be
contained in a man, and how God could save a world through one
man's death. Paul speaks of the mystery that dealt with God's
unifying all races in Christ. God has no favorites but through
Christ all men are sought as his children.
3. Obedience (v. 26). Here is a call for human response. It
seems as though God does all. He created us and cares for us. He
found us in total despair in our sins and rescued us through the
cross. His grace provides guidance and strength. Even our faith
is a gift from him. Where does the human response come in? Paul
here says that all is given and done that there might be
obedience on our part. This is done not to gain merit or
acceptance but as a response of gratitude for all God has done
and given.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Jeeeesus!
Need: Christmas is less than a week away. Christmas
preparations are at their highest pitch. By this time probably
the Christmas tree is up and decorated. Packages surround the
base of the tree. Pressure will be put upon the pastor to use
carols for Advent 4 Sunday. Advent 4 service dare not be a
Christmas service lest the Christmas service on Christmas Eve or
Day be an anti-climax. Nevertheless, this Sunday closest to
Christmas will be one with Christmas on the forefront of the
minds of the people. This Sunday is the announcement time of the
big event, the star performer. It is like the announcement in the
Arsenio Hall late night television show. There the announcer
says, "Arseniooooooooooo!" Soon thereafter Arsenio appears for
his monologue. It is as though Gabriel says to the world,
"Jeeeesus!" and soon Jesus appears as the curtains of heaven open
to the tune of the angelic host.
Outline: Jeeeesus --
a. The product of the Holy Spirit -- Gospel.
b. The answer to God's promises -- Lesson 1.
c. The secret of the ages -- Lesson 2.
PREACHING OPTIONS FOR ADVENT 4
The Lessons give a preacher a number of options to focus upon
different aspects of the contents. It is like taking a spotlight
and shining it upon a specific segment or character in the
Lessons.
1. A focus on prophecy -- A promise comes true - Lesson 1: 2
Samuel 7:8-16 (E); 2 Samuel 7:(1-7) 8-11, 16 (L)
Need: Christmas proves that God's word of promise is
trustworthy. What he says, he does. It took a thousand years for
God to fulfill his promise made to David, but what is a thousand
years compared with God's eternity? Christmas is an exciting
time. What was
35
promised a millennium ago is now about to happen. The need for
this sermon is in the fact that people need to see their faith in
relation to their historical roots. Jesus is the culmination of
God's dealings with his people from the time of Abraham.
Outline: The promise is on the verge of fulfillment in Christ
--
a. A great name -- v. 9 (Luke 1:31).
b. Peace among nations -- v. 11 (Luke 2:14).
c. An everlasting kingdom -- v. 16 (Luke 1:33).
2. A focus on the meaning of the Christ-event -- The secret is
out! --
Lesson 2: Romans 16:25-27
Need: The focus can be on the meaning of the Christ-event.
Paul writes after Christmas and sees in Christ's coming the
revelation of a secret God kept until Christ was born. Maybe the
congregation needs to be led into a consideration of the theology
of Christmas. What is the meaing of the event that occurred 2,000
years ago?
Outline: The secret is out --
a. Christ reveals the truth of God.
b. Christ reveals the love of God.
c. Christ reveals the universality of the kingdom.
3. A focus on the Christ-child -- Whose baby is this? --
Gospel: Luke 1:31, 35
Need: Millions of babies are born annually. Why so much ado
about one baby born in a barn in Bethlehem? It is not that a baby
is born but whose baby it was and what he was born to become. By
looking into the nature of the Christ-child, we can find reason
for celebrating his birth in a few days.
Outline: The baby to be born this Christmas is --
a. The son of Mary (human nature) -- v. 31.
b. The Son of God (divine nature) -- v. 35.
4. A focus on the mother of the Christ-child -- Like mother,
like son -- Luke 1:26-38.
Need: Attention is called to Mary in today's gospel. She is
prominent in Gabriel's coming to her, in having found favor with
God, and in being chosen as the mother of God's Son. What a
marvelous woman she was to have been chosen for this honor and
privilege! When we look at her qualities, we see the same in her
Son. Did he learn them from his mother?
Outline: The qualities of Jesus' mother --
a. Favor with God -- vv. 28, 30. Jesus: "In favor with God
and man." (Luke 2:52)
b. Possession of the Spirit -- v. 35. Jesus -- The Spirit
descended at his baptism.
c. Submission to the will of God -- v. 38. Jesus: "Not my
will but thine be done."
5. A focus on the angel -- What an angel said to a girl --
Luke 1:26-38
Need: People have an interest in angels. A recent book by
Billy Graham is on the subject. Popularly we think of angels as
perfect beings, as "good as an angel." People need to realize
that angels are divine messengers who bring important
communications from God. Imagine what would have happened to the
Christ-child if Mary and Joseph had not been told about the
coming child. Mary would have been divorced and discarded. The
congregation is in a position of overhearing Gabriel's message.
Outline: What the angel said --
a. Who was to be born -- vv. 31, 35.
b. How the child was to be conceived -- v. 35.
c. What the child would become -- vv. 32, 33.
6. A Focus on the virgin birth -- A one-parent child -- Luke
1:34-37
Need: The Gospel brings up the question and/or problem of the
virgin birth. With Christmas but a few days away, it may not be
the appropriate time in some congregations to discuss the
doctrine. If it is an issue in the congregation, this may be the
time to handle it. It is not a matter of trying to prove one side
or the other, for arguments can be given on both sides. Rather it
would be appropriate to discuss the theological significance of
the virgin birth.
Outline: The significance of the virgin birth for modern
Christians --
a. Belief in the virgin birth is not essential for
salvation.
b. The virgin birth does not make Jesus the Son of God but
being the Son of God makes the virgin birth possible.
c. With God all things are possible -- v. 37.
7. A focus on personal experience -- not for women only! --
Luke 1:26-38
Need: It does not take a woman to be pregnant with Christ!
Paul wrote, "My little children, with whom I am again in travail
until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) As Mary bore
Jesus in her body, so every man and woman has the same privilege.
"Christ lives in me." After all, this is the ultimate purpose of
Christmas -- to have Christ born again in each heart. What does
it take to be pregnant with Jesus?
Outline: To carry Christ within you, be like Mary.
a. A sense of unworthiness to possess Christ -- v. 28.
b. A healthy reverence for God -- v. 30.
c. Be open to the Spirit -- v. 35.
d. Be a submissive servant -- v. 38.
temple for Yahweh. But this idea is rejected. Yahweh declares
instead that he will make a house out of David. He promises David
that he will make his name great, give him rest from his enemies
and will establish him in an everlasting kingdom. David was
promised that his descendants would rule God's people forever.
Each succeeding king as a son of David was considered a savior-
king, a son of God. Each was looked to as a messiah. At the exile
this belief was no longer held, for the messiah could be a priest
or prophet rather than a Davidic king. David's son was conceived
as an agent of God's salvation and his reign would usher in a
permanent age of righteousness and peace. Christians hold that
this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David.
Lesson 2: Romans 16:25-27 (C, E, L, RC)
This pericope constitutes the closing words of the book of
Romans. It is a doxology: "Now to him ... be glory ..." The
passage is appropriate for this day because of Paul's reference
to the disclosure of the mystery kept secret for ages. The
revelation is the coming of Christ. This was forecast and
promised by the prophets. This gospel of revelation is now shared
with all nations for the purpose of getting universal obedience
to God.
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 (C, E, L, RC)
The promise in Lesson 1 is fulfilled in today's Gospel. A
messenger from heaven comes to a young girl in Nazareth to tell
her that she is to be the mother of the Messiah. Joseph was a son
of David. By physical nature Jesus was a son of David. He was
also Son of God and his kingdom was to be eternal. This was all
God's work, for the child would be a product of the Holy Spirit.
Humbly and submissively, Mary consented to be God's instrument in
bringing his Son on earth as a human being.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 (C); Psalm 89:1-4, 14-18 (L) -- "I will
sing at your steadfast love, O Lord, forever." (v. 1)
Psalm 132 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
"Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the hindrance
of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth,
that we may receive you in joy and serve you always."
Hymn Of The Day
"Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel"
Theme Of The Day: The Time Has Come
Gospel -- For the birth of the Messiah.
Lesson 1 -- For the fulfillment of prophecy.
Lesson 2 -- For the disclosure of the mystery.
Advent 4 is on the threshold of Christmas. It can be the day
before Christmas. After weeks of preparation by prayer and
repentance, the time has come to receive the Christ. Gabriel
(Gospel) tells Mary that she is to be the mother of Christ. What
Gabriel says about the child fulfills the promises to David in
Lesson 1 -- a great name and an eternal kingdom. Paul in Lesson 2
declares that the mystery of God was revealed in Christ and in
the writing of the prophets. The Psalm of the Day refers to
Lesson 1 in speaking of the promise to David that he would have
an eternal kingdom of righteousness and justice. This promise
became a reality in Jesus, the son of David. The Hymn of the Day
is an outburst of joy over the coming of Emmanuel. The Prayer of
the Day asks the Lord to prepare us for the celebration of
Christmas to the end that we may receive Christ in joy and
forever serve him.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Angel (v. 26). The meaning of the word, "angel," is
"messenger." The angels are God's messengers. In this case, it
was no ordinary angel. His name is given -- Gabriel. He was an
archangel. Because this was a special occasion, a special
messenger was needed. It was a message that God had chosen Mary
to be the mother of the Savior. Not only was it an important
message, but consider the consequences if Mary and Joseph had not
been given the message. Joseph would probably have divorced Mary,
and Mary might have been stoned to death as an adulteress. God's
plan of incarnation would have collapsed. The importance of
communication is demonstrated. Similar dire consequences occur
today when people do not get the good news of the gospel through
God's angels -- preachers.
2. Favored (v. 28). Mary was a favored girl. She found favor
with God. To be favored meant to be approved of God and capable
of carrying out God's plan of incarnation. What had she done to
deserve this favor, or wasn't it deserved? She was a simple, poor
and humble woman. Her character was expressed in her acceptance
of the position, "Let it be to me according to your word."
Certainly she was not sinless nor perfect. Her favor with God was
in her willingness to cooperate with God's purpose and to use her
life in spite of what it may cost.
3. How (v. 34). When Mary received the news of her coming
motherhood of the Messiah, she asked a sensible and normal
question, "How?" Since she was unmarried, how could she become a
mother? In this latter part of the 20th century, not every girl
would need to ask that question. How is this miracle to be
performed? The answer is in the Holy Spirit who would be the
father of God's Son. The question, "How?" was vital to Mary, but
to Christians there are more important questions about the child:
Who is he and why is he coming?
4. Impossible (v. 37). This is an impossible situation: a
birth without a father, a peasant girl becoming the mother of
God, and God becoming a person. Nothing is impossible with God.
Christmas is God's work and action. He comes in Jesus. He chooses
Mary. He produces a life by the Spirit. Because Christmas is of
God, the impossible becomes possible.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
1. Took (v. 8). It is a strong word. It is almost as though it
were a "steal." God comes into a person's life and takes him/her
for his own purpose. David was a shepherd when Samuel, in behalf
of God, anointed him to be king of Israel. Being a Christian is
not so much one's choice as being a chosen one. God reaches down
to us through pastors, parents, church or friends to make us his
servants. This is far better than basing one's life and work on a
self-choice.
2. Plant (v. 10). Since the sojourn in Egypt, God's people
have been on the move. They were nomads and sojourners with no
abiding place. When they settled in Canaan, they were "put," but
not for always. There were the 10 lost tribes and then the 50
years in Babylon as exiles. Here God is promising his people a
place to live, planted like a stalk. In our times we are a mobile
people without roots, going from place to place like itinerants.
God is a rock, a resting place where we can in days of high
mobility be planted, secure and stationary.
3. House (vv. 11, 16). David had a heart to build a house for
God. This is rejected. God turns it down and makes a counter
proposal by saying he would make David a house. God does not
necessarily dwell in structures but in people. A home is more
than a house. A house to be a home requires loving people. The
church is not a building but a people in whom God dwells. He
dwells in people who possess the Spirit.
Lesson 2: Romans 16:25-27
1. My (v. 25). The gospel is more than an historical account
of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It becomes "my
gospel," a personal possession. The gospel is to be inwardly
digested, assimilated, and saturated to the point that the gospel
becomes identified with the believer. There is but one gospel
centered in Jesus, and each Christian by faith makes it his own.
2. Mystery (v. 25). God has been keeping a secret through the
ages. All was revealed in Christ. God himself is a mystery, for
who has seen the face of God? It is a mystery how God could be
contained in a man, and how God could save a world through one
man's death. Paul speaks of the mystery that dealt with God's
unifying all races in Christ. God has no favorites but through
Christ all men are sought as his children.
3. Obedience (v. 26). Here is a call for human response. It
seems as though God does all. He created us and cares for us. He
found us in total despair in our sins and rescued us through the
cross. His grace provides guidance and strength. Even our faith
is a gift from him. Where does the human response come in? Paul
here says that all is given and done that there might be
obedience on our part. This is done not to gain merit or
acceptance but as a response of gratitude for all God has done
and given.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Jeeeesus!
Need: Christmas is less than a week away. Christmas
preparations are at their highest pitch. By this time probably
the Christmas tree is up and decorated. Packages surround the
base of the tree. Pressure will be put upon the pastor to use
carols for Advent 4 Sunday. Advent 4 service dare not be a
Christmas service lest the Christmas service on Christmas Eve or
Day be an anti-climax. Nevertheless, this Sunday closest to
Christmas will be one with Christmas on the forefront of the
minds of the people. This Sunday is the announcement time of the
big event, the star performer. It is like the announcement in the
Arsenio Hall late night television show. There the announcer
says, "Arseniooooooooooo!" Soon thereafter Arsenio appears for
his monologue. It is as though Gabriel says to the world,
"Jeeeesus!" and soon Jesus appears as the curtains of heaven open
to the tune of the angelic host.
Outline: Jeeeesus --
a. The product of the Holy Spirit -- Gospel.
b. The answer to God's promises -- Lesson 1.
c. The secret of the ages -- Lesson 2.
PREACHING OPTIONS FOR ADVENT 4
The Lessons give a preacher a number of options to focus upon
different aspects of the contents. It is like taking a spotlight
and shining it upon a specific segment or character in the
Lessons.
1. A focus on prophecy -- A promise comes true - Lesson 1: 2
Samuel 7:8-16 (E); 2 Samuel 7:(1-7) 8-11, 16 (L)
Need: Christmas proves that God's word of promise is
trustworthy. What he says, he does. It took a thousand years for
God to fulfill his promise made to David, but what is a thousand
years compared with God's eternity? Christmas is an exciting
time. What was
35
promised a millennium ago is now about to happen. The need for
this sermon is in the fact that people need to see their faith in
relation to their historical roots. Jesus is the culmination of
God's dealings with his people from the time of Abraham.
Outline: The promise is on the verge of fulfillment in Christ
--
a. A great name -- v. 9 (Luke 1:31).
b. Peace among nations -- v. 11 (Luke 2:14).
c. An everlasting kingdom -- v. 16 (Luke 1:33).
2. A focus on the meaning of the Christ-event -- The secret is
out! --
Lesson 2: Romans 16:25-27
Need: The focus can be on the meaning of the Christ-event.
Paul writes after Christmas and sees in Christ's coming the
revelation of a secret God kept until Christ was born. Maybe the
congregation needs to be led into a consideration of the theology
of Christmas. What is the meaing of the event that occurred 2,000
years ago?
Outline: The secret is out --
a. Christ reveals the truth of God.
b. Christ reveals the love of God.
c. Christ reveals the universality of the kingdom.
3. A focus on the Christ-child -- Whose baby is this? --
Gospel: Luke 1:31, 35
Need: Millions of babies are born annually. Why so much ado
about one baby born in a barn in Bethlehem? It is not that a baby
is born but whose baby it was and what he was born to become. By
looking into the nature of the Christ-child, we can find reason
for celebrating his birth in a few days.
Outline: The baby to be born this Christmas is --
a. The son of Mary (human nature) -- v. 31.
b. The Son of God (divine nature) -- v. 35.
4. A focus on the mother of the Christ-child -- Like mother,
like son -- Luke 1:26-38.
Need: Attention is called to Mary in today's gospel. She is
prominent in Gabriel's coming to her, in having found favor with
God, and in being chosen as the mother of God's Son. What a
marvelous woman she was to have been chosen for this honor and
privilege! When we look at her qualities, we see the same in her
Son. Did he learn them from his mother?
Outline: The qualities of Jesus' mother --
a. Favor with God -- vv. 28, 30. Jesus: "In favor with God
and man." (Luke 2:52)
b. Possession of the Spirit -- v. 35. Jesus -- The Spirit
descended at his baptism.
c. Submission to the will of God -- v. 38. Jesus: "Not my
will but thine be done."
5. A focus on the angel -- What an angel said to a girl --
Luke 1:26-38
Need: People have an interest in angels. A recent book by
Billy Graham is on the subject. Popularly we think of angels as
perfect beings, as "good as an angel." People need to realize
that angels are divine messengers who bring important
communications from God. Imagine what would have happened to the
Christ-child if Mary and Joseph had not been told about the
coming child. Mary would have been divorced and discarded. The
congregation is in a position of overhearing Gabriel's message.
Outline: What the angel said --
a. Who was to be born -- vv. 31, 35.
b. How the child was to be conceived -- v. 35.
c. What the child would become -- vv. 32, 33.
6. A Focus on the virgin birth -- A one-parent child -- Luke
1:34-37
Need: The Gospel brings up the question and/or problem of the
virgin birth. With Christmas but a few days away, it may not be
the appropriate time in some congregations to discuss the
doctrine. If it is an issue in the congregation, this may be the
time to handle it. It is not a matter of trying to prove one side
or the other, for arguments can be given on both sides. Rather it
would be appropriate to discuss the theological significance of
the virgin birth.
Outline: The significance of the virgin birth for modern
Christians --
a. Belief in the virgin birth is not essential for
salvation.
b. The virgin birth does not make Jesus the Son of God but
being the Son of God makes the virgin birth possible.
c. With God all things are possible -- v. 37.
7. A focus on personal experience -- not for women only! --
Luke 1:26-38
Need: It does not take a woman to be pregnant with Christ!
Paul wrote, "My little children, with whom I am again in travail
until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) As Mary bore
Jesus in her body, so every man and woman has the same privilege.
"Christ lives in me." After all, this is the ultimate purpose of
Christmas -- to have Christ born again in each heart. What does
it take to be pregnant with Jesus?
Outline: To carry Christ within you, be like Mary.
a. A sense of unworthiness to possess Christ -- v. 28.
b. A healthy reverence for God -- v. 30.
c. Be open to the Spirit -- v. 35.
d. Be a submissive servant -- v. 38.
