The Birth of the Virgin

Follow Along with the Message

30 years later.  Nicodemus.  "You must be born again" (John 3:7).

As Jesus was BORN into our world.  We must be BORN into His.

The virgin birth is one miracle.  The birth of the virgin is another.

     "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth (27) to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. (28) And coming in, he said to her, 'Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you.' (29) But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. (30) The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (31) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. (32) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord will give Him the throne of His father David; (33) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.' (34) Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' (35) The angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. (36) And behold, ever your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. (37) For nothing will be impossible with God.' (38) And Mary said, 'Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her" (Luke 1:26-38).

BORN BY THE WORD OF GOD

     God breaks in.  Intervenes.  Interrupts.  Calls.

     "Faith comes through hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

     He Is There and He Is Not Silent--Francis Schaeffer

More heart than ears.  "The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14).

BORN TO THE WORK OF GOD

     You will be with child.  The Lord will give Him the kingdom.  His kingdom will have no end.   God's responsibility!

     She is not passive.  Not physically.  Not intellectually.  She ponders.  Thinks.  Treasures.  Travels.

     "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

BORN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD

    Some struggles along the way.  Missteps. Mark 3:21, 31.

     "They all joined together in constant prayer along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers" (Acts 1:14).

     "Upon this rock, I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18). 

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"Mary, Did You Know?"--Mark Lowry.  "This child that you delivered, would soon deliver you?"

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name. (13) who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will

     of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).

A Christmas Prayer --"Dear Father, I want to be born into Your family.  I want to grow up into Spiritual maturity.  In Your Son.  By Your Spirit.  Amen."