Mary, Mother of God Graphical sermon notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Sunday, December 14, 2014 Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts Copyright 2014 by the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely redistribute. Luke 1: NLT Mary responded (to Elizabeth), Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. Luke 1: NLT He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. Luke 1: NLT He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever. Hail Mary, fill of grace! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Mary, Mother of God When the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a womanto redeem that we might receive the full right of sons. Galatians 4: 4-5 Lets Pray Mary 1. Born in the village of Nazareth 2. Parents: Joachim and Anna (2 nd century tradition) 15 she encounters Gabriel Luke 1:26 Mary is Devout Her carol in Luke 1: 46 55 Almost every word is a Biblical quotation such as Mary would have known from childhood. NT Wright Mary is Chaste A virgin when Jesus is born When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a Son. And he gave Him the name Jesus. Matthew 1: 24-25 Mary is Chaste Not a perpetual virgin Coming to His home town, Jesus began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. Where did this man get His wisdom and these miraculous powers? they asked. Isnt this the carpenters son? Isnt His mothers name Mary? And arent His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Arent all of His sisters with us? Mt 13:54-56a Mary is Chaste Jesus receives only His humanity from Mary. Mother of the one/only human being who also possessed a divine nature (Incarnation) Jesus is God-in-the-flesh! The mother of God Mary is a Role Model of Trusting Faith and True Belief Zachariah asks for proof: How can I be sure of this? Luke 1:18 Mary asks for more information: How will this be, since I am a virgin? Luke 1:34 Mary is obedient and humble: I am the Lords servant; may it be to me as you have said. Luke 1:38 Mary is a Role Model of Trusting Faith and True Belief Why does God choose Mary? -Not sinlessly perfect: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior Luke 1:47 -Tries to be pure a good girl -Name from OT times: Miriam = beloved -Trust and obedient life from childhood A sword will pierce your soul Luke 2:35 Aspersions on her character - carpenters son Mark 6:3 Initial reaction/rejection of Joseph: He had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:19 Death of baby boys from Herods jealousy Matthew 2:16 A sword will pierce your soul Luke 2:35 Refugee life in Egypt (7 years?) Mt 2:14,15 Seeing Jesus start to pull away Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. Luke 2:44 Early death of Joseph single mother A sword will pierce your soul Luke 2:35 Observing part of the family not believing/responding to their half- brother: Even His own brothers did not believe in Him. John 7:5 Seeing Jesus criticized, attacked, mocked, maligned and physically abused A sword will pierce your soul Luke 2:35 Witnessing His passion and death on the cross A real sword penetrate His side. John 19:34 Mary is aware of Gods grace in her life Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. Luke 2:51 Mary has a self-less witness My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46,47 The Mighty One has done great things for me - Holy is His name. Luke 1:49 The emphasis is on God! (19 references in ten verses) Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen Powers attributed beyond Biblical record: Mediatrix? Co-redemptrix? He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Luke 1:32 The Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:32 Move Mary into Jesus role? No one comes to the Father except through Me (Jesus quotation in John 14:6) Salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name under heaven given by men by which we must be saved. (St Peter Acts 4:12) Move Mary into Jesus role? No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (St Paul I Corinthians 3:11) For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men. (St Paul I Timothy 2: 5,6) Immaculate Conception Sinless perfection Perpetual Virginity Bodily Assumption into Heaven Queen of Heaven: distributing favor to petitioners Mary is not pleased when she is put above her Son. Pope John 23 We would never have known Mary if it werent for Jesus When the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. Galatians 4: 4,5 Mary shines as a brilliant light from her life and words. At Christmas she leads the way of giving praise to her Son- Gods Son in the flesh. My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46 A Personal Invitation Dismissed Mary or Elevated Mary above her Son: 1. Reverse your thinking 2. Follow Marys example: -become a believer -cultivate a trust that obeys Marys Great Son A Personal Invitation 3. Become an adopted member of Gods family: -be forgiven of all your sins -experience a cleansing power to live a life that strives for purity like Mary Follow Marys example all the way to Jesus