GateWay Church of Visalia
Philosopher Jesus
Pastor Mark Young
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth,
27to 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
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, even 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.
27to 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
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, even 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.
3 Things to take home with you today –
Mary was willing to be bold and say yes to God – if we are to follow Mary’s example and be willing to be God’s servant we must:
Accept who we are in God’s eyes
“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God…”
“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God…”
Accept God’s word
“He will be great…”
“He will be great…”
Accept God’s role
“the bondslave of the Lord;”
“the bondslave of the Lord;”
Group Discussion: Mary was willing to be the bondslave of the Lord. How can we follow Mary’s example?
1) Accept who we are in God’s eyes
“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God…”
Mary understood that she was favored by God. She had received God’s grace. How do you see yourself? Is it through your own eyes, the eyes of your friends, culture, or God? How can we see ourselves through God’s eyes?
2) Accept God’s word
“He will be great…”
Mary knew God’s word & accepted it. How well do you know Scripture? Why is it important to know God’s word? Are you intentional about your study of God’s word?
3) Accept God’s role
“the bondslave of the Lord;”
Who are you following? Think about the names of God and how God is described in Scripture.
Is there anyone that compares to God?
What is keeping you from saying yes to God?
1) Accept who we are in God’s eyes
“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God…”
Mary understood that she was favored by God. She had received God’s grace. How do you see yourself? Is it through your own eyes, the eyes of your friends, culture, or God? How can we see ourselves through God’s eyes?
2) Accept God’s word
“He will be great…”
Mary knew God’s word & accepted it. How well do you know Scripture? Why is it important to know God’s word? Are you intentional about your study of God’s word?
3) Accept God’s role
“the bondslave of the Lord;”
Who are you following? Think about the names of God and how God is described in Scripture.
Is there anyone that compares to God?
What is keeping you from saying yes to God?