Girl Interrupted (Luke 1:26-38)
Gary McManus, 12/07/2014Part of the Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Angels. Despite the fact that angels are mentioned
in the Bible almost 300 times,
there are very few descriptions of what angels
look like. [See Jesus’ resurrection reports;
Matthew 28:3, Luke 24:4.]
Why does the Bible want us to know about angels activity?
Today’s reading; the annunciation.
Mary’s pregnancy HAS to be announced.
There must be preparation for the home.
The word angel=messenger. Angels are often messengers as a direct link
from the mouth of God Himself [See Isaiah 52:]
Angels are SPIRITUAL beings. They live in the spiritual world which we may be
shown on occasion (or see in a vision or be shown something of).
They are not of this world. Encountering a holy and spiritual presence
is usually unsettling.
The angel that confronts Mary is Gabriel
Gabriel means “God has shown himself mighty.”
God is described as Mighty God over 30 times in the Bible.
But Gabriel is not like a modern news broadcaster.
Gabriel, also brings blessing and comfort.
It is from God Himself.
To Zechariah “Do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard.”
Zechariah was actually praying TWO prayers.
Both prayers will be answered as ONE.
There will be aa child and a Savior--a Messiah.
Zechariah’s child will precede the Lord.
This is good news SQUARED!
From the womb of Mary shall come
the Son of the Most High. The Mighty God
comes as a helpless baby.
Mary’s response; “Thy will be done.”
Jesus will teach the same prayer (Matthew 6:10).
There is fear when we, mere mortals, peer into
the spiritual world.
To be able to see spiritually is a gift of the Holy Spirit
called discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14, 12:8,
Philippians 1:10, Colossians 1:9, 1 John 4:1).
Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds will experience fear:
fear, startle, greatly troubled—is one translation. .
they were afraid with a great fear.
Perhaps shock and terror would be words we would use.
Modern translations say that the shepherds were terrorized.
WE say that we are in the REAL world.
But the spirit world IS real.
Someday we will discover that the spirit world is MORE
real than the physical world. The physical world will pass away.
(1 Corinthians 7:31, 1 John 2:17)
Our dream worlds may be the CLOSEST experience
to the world of the spirit.
The messenger of God’s first words almost always have
to be. . .”don’t be afraid.”
The angel brings the best news EVER.
God’s promise of salvation is coming.
It is coming through YOU.
It is the fulfillment of the promise to you and your children.
God hears. God responds
The angels bring hope and comfort and blessing. For you.
Through you. To you is born a savior. Amen
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