Enough Faith? (Luke 1:26-38)
Gary McManus, 12/05/2021Part of the Christmas series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
December 5, 2021 Second Sunday in Advent
Luke 1:26-38
This season in Advent at DCC, we place the
manger scene/ creche . . .in stages.
First, God’s messengers (angels)
The messengers of God are the key.
They unlock the declaration and action of God’s
plan to save us all from ourselves.
The plan was first given to the prophets of God. (Luke 24:44)
--first message/messenger- to Zechariah
--today; Mary
Our Lord, through His messengers, CONFRONTS
us with God’s plans. A decision is required.
Zechariah and Mary had their plans.
The messenger reveals a plan: a baby is to be born.
But that isn’t safe, is it?
Both baby boys would be special.
(Luke 1:14-17, Luke 1:32-35) Messiah talk!
But there is still a big problem to be overcome.
US!
Why? Because Adam and Eve made bad choices.
(See Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:14, Genesis 3:23-24)
We are children of Adam and Eve.
We can’t go back to the garden.
We can’t go forward to Heaven.
Man brought death. Life from God is going to
come to US through a man. . .Jesus.
"See Why Nativity?", David Jeremiah
Our Affirmations of Faith proclaim God’s plan:
See John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-7, Ephesians 2:8-10.
Do you have a salvation plan?
Did the Pharisees have a salvation plan? Yes. Rules (the Law).
Jesus said to them “Woe to you. . .” (Matthew 23:15,
Matthew 23:23)
Not only could our best plans not work.
Our best plans never could possibly work.
See Titus 1:3 and remember “Emmanuel—God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
We read in the Bible of different responses to God’s plans:
Jonah (Jonah 1:3), Zechariah (Luke 1:18), Mary (Luke 1:38).
Compare faiths? Faith is not a contest.
There are levels of faith.
Jesus said that a little faith is okay.(Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6).
(mustard seeds)
See also 2 Corinthians 10:15, Matthew 15:28.
How much faith do you have?
As much faith as Mary? As much faith as Zechariah?
Even with Zechariah’s faith, God’s plan went forward.
God is determined to save us. Praise God!
God has a better plan. Go with God’s plan through Jesus whose birth we celebrate. Amen.
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