INTRODUCTION: Unusual sermon - for the church of Christ

MARY: Probably the most misunderstood person in the Bible. Mari-ol-atry

What do you think of when you hear the name Mary, mother of our Lord?

Hail Mary pass in football. Last ditch, long shot, never say die attempt to avoid defeat.

Rosary beads: Hail Mary full of faith.

Mother of God. Almost Deity Mother Mary, Pray for us. Assuming Jesus’ place as our intercessor.

Statuettes on car dashboards or in side yards and gardens.

10 years ago there were 3,720,000 Mary’s in America.

Men have given these attributes to Mary, not the Bible.

Let’s just consider what the Bible has to say about this woman.

In preparation for this sermon, I read every verse in the Bible, which mentions Mary:

Mary, the physical mother of our Lord, was not perfect or sinless, but she was a good example

1. HOW DID GOD SEE MARY? HER CHARACTER - Luke 1:26-28

Highly Favored, Lord is with you, Blessed are you among women

How did God select Mary? Where might we have gone?

Not to a big city – small town Nazareth

Not to a palace – humble abode

Not to great learning – honest, faithful

Not to the wealthy or beauty – poor, non-descript

2. HOW DID MARY OBEY GOD? COURAGE - Luke 1:29-38

She was troubled at the saying of Gabriel

She asked 2 questions?

She accepted what the angel had to say

She was very young, why me?

A virgin birth had never happened before, or after

She would be falsely accused of immorality.

3. HER CONTEMPLATION Luke 2:19, 41-52 (Left Jesus in Jerusalem)

Mary meditated on what was said about and by her son.

She knew all along that her son was “special”

What she did not say shows her character

She attempted to understand

Jesus yielded to home authority for 18 years after the Jerusalem incident

She must have had a part in Jesus’ growth in wisdom and stature

4. HER CONFIDENCE John 2:1-11 (Wedding feast at Cana)

She could have become arrogant

Mary believed in her son (see verse 5)

5. HER COMMITMENT John19:25-27

Mary cared for Jesus for 30 years.

Mary stayed committed to her son right up to the cross!

She saw her son, the son of God, hanging on the cross.

Mary’s Character, her courage, her contemplation, her confidence, and her commitment are all traits that we should strive for today.

Let’s not idolize Mary, but let’s remember her in the way the Bible describes her.

Let’s rejoice that mere humble servants, such as Mary, can be pleasing to the all powerful God in heaven.

Prophecies concerning Mary:

Isa. 7:14; Luke 2:35

General references:

Matt 1:16; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:5-19

Visits her cousin Elizabeth:

Luke 1:39-56

Attends the feast at Jerusalem:

Luke 2:48-51

Marriage in Cana of Galilee:

John 2:1-10

Seeks Jesus when He is teaching:

Matt 12:46-47; Mark 3:31; Luke 8:19

Present at the cross:

John 19:25-27

Is committed to the care of John:

John 19:27

Dwells with the disciples in Jerusalem:

Acts 1:14

Character

Courage

Contemplation

Confidence

Commitment