Song 1 – God the Uncreated One

Song 2 – Lord of Lords
Song 3 – How Long? 

Song 4 – Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

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Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen

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Luke 1:26–38

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”  29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And 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 call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Gets the Call

God fulfills His long-awaited promises in hidden places, through His power, and calls us to trust Him with faithful surrender.

I. God’s Grace in Hidden Places vv 26-30
II. God’s Power to Do the Impossible vv 31-37
III. God’s Call and Our Faithful Surrender v 38

Song 5 – It Is Well

Introduction

Sometimes God’s call comes when we least expect it, and it often feels overwhelming. In this passage Mary receives the announcement of Jesus’ birth. The promises of centuries are fulfilled in her life in an unexpected way. As we study together, let’s reflect on what this teaches us about God’s grace, His power, and our faithful response.

1. Share about a time you felt unprepared for something important. How did you respond?

2. Waiting can be difficult. What are some things you have had to wait for, and how did God meet you in the waiting?

Into the Text
3. Read verses 26–27. Why is it significant that God chose Nazareth and Mary, and how does this reflect God’s way of working in hidden places?

4. Gabriel greets Mary as “favored one” in verse 28. The sermon said, “Mary is not chosen because she was great, but because God is gracious.” How does this shape the way we think about God using us?

5. In verses 31–33 Gabriel’s words echo Old Testament promises. Which promises do you notice, and what do they reveal about who Jesus is?

6. Mary asks, “How will this be” in verse 34, and the angel responds that the Holy Spirit will act. What does this teach us about salvation being God’s work rather than ours?

7. Verse 37 says, “Nothing will be impossible with God.” How do Elizabeth’s story and Mary’s story together confirm this truth?

Apply the Text
8. Where in your life right now do you feel small, hidden, or unprepared, and how might God’s grace be at work even there?

9. What feels impossible to you at the moment, and how does this passage encourage you to trust God with it?

10. Mary responds, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” What would it look like for you to respond in a similar way this week?

11. As a church, how can we step into God’s call with the same kind of trust and surrender, both in our personal lives and in our mission together?