Mary of Nazareth - Your Response Matters
Luke 1:30-31 AMP
And the Angel said. Do not be afraid, Mary for you have found grace --(free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God. And Listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus.
Luke 1:34-47 AMP
And Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have no husband? Then the angel replied to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God. And listen, 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. For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible." Then Mary said, Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel left her. Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah. And she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him. And she exclaimed loudly, "Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord." Mary said, "My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
1. Mary listened for and heard from God.
2. Mary heard things that seemed impossible.
Luke 1:34-37 AMP
And Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have no husband? Then the angel replied to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God. And listen, 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. For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible."
3. Mary believed what she heard.
Luke 1:38 AMP
Then Mary said, Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel left her.
4. Mary surrounded herself with people who strengthened her faith.
Luke 1:39-41a AMP
Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah. And she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, her baby leaped in her womb...
5. Mary's believing friends spoke words of faith over her.
Luke 1:41b-45 AMP
...and Elizabeth was filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud cry, and then exclaimed, Blessed (favored of God) above all other women are you! And blessed (favored of God) is the Fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord."
6. Mary praised the Lord - before the promise was fulfilled!
Luke 1:46-47 AMP
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies and extols the Lord, And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
