Favour Of God – Mary | Sunday Sermon | January 3, 2021

This is a new year, which brings not just the new date patterns, but also hope in Christ and His abundant favours and blessings! This year we will see great and mighty things by God.

Today’s lesson will be called, “The year of Lord’s Favour!” And we will focus on the life of Mary for today’s session.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.

This is not a fairy-tale but talking of a historical setup.

And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

Esther in the Old Testament from Bible received favor, so did Mary.

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

Mary was not a great person of sorts, rather was a very humble person, yet she received Lord’s favour.

We have here an account of Mary, mother of Jesus. Christ must be born miraculously. The angel’s address means only, Hail, thou that art the especially chosen and favoured of the Most High, to attain the honour Jewish mothers have so long desired. This wondrous salutation and appearance troubled Mary. The angel then assured her that she had found favour with God, and would become the mother of a son whose name she should call Jesus, the Son of the Highest, one in a nature and perfection with the Lord God. JESUS! the name that refreshes the fainting spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear, Jesus, a Saviour! We know not his riches and our own poverty, therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost and perishing, therefore a Saviour is a word of little relish. Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us, and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us, it would be our continual thought, Is the Saviour mine? And that we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our way to him. Mary’s reply to the angel was the language of faith and humble admiration, and she asked no sign for the confirming her faith. Without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh. Christ’s human nature must be produced so, as it was fit that should be which was to be taken into union with the Divine nature. And we must, as Mary here, guide our desires by the word of God. In all conflicts, let us remember that with God nothing is impossible; and as we read and hear his promises, let us turn them into prayers, Behold the willing servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word.

When Gabriel came to he, he sure troubled her heart, however of we read verse 38 from Luke 1, we read…

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.

If we notice, she calles herself as servant here. Being called a servant is in simple terms submitting to master and one who does that, it reflects obedience.

We will never experience favour of God unless we are obedient towards Him and in order to do that, we must find a way to obedience through His word.

Mary chose to obey and received favour if God. Imagine if she would have decided to disobey. There are many people who failed to obey God and turned away from God and missed many blessings in their lives.

Let us say that she had extraordinary faith. Mary knew in her mind that she was a virgin and conceiving a child isn’t possible and a supernatural intervention is required. This was humanely impossible and not just this, she went through terrible situations. She was with child without marriage, situation during that time was different.

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Mary actually ask lots of questions, here are few references…

Finally in very 38, she affirms and suits to God.

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.

When angel told her to believe, she believed…

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

There are many times in our lives when we give up and think things won’t change. But trust, that is the lie of the enemy and you don’t listen to that.

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.

Illustration: Someone said once, “Faith sees invisible, believes the unbelievable and receives the impossible.”

And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

If we read this verse above, you can notice the difference between Zechariah and Mary. How they received the message and how they respond.

Remember in the year 2021, God is going with you ahead of you and God’s unconditional favour woll be upon you.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Never take any credit to yourself. Give glory and honor to God. When we see strength of God, doors opening for us, good things, be assured that it is one and only God, who has granted favour upon you.

Inspite of the favours Mary received, yet she had to face the challenges. Look at her life, ahe reveived favour from God but she went through all the troubles and the struggle. She didn’t reveived favour to pass that time with ease, especially while she was pregnant. She had to travel a long distance and she had to deliver Jesus in a not so suitable place.

Let me tell you people, favour of God means that the plan and purpose of God will be fulfilled in your life, only if you are being humble, obedient and faithful. Eventhough Mary went through hardships, yet she was successful to be called privileged to give birth to Jesus.

Year 2021 is the year of God’s favour, if you are ready to listen and respond to God just like how Mary did.

Mary saw Jesus crucified, then what sort of favour was that? Mary wasn’t extraordinary girl rather a humble girl of faith and obedience. What she saw in Jesus’ crucifixion was the salvation of the world.

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

Those who see their need of Christ, and are desirous of righteousness and life in him, he fills with good things, with the best things; and they are abundantly satisfied with the blessings he gives. He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings, while the self-sufficient shall be sent empty away.

We hope this year brings God’s blessings and His fabour in abundance to you. We also hope you are encouraged with today’s message. We look forward to see all again, next Sunday. Happy New Year and God bless!