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Less is More: EndLESS  Luke 1:26-38

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  1. Android phone users often give us Apple users a hard time every fall when Apple announces their “new” iphone and people run out to get it because they added 7 cameras instead of 3. I don’t update my devices. I have had this same ipad for almost 15 years. But when you devices starts to fill up with stuff, it starts to slow down.

  2. I don’t delete texts messages or and often don’t delete photos. And from time to time, I’ll get a message “Storage Almost Full”. And I notice that when my phone is full it is slower and the battery doesn’t last as long. The apps. The screenshots. The 47 photos of the same Christmas tree angle. Or the dogs.

  3. When everything is full… nothing works. “LESS IS MORE.”

  4. And that’s surprising because most of our culture would say that MORE IS MORE.

  5. More parties.

  6. More presents.

  7. More stress.

  8. More overwhelmed.

  9. Many of us enter Christmas the same way—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually at max capacity. But God simplifies it all. He reduces noise. He cuts through clutter. And as we are going to see today through Mary, He announces the ONE thing that matters— His kingdom will never end.

  10. It’s our hope that everyone to simplify this Christmas. To focus on what’s really important. Here’s our key verse for our Christmas series…

  11. 1 Timothy 1:15

    1 Timothy 1:15

  12. 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—

  13. You know what’s really important? It’s not making all the parties, getting all the gifts. The most important thing you can do this year for Christmas is connect with this truth… Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

  14. I’m not saying don’t attend any parties or buy any gifts. But as you go, and do, and buy, and receive. Remember… Jesus came to the world to save sinners. As you shop, and fight traffic, and sit and watch you favorite Christmas movie, remember… Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

  15. Last week we started the story of Jesus birth with the prequel, the story of the announcement of John to Elizabeth and Zechariah. John was announced by Gabriel to his older parents. And now God announces another birth that will be even more amazing…

  16. So if you have your bible please open them to the gospel of Luke 1. If you don’t have a bible we have some on the back table — please take one as a gift from us to you. Luke is the 3rd book of the New Testament and is one of 4 books that we call the gospels. That word gospel means good news. Because Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell us the good news of Jesus. They tells about what he did and said. They tell us about his birth, life, teaching, death and resurrections. Luke is on the right side of your bible right after Mark and right before John.

  17. Luke 1:26-29

    Luke 1:26–29

  18. Gabriel comes to Mary in a similar way that he appeared to Zachariah. But Zechariah was afraid at the sight of Gabriel. Mary doesn’t seem afraid at the sight of Gabriel, but she is troubled by his message. But either way results are the same, the angel says “Don’t be afraid.”

  19. Luke 1:30-33

    Luke 1:30–33

  20. his kingdom will never end.

  21. Jesus comes from the Hebrew name “Joshua” meaning “Jehovah saves.” Gabriel says He will be Son of the Most High. This is an exalted title for God. Thus, Jesus is called the Son of God. He will sit on the throne of David designates the royal lineage of the kingdom of the Jews. He will be of the House of Jacob symbolized all of Israel, or God’s chosen people since Jacob’s twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel. Lets see Mary’s response.

  22. Luke 1:34

    Luke 1:34

  23. So what’s the difference between Mary’s question and Zechariah’s doubt. To me Zechariah’s question was one of doubt, Mary’s question was one of logistics.

  24. Zechariah said, “we are too old.” Mary said, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” This is how Gabriel responses.

  25. Luke 1:35-37

    Luke 1:35–37

  26. What do you believe about the virgin birth? Before I tell you what I think, I want you to ask yourself, “Do I really believe that this could happen?”

  27. Larry King, when asked if he could interview anyone from all of history, said, “Jesus Christ.” “And what would you like to ask him?” King replied, “I would like to ask him if he were indeed virgin-born. The answer to that question would define history for me.”

  28. A pastor at Riverside Church in NYC once said: “I do not believe in the Virgin Birth and hope that none of you do.”

  29. One leader in the United Methodist Church called the virgin birth a “myth.”

  30. This is what people say. But what does the text say?

  31. Mary’s question to the angel tells us where she stands. “How will this be since I am a virgin?” The word virgin here literally means to have “never known a man”

  32. The angel’s answer to Mary tells us what God’s part will be. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” And the sign that Mary is given is that her older relative Elizabeth, who was unable to have kids is 6 months pregnant.

  33. Luke 1:36-37 (ESV)

    Luke 1:36–37

  34. 36And 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. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.”

  35. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

  36. So let me quickly give you 5 Reasons to Believe in the Virgin Birth

  37. 1. Mary’s story is reliable. The only alternative to the virgin birth is that Mary was lying. This would assume that Mary was a sinful woman who conceived Jesus illegitimately. Remember, Luke, wrote this account, “So that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” He most likely interviewed Mary and this is her eyewitness testimony. And her story is reliable.

  38. 2. Jesus life is credible. If the virgin birth is untrue then the story of Jesus changes dramatically. We would have a promiscuous young woman lying about God’s miraculous hand in the birth of her son, raising that son to declare he is God, and then joining his religion.

  39. 3. The Bible is inerrant. If we deny the virgin birth then the Bible is unreliable. The bible is emphatic that Jesus’ mother Mary, was a virgin who conceived by the Holy Spirit. If we deny the virgin birth, we are flat out stating that Scripture may contain mistakes, or even outright lies.

  40. 4. History proves it. The first century Christian church accepted the virgin birth. There were very few who questioned the virgin birth. History proves the virgin birth.

  41. 5. God is capable. If God spoke the world into existence, formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed life into his lungs, then I can believe that He can place an embryo into the womb of the virgin Mary.

  42. I wonder if Mary thought about how all this would be perceived. If she knew that Larry King would have something to say about something so private and holy. Did she know all that this would mean to the world? Here’s her simple answer to all that the angel had said…

  43. Luke 1:38

    Luke 1:38

  44. This morning as we consider this amazing story. I would like for us to lean in on one idea… Remember our theme LESS IS MORE, and the LESS I want us to focus on this morning is… That Jesus’ Kingdom Endless!

  45. UNDERSTANDING ENDLESS.

  46. 1. He WILL BE THE SON OF GOD

  47. Luke 1:32a

  48. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

  49. One of the many contrasts drawn between Jesus and John is that Jesus is the son of the MOST HIGH and John is to be called “prophet” of the MOST HIGH.

  50. MOST HIGH is one of Luke’s favorite titles for God and conforms to Jewish idea revering the divine name, by not saying it.

  51. The angel tells Mary that she will give birth to a son and he will be the SON OF the MOST HIGH… the SON OF GOD. Sons typically have the attributes and characteristics of their fathers.

  52. If you look at our son Camden. And then you look at pictures of me when I was 13. If Camden put on glasses we could be mistaken as twins. Sons typically have the attributes of their fathers. But more then just looks Camden also has many of my characteristics.

  53. The angel says to Mary, “He will be the Son of the Most High.” And what you can expect is that He will take on the characteristics of His father. Powerful. Trueful. Eternal. Endless.

  54. 2. HE WILL SIT ON THE ETERNAL THRONE

  55. Luke 1:32b

  56. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,

  57. The OT kings and kingdoms had come and gone. Even David had died and others took his place. But the angel promises Mary that this child would become the king of Israel. Restoring the throne to David’s descendants.

  58. Here’s what Nathan, the prophet, had revealed from God about David’s reign and throne…

  59. 1 Chronicles 17:11-12

    1 Chronicles 17:11–12

  60. 11When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.

  61. God’s words through Nathan promises a dynasty. A kingdom which will never end. And Mary’s son will be the heir to that eternal throne.

  62. 3. HIS KINGDOM WILL NEVER END

  63. Luke 1:33

    Luke 1:33

  64. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

  65. Luke could hardly find a more direct way to say that Jesus is to be Messiah, king of Israel: “He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

  66. In Genesis 49. Jacob, who God changed his name to Israel, blesses his sons before he dies. (Jacob is Isaac’s son. Isaac is Abraham’s son.) Listen to what he says to his son Judah…

  67. Judah is the tribe to which David belonged and Joseph (and also Mary through marriage to Joseph), of the tribe of Judah.

  68. “The scepter will not depart from Judah. Until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” Jesus is the fulfillment of this blessing.

  69. “he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever” since Jacob, the father of the twelve patriarchs, was seen as the father of the entire Jewish nation. Jesus is the Son of God, His throne is eternal and His kingdom will never end.

  70. Mary didn’t understand everything, but she surrendered everything.

  71. When she said, “I am the Lord’s servant,” the endless kingdom broke into her ordinary life.

  72. So What Would It Look Like if this Christmas we choose the Eternal Over the Temporary? This week:

  73. 1. Less rushing → more worship. Worship like His kingdom never ends. Worship not based on feelings or circumstances. Take 5 minutes each morning to read Luke and pray.

  74. 2. Less spending → more generosity.

  75. Help someone who cannot repay you.

  76. 3. Less comparison → more gratitude.

  77. Ask God to show you where He’s already at work in your home.

  78. If you want less chaos and more Christ, less pressure and more presence, less clutter and more clarity—then this week make Mary’s prayer your prayer:

  79. “Lord, I am your servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

  80. LESS IS MORE.

  81. • ONE KING (he will be the SON of the MOST HIGH)

  82. • ONE SAVIOR (you will name him Jesus, which means Messiah)

  83. • FOREVER (his kingdom will never end)

  84. Jesus is the one King, but is the king of your life? Jesus is the one savior, but is he your savior? His kingdom will never end, but are you’re a part of it? If not come today, make Jesus your savior and King, repent and be baptized today!

  85. PRAY:

  86. Lord thank you for sending Jesus. The messiah. Our king, forever. We are your servants, may your word to us be fulfilled.