A Courageous Christmas Leaving His Legacy In This World Luke 1:26-37 She a jewish teenage woman (probably no more than 16) She is engaged to Joseph, which in that day happened for a jewish girl after puberty Tradition says she is the poor daughter of Joachim & Anne of the village of Nazareth History would tell us she is most likely illiterate, though not unintelligent The only education she has is religious education – and she knows her Scriptures She lives in a poor working class village on a hillside of about 400 people It is 10 miles south from a major roman city building project in Galilee called Sepphoris – where joseph probably works She has no rights / no future beside a man marrying her / no power in Roman empire

A Courageous Christmas Leaving His Legacy In This World Luke 1:26-37 & The Story of Mary Christmas is supposed to be a time of courage – that is what the real Christmas story is all about The good news of god and the great courage of those He uses Every Christmas is Time people are the most overwhelmed with their pain or loneliness Time people are the most open to hope and God So important to choose courage for yourself and for others

“You who are highly favored” You are important She a jewish teenage woman (probably no more than 16) She is engaged to Joseph, which in that day happened for a jewish girl after puberty Tradition says she is the poor daughter of Joachim & Anne of the village of Nazareth History would tell us she is most likely illiterate, though not unintelligent The only education she has is religious education – and she knows her Scriptures She lives in a poor working class village on a hillside of about 400 people It is 10 miles south from a major roman city building project in Galilee called Sepphoris – where joseph probably works She has no rights / no future beside a man marrying her / no power in Roman empire

“The Lord is with you.” You are not alone.

“Do not be afraid” You must choose courage for what’s ahead

“You will be with child. and he will reign “You will be with child . . . and he will reign . . . forever; his kingdom will never end.” Your life is part of something that will never end.

extraordinary purpose who choose possible courage The real Christmas story tells us: Jesus gives ordinary people extraordinary purpose who choose possible courage Impossible purpose / Requires Faith Not fearlessness / not absence of fear / presence of faith

From the beginning, God created people to leave His legacy in this world. This was mary’s call. This is the call of every believer. Your call.

“God blessed them [Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden] and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.’” Most think of this word subdue and think of how it is most often used now: to conquer (people) But there were no other people when God was telling Adam and Eve this! They were in the middle of the garden of eden – they were in a garden, filled with seeds! Here is what the Hebrew word “kabash” means (Genesis 1:28 NIV)

To make a path (lane) for “Subdue” To bring under control To cultivate To make a path (lane) for What do all these definitions have to do with a garden Then I thought of my time in ethiopia

God calls us to make paths [lanes] into society to bring evil under control and cultivate His eternal life and Good News. What do all these definitions have to do with a garden Then I thought of my time in ethiopia

God has five legacy “lanes” for His people to make in their lifetime BTW, they all . . . 1. seem impossible 2. begin in unrelated places 3. are about your personal choices Mary as the model – left a legacy in all of them You will too through the local church

God created you to leave His legacy in . . . your family Legacy Lane #1 God created you to leave His legacy in . . . your family Often feel like this is what keeps us from legacy. This is where it begins and you need the most Courage Mary has an impossible purpose – but she has deal with those closest to her She has to tell her fiancé that she is pregnant by the holy spirit. It seems to much for Joseph to ever understand but . . .

Mary’s courageous obedience to God’s Word resulted in Joseph’s greatness She doesn’t run away – gets the support she needs –and then walks with Joseph – all the way to Bethlehem. She puts God first over her family for her family. If our families are going to be what God wants we have to do the same. Some of you today are in the same position – believing in Jesus and putting him first seems like too much for your family Follow Mary’s example and don’t stop obeying God

Respond by being “for” people with the faith, hope & love of God God’s Word & legacy in me usually seems against those closest to me but is for ‘our’ transformation Respond by being “for” people with the faith, hope & love of God When sara wanted to adopt – it was too much for me. She responded and then just like Joseph – god spoke to me.

Your Courageous Christmas Invite: Sunday, December 23 8:30, 9:45, 11am services Invite: Monday, December 24 4 & 5:30pm, online tickets

God created you to leave His legacy in . . . the next generation Legacy Lane #2 God created you to leave His legacy in . . . the next generation Last time we ever hear of mary is in Acts 1:4 after Jesus has died and resurrected!

All these [disciples] with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. Mary finishes with the next generation. She’s not even leading it – she’s with it. Supporting God’s seeds in it. That’s what pastor brandon was talking about with the millennials – about speaking blessings over it. (Acts 1:4 NIV)

You & I should end up behind the next generation not in front of them You & I should end up behind the next generation not in front of them. Greatness serves who’s next! And it doesn’t look like this (in front) – looks like this Maybe mentor them in business or relationships

While pastor brandon was preaching about serving who is next, this is where I was Because part of serving the next generation is helping with their kids We are averaging 180+kids every Sunday –millennials growing – let’s serve them

Your Courageous Christmas In hosting our community: 200 Serving Opportunities “Attend one. Serve one.”

God created you to leave His legacy in . . . your community Legacy Lane #3 God created you to leave His legacy in . . . your community In two weeks – Mary has to be willing to make Jesus public to her community. What begins as outrage and resistance is now what the world is most thankful for in that community.

God uses personal decisions to change public places “If it doesn’t start in me, it won’t start in them.” (you are God’s seed planted in their lives) You should be in a small group

Your Courageous Christmas Bring your Bible to work/school (then read it there)

God created you to leave His legacy in . . . your nation Legacy Lane #4 God created you to leave His legacy in . . . your nation At the end of her life –Mary is there for the day of Pentecost –the day Jesus begins the church and 3,000 are saved It changes a nation, nations – the roman empire

“you shall call His name Jesus “you shall call His name Jesus . . . and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Our nation’s rulers are coming to the end of their answers and their control (Luke 1:31-33 NIV)

It matters how you and I live! Our nation needs our church [and every church] (Seeds grow & multiply if we cultivate them)

Your Courageous Christmas 25 Days Of Only Speaking Blessing Over Our Nation

God created you to leave His legacy in . . . your world Legacy Lane #5 God created you to leave His legacy in . . . your world Mary ends up in Pentecost – she ends up starting a revolution who changes the world

Mary began needing faith for her own life Mary began needing faith for her own life. By the end of her story, her faith is for the world.

Your Courageous Christmas Ask God to use you to bring the gift of Jesus to others with the same generosity God showed the first Christmas May be at work – a family member – also through our church Make sure the gospel is in it

Legacy Lanes Christmas Offering Goal Family Church upgrades 40th Anniversary $5k Next Gen Mortgage Pay Down Young Adults Missions $3k Community CRC / Jeff Davis Corridor Local Public Schools $10k

Legacy Lanes Christmas Offering Goal Nation Hurricane Relief Church Planting $4k $3k The World Project Hope Cstone Missionaries $15k Sun, Dec 9 $57k

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Overshadow your weaknesses and failure and fears Courage isn’t fearlessness – it obedience despite fear (Luke 1:34-35 NIV)

So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, . . . For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:36-37 NIV)