The Greatest Event Unfolded Pastor Timothy Chan Chinese Grace Bible Church Sunday, December 18, 2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 32 He 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, 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) “My soul glorifies the Lord 46 And Mary said:     “My soul glorifies the Lord 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 48 for he has been mindful    of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—    holy is his name. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,    from generation to generation. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones    but has lifted up the humble. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 53 He has filled the hungry with good things    but has sent the rich away empty. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 54 He has helped his servant Israel,    remembering to be merciful 12.18.2011

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 (NIV 1984) 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,    even as he said to our fathers.” 12.18.2011

Introduction The greatest event of human history is the arrival of the Son of God. Prophets and earthly kings are told of it. All the heavenly beings are deployed to prepare for this event. The stage is ready, but where is the messenger? 12.18.2011

As the cosmic event unfolds, the Scriptures reveal: I. The Greatest Discovery: We are the ___________________, the recipient of His grace. chosen vessel 12.18.2011

a. There is a ___________ behind history purpose I. The Greatest Discovery: We are the ___________________, the recipient of His grace. chosen vessel a. There is a ___________ behind history purpose 12.18.2011

Genesis 49:10 (NIV 1984) 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,    nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs    and the obedience of the nations is his. 12.18.2011

Micah 5:2 (NIV 1984) 2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,    though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me    one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,    from ancient times.” 12.18.2011

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV 1984) 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 12.18.2011

b. There is a ______ for us plan I. The Greatest Discovery: We are the ___________________, the recipient of His grace. chosen vessel b. There is a ______ for us plan 12.18.2011

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV 1984) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12.18.2011

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV 1984) 9 In his heart a man plans his course,    but the LORD determines his steps. 12.18.2011

Isaiah 48:17 (NIV 1984) 17 This is what the LORD says—    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God,    who teaches you what is best for you,    who directs you in the way you should go. 12.18.2011

c. God will _______ us to His plan lead I. The Greatest Discovery: We are the ___________________, the recipient of His grace. chosen vessel c. God will _______ us to His plan lead 12.18.2011

Psalm 32:8 (NIV 1984) 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;    I will counsel you and watch over you. 12.18.2011

As the cosmic event unfolds, the Scriptures reveal: II. The Greatest Excitement: God is looking for a ________________ messenger 12.18.2011

a. The natural way to respond to His call: ___________________ II. The Greatest Excitement: God is looking for a ________________ messenger a. The natural way to respond to His call: ___________________ Fear and skepticism 12.18.2011

b. The proper way to respond to His call: ___________________ II. The Greatest Excitement: God is looking for a ________________ messenger b. The proper way to respond to His call: ___________________ Faith and obedience 12.18.2011

c. The majestic way of His plan: i. It is beautifully ___________ personal 12.18.2011

Psalm 58:11 (NIV 1984) 11 Then men will say,    “Surely the righteous still are rewarded;    surely there is a God who judges the earth.” 12.18.2011

c. The majestic way of His plan: It is beautifully ___________ It is wonderfully ___________ personal detailed 12.18.2011

Psalm 139:1-2 (NIV 1984) 1 O LORD, you have searched me    and you know me. 12.18.2011

Psalm 139:1-2 (NIV 1984) 2 You know when I sit and when I rise;    you perceive my thoughts from afar. 12.18.2011

Romans 8:28 (NIV 1984) 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 12.18.2011

c. The majestic way of His plan: It is beautifully ___________ It is wonderfully ___________ It is full of _____________ personal detailed assurance 12.18.2011

Exodus 4:6-7 (NIV 1984) 6 Then the LORD said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was leprous, like snow. 12.18.2011

Exodus 4:6-7 (NIV 1984) 7 “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh. 12.18.2011

c. The majestic way of His plan: It is beautifully ___________ It is wonderfully ___________ It is full of _____________ It is __________ personal detailed assurance perfect 12.18.2011

Romans 12:2 (NIV 1984) 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 12.18.2011

c. The majestic way of His plan: It is beautifully ___________ It is wonderfully ___________ It is full of _____________ It is __________ But it is never forced upon us personal detailed assurance perfect 12.18.2011

As the cosmic event unfolds, the Scriptures reveal: III. The Greatest Yearning: We can ______________ in His glorious plan participate 12.18.2011

a. The Eternal ___________ of Human Praise: ___________ From the Soul III. The Greatest Yearning: We can ______________ in His glorious plan participate a. The Eternal ___________ of Human Praise: ___________ From the Soul Recorder Straight 12.18.2011

Luke 1:46-47 (NIV 1984) “My soul glorifies the Lord 46 And Mary said: 12.18.2011

Luke 1:46-47(NIV 1984) 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 12.18.2011

Colossians 1:16 (NIV 1984) 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 12.18.2011

III. The Greatest Yearning: We can ______________ in His glorious plan participate b. When _______ and ________ come together, God’s glory is being manifested. life faith 12.18.2011

Revelation 4:11 (NIV 1984) 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,    to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,    and by your will they were created    and have their being.” 12.18.2011

III. The Greatest Yearning: We can ______________ in His glorious plan participate c. If God alone will take up the throne, the only gift we can offer is to _____________ to Him. give our all 12.18.2011

Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984) 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984) 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984) 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. 12.18.2011

Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984) 54 He has helped his servant Israel,    remembering to be merciful 12.18.2011

Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984) 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” 12.18.2011

Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984) 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. 12.18.2011

Conclusion As the salvation drama unfolds, will you be crowning Him as the King, giving the best to Him like Mary did? 12.18.2011