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Christian Life Church
December 19, 2021 8:30 & 10am
The Supporting Cast of the Savior
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
THE SUPPORTING CAST OF THE SAVIOR DECEMBER 19, 2021
SCRIPTURE
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings favored woman! The Lord is with you!" Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!" Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin." The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail." Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her Son was born. Matthew 1:18-24 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for the census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary (to Bethlehem), to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 And Joseph named Him Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25
THE SUPPORTING CAST
Luke
He was a historian who is believed to have interviewed Mary following the resurrection.
The Prophets
After longing for Messiah, more than 300 prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus’ life.
Elizabeth
She was Mary’s cousin and would become John the Baptist’s mother.
Zechariah
He was Elizabeth’s husband, a priest, and would become John the Baptist’s father.
The Magi
They were astronomers from far away who represent the Gentile nations coming to worship the Savior.
Herod
He was a wicked king intimidated by Messiah and issues a slaughter in Bethlehem.
The Shepherds
They were men faithfully living life while waiting for Messiah.
Mary
She was a teenage girl (13-14), engaged to Joseph, and would become Jesus’ mother. She has been grossly misunderstood by the church.
Catholics often overestimate her importance, while many Protestants underestimate it.
Biblical things to remember about Mary:
She was a woman of God (Luke 1).
She was entrusted as the “mother of God” (Luke 1).
She was a song writer (Luke 1).
She encouraged Jesus’ miracle at the wedding of Cana (John 2).
She was revered and blessed by people in her lifetime (Luke 11).
She was one of the few who remained with Jesus at the cross (John 19).
She was given into John’s care (John 19).
She was at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1).
Extra-biblical things to remember about Mary:
She wears blue in most images representing her uniqueness, rarity, and worth.
She is nursing the Christ child in most images to express His humanity.
She is honored in other religions. For example, she is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an.
Joseph
He was a teenage boy (15-16), engaged to Mary, and would become Jesus’ earthly father. He disappeared during Jesus’ adolescence, likely due to an early death.
CHARACTER MATTERS
What is often overlooked is the character of these two children.
"God's method is men. The Church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men." E.M. Bounds
1/ Joseph and Mary chose dignity over dishonor.
Initially, he decided to divorce her “quietly” to avoid humiliating her further.
In a culture where honor has been lost, Christians must choose honor in every situation.
2/ Joseph and Mary chose selflessness over selfishness.
After angelic visitation, he decided to marry a single mother and adopt her Son. This choice would greatly jeopardize his reputation.
Christians must learn to handle the disapproval of others to fulfill the will of God.
Obedience to God can lead to being misunderstood by others (even Christians). This should not be the norm, but it does happen.
3/ Joseph and Mary chose purity over perversion.
Understanding this sacred moment, they remained celibate until after Jesus’ birth.
Christians must recognize the sacredness of God-moments. Sometimes this means refusing permissible actions.
4/ Joseph and Mary chose obedience over objection.
Unlike Zechariah, they immediately received the word of the Lord.
He takes her as his wife, moves to Egypt, moves back to Galilee, presents Jesus to the Lord, and gives a purification offering.
When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home. Luke 2:39, NLT
Christians must act upon Scriptural and Spirit instruction (as they align with the Bible).
5/ Joseph and Mary chose pondering over proclaiming.
She stewarded the prophetic words spoken over her life & Jesus’ life.
Christians must learn to endure the gap between promise and fulfillment.
6/ Joseph and Mary chose giving all over giving in.
She was faithful through every season of Jesus' life.
Christians must be faithful in this season to be fruitful in the next season.
CLOSE
Before His first arrival, Mary was a vessel carrying the presence of God! Before His next arrival, we are vessels carrying the presence of God!
How we live matters!
“There’s no test for character. It’s always a pop quiz.” Andy Stanley
SCRIPTURE
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings favored woman! The Lord is with you!" Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!" Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin." The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail." Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through His prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her Son was born. Matthew 1:18-24 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for the census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary (to Bethlehem), to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 And Joseph named Him Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25
THE SUPPORTING CAST
Luke
He was a historian who is believed to have interviewed Mary following the resurrection.
The Prophets
After longing for Messiah, more than 300 prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus’ life.
Elizabeth
She was Mary’s cousin and would become John the Baptist’s mother.
Zechariah
He was Elizabeth’s husband, a priest, and would become John the Baptist’s father.
The Magi
They were astronomers from far away who represent the Gentile nations coming to worship the Savior.
Herod
He was a wicked king intimidated by Messiah and issues a slaughter in Bethlehem.
The Shepherds
They were men faithfully living life while waiting for Messiah.
Mary
She was a teenage girl (13-14), engaged to Joseph, and would become Jesus’ mother. She has been grossly misunderstood by the church.
Catholics often overestimate her importance, while many Protestants underestimate it.
Biblical things to remember about Mary:
She was a woman of God (Luke 1).
She was entrusted as the “mother of God” (Luke 1).
She was a song writer (Luke 1).
She encouraged Jesus’ miracle at the wedding of Cana (John 2).
She was revered and blessed by people in her lifetime (Luke 11).
She was one of the few who remained with Jesus at the cross (John 19).
She was given into John’s care (John 19).
She was at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1).
Extra-biblical things to remember about Mary:
She wears blue in most images representing her uniqueness, rarity, and worth.
She is nursing the Christ child in most images to express His humanity.
She is honored in other religions. For example, she is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an.
Joseph
He was a teenage boy (15-16), engaged to Mary, and would become Jesus’ earthly father. He disappeared during Jesus’ adolescence, likely due to an early death.
CHARACTER MATTERS
What is often overlooked is the character of these two children.
"God's method is men. The Church is looking for better methods. God is looking for better men." E.M. Bounds
1/ Joseph and Mary chose dignity over dishonor.
Initially, he decided to divorce her “quietly” to avoid humiliating her further.
In a culture where honor has been lost, Christians must choose honor in every situation.
2/ Joseph and Mary chose selflessness over selfishness.
After angelic visitation, he decided to marry a single mother and adopt her Son. This choice would greatly jeopardize his reputation.
Christians must learn to handle the disapproval of others to fulfill the will of God.
Obedience to God can lead to being misunderstood by others (even Christians). This should not be the norm, but it does happen.
3/ Joseph and Mary chose purity over perversion.
Understanding this sacred moment, they remained celibate until after Jesus’ birth.
Christians must recognize the sacredness of God-moments. Sometimes this means refusing permissible actions.
4/ Joseph and Mary chose obedience over objection.
Unlike Zechariah, they immediately received the word of the Lord.
He takes her as his wife, moves to Egypt, moves back to Galilee, presents Jesus to the Lord, and gives a purification offering.
When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home. Luke 2:39, NLT
Christians must act upon Scriptural and Spirit instruction (as they align with the Bible).
5/ Joseph and Mary chose pondering over proclaiming.
She stewarded the prophetic words spoken over her life & Jesus’ life.
Christians must learn to endure the gap between promise and fulfillment.
6/ Joseph and Mary chose giving all over giving in.
She was faithful through every season of Jesus' life.
Christians must be faithful in this season to be fruitful in the next season.
CLOSE
Before His first arrival, Mary was a vessel carrying the presence of God! Before His next arrival, we are vessels carrying the presence of God!
How we live matters!
“There’s no test for character. It’s always a pop quiz.” Andy Stanley