Amazing Announcement
Luke 1:26-38
The four messages during Advent will look at the involvement of angels in the Christmas narrative. We have little knowledge about angels, but it is clear that they play a crucial and recurring role from before conception until sometime after the birth of Jesus.
A Little about Angels
Warriors, Guardians, Protectors, Ministers, Messengers
Presence or representations of God’s glory (Exodus 3:1-6)
Not to be worshipped (Revelation 22:8-9)
Subservient and inferior to Jesus (Hebrews 1)
Only two are given names: Gabriel and Michael
Sometimes unrecognizable by us (Hebrews 13:2)
Appear from the beginning to the end in the Bible
We will judge them (1 Corinthians 6:3)
Bringing Good News
Zechariah and Elizabeth: heritage, kin and faith
Directed timing
The awesome glory of God reflected through Gabriel
The joy of God’s plan
Consequences of questioning an angel
The beauty of God’s fulfilled promise
Declaring God’s Favor and Glorious Purpose
The unexpected oddness and wonder of God’s plan
Faith drives out fear and asks wondrous questions
A glorious Trinitarian response
Elizabeth’s and Mary’s joy is intertwined
For young or old, nothing is impossible for God
Humbly submitting to God’s word
