What did Mary know?

Topics: Mother's Day, Mary

I. Mary knew to humbly submit to God!

* Godly people gladly submit themselves to God's Will!

The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:35-38).

When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come." His mother *said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it" (John 2:3-5).

II. Mary knew to quickly seek righteous advice!

* Godly people seek wisdom and encouragement from others!

Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord" (Luke 1:39-45).
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5).

III. Mary knew to rejoice in Jesus her savior!

* Godly people recognize their need for God's gracious salvation!

And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed" (Luke 1:46-48).
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed - and a sword will pierce even your own soul - to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34, 35).

Mother's Day sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, May 12^th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"What did Mary know?"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Honoring mothers is an important attitude (Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 6:20-22; 23:22) for all of life. How can your Life Group encourage healthy relationships with mothers?

Getting Started:

What has been your understanding of Mary and has it been biblically accurate? What are some common teachings about Mary that are not true?
Try to imagine yourself in Mary's place or Joseph's place when Gabriel announced the virgin birth - what do you think you would be feeling and how would you respond?

Discussing Truths:

How is Mary uniquely blessed among women (Luke 1:42, 45, 48)?
What can you learn from Mary's faith and how she "treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19, 33, 51)?
Why do you think God filled John the Baptist with His Holy Spirit while still in Elizabeth's womb (Luke 1:15; 41-44)?
What are some of the 15 references or allusions to Scripture that Mary expresses in "The Magnificat" (Luke 1:46-55)?
How do you submit yourself to God's Will?
Do you have some godly people whom you seek to get righteous advice?
Why do you think Jesus? brothers didn?t believe in Him at first, but later become His faithful disciples (Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 3:31-35; John 7:1-10; Acts 1:14)?

Now What? Application:

Do you honor your mother with the gracious words you use to speak to her or about her?
How can you rejoice in Jesus as your Savior this week? How can you inspire others to obey "Whatever He says to you, do it!" (John 2:5)?