The Greatest Event Unfolded

Pastor Timothy Chan

Chinese Grace Bible Church

Sunday, December 18, 2011

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

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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,

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

33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

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

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

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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.

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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.

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

37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

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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.

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

46 And Mary said:    

“My soul glorifies the Lord

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

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

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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,

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

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—    holy is his name.

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

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,    from generation to generation.

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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.

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

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones    but has lifted up the humble.

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

53 He has filled the hungry with good things    but has sent the rich away empty.

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

54 He has helped his servant Israel,    remembering to be merciful

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

55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,    even as he said to our fathers.”

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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?

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As the cosmic event unfolds, the Scriptures reveal:

I. The Greatest Discovery: We are the ___________________, the recipient of His grace.

chosen vessel

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I. The Greatest Discovery: We are the ___________________, the recipient of His grace.

chosen vessel

a. There is a ___________ behind history

purpose

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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I. The Greatest Discovery: We are the ___________________, the recipient of His grace.

chosen vessel

b. There is a ______ for usplan

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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.

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Proverbs 16:9 (NIV 1984)

9 In his heart a man plans his course,    but the LORD determines his steps.

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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.

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I. The Greatest Discovery: We are the ___________________, the recipient of His grace.

chosen vessel

c. God will _______ us to His planlead

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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.

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As the cosmic event unfolds, the Scriptures reveal:

II. The Greatest Excitement: God is looking for a ________________messenger

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II. The Greatest Excitement: God is looking for a ________________messenger

a. The natural way to respond to His call: ___________________Fear and skepticism

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II. The Greatest Excitement: God is looking for a ________________messenger

b. The proper way to respond to His call: ___________________Faith and obedience

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c. The majestic way of His plan:i. It is beautifully ___________personal

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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.”

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

ii. It is wonderfully ___________

personal

detailed

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Psalm 139:1-2 (NIV 1984)

1 O LORD, you have searched me    and you know me.

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Psalm 139:1-2 (NIV 1984)

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;    you perceive my thoughts from afar.

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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.

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

ii. It is wonderfully ___________

iii. It is full of _____________

personal

detailed

assurance

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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.

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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.

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

ii. It is wonderfully ___________

iii. It is full of _____________

iv. It is __________

personal

detailed

assurance

perfect

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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.

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

ii. It is wonderfully ___________

iii. It is full of _____________

iv. It is __________

v. But it is never forced upon us

personal

detailed

assurance

perfect

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As the cosmic event unfolds, the Scriptures reveal:

III. The Greatest Yearning: We can ______________ in His glorious plan

participate

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III. The Greatest Yearning: We can ______________ in His glorious plan

participate

a. The Eternal ___________ of Human Praise: ___________ From the Soul

RecorderStraight

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Luke 1:46-47 (NIV 1984)

46 And Mary said:    

“My soul glorifies the Lord

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Luke 1:46-47(NIV 1984)

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

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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.

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III. The Greatest Yearning: We can ______________ in His glorious plan

participate

b. When _______ and ________ come together, God’s glory is being manifested.

life faith

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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.”

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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

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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.

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Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984)

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble.

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Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984)

53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

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Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984)

54 He has helped his servant Israel,    remembering to be merciful

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Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984)

55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

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Luke 1:51-56 (NIV 1984)

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

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Conclusion

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